DC super heroes coming to Orlando + 3 more cities at Gaylord hotels
DC Summer, a celebration of DC Comics, is coming to Gaylord hotels — including Gaylord Palms, bringing the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman to Orlando.
DC Summer at Gaylord hotels
DC Summer will take place at Gaylord properties in Kissimmee, Fla. (near Orlando); Grapevine, Texas (near Dallas); Aurora, Colo. (near Denver); and Nashville, Tenn. See full dates below.
With more than a dozen different themed experiences, DC fans will have plenty to explore during DC Summer: atrium light shows, scavenger hunts, character dining, water park celebrations, and more.
Pop-up retail stores will sell exclusive DC merchandise for the super fans. With James Gunn’s new “Superman” movie flying to theaters July 11, it’s the perfect time to snag some exclusive items. Some items visitors can expect are autograph books (for all those super and evil signatures you’ll be getting), blankets, projector pens, tote bags, and more.
Universe of Light, exclusive to Gaylord Texan
The new show Universe of Light is the first-ever DC-themed lantern show in the U.S. It’s a walkthrough attraction that combines modern storytelling with ancient artistry going back 1,000 years.
Universe of Light will feature 40 heroes and villains, as well as over 1,000 glowing lanterns constructed by master artisans from Zigong, China, known as the “lantern capital of the world.” These handcrafted super hero lanterns are up to 24 feet tall, with thousands of LED lights. Covering 17,500 square feet, Universe of Light will immerse visitors into the world of DC Comics.
Guests will also have the opportunity to buy an exclusive new custom DC comic book. This too will only be available at Gaylord Texan, as it is specific to the Universe of Light exhibit.
List of Gaylord hotel activities for DC Summer
The interactive experiences for DC Summer will vary by location. However, guests looking to speed into the DC Summer fun can expect some of the below activities, with descriptions from Gaylord. You’re going to want to book a room to get the full experience (Alfred not included).
- DC Super Hero’s Mission Checklist: As soon as you check in, get a super hero badge with a checklist of challenges. Once all missions are complete, make sure to collect your certificate.
- Revenge of The Riddler Scavenger Hunt: Solve The Riddler’s tricky puzzles scattered throughout the resort.
- DC Super Hero Craft Zone: Let your creativity loose as you create your own super hero origin story.
- Hall of Justice Character Dining with Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman.
- Gotham City Character Dining with The Joker and Harley Quinn
- DC Super Secret Menu: Get the secret code word and unlock super hero-inspired cocktails, appetizers, and desserts.
- “DC Super Hero Academy” Live Show: In this show, guests can hear some of the legendary and classic stories that come directly out of DC comic books. This won’t just be story time, however. There will be guest interactions, puzzles, and perhaps a surprise super hero appearance.
- DC character appearances
- DC Fun by the Pool: Fun facts, hero spotlights, and specialty super hero-inspired cocktails and refreshing Icee drinks. No need to find Mr. Freeze to stay cool. Just grab the Amazonian Freeze or the Metropolis Chill.
- DC Super Hero Splash: At times, the pool will be action-packed with super hero games, DC trivia, and a DJ.
- DC Movie Night Poolside: Enjoy a DC super hero film on the big screen at the pool. Top it off with some themed snacks.
- “Battle for Justice” Light Show in the atrium
- DC Super Hero Supply Pack: If you want to immediately jump into the fun, get the themed welcome pack. This includes a cape, autograph book, projector pen, sticker, and bag because every hero needs some good gadgets.
Make your DC Summer plans today
Specific dates and locations for DC Summer are below. For more information, or to book a room, head to DC Summer at Gaylord Hotels. There you will find specific times and availability for various activities at each location.
- Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn.: May 23 – Sept. 1
- Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla.: May 23 – Sept. 1
- Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, Colo.: May 24 – Sept. 1
- Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine, Texas: May 23 – Sept. 1. This location also includes the Universe of Light exhibit.
Gaylord’s experience with interactive activities
Gaylord Hotels is no stranger to interactive experiences. If you’ve ever been to a Gaylord hotel during the holidays, you may have experienced the unforgettable experience that is ICE! It truly lives up to its name. (Last year’s exhibit was themed to the holiday classic “Elf.”)
However, DC Summer is the company’s first time teaming up with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences to create an interactive celebration of characters from DC Comics. If ICE! is an example of what guests can expect, then visitors should be in for a treat.
“We are thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences to bring the world of DC off the comic book pages into Gaylord Hotels this summer,” said Johann Krieger, VP and managing director of Gaylord Hotels. “DC Summer promises to be an extraordinary adventure, offering guests the chance to immerse themselves in the DC Universe in a way only Gaylord Hotels can bring to life. From the spectacular Universe of Light attraction to the action-packed challenges and interactive experiences, this partnership exemplifies our commitment to creating unforgettable moments for our guests.”
The world of DC Comics has brought us the paradise that is Themyscira, where Wonder Woman came from, as well as the dark and dingy Gotham City that Batman calls home. That’s not to mention the always busy Metropolis, where Clark Kent himself reports the news at the Daily Planet. Each of these worlds will have a display during DC Summer at the Gaylord hotels that reflects the look and feel the fans have known for many decades. Fans will find both photo ops and meet & greets with the actual DC super heroes themselves.
More Attractions Magazine stories:
Follow us:
No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
