Despite massive flood damage, Gaylord Opryland Resort officials said they will be reopened and ready for a bigger and better holiday season.
On Wednesday, Opryland workers put on Santa hats and started hanging 2 million Christmas lights.
Gaylord held an elaborate news conference complete with dancing elves to get the message across that the resort will reopen on November 15.
Construction crews have been working around the clock. Gaylord is spending close to $223 million to restore the building, renovate rooms and add new restaurants. There was 10 feet of flood water in some parts of the resort.
The company said it will start rehiring employees by August. Employees said they’re just happy Opryland is opening and their laid off co-workers can soon come back.
Opryland’s holiday favorites will be back including ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ ICE attraction, performances by the Radio City Rockettes and a new dinner show with Louise Mandrell.
The 27th annual A Country Christmas begins November 19 and runs through January 2.
