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Why is Orlando the ideal vacation spot for families?
When searching for the best Florida family vacation spots, Orlando makes the top choice. The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when thinking of this Central Florida’s mega tourist destination is surely its abundance of theme parks. Truly a magical place, Orlando is a world-famous mecca of thematic entertainment and activities. But Orlando offers a variety of fun things to do with kids of all ages other than theme parks.
Discover awe-inspiring attractions, outdoor activities, themed restaurants, thrilling resorts with water parks, and hotels that the whole family will love. An Orlando vacation will appeal to kids and parents alike. Be it a short weekend trip or an extended stay, Orlando is a great destination for families. Make the best out of your time in Orlando and create memories that will last forever!
Families with kids guide to Orlando
With so many kid-friendly hotels with water slides in Orlando, planning a well-organized family vacation and choosing where to stay and what to visit might seem like a nightmare. Thanks to our tips and activities ideas, it doesn’t have to be!
We will cover everything from family-friendy accommodation options, exciting theme and water parks, restaurants with kid-friendly menus, local attractions, unique experiences, as well as other things to do in the area. With the help of our guide, you’ll be able to plan your dream family vacation stress-free. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in Orlando!
Family-friendly hotels with water parks in Orlando
Finding a good place to stay during your vacation can make a huge difference in your trip. There’s no shortage of fantastic hotels and lakefront resorts in Orlando, so when it comes to deciding on one, it can be quite hard to figure out which one would suit your family best, with so many competing for your attention.
But fret not because there are accommodations that suit every budget and taste! We have narrowed it down to a simple list of hotels and resorts based on the amenities that they provide and their proximity to local attractions. And since all great Florida family vacations include some fun splashy time, accommodations featuring an on-site water park make the top of our list.
Also, we are not forgetting the parents. While the kids are having a blast at the water park, parents will surely appreciate having a relaxing time at the on-site spa, unwinding in the poolside cabanas, or sipping a cocktail at the poolside bar.
Walt Disney World® Resort
Walt Disney World® Resort is home to a certain mouse that is known as the most famous cartoon character in the world. However, it is not thanks to that mouse that Walt Disney World® Resort is known as one of the world’s top family travel destinations.
This incredible 27,000-acre resort complex consists of 34 on-site hotels in total out of which 23 are themed, four amazing theme parks that cover approximately 950 acres, two thrilling water parks, and much more!
If the prices at these hotels seem a bit daunting, then never fear, there’s a wealth of much more budget-friendly hotels in the immediate vicinity, so don’t think that a family Disney World vacation is out of reach just because of expensive accommodation.
Walt Disney World® Resort accommodations
Here is our list of selected kid-friendly WDW resorts that feature special amenities such as Disney-themed rooms, transportation services that take you to popular destinations throughout the resort, and personalized vacation-planning support.
Another important thing to mention is that guests of Disney World® Resort hotels are given the exclusive early theme park entry which shortens family wait time in the parks and helps to avoid the crowds. For parents traveling with toddlers that can easily get fussy or simply those that want to have more time in a day to relax or dedicate to other things, this handy feature is a must!
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is one of the most popular hotels for families that want to be as close to the action as possible during their vacation.
In addition to its dream location, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is loaded with every sort of luxurious amenity that you’ll need for an unforgettable family vacation.
At the Disney planning center located onsite, you can speak to some of the resident Disney World experts that’ll be thrilled to help you plan the Disney World trip of your dreams, as well as arrange some truly special experiences.
Start your day off with a sample of what’s to come by having breakfast with Goofy & his palls, where you can enjoy a stunning diversity of typical kids’ breakfast favorites, like Belgian waffles, fresh omelets, and much more, all while in the greatest company possible.
You can also enjoy some precious one-on-one time with your favorite Disney character at the Four Seasons’ event space!
Aside from all of the Disney-themed amenities, the Four Seasons has plenty more to offer. This lakeside haven is dotted with lush gardens, sprawling swimming pools, a lazy river that loops around the hotel, and a championship golf club for guests to make full use of. At the end of the day, enjoy a post-park massage at The Spa, and enjoy the view of the nightly Walt Disney World fireworks from the comfort of Capa Steakhouse’s rooftop dining area.
The crown jewel, however, is the five-acre water park located onsite, filled with towering slides, swimming pools, and private cabanas where parents and children alike can hunker down and relax the day away.
Walt Disney World® Swan and Dolphin Resorts
The award-winning Walt Disney World® Swan, Dolphin, and new Swan Reserve make the perfect vacation base right in the heart of Walt Disney World® Resort. After a long fun-filled day at the parks, rest in one of the incredibly comfortable and spacious rooms and suites.
With six unique pools, whirlpools, fountains, waterfalls, and a white sand beach, all located in the midst of an exotic tropical landscape, family fun is guaranteed.
The resorts boast astonishing 22 restaurants and lounges, an exotic Mandara spa, and special Disney benefits such as complimentary transportation to Disney Parks.
More water park hotels and resorts in Orlando
Orlando World Center Marriott
Discover a new level of comfort at Orlando World Center Marriott. Boasting an incredible on-site outdoor water oasis, a championship golf course, a spa, and not one but NINE dining options, it will delight guests of all ages. This premier Orlando water park hotel is conveniently located near Walt Disney World® parks, thus providing resort guests with a free shuttle.
Take your Orlando getaway to a new level by booking a family-friendly suite at the Orlando World Center Marriott featuring expanded living and dining spaces, spacious baths, and a private balcony with spectacular views of the resort, as well as a nightly laser light show.
The Orlando World Center Marriott boasts an incredible water park located on-site, the Falls Pool Oasis Waterpark. This recently renovated water park is built around a lagoon-style pool, making it the perfect place to kick back and bask in the warm Florida sun while floating down the 575-foot-long relaxing lazy river situated in the middle of a lush tropical paradise.
Certainly, the water park’s most impressive feature is the iconic slide tower which consists of three multi-rider waterslides, including a 90ft. speed slide and two 200ft. twisting slides. For even more relaxation, there is the heated zero-entry lagoon pool with submerged sun shelves for in-pool lounging, as well as private cabanas for poolside lounging.
The little ones can play safely at the splash zone children’s pool, a space that features shallow depths and a little slide that lets them have some water park fun long after you’ve come back from a busy day out in the parks.
Omni Orlando Resort
Plan your perfect family-friendly getaway at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, the ultimate luxury Florida escape destination. While staying at this 4-star Orlando resort, explore its world-class golf course and 15 acres of the recreation area. Leave your children in the capable hands of Omni Orlando Resort’s babysitting services and indulge in a wide range of soothing spa treatments at the on-site Mokara spa, enjoy a tranquil atmosphere at the outdoor adults-only pool, or simply relax in one of the luxurious poolside cabanas. Health nuts will appreciate the 24-hour fitness center located onsite.
For younger kids, there is a kids’ pool with three waterslides, while older kids can enjoy swimming in Orlando’s only resort wave pool and going through the 850-foot lazy river’s tunnels, gentle rapids, and hidden canyons.
Some splashy family fun awaits at the zero-entry outdoor family pool and the family whirlpool.
Even though the resort’s many amenities make Omni Orlando Resort the perfect staycation destination, those seeking even more exciting activities and experiences will be please to know that the property boasts easy access to area attractions like Walt Disney World® parks, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. In addition, the resort offers Orlando International Airport shuttle services.
Flamingo Waterpark Resort
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel filled with water park fun that caters to children, then look no further, the Flamingo Waterpark Resort is the right hotel for you.
Often lauded as one of the best Orlando hotels for families with young children, the vibrantly colored Flamingo Water park resort offers great value. Each spacious room is decorated in bright Florida colors, making it the perfect refuge during your time in Orlando.
The fun water park at the Flamingo is what keeps people coming back, multiple tubes and play areas surrounding the sprawling swimming pools set the stage for a day of wet and wild fun without having to leave the comfort of your hotel.
The Grove Resort & Water Park
The Grove resort is a little slice of paradise waiting for you in Orlando. This all-inclusive resort is home to all sorts of amenities and luxuries. Couple that with an enviable location right across the corner from Disney World®, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a perfect family vacation.
What makes the Grove Resort one of the best Orlando hotels for families is its combination of amenities that cater to both parents and kids alike, ensuring that everyone can have their dream vacation without hampering the other’s fun.
Parents can enjoy a romantic date night during their stay at the Grove Resort. The resort offers multiple first-class dining options located onsite, as well as a full-service spa.
Kids can play to their heart’s content at the Grove resort’s sprawling water park, complete with a wrap-around lazy river, a wave pool where they can hone their bodyboarding skills, and of course, towering water slides that twist and turn before dropping you down into the pools below.
Coco Key Hotel
The Coco Key Hotel offers the best of both worlds, offering ample indoor and outdoor water park attractions, as well as a huge arcade room for kids to play in.
At the Coco Key Hotel, the bright and elegant rooms perfectly contrast with the vibrant and fun demeanor of the common areas. Both the indoor water park as well as the outdoor one feature bright colors that make them the perfect playground for children.
Coco Key also offers 3 family-friendly restaurants and is located just a short drive from all of your favorite theme parks.
Family-oriented Orlando attractions
Orlando boasts a wealth of fun activities and unique experiences suited for younger and older children alike. Be it dining, arts, culture, outdoor adventures, sports, or other things to do, the possibilities for unforgettable family fun are almost endless. We bring you our list of carefully selected family-oriented attractions that will leave you with memories of a lifetime!
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is made especially for kids. The theme park boasts over 55 rides, attractions, and a variety of shows ranging from 4-D movies to meet-and-greets with your favorite LEGO® character. Thrill-seekers will be more than pleased at the LEGOLAND® water park, featuring a wide array of fun water facilities.
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort includes a standalone Peppa Pig theme park, an autism-friendly place for preschoolers to play that features sensory-rich and interactive attractions, themed playscapes, a water play area, and more. Keep toddlers entertained at Disney’s Magic Kingdom where storybook legends become real. Another great choice is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, providing the little ones with the opportunity of seeing exotic animals in person.
And since we know that feeding younger kids can be challenging, especially when you’re on vacation, you will be relieved to know that even the pickiest of eaters will be pleased in Orlando. The city boasts a plethora of amazing restaurants with kid-friendly menus and vibrant atmospheres.
Disney character dining is a great way to combine food and fun. The little ones can enjoy a great kid-friendly meal while meeting some of their favorite Disney characters.
T-Rex Cafe is a fun dinosaur-themed eatery at Disney Springs. Travel back 200 million years thanks to its life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, woolly mammoths, and simulated meteor showers.
For school-aged kids, especially those who love science-fiction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a perfect choice. If the kids, or the parents, are more into fantasy, they can step inside the magical world of The Boy Who Lived at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida.
When it comes to teen-friendly fun, Orlando water parks are a must. Our top picks include Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and the ultimate water park – Wet ‘n Wild Orlando. Fast and exhilarating waterslides, relaxing lazy rivers, and dynamic wave pools will make sure that the teens get their share of family vacation fun!
And don’t skip out on the wonders of the crystal blue waters of Discovery Cove, a magical water oasis that allows its visitors to experience close encounters with animals such as dolphins, birds, and small mammals.
Whichever of these water park hotels in Orlando you choose and whatever attractions you decide to visit, we are certain you will have an amazing time with your family. Happy travels!
