Top 10 Family Friendly Resorts in Orlando
*Caution, affiliate links ahead…Don’t worry, I’ll use the money for something practical, like wine…. or a pony!
Heading to Orlando for a fun family vacation? Whether you are on your way to meet Mickey Mouse, explore Hogwarts or party with the Blue Man group, you will need a great place to stay. Somewhere with comfy beds for a restful nights sleep and plenty of on site activities for your entire family. I have rounded up the best of the best in Orlando resorts to help you plan your best Orlando vacation.
An upscale and relaxed AAA Four Diamond golf resort and spa, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is nestled just 10 minutes away from Orlando’s most popular theme parks but a world away from the hustle and bustle. The Omni features an extensive water complex complete with comfy cabanas for mom and dad to relax and enjoy a fresh smoothie while the kids splash around.
The Omni also has a sensational kids program, full service spa, 2 championship golf courses and 5 phenomenal onsite restaurants. With all there is to here, your family may never want to leave.
2. Swan and Dolphin Disney World Hotel
This superb hotel is located within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and features complimentary transportation throughout the parks, extended park hours and FastPass+.
Numerous exciting onsite activities are available for kids, including five swimming pools with a grotto pool, white sand beach, aquatic games, waterfalls and water slides, as well as tennis courts, video games, a children’s playground, and watercraft rentals. Make sure to take advantage of the complimentary Camp Dolphin, an evening camp just for kids aged 4-12. It is a great way for mom and dad to get a little time for themselves in one of the 17 restaurants and lounges inside the hotel while the kids have a blast watching movies, doing arts and crafts or winning cool prizes. A total win-win.
How fantastic is this hotel? Newly opened in May of 2015, this hotel is a must for any LEGO lover. This hotel is built for families with kids, and it is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. A smoke breathing dragon will greet you, check-in while “checking out” the wall of 5,000 Minifigures, and then head to the disco elevator and dance your way to your fully themed room.
Included in your visit is a full breakfast buffet and a LEGO treasure hunt in every room with fun LEGO prizes. Nightly LEGO build challenges, entertainment and a LEGO themed pool will make this an unforgettable experience.
While at first glance this may not strike you as a resort that caters to families, The Hard Rock works really hard to make sure even their youngest guests have a fantastic time while staying in their resort.
The Hard Rock features large (800 square feet!) “kid-suites” featuring an attached kids’ room with TV, table, and chairs, king bed accommodations for the adults and two twin beds for the kid rockers. The Sound of Your Stay is available in all all rooms allowing for free downloadable playlists upon check-in plus free Fender guitar rentals for impromptu jam sessions and professional DJ equipment delivered in-room at no cost to guests (family dance party anyone?) Combine that with weekly kids activities such as “Kids can cook” night, Universal Studios character dining opportunities and Camp Lil’ Rock and you have the perfect resort for any musical family!
World class dining, a 5 acre kids amusement area, and complimentary kids camp are just some of what you can expect at the Four Seasons Orlando.
No kid (or adult) will be able to resist Explorer Island where you can meander down a lazy river that winds around a “ruined” mansion. You can also take advantage of the climbing wall, waterslides, beach volleyball, basketball, a video gaming center and outdoor movie nights on the Starstruck screen. Not to mention the twice weekly on-site Disney character breakfasts with Goofy and his pals.
This resort literally has it all and is the perfect place to stay and play on your Orlando vacation.
Surrounded by the Walt Disney World Resort and located on the Bonnet Creek Nature Reserve, the Hilton Bonnet Creek should definitely be on your hotel radar.
Kids will enjoy the incredible three-acre pool and lazy river with a waterslide (named #1 Fantastic Hotel Pool by TripAdvisor in 2012). While adults will be in heaven with the onsite spa and access to the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. Families will love the 12 dining options and onsite day camp for kids.
Take a step back in time with this retro themed Universal Studios resort. Cabana Bay is a 50’s themed resort that boasts two huge pools, a lazy river, onsite bowling alley and non-stop retro themed kids activities (think hula hoops, dance contests and poolside “dive-in” movies!).
Large family suites and Universal Studios perks like early entrance, make this a fun and affordable place to stay in Orlando.
One of the few places secluded enough to make you feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle while still being conveniently close to all of Orlando’s best attractions, Liki Tiki Village focuses on creating a relaxing family atmosphere while on vacation.
Your family will love The Lagoon, featuring a gently rolling wave pool, 5 water slides, an erupting water volcano, a waterfall, a toddler’s area, spouting tiki heads, and a dancing fountain. If swimming isn’t your thing, you can always head over to the mini golf course, take a spin around the lake in a paddle boat or ride around the resort on surrey bikes.
With so much to do onsite, you may never want to leave.
Luxury meets affordability at the Marriott Renaissance. Parents will enjoy the world class dining, spa and state of the art fitness center, while children will love splashing around in the Aqua Zone.
Just minutes from the major theme parks and attraction, this official Sea World hotel affords it’s guests special Sea World privileges such as complementary quick queue access and discount off food and merchandise.
This luxury resort really has the ability to transport you into a world of ultimate relaxation and fun, no matter what your age.
Daily children’s programming that taps children’s innate curiosity about the world around them. They offer a diverse collection of activities based on the four pillars of the program – water, land, environmental responsibility and culture – kids are swept away by everything from coral reefs and forests, to recycling and sustainability, storytelling, art and even food.
While kids are immersed in a day of learning and exploring, parents can take advantage of a championship golf course or enjoy at day of pampering at the world class spa.
These properties are the best of the best when it comes to family friendly accommodations, now all you have to do is narrow it down to just one 🙂 Good luck!
