Orlando may be best known for its incredible theme parks, but it is increasingly a city where the hotels and resorts are becoming attractions in their own right. I’m not saying you should not have to explore Walt Disney World or Universal Studios, but if you’re staying at one of these over-the-top Orlando resorts, getting your kids to go to the theme parks can be harder than you might think.
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1. JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Located at the headwaters of the Everglades, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes is a 500-acre luxury resort with wall-to-wall family activities. In addition to fireworks shows and a giant pool, this hotel has a fun water park with three water slides, a giant lazy river, and poolside movies. Special events are always happening, one of the best being a falconry experience where kids can help train the majestic birds, with plenty of photo opportunities.
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Through the on-site Grande Lakes Sports, guests can try their hand at active pursuits such as biking, fishing, kayaking, eco-tours, sunrise safaris and archery. The hotel also embraces each season at its own farm. A fall pumpkin festival transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland. Hotel guests can take advantage of the kids’ club at the adjacent Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes. The kids’ club is a great place for little ones to hang out when parents want to hit the spa or have a kid-free date night.
2. Orlando World Center Marriott
The world’s largest Marriott hotel is sure to have something for everyone. It might be hard to keep your kids away from Orlando World Center’s River Falls Water Park, featuring thrilling inner-tube water slides and a 500-foot lazy river. The on-site Falls Pool Oasis features a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, twisting water slides and a kiddie pool.
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Aspiring mermaids can take a mermaid lesson or join a mermaid glow party. Orlando World Center also has nightly laser shows, an arcade and a dedicated recreation team to keep kids entertained every moment of their stay. Plus, the hotel offers great views of the Disney fireworks.
3.Gaylord Palms Resort
The family-friendly Gaylord Palms Resort is known for its breathtaking atriums, intricately themed environments and built-in activities. At the heart of the resort is a vibrant water park with a zero-entry pool. Families looking for more adventure can race down thrilling water slides, splash around in the Tree House Water Playground or relax on the resort’s lazy river.
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Outside of the water, try an Escape Room, check out the arcade or go on a scavenger hunt around the grounds. There are seasonal events throughout the year, from Halloween-themed painting classes to the resort’s annual ICE! exhibit, featuring life-size ice sculptures.
4. JW Marriott Bonnet Creek
This luxury hotel hasn’t forgotten how to have fun. The JW Marriott Bonnet Creek has a “hidden” kids’ club behind a secret door as one of its many amenities. The kids’ club features a rooftop climbing wall, mini golf, and art projects. Little guests can also participate in special events, including reptile meet-and-greets where they can hold an alligator (if they dare).
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The hotel also has a huge, family-friendly pool. In the evening, guests are treated to fantastic views of Disney World’s nightly fireworks, which is a great way to experience the magic without the madness.
5. Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek may be set on a peaceful 1,200-acre nature preserve, but the resort is anything but boring. Families can while away the afternoon in the hotel’s lagoon-style pool and 7-acre lazy river. Kids can take part in the report’s Mermaid Academy or enroll in the SCUBA Academy, where they’ll use kid-friendly regulators to help them breathe, even with their faces underwater.
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If you prefer to stay dry, take advantage of special events throughout the property. These can include pizza-making classes and seasonal events like Easter egg hunts. When night falls, head to Dive-In Movies by the hotel’s large pool. Or, take the kids to the kids’ club so you can have some fun of your own.
6. Conrad Orlando
Situated within the 1,100-acre Evermore Orlando Resort, the Conrad Orlando offers guests access to 50 acres of private tropical beach, a tranquil crystal-clear lagoon, and a huge swimming pool. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and a giant family slide are available on-site, along with a variety of other water activities. Cliff jumps from various heights and rope swings over a deep blue swimming hole are a highlight of a stay for many children.
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Other activities include beach parties, campfire sing-alongs and sandcastle-building tournaments. The hotel has a great kids’ club that’s more than just a place to park the kids for a few hours. The club’s rich programming focuses on Florida’s diverse landscapes, history and wildlife. Kids might learn about pirates one day and wetlands and alligators the next.
7. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
If your kids dream of days in the pool, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is second to none. The resort features a half-acre pool with a swim-through rock grotto, waterfalls, a waterslide tower, and a suspension bridge. The pool alone can keep families busy all day, but the property has plenty more to offer, including a white-sand lakefront and bike rentals.
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Water sports, including canoes, sailboats, paddle boats, hydrobikes and kayaks, are available on site. Families who want to stay on land can explore the resort’s other activities, such as cornhole, slime making and fish feeding.
8. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Even though Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resorts are located in the heart of Walt Disney World, it can still be hard to drag your kids away from the resort for a day at the parks. At Swan and Dolphin, families can enjoy six swimming pools. The crown jewel is the Grotto Pool, which features a water slide, expansive rock features, a waterfall with a hidden lounge area, and poolside games throughout the day.
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When it’s time to leave the pool, you can build sandcastles on the resort’s expansive white-sand beach, hit the playground, play a round of mini-golf, or take a paddleboat ride around Crescent Lake. When parents need a break from all the fun, kids can head to the Camp Dolphin Kids Club, where they can do crafts, play video games, enjoy a meal, and participate in age-appropriate activities.
9. The Grove Resort and Waterpark Orlando
Guests at The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando can spend their days at the resort’s heated Surfari Water Park, featuring a lazy river, thrilling water slides, a splash park and a FlowRider Double surf simulator. Families who enjoy water sports can head to the on-site Lake Austin for kayaks, paddle boats, fishing and pontoon rides.
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Lake Austin is also a great place for nature lovers to explore Central Florida’s diverse landscape. The Grove Resort hosts events throughout the day, including scavenger hunts, karaoke contests, fishing tournaments, and arts and crafts.
10. Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek
At the Mediterranean-style Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek, kids never have to leave the water. The resort features five outdoor pools, water slides, splash zones and two long lazy rivers. That’s probably enough for most families, but the hotel also has plenty of other family fun, including a playground, game room, pool tables and mini golf. Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek also offers organized activities throughout the day, including karaoke, face painting and bingo.
10 Orlando Hotels That Are as Fun as Disney or Universal originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers escorted group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, itinerary reviews, and travel gear recommendations.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 10 Over-the-Top Orlando Resorts Offer Plenty of Family Activities
