There’s no doubt that when it comes to family destinations, there’s Orlando… and then everything else. Nowhere else on the planet has as many family-friendly options within such a short distance — and that includes hotels with lots for families and kids to do.
Of course, theme parks like Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are the biggest draw to Orlando. But any parent will tell you that spending all day at these parks can be exhausting. Sometimes you simply want to relax, but the kids still want to have fun. That’s where finding the right hotel that has a lot for kids to do right at the resort is ideal.
When you book a hotel that offers plenty for kids to enjoy like waterparks, massive pools, mini-golf, basketball courts and more, you have an option that means the family can still have fun without having to deal with long days at the parks.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of the Orlando hotels with the most things to do on property.
Note: This article contains affiliate links to Kayak. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Review ratings come from either Google or TripAdvisor and are rounded to the nearest half point.
Disney & Universal Resorts With Lots for Kids to Do
Disney and Universal hotels have a leg up when it comes to building hotels that are destinations themselves. However, expect to pay more for the experience. That’s why we’ve grouped them together separate from independent hotels.
Click each hotel for pricing, pictures, and reviews on Kayak.
Loews Sapphire Falls
Literally across the street from Universal Studios, this hotel is practically a theme park itself. Think of lush tropical grounds complete with waterfalls and towering palms. The massive pool area winds back and forth, with landscaped grounds, lots of loungers and a waterslide built into an artificial rock wall. And while you might be in the middle of Orlando, the design makes it feel a world away.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$-$$$
Hard Rock Hotel Universal Orlando
Stay here and one benefit you get is a Universal Express pass to help you get through lines faster. You also get one-hour early admission to Harry Potter and Volcano Bay. And due to the location, you can literally walk to Universal Studios.
But despite being next to the hustle of the theme park, this massive resort will feel secluded due to lush landscaping that seems more like a natural park than a resort next to one of the busiest theme parks in the country.
As for things to do, there’s an impressive pool along with hot tubs and a lengthy waterslide, along with a splash pad to enjoy.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$$
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
When it comes to resorts, this might be the biggest in Orlando in terms of footprint. Cabana Bay covers a length of 1,600 feet from one end to the other. And with all that space, you better believe there is a lot to do.
For one, there is an arcade for the kids, as well as a 10-lane bowling alley. There’s also a spa for mom and dad. But the highlight is going to be pool areas. Here, there are two large options.
The Cabana Courtyard features a large pool, waterslide, outdoor pool tables, and outdoor games. Of course, there are also cabanas you can rent to spend the day. On the other end of the resort sits the Lazy River Courtyard, with a large pool of its own, but also a 640-foot long lazy river in addition to plenty of lounge space to just lay back and get some sun.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$-$$$
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
You know anything involving Disney will be a bit hit with families. This resort has a South Pacific theme and is conveniently located right next to a ferry to the Magic Kingdom and a monorail station.
The resort features multiple pools, including a more relaxing Oasis Pool and what kids will love — the Lava Pool. This pool features water attractions like a 140-foot waterslide and a separate splash area for the little ones.
It also sits right next to Seven Seas Lagoon, which offers boat rides, fishing, and a spot to see fireworks at the park.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$$
Disney Beach Club Resort
Sitting just outside the gates of Epcot, staying here means you can walk to that park. But you can also take the nearby Skyliner gondola or take a ferry boat over to Hollywood Studios.
Of course, you might be more interested in things to do at the resort to keep kids happy during a break from the theme park. In that case, there is a lot for them to enjoy. For one, the resort features a large beach overlooking a lake, complete with a “shipwreck” with waterslide that ends inside the wreck.
In addition, there’s one of the largest pool complexes that you’ll see (Stormalong Bay), complete with lazy river that you can tube.
There’s also an arcade, volleyball court, and tons of restaurants.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$$
Independent Hotels With Lots for Kids to Do
Open up your search to independent hotels and prices are usually less, with some amazing options with lots to enjoy.
Click each hotel for pricing, pictures, and reviews on Kayak.
The Grove Resort & Water Park
On the southwest side of Orlando, The Grove Resort & Water Park is ideal for those looking for a place that’s near Disney, though it offers a shuttle that runs to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld.
It’s a large resort, and that scale provides a lot for kids to do. In addition to the three large resort style pools and splash pad, there’s a large lake that offers fishing, kayaks, and paddle boats. There is also a kids activity center and an arcade on the property.
Beyond that there are daily activities that include things like snow cone socials and scavenger hunts. But the big draw will be the Surfari Water Park located on property, that’s free with your stay. It includes a lazy river, pools, waterslides, and even a Flowrider surf simulator (fee applies).
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price: $$$
Westgate Town Center Resort
Located in Kissimmee, just over a mile from some Disney-owned resorts, this is a location that’s near the major parks. But when you need some time just to chill while the kids are entertained, it’s ideal. If you can think of anything that would be kid-friendly, it’s here.
That includes playground, pools, arcade, basketball and tennis courts, and even its own movie theater showing free Disney movies. There’s an 18-hole mini golf course (complete with Jurassic theme), but the big draw will be the Shipwreck Island Water Park. It offers a lazy river, pirate-themed splash pad, multiple waterslides, and of course a huge pool.
It’s hard to imagine kids ever being bored here.
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price: $-$$
Flamingo Waterpark Resort
Compared to some of the mega-resorts on our list, the Flamingo Waterpark Resort is a change of pace. It’s smaller, and located a bit farther from the park. But you can also find rates that can be drastically less expensive. We found some around $100 a night.
Included with your stay are a number of things for kids to do. This includes a game room with video game systems, an arcade, and a playground for smaller ones. The waterpark on site is complete with a typical pool, but also splash pad, kiddie slides, lazy river, and a slide tower with three different slides for children. Just note that the waterpark is closed on Mondays.
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: $
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites
Sure, you’ve heard of a courtyard pool. But what about a courtyard waterpark?
Sitting close to Disney, this Holiday Inn resort can offer a reprieve from the long days at the park. It features 777 suites (from 1-3 bedrooms), making it ideal for families. The multiple buildings also create a square around what’s sure to be a kid-favorite spot to hang out.
The courtyard features a large waterpark with massive resort-style pool, a splash pad, and a large complex with water features and multiple slides.
Don’t want to get wet? There’s also basketball, movie nights, a playground, mini-golf course, and arcade.
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: $$
CoCo Key Hotel
With this spot (sitting near I-4 and International Drive, giving easy access anywhere you want to go), it’s tough to say whether it’s a hotel with water park or a water park with hotel. The water area is a massive 54,000 square feet (roughly the size of a football field). It’s a water park that’s unique in that it’s both covered and open-air so kids should be able to enjoy it no matter the weather.
Features include pools with small slides, raft slides, class tubes, and also Parrot’s Perch. This is essentially a water playground with lots of spots for kids to spray water, slide down, and get drenched while having a blast.
If your kids want a break from the water, there’s also a 6,500 square foot arcade at the hotel.
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: $-$$
The Enclave
This hotel earns a spot on our list not because it has any wild water park on the premises, but for what’s nearby.
First off, the hotel offers suites, making it great for families. And it does have a number of things that will entertain the kids. There’s a playground, indoor heated pool, two outdoor pools, tennis courts, and ping pong tables.
But the location is right next to Magical Midway that features go-karts, bumper boats, bumper cars, arcade, and more. So while it’s not part of the hotel, it’s so close that spending a day here is much easier than the larger theme parks.
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: $-$$
Orlando World Center Marriott
Just across I-4 from Disney Springs, this resort is can be thought of as an entire destination itself. Surrounded by a golf course, it feels a world away from the rest of the city. But there is an amazing amount to do for families.
For one, the resort puts on year-round activities including a nightly laser light show, lawn games, scavenger hunts, and poolside movies on the weekend. Then there are seasonal activities for every major holiday from Valentine’s Day (e.g. cookie decorating) to New Year’s Eve (glow pool party and fireworks). In other words, there’s always something going on.
The resort’s River Falls Water Park features three multi-rider waterslides and a nearly 600-foot long lazy river. There’s another slide tower with three more slides for kids. The enormous Falls Pool and splash pad will also keep kids happy, as will the mini-golf course and sand volleyball courts. There are so many options that if you aren’t spending at least one day of your vacation just experiencing the resort, then you aren’t doing it justice.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$$
Grande Villas Resort
This hotel/resort sits in a pocket of lodging that’s right in between Disney properties and SeaWorld. While it’s convenient for those going to more than one park, there’s a lot to like for children as well.
For one, there are two large outdoor pool areas along with hot tubs so that the whole family can enjoy some time by the water. Beyond that, there’s a children’s playground, a basketball court, and a 9-hole mini-golf course. Note that there isn’t much within walking distance of the hotel, so you’ll definitely need to have a car to get around.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $-$$
Liki Tiki Village
One of the more unique layouts for any resort, Liki Tiki Village is a series of buildings that form a large circle around a central courtyard. Within that is a main pool and hot tub, but that’s just the start of what’s offered for kids to do.
On the north side of the property sits lighted tennis courts, and a basketball court. There’s a lake with paddle boats, a playground, and a mini-golf course. Shuffleboard and cornhole are also available. But the highlight is a large waterpark on a peninsula that juts out into the lake. Here are a waterslides, a kiddie pool, and a massive winding pool complete with a volcano that “erupts.”
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price: $$
Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort Villas, I-Drive/Orlando
Looking for a little more space in your stay? This spot features “villas” that are up to 1,600 square feet and feature kitchens, washer/dryers and balconies or patios. In other words, it’s a good idea for an extended stay.
And if during that longer stay you want to take it easy, the resort itself has lots to keep kids entertained. There are classics like the basketball court, kids playground, shuffleboard, and sand volleyball court.
Of course, being Florida, there’s a big emphasis on pools. In this case, there is the St. Augustine pool, complete with a pirate ship and waterslides for kids to play on. There is also the Bella pool, which is a larger and more calm resort-style pool, complete with rock waterfalls.
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price: $$
Fantasy World Resort
When it comes to kid-friendly resorts, this spot might be one of the top. Fantasy World is located just about 15 minutes from Epcot, putting you close to the parks. It also offers up large two-bedroom villas and townhomes, making it ideal for families.
As for things for kids to do, it’s amazing. There are huge heated pools with hot tubs, a nearly 800-foot lazy river, basketball and tennis courts, batting cages, a covered playground, splashpad, arcade, and two three-story waterslides. That’s all in addition to scheduled activities put on by the staff. If a kid gets bored here, it’s their own fault.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$
Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Located close to I-4 (meaning easy access to get around town), this Embassy Suites offers a ton for families and kids. One perk for anyone is free breakfast and wi-fi, but then the list of amenities is impressive.
Of course, there’s the large pool but also a kid’s splash pad with a small slide. This hotel also offers an indoor pool. Tennis courts, basketball courts, and sand volleyball are all available. There’s also a putting green, as well as a fire pit for you to spend some family time in the evening.
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price: $$
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
We’ll admit, Margaritaville isn’t exactly what we envision when we think of kid-friendly, but this Orlando edition does the trick.
As for the resort, it’s bright and airy and complete with the “Fins Up Beach Club” that features heated pools, loungers, and even a sandy beach. But while the resort is nice, it’s what’s available right nearby that makes it a good idea for families.
Just outside the resort is the Promenade at Sunset Walk, an outdoor mall with shops, restaurants, and GameTime (a large Dave & Buster’s style place to eat/play). And next door to that is Island H2O Water Park, where families can go and have fun for the day and still be within walking distance of the hotel.
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price: $$
