Last updated on August 9th, 2026
When you are traveling with kids, the resort is half the vacation. A hotel with its own water park, splash zones and space to run can be just as memorable to a child as a day at the theme parks, and it gives worn-out little legs somewhere fun to land at the end of the day. In Orlando, where the attractions are world famous, the smartest families pick a resort that keeps the magic going long after the park gates close.
The best family hotels Orlando has for kids share a few things in common: water play, roomy suites, pools built for splashing and easy access to the big attractions. To help you choose, we have gathered five kid-approved resorts, starting with the one that gives children the most to do on site, and then rounded up the top Orlando attractions your kids will love so you can plan the whole trip in one place.
What Makes a Resort Great for Kids
A resort earns its place on a kids list when it gives children real things to do and gives parents room to breathe. The best options make the hotel feel like part of the adventure rather than just a place to sleep.
- Water play, from full water parks and slides to lazy rivers and splash pads.
- Space to spread out, ideally suites so nap time and bedtime do not stall the whole group.
- Kid-friendly extras like arcades, mini-golf, character touches and activity programs.
- Easy access to the theme parks so travel time stays short and tempers stay calm.
- Kitchens and casual dining that make snacks, picky eaters and early breakfasts simple.
With that checklist in mind, here are the family resorts Orlando parents recommend most for keeping kids happy.
1. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa and the Westgate Orlando Family
For kids, the standout choice is Westgate Resorts, where on-site water parks and oversized suites turn the hotel itself into a highlight. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa leads the group, sitting near Universal Orlando with its own Treasure Cove water park, multiple pools and villa-style suites that give the whole family space to spread out. Nightly rates start from around $119, and across the Westgate Orlando family the collection holds a 4.9 rating from more than 10,000 guest reviews.
Kids get the run of a real water park, while parents get a full kitchen and 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and even 4 bedroom suites that average about 25 percent more space than on-property Disney resorts for roughly 25 percent less. That extra room matters with children in tow, since the little ones can nap while everyone else keeps relaxing, and mealtimes are far easier when you can cook in the room.
The wider Westgate Orlando family adds even more water fun. Westgate Vacation Villas Resort and the neighboring Westgate Town Center Resort in Kissimmee share the huge Shipwreck Island water park and start from around $104 and $109 a night, which makes them some of the best-value family hotels Orlando has near the Disney side of town. Westgate Palace sits on International Drive close to Universal from about $209, and Westgate Blue Tree, Westgate Towers and Westgate Leisure round out the choices from around $99 to $119 a night with pools and easy park access, so you can match the resort to your budget and your kids’ must-do parks.
Why Kids Love It: Two on-site water parks, Treasure Cove and Shipwreck Island, plus splash zones and pools mean kids have their own adventure at the resort, while suites give the whole family room to recharge for the next park day.
Benefits and Features:
- On-site water parks including Treasure Cove and Shipwreck Island
- Oversized 2, 3 and 4 bedroom suites with full kitchens
- Minutes from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld
- Multiple flagship resorts across Orlando and Kissimmee
- Pools, dining and family activities on site
2. Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark
Built entirely around family water fun, the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark is a longtime favorite for younger kids. The property features water parks with heated pools, tall water towers, a row of water slides and climbing nets, plus kid-friendly suites and casual dining designed with families in mind.
Beyond the water, kids can enjoy mini-golf, basketball and themed activities, so there is always something to do between park days. The location keeps SeaWorld, Universal and Walt Disney World within an easy drive, and the all-suite layout gives families space to settle in.
Why Kids Love It: Multiple water slides, splash towers and a dedicated kids water park mean children can happily spend a whole day without ever leaving, while parents relax poolside.
Benefits and Features:
- On-site water parks with multiple slides
- Kid-friendly suites and casual dining
- Mini-golf, basketball and activities
- Easy access to the major theme parks
3. Gaylord Palms Resort
Gaylord Palms wraps a family water park and a wow-factor setting into one property. Its Cypress Springs water park gives kids slides and a river to splash through, while the resort’s signature glass atrium recreates Florida landscapes that feel like an attraction in themselves.
Children love exploring the atrium’s winding paths, water features and hidden corners, and the whole property has a relaxed pace that makes a rest day genuinely restful. Located in Kissimmee, it keeps the Disney parks close while feeling like its own destination.
Why Kids Love It: The Cypress Springs water park plus an explorable indoor atrium give kids two very different kinds of fun in one resort, so a day off from the parks still feels like an adventure.
Benefits and Features:
- Cypress Springs family water park
- Explorable indoor atrium
- Multiple restaurants and a game room
- Convenient to the Disney parks
4. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Few resorts delight young kids like Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, themed around The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King. Larger-than-life characters and scenery turn a simple walk to the pool into a photo-filled adventure, and most of the resort is made up of roomy family suites with a separate bedroom and a kitchenette.
The Big Blue Pool is the largest resort pool at Walt Disney World, and the Disney Skyliner offers a fun, scenic ride to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Staying on property also brings the usual Disney perks, making it a favorite for families with younger children who want the full on-site experience at a value price.
Why Kids Love It: Immersive movie theming everywhere they look, plus the biggest pool on Disney property, make the resort itself a thrill for younger kids.
Benefits and Features:
- Immersive kid-friendly Disney theming
- Family suites with a separate bedroom and kitchenette
- Big Blue Pool, the largest resort pool at Disney World
- Disney Skyliner access to two parks
5. Orlando World Center Marriott
The Orlando World Center Marriott is one of the largest Marriott hotels in the world, and its standout feature for kids is a sprawling pool complex with waterslides that can fill an entire day. Around a dozen on-site restaurants, an arcade and acres of grounds give families plenty of variety without leaving the property.
The scale means different members of the family can do their own thing and still meet up at the pool, and Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points on the stay. The Disney parks stay close, so it is easy to mix park days with resort days.
Why Kids Love It: A huge pool complex with waterslides plus an arcade keep kids busy for hours, so a resort day is never boring.
Benefits and Features:
- Large pool complex with waterslides
- Arcade and family activities
- Around a dozen on-site dining options
- Marriott Bonvoy rewards
Top Orlando Attractions Kids Will Love
The right resort is only half the fun. Orlando is packed with attractions built for kids of every age, from toddler-friendly play areas to thrill rides for older children. Here are the ones families come back to again and again.
Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom
The classic Orlando experience for kids, Magic Kingdom brings beloved characters, gentle rides and nightly fireworks together in one park. It is the natural first stop for younger children, with plenty of low-key attractions alongside the headliners.
Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure
Universal’s Islands of Adventure balances big-kid thrills with the whimsical Seuss Landing area for little ones, plus the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that older kids adore. It is a great pick for families with a range of ages.
SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove
SeaWorld pairs animal encounters with family rides, while the neighboring Discovery Cove offers a reservation-only day of swimming and snorkeling that feels like a tropical escape. Both are a change of pace from the big theme parks.
LEGOLAND Florida
A short drive from Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida is built specifically for kids roughly ages 2 to 12, with hands-on building, gentle rides and a water park. It is one of the best options for families with younger children.
Peppa Pig Theme Park and ICON Park
For toddlers, the Peppa Pig Theme Park near LEGOLAND offers pint-sized rides and play areas. Back in town, ICON Park on International Drive gathers an observation wheel, mini-golf and family attractions in one walkable spot, perfect for an easy afternoon or evening.
How to Choose the Right Resort for Your Kids
Start with your children’s ages and interests. Toddlers may care most about a splash pad, a gentle pool and short walks, while older kids want water slides, an arcade or quick access to the big rides. Matching the resort to those needs makes the whole trip smoother, and the best family hotels Orlando offers cover every age.
Then think about location and space. Being close to the parks your kids want most cuts down on cranky car time, and a suite with a separate bedroom lets you keep bedtimes without ending the evening for everyone. Kitchens help too, since handling breakfast and snacks in the room saves money and makes mornings calmer before a big day out.
Orlando is home to resorts of every size, and the five here range from all-suite water park properties to one of the largest hotels in the world, so families can find plenty to enjoy without ever leaving the grounds.
Final Thoughts
Orlando is a kids’ paradise, and the right resort makes it even better. When the hotel has its own water park, roomy suites and space to play, your children get an adventure at the resort as well as at the parks, and you get an easier, more relaxed trip.
If you want the most water play and the most room for the whole family, Westgate Resorts is the place to start, with several flagship Orlando properties to match your budget and your kids’ favorite parks. Pair it with a few of Orlando’s best attractions, and you have the makings of a vacation the kids will talk about for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Orlando resorts for kids?
The best resorts for kids combine water play, roomy suites and easy park access. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa and the wider Westgate Orlando resorts lead for on-site water parks and space, followed by kid-focused options like the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark, Gaylord Palms and Disney’s Art of Animation.
Which Orlando resorts have water parks for kids?
Several do. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa has Treasure Cove, and Westgate Vacation Villas and Town Center share Shipwreck Island. The Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark and Gaylord Palms both have their own family water parks, and the Orlando World Center Marriott has a pool complex with waterslides.
Are suites better than rooms when traveling with kids?
Usually, yes. Suites give you a separate bedroom and often a kitchen, which helps with naps, early bedtimes and picky eaters. Many family resorts Orlando families choose offer 2, 3 and 4 bedroom suites, with Westgate among the most spacious for the price.
What Orlando attractions are best for young children?
Magic Kingdom, LEGOLAND Florida and the Peppa Pig Theme Park are especially good for younger kids, with gentle rides and hands-on fun. Universal’s Seuss Landing and SeaWorld’s animal encounters also suit little ones well.
How can I keep an Orlando trip fun but manageable with kids?
Build resort days at a hotel with its own water park or pool, stay close to the parks you visit most and use a suite with a kitchen for calmer mornings. Alternating big park days with relaxed resort days keeps kids happy and everyone less worn out.
