Orlando Resorts

Orlando isn’t just the theme park capital of the world, it’s also home to some of the most impressive family resorts you’ll find anywhere. After a long day of riding, exploring, and making memories, where you stay matters just as much as where you go. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, teens, or three generations under one roof, these Orlando resorts deliver the kind of experience that keeps families coming back year after year.

1. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

For families who want to go all out, the Four Seasons Orlando is hard to beat. Nestled near the Walt Disney World Resort, the property features Explorer Island — a five-acre water park with a lazy river, waterslides, and a splash zone. Kids ages 4–12 can enjoy the supervised Kids For All Seasons program, while teens have their own dedicated lounge. The resort also hosts a Disney Character Breakfast on select mornings at Ravello restaurant.

Sleeping arrangements: Suites range from one-bedroom options with separate living areas to a grand Presidential Suite that can connect to as many as eight additional bedrooms — ideal for large family gatherings. Rooms can be configured with two queen beds or a king with a queen sleeper sofa to accommodate kids.

Theme park access: Four Seasons provides complimentary transportation via luxury motor coach to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Buses run twice per hour to Magic Kingdom and once per hour to the other three parks. 

Closest parks: all four Walt Disney World parks, with the resort situated directly within the Disney property gates.

2. Evermore Orlando Resort

If there’s one property generating serious buzz among family travelers right now, it’s Evermore. Located right next door to Walt Disney World, this one-of-a-kind destination is uniquely designed to comfortably accommodate friends and families vacationing together.

At its heart is the 20-acre white sand beach and Evermore Lagoon — an artificial lagoon with crystal-clear water where guests can paddleboard, kayak, and enjoy a rope swing. It’s the kind of amenity you’d expect at a beachfront resort, not a landlocked Orlando property.

Sleeping arrangements: Accommodations include 206 four-bedroom flats, 41 two- and four-bedroom villas, and 69 houses ranging from five to eleven bedrooms — all with fully equipped kitchens. Homes include features like private pools, movie theaters, and game rooms, along with plenty of space for kids to spread out. Cribs and pack-n-plays can be arranged through the resort.

Theme park access: Evermore does not operate its own shuttle, but its location approximately 15 minutes from the Disney parks makes rideshare and private car service a seamless option. For large groups arriving together, coordinating one vehicle beats juggling multiple rideshares every time — which is exactly where a service like Ultimate Town Car shines. 

Closest parks: Walt Disney World (all four parks), about 15 minutes away.

3. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

Gaylord Palms has a very large outdoor space with several pools, hot tubs, and water park additions — and almost everything on the property is family-friendly. Crystal River Rapids is far from a typical lazy river — it’s full of twists, turns, and water features that keep the excitement going all day. The resort’s signature 4.5-acre glass-enclosed atrium, complete with live Florida wildlife including alligators, is genuinely unlike anything else in Orlando.

Sleeping arrangements: The spacious Deluxe Suite at 831 square feet features an expanded living area and dining table — a comfortable fit for families wanting to spread out. Connecting rooms are also available for larger groups, and cribs can be requested through the front desk.

Theme park access: The Gaylord Palms offers complimentary shuttle service to Walt Disney World (all four parks) and Disney Springs as part of the resort fee. Transportation to Universal or SeaWorld can be arranged through the concierge for an additional cost. 

Closest parks: Walt Disney World is just one mile away — one of the closest non-Disney hotels to the parks.

4. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Don’t let the luxury label fool you, this resort is wonderfully kid-friendly. Families enjoy access to the Grande Lakes Waterpark with a lazy river, three heated water slides, splash zones, and zero-entry pools. The Ritz Kids Club for ages 4–12 includes crafts, games, animal encounters, and evening programs, while adults can enjoy kayaking, fishing, falconry, eco-tours, and a championship golf course.

Sleeping arrangements: Executive Suites offer 960 square feet with a separate bedroom and living room with two balconies overlooking the lake and golf course. Grande Lakes also offers three- and four-bedroom private residences with private pools and full kitchens — a great option for multigenerational families who want the Ritz experience with more room to breathe. Cribs are available upon request.

Theme park access: The resort fee includes pre-arranged shuttle service to SeaWorld, Disney World, and Universal Studios (24-hour advance reservations required). Midway between Disney and Universal, it’s one of the few Orlando resorts with convenient shuttle access to all three major park destinations. 

Closest parks: roughly equidistant between Disney and Universal, both about 15–20 minutes away.

5. JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

The JW Marriott offers a lagoon-style pool, Splash Cove playground, AquaVenture water course, and a lazy river, with supervised kids’ activities so parents can unwind at the spa or golf course.

Sleeping arrangements: This is a standout for families with young children. The JW Marriott offers 15 dedicated family suites with two or three bedrooms, bunk beds for kids and king beds for parents, plus a connecting room with a separate living area. Age-appropriate amenities are included — bathtub toys and pack-and-plays for ages 0–3, mess-free markers and coloring books for ages 4–7, and projectors and stuffed rockets for ages 8–12. It’s one of the most thoughtfully designed family room setups of any resort on this list.

Theme park access: Scheduled shuttle transportation is provided to SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando, with reservations required at least 24 hours in advance. 

Closest parks: Disney World and Universal, both roughly 15–20 minutes away.

6. Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

This sprawling property is one of the most popular family-friendly resorts in Orlando, with a wave pool, lazy river, zero-entry family pool, and waterslides. The Omni Kids Crew program provides welcome backpacks and kid-centered activities.

Sleeping arrangements: Two- and three-bedroom villas sleep six to eight guests and include full kitchens with granite countertops, washer/dryer units, and flatscreen TVs — ideal for families who want the feel of a home base rather than a hotel room. Connecting room options are also available in the main building.

Theme park access: The resort provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance through the concierge. 

Closest park: Walt Disney World, about 7 miles away (roughly 15–20 minutes).

7. Margaritaville Resort Orlando

For families who want theme park access without the intensity of a theme park resort, Margaritaville hits a sweet spot. The property offers villas and cottages ranging from two to eight bedrooms, making it a natural fit for multigenerational families and groups traveling together. On-site amenities include multiple lagoon-style pools with a beach club, shuffleboard and volleyball courts, playgrounds, and daily family activities like s’mores-making, trivia, and bracelet-making.

Sleeping arrangements: Cottages start at two bedrooms and go up to four, with open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas. Each is individually decorated with a laid-back island vibe. The largest cottages sleep up to 10, making them a solid option for bigger families or reunion groups. Cribs are available upon request.

Theme park access: All guests receive complimentary admission to the adjacent Island H2O Water Park during the 2026 season (March through October). Complimentary transportation to area theme parks is also offered for all registered guests. 

Closest parks: Walt Disney World and Universal are both within 15–20 minutes. The Promenade at Sunset Walk entertainment district is steps away for evenings out.

8. The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando

The Grove Resort is a family-friendly, all-suite property and a designated Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, featuring a full-scale on-site water park and spacious multi-bedroom accommodations.

Sleeping arrangements: Three-bedroom suites include a large master bedroom with walk-in closet, a second bedroom with private bathroom, and a third bedroom with shared bathroom access — plus a spacious living room, full kitchen, dining area, washer/dryer, and balcony. Even the one-bedroom suites include a sleeper sofa, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and balcony — significantly more space than a standard hotel room. Some upper-floor suites have balcony views of the Disney fireworks each evening.

Theme park access: Complimentary daily transportation is provided to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, though note that most shuttles run once in the morning and once in the evening, so families on a flexible schedule may prefer to supplement with rideshare or private car service. 

Closest park: Walt Disney World, about 6 miles away.

9. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

If your family is Universal-focused, Cabana Bay is one of the best values on property. The resort features a waterslide, a dedicated pool for children, kitchenettes, and connecting rooms ideal for larger groups. Additional amenities include an arcade game room and a bowling alley on-site.

Sleeping arrangements: Family suites include two rooms that connect, with bunk beds in one area and a separate sleeping area for adults — a great layout for families with multiple kids. Kitchenettes in every suite make storing snacks and drinks easy.

Theme park access: Being a Universal on-site hotel, Cabana Bay guests enjoy complimentary shuttle service to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, plus early park entry privileges. The resort is just 0.3 miles from Volcano Bay Water Park. 

Closest parks: Universal Orlando Resort (walking distance to Volcano Bay, short shuttle to the main parks).

A Note on Getting There and Getting Around

One thing families consistently underestimate when planning an Orlando trip is how much time and stress gets eaten up by airport transfers and getting between destinations. With car seats, strollers, overpacked bags, and tired kids in tow, navigating rideshares or rental car lots after a long flight is nobody’s idea of a good start to vacation.

That’s where private car service makes a real difference. Ultimate Town Car offers professional, family-friendly transportation from Orlando International Airport (MCO) directly to any resort on this list. No waiting in lines, no surprise surge pricing, no cramming into an unfamiliar vehicle. For larger groups heading to Evermore, Margaritaville, or the Grove, we can coordinate multiple spacious vehicles to get everyone there together and comfortably.

We also handle transportation between resorts and all the major theme parks, so whether you’re heading to Magic Kingdom for rope drop, Universal for early entry, or making a morning cruise departure from Port Canaveral, we’ve got you covered from start to finish.

Book your Orlando family transportation with Ultimate Town Car 

Orlando has no shortage of incredible places to stay with kids, but the best resort for your family ultimately comes down to your priorities — proximity to certain parks, budget, room size, and travel style. If you’re Disney-focused, the Four Seasons, Gaylord Palms, or Grove are hard to beat for location and shuttle access. Universal families should look at Cabana Bay. And if you’re traveling as a large group or multi-family crew, Evermore and Margaritaville offer the kind of space and flexibility that a traditional hotel room simply can’t match.

Whatever you choose, planning your transportation in advance is one of the easiest ways to reduce vacation-day friction and keep the focus where it belongs: making memories together.