Looking for resort feel, with waterslides

nvrenoughdisney · Feb 4, 2016

We don't usually stay off-property but may book a few nights off-property in June. There are so many to choose from I honestly don't know where to start. I have three kids, 12, 10, and 5. They choose hotels based on which ones have the best water slides! So my question is, of the hotels that are relatively close to Disney, which ones have more of a resort feel with water slides, activities, etc. We will have a car as well and will only be doing Disney, not Universal or Sea World.

Thanks so much!

greenclan67 · Feb 4, 2016

nvrenoughdisney said:
We don't usually stay off-property but may book a few nights off-property in June. There are so many to choose from I honestly don't know where to start. I have three kids, 12, 10, and 5. They choose hotels based on which ones have the best water slides! So my question is, of the hotels that are relatively close to Disney, which ones have more of a resort feel with water slides, activities, etc. We will have a car as well and will only be doing Disney, not Universal or Sea World.

Thanks so much!

I will cast my vote for holiday inn club vacations Orange lake. They have slides, lazy river, splash pad. Numerous activities for kids of all ages, arcades. Its a large resort with an all inclusive feel. If you would like any more info please PM me.

JaxDad · Feb 4, 2016

We enjoyed Marriott Harbour Lake. It has two pools, one with a water slide. There is also a large splash area with huge buckets that dump water every few minutes. There are basketball courts that include lower hoops, mini-golf, an arcade, pool tables, foosball, ping-pong, plus lots of managed activities throughout the day. Although I have not been, I have also heard nice things about Marriott Lake Reserve too.

nvrenoughdisney · Feb 4, 2016

Thanks! I'll check them all out!

ArwenMarie · Feb 5, 2016

Marriott World Center and the timeshares around it (Sabal Palms, Royal Palms and Imperial Palms) have an awesome pool and slides. If you're in the timeshares, I think you might have to buy a wristband for a small fee. If you're looking for a resort hotel, Hyatt Grand Cypress has an amazing pool area.

akaler2010 · Feb 5, 2016

We have stayed at Orange Lake for almost 20 years and love it every time. It is big, but we've never been overly crowded, even at New Years' Week. My nephews enjoy all the pools and are now getting big enough for the slides.

I've also stayed at Marriott World Center for a conference a few times and have found it to be very crowded. The pool is good, slides are fun, but I prefer Orange Lake for the resort feel. I have only stayed at the hotel portion of the MWC, not the resort areas.

qa4ever · Feb 5, 2016

We have stayed at Fantasy World Resort and Regal oaks, both have waterslides, and Fantasy World also has a lazy river. Both have kids activities.

Also both have townhomes with laundry, kitchen, etc.

TeamSy · Feb 6, 2016

I second Marriott World Center. The pool is MASSIVE and the three slides are thrilling!

Also, this is one of the closest off property hotels you'll get! It's literally down the street from the gate.

Belle5 · Feb 6, 2016

Hilton Bonnet Creek has a large lazy river and slide. It's very close to Disney property and offers a shuttle to the parks. The downside is that you will have a daily resort fee (about $25) and pay parking at the resort ($18 self, more to valet) and adding insult to injury

you'll pay to park again at the theme parks ($20) should you choose not to use the Hilton shuttle... Of course, the fees are not unique to Hilton. Staying at non-Disney resorts (true resorts with great pools, etc.) will often have these charges. You will want to confirm those kinds of fees wherever you decide to stay!

mckennarose · Feb 7, 2016

ArwenMarie said:
Marriott World Center and the timeshares around it (Sabal Palms, Royal Palms and Imperial Palms) have an awesome pool and slides. If you're in the timeshares, I think you might have to buy a wristband for a small fee. If you're looking for a resort hotel, Hyatt Grand Cypress has an amazing pool area.

We've stayed at the Sabal Palms and did not have to pay a fee to use the amenities at the World Center and didn't need a wristband.
The thing we like about staying at the Sabal is the choice to use the pool at the the Sabal which is quiet and not crowded, or going to the large World Center pool and slides. There's also a relaxing pool near the spa that is great for a restful break and they even play very zen-like spa music. I've seen many people sleeping on the loungers there!
Our next trip is booked for May! We love the proximity to Disney property.

ArwenMarie · Feb 7, 2016

mckennarose said:
We've stayed at the Sabal Palms and did not have to pay a fee to use the amenities at the World Center and didn't need a wristband.
The thing we like about staying at the Sabal is the choice to use the pool at the the Sabal which is quiet and not crowded, or going to the large World Center pool and slides. There's also a relaxing pool near the spa that is great for a restful break and they even play very zen-like spa music. I've seen many people sleeping on the loungers there!
Our next trip is booked for May! We love the proximity to Disney property.

When did you stay there? We definitely had to buy wristbands to use the big slides, not the pool though

I agree, it is a nice property and so close to WDW

mckennarose · Feb 7, 2016

ArwenMarie said:
When did you stay there? We definitely had to buy wristbands to use the big slides, not the pool though

I agree, it is a nice property and so close to WDW

May 2015. I just called to clarify since we booked again for our May 2016 stay and was told there is no fee to use the slides. She said they used to charge a $10 fee for the slides, but they've since waived it. :yay:

ArwenMarie · Feb 7, 2016

mckennarose said:
May 2015. I just called to clarify since we booked again for our May 2016 stay and was told there is no fee to use the slides. She said they used to charge a $10 fee for the slides, but they've since waived it.

Oh that's good! I'm trying to remember when we paid the fee for the slides, I think it was August 2014. It was annoying!

mckennarose · Feb 7, 2016

ArwenMarie said:
Oh that's good! I'm trying to remember when we paid the fee for the slides, I think it was August 2014. It was annoying!

I'm sure it was annoying, I would be annoyed too! I didn't realize they used to charge for the slides and I'm glad they've done away with it. It makes it all the more appealing! I can't wait for our upcoming trip!

One of my friends stayed at LikiTiki (?) a few years ago and although her kids enjoyed it, she was put off by the extra resort fees. Granted, I don't have little kids anymore, but having to pay more for their entertainment would've aggravated me!

nvrenoughdisney · Feb 7, 2016

mckennarose said:
I'm sure it was annoying, I would be annoyed too! I didn't realize they used to charge for the slides and I'm glad they've done away with it. It makes it all the more appealing! I can't wait for our upcoming trip!

One of my friends stayed at LikiTiki (?) a few years ago and although her kids enjoyed it, she was put off by the extra resort fees. Granted, I don't have little kids anymore, but having to pay more for their entertainment would've aggravated me!

I agree. It is amazing how much those fees add up. Hotel parking and resort fees are around $45 daily! Really makes me consider how much of a savings it is!

mckennarose · Feb 7, 2016

nvrenoughdisney said:
I agree. It is amazing how much those fees add up. Hotel parking and resort fees are around $45 daily! Really makes me consider how much of a savings it is!

That's another reason we like the Sabal; no parking or resort fees. We stayed at Mystic Dunes before too, and while there was no resort or parking fee, they did have a wifi fee, which I wasn't too happy about.
Which resorts are you looking at that have so much in fees? (so I know to avoid them! LOL!)

Looking for resort feel, with waterslides

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