Orlando is the city of fun in the sun, and with plenty of amusement parks and attractions, it is often a destination for families. Every time we visit with our kids, we stay in one of the many Orlando Waterpark hotels. Who doesn’t love waterparks, and what is better than a waterpark? A waterpark hotel!
Whether you want to visit Universal Orlando or Disney World, check out an Orlando Magic basketball game, or just take in the sights, Orlando has something for everyone.
Orlando is located in central Florida, known as the Sunshine State. The city’s subtropical climate makes it a great place to visit all year round.
Orlando is undoubtedly a great place to visit with kids, and one of the best ways to ensure they have a blast is by staying at one of the best Orlando waterpark hotels. That way, even if you can’t make it to one of the big theme parks, your kiddos can still enjoy some water-filled fun. Here are the top 15 best Orlando waterpark hotels.
1. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
We have personally stayed at Cabana Bay Resort twice. We were one of the first guests when it opened, and we just returned from a trip with our two young kids. It was the perfect Orlando waterpark hotel for our family with young kids. You can read our Cabana Bay Beach Resort review here.
Volcano Bay is right outside of the hotel. Cabana Bay Resort guests actually have a special entrance. If you are looking for the best waterpark in Orlando, it would be Volcano Bay. A big perk of staying on the grounds of Universal Orlando is you get into the parks an hour early.
Head back in time at this retro-themed hotel which will make you feel like you are living in the 1950s. With two massive pools, including a zero-entry pool and a lazy river, as well as a 10-lane bowling alley, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained. Yes, there is really a bowling alley in the hotel!
A complimentary shuttle bus runs to the theme parks, so you can easily get to and from Universal Orlando. We have walked from City Walk/Universal Studios/Island of Adventure back to the hotel. We mainly walked because we wanted to work off some of our meals and wanted the exercise. The shuttle buses run frequently, so you are never really waiting too long.
When you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks, you can relax in one of the many cabanas by the pool, grab a bite to eat at the laid-back food court, or enjoy an adult beverage at the cocktail bar.
- Distance to Disney World: 10 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: on-site
- Best for: families with small children, budget-conscious travelers
- Budget – Check Rates Now
2. Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites
Right in the heart of Orlando and conveniently at the entrance of Disney World, this hotel is perfect for those who want to be close to all the action. The Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites offers free transportation to all the major theme parks and a heated pool, game room, and children’s splash pads.
This is a great option for those with small children that are needing to be watched carefully. The resort is styled in a way that you can keep your eyes on your kids at all times. Due to its location, you can easily go back and forth from Disney World when you feel like you need a break.
- Distance to Disney World: 0 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 12 miles
- Best for: families with young children, those who want to be close to the action, budget-friendly
- Budget – Check Rates Now
Related Article: Best Strollers for Disney – Not all strollers are allowed!
3. Flamingo Waterpark Resort
This resort is located in Kissimmee, just a short drive from the Orlando theme parks. The Flamingo Waterpark Resort has everything you need for a fun-filled family vacation without breaking the bank. If you are looking for one of the best Orlando waterpark hotels on a budget, this would be it. The hotel includes two outdoor pools, a lazy river, and slides. There is also a kids’ club with daily activities to entertain the little ones.
The resort is for guests only, so you can be sure to enjoy a relaxing experience without worrying about who is coming in and out. If you get hungry, head to the tiki bar, which includes fresh juices, smoothies, and light snacks.
Make sure and check the waterpark hours during your stay. They recently announced that the waterpark will only be open on Thursdays to Sundays.
- Distance to Disney World: 18 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 18 miles
- Best for: families on a budget, those wanting a more relaxing experience
- Budget/Mid-range – Check Rates Now
4. Margaritaville Resort and Spa Orlando
Jimmy Buffet said it best: “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” And at this hotel, it’s always happy hour. With a waterpark that includes slides, a lazy river, and a pool bar, you can spend hours in the Florida sun. This resort is absolutely massive, making it easy to find a spot to relax, even on the busiest of days.
When you want to cool down, there are plenty of dining options to choose from, including Margaritaville restaurant, which serves Buffett’s famous dishes, like the cheeseburger in paradise.
If you want to explore beyond the resort, there is a complimentary shuttle service that takes guests to and from the major parks. The shuttle bus is a huge perk and should be considered when comparing the prices of different waterpark hotels in Orlando.
- Distance to Disney World: 5 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 18 miles
- Best for: those wanting a party atmosphere, families with older children
- Mid Range – Check Rates Now
5. Universal Loews Royal Pacific Resort
The first time we went to Universal Orlando, we stayed at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. It is the perfect hotel for those wanting a luxury hotel in Orlando by Universal Orlando. A big perk of staying on the grounds of Universal Orlando is that you get into the parks an hour early.
You’ll feel like you’re in the tropics at this hotel which is located within Universal Orlando. The Loews Royal Pacific Resort is full of sun, sand, and palm trees beckoning you to rest and relax when you aren’t out exploring the theme parks. When you are ready for some fun in the sun, take a dip in the lagoon-style pool or float down the lazy river.
This resort also has a superb location if you want to hit up the Universal Studios theme park, as it is located right next door. You can walk to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure or take the complimentary water taxi. We love taking the free water taxi boat to the parks. It drops you off right, but the entrance to the parks and City Walk. You can easily walk too, usually, at the end of the day, we just walk.
If you get hungry, there are quite a few dining options, but my favorite is having my food delivered poolside by the helpful staff.
- Distance to Disney World: 8 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 0 miles
- Best for: those wanting to be close to the action, families with small children
- Luxury – Check Rates Now
6. The Grove Resort and Water Park
The Grove Resort and Water Park has everything you need for a fun-filled family vacation. This is a great resort to try your hand at surfing with the FlowRider surf simulator. The hotel also includes a lazy river, three outdoor pools, and a hot tub to relax in.
This is the perfect resort to go to all year round as they keep their water temperatures at 83 F at all times for your comfort. Grab a private cabana and enjoy food and drinks from The Springs Bar & Grill. On days when you want to get out of the resort, you can enjoy their daily complimentary shuttle services to the different theme parks.
- Distance to Disney World: 8 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 20 miles
- Best for: all year-round travel
- Mid-Range – Check Rates Now
7. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Walking distance hotel to Disney World, you can walk from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to EPCOT. This New England-styled resort is the perfect place to stay when heading to Disney World. Guests can enjoy complimentary poolside activities, such as movie nights and arts and crafts, as well as access to the nearby Stormalong Bay pool complex with slides, a sand-bottom pool, and a shipwreck to explore.
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with six on-site restaurants serving everything from quick bites to fine dining. When you want to venture out, you can easily get to the nearby Disney parks via the complimentary shuttle bus or water taxi service.
If you are looking for a luxury Orlando Waterpark hotel, this is where we would suggest staying.
- Distance to Disney World: on-site
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 13 miles
- Best for: luxury travelers, families with small children
- Luxury – Check Rates Now
Related Article: Best Beaches Near Disney World
8. Orlando World Center Marriott
The Marriott World Center is one of the largest resorts in Orlando, and it’s easy to see why. Take a leap on the iconic slide tower and a 575-foot-long lazy river that winds through this tropical paradise. The hotel also has a kids’ club so your little ones can be entertained while you enjoy some time to yourself.
The resort offers a complimentary shuttle to all the major theme parks when you’re ready to explore. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, you will find eight options on-site, including Italian, American, and Japanese cuisine. You can also enjoy a drink at one of the bars located throughout the hotel.
- Distance to Disney World: 4 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 13 miles
- Best for: those wanting a large resort with plenty of dining and entertainment options, families with small children
- Luxury – Check Rates Now
9. Coco Key Hotel and Water Park Resort
Coco Key Hotel and Water Park Resort is perfect for families as it has an on-site water park with slides, a lazy river, and a pool just for the little ones. If you’re looking to relax, you can head to the adults-only pool with a bar and cabanas.
If you want to spend some time with friends or head to the waterpark without staying at the resort, then you are in luck. You can purchase a day pass for $40 and have access to all of the amenities in the park. But, honestly, this also has a downside for those paying hotel guests as this means this Orlando waterpark hotel can get busy with extra people who purchase the day pass. We have opted not to stay here because of this.
Keep in mind they only offer complimentary shuttle service to Universal Orlando, so if you are planning on visiting Disney, you will need to arrange your own transportation.
- Distance to Disney World: 8 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 3 miles
- Best for: families wanting to purchase day passes
- Budget- Midrange – Check Rates Now
10. Fantasy World Resort
Fantasy World Resort is a great option for those planning a trip to Orlando on a budget, as it offers affordable accommodations without skimping on amenities. Each of their suites comes with two rooms to give families the privacy we know they all need after a long day at the theme parks.
Kids can enjoy a large splash pad and two-3 story water slides while parents can relax by the resort-style pool or float down the lazy river! This resort is also close to all the major theme parks, so you can easily use their shuttle service to wherever you want to go. You just need to book 24 hours in advance, which is kind of annoying, we think.
- Distance to Disney World: 7 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 12 miles
- Best for: larger families
- Budget – Check Rates Now
11. Westgate Town Center Resort
This resort is perfect for those who want to feel like they’re staying in a home away from home. Westgate Town Center Resort offers spacious villas complete with fully equipped kitchens, washers/dryers, and separate living and dining areas.
The resort also has a few heated outdoor pools, a water park full of pirates, a miniature golf course, and a spa for adults. With so many on-site amenities, you may never want to leave!
- Distance to Disney World: 2 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 9 miles
- Best for: larger families or groups, those wanting to feel like they’re at home
- Mid-range – Check Rates Now
12. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World
LUXURY LUXURY LUXURY! Hands down, this is one of the best Orlando Waterpark hotels if you have no budget. Basically, a dream come true for many. This hotel is for those who want to experience the best of the best while on vacation. The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a AAA Five-Diamond Award winner and features an 18-hole golf course, full-service spa, five heated outdoor pools, and more.
The rooms are all beautifully decorated and come with a private balcony or patio. You can also upgrade to a suite for even more space and amenities. If you’re looking to treat yourself while on vacation, this is the place to do it!
- Distance to Disney World: 0 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 11 miles
- Best for: those who want luxury accommodations, families with older children
- Luxury – Check Rates Now
13. Wyndham Bonnet Creek
A beautiful, Mediterranean-inspired hotel. This hotel is perfect for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or even a solo vacation. The Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort features six on-site restaurants, an adults-only pool, a full-service spa, and much more.
This 5-star hotel is also adjacent to Walt Disney World, so you can easily walk or take the shuttle over to enjoy all the fun. You can also book one of their luxury suites for a special celebration or to just treat yourself!
- Distance to Disney World: 0 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 12 miles
- Best for: those who want luxury accommodations, families with older children, those who want to be close to the action
- Luxury – Check Rates Now
14. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is a true oasis in the heart of Orlando. With over 3,000 rooms and suites, this hotel has something for everyone. Families will love the 10-acre on-site water park with a lazy river, slides, and splash pads.
Adults can enjoy some relaxation time at the full-service spa, take a dip in one of the adult-only pools, or hit the links at one of the two on-site golf courses. This resort also has over 400,000 square feet of meeting and event space, making it perfect for business or pleasure.
- Distance to Disney World: 5 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 10 miles
- Best for: families, business travelers, and those looking for a true resort experience
- Luxury – Check Rates Now
15. Marriott’s Harbour Lake
This hotel is perfect for those who want to be close to all the action but still have a little peace and quiet. The Marriott’s at Harbour Lake is just a short drive from all the major Orlando theme parks but is also adjacent to a scenic lake.
The hotel has plenty of games and activities for the kids, an adults-only pool, a full-service spa, and on-site dining. Enjoy s’mores by the fire at night after a long day of splashing around the small waterpark.
If you are on a longer trip and looking for one of the best Orlando waterpark hotels and need those comforts of home like a washer & dryer, this would be our pick. Having a full kitchen and being able to do laundry is essential for families.
- Distance to Disney World: 10 miles
- Distance to Universal Orlando: 8 miles
- Best for: A quiet oasis
- Midrange – Check Rates Now
