Oct 20, 2023
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center is a premier destination for vacation and business travelers alike, offering one-of-a-kind environments, gourmet dining, a water park, full-service spa, year-round special events, flexible meeting and event space, and unparalleled guest service.
Situated on 64 acres, the resort features 1,718 guest rooms and suites and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The hotel's 4.5-acre garden atrium is home to more than 500,000 plants and trees, a scale replica of a famous Florida fort, a full-size sailboat docked at an indoor lagoon, and Florida wildlife.
Seasonal special events feature family-friendly live entertainment, themed activities and immersive attractions, character dining experiences and more. Guests wanting to beat the heat are only steps away from Cypress Springs Water Park, a 3-acre water wonderland with two swimming pools, seven water slides, surf simulator and more. Relâche Spa offers a variety of treatments and therapies designed to relax and rejuvenate those wanting to unwind and revitalize.
And the resort keeps growing. In 2021, more than 100,000 square feet of convention space was added, along with 306 new guest rooms and suites. Cypress Springs Water Park also expanded with the addition of Crystal River Rapids - an "action river" attraction that zips swimmers along the winding currents at nearly 4 feet per second.
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center is located just 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport, and within minutes of Central Florida's world-famous attractions and theme parks.
Here's a closer look at some of the features and amenities of Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center:
YEAR-ROUND BEAUTY: The 4.5-acre garden atrium, which greets guests as they enter the resort, showcases Florida's rich history with themed areas devoted to famous Sunshine State regions, from the sun-soaked paradise of Key West to the natural wonder of The Everglades.
The atrium is home to more than 500,000 plants, trees and flowers, and accented by waterfalls and streams. Guests can spot alligators and turtles in the atrium's Gator Springs, as well as famous Florida fish like tarpon, snook and redfish in the 161,000-gallon Key West Lagoon. Popular with groups and weddings, the atrium also provides a picturesque backdrop for events and gatherings. And no need to worry about the Florida heat, as the atrium's temperature always stays at a comfortable 72 degrees.
Evenings at Gaylord Palms sparkle as animated, LED light curtains suspended from the atrium ceiling come to life with a synchronized, colorful and musical light show.
WORLD-CLASS DINING: Nine distinctive restaurants provide guests a world of cuisine, including gourmet steaks, fine wines and artisanal cheeses at Old Hickory, and the best in locally sourced and sustainable seafood, fruits and vegetables at MOOR. Fresh and seasonable dining options with coastal Mediterranean influences are featured at Villa de Flora, while Wreckers Sports Bar offers a diverse menu and a two-story-tall video wall showcasing live sports from around the world. Socio is an upscale, Cuban-inspired bar and lounge with sharable menu items, interactive cocktail service and bespoke beverages. Guests at Cypress Springs Water Park can enjoy wraps, salads, sandwiches and more poolside at SandBar. The new Emerald Bay Café and Market offers vacationers and business travelers a convenient spot to get a quick bite, drink, or cup of coffee.
RELAX AND REVITALIZE: Relâche Spa is the perfect way for guests to rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Featuring therapies infused with natural elements from the garden and forest, treatments emphasize the importance of disconnecting from the stress of everyday life for complete wellness. In addition to the full menu of services, the 25,000-square-foot spa features a luxurious couple's suite, tea room, lounge and salon.
AQUATIC ADVENTURES: Guests can beat the heat year-round at Cypress Springs Water Park. The water park has two swimming pools, a zero-entry pool and the South Beach Pool. The zero-entry pool brims with excitement, including children's activities, a giant video wall and full-size basketball goals. Inspired by the narrow, tree-lined pools found in Miami, the adjacent South Beach Pool is great for guests who want to swim laps or relax poolside in the tropical environment.
Cypress Springs features seven water slides, including the Florida Free Fall, a towering drop slide, and Tamiami Twister, a two-lane racing slide - and there are four water slides just for smaller swimmers. Also for children, there's an interactive, multi-level water playhouse with a giant tipping bucket that sends more than 300 gallons of water cascading below. Kids can find even more adventures on an unpredictable geyser, splash pad and shell-shaped mini-slide.
Crystal River Rapids is an "action river" that whisks guests along currents at nearly four feet a second. Guests wind swiftly through waterfalls, caves and giant, sprinkling leaves. The river also features alcoves where guests can relax and soak in the sun. The attraction, which opened in 2021, is inspired by Florida's crystal-clear, spring-fed waterways.
The surf's always up at Gaylord Palms with The Wake Zone FlowRider. For an added fee, guests can bodyboard or surf under the guidance of an expert trainer. The surf simulator is designed for all levels of experience - from someone who has never surfed to experienced enthusiasts.
Cypress Springs offers reserved lounge chair seating, allowing guests to head to the water park at their leisure instead of rushing early to secure a spot. Day beds are also available, and for added luxury and convenience, guests can reserve a private cabana. Each cabana comes with all the amenities needed for poolside enjoyment, including a spacious seating area, assorted snacks and beverages, mini-fridge, security safe, television and ceiling fan. Poolside servers make ordering additional refreshments simple and convenient.
GROUPS AND MEETINGS: Gaylord Palms offers more than 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space for conventions, meetings, and special events. Expansive and immersive, the resort features an array of unique spaces and backdrops. Whether an executive summit in a boardroom, an evening gathering beneath the stars on an outdoor event lawn, or a general session or gala gathering in the innovative Coastal Ballroom, groups will find inspiring venues and experience unparalleled service.
Gaylord Palms Resort's team of STARS (employees) includes event experts who stand ready to create memorable meetings and execute flawless service. Event experience managers, also called "Teal Coats" for their easily identifiable, teal-colored jackets, are assigned specifically to every event, ready to meet each moment-to-moment need. These managers are always visible, accessible, and knowledgeable. Additionally, catering managers work side-by-side with the convention services manager to create culinary solutions to exceed groups' dining expectations.
Combining world-class meeting space and amenities, award-winning service, gourmet cuisine, and a full-service spa, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center offers everything under one roof and a unique venue to create long-lasting memories for events of any size.
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: Seasonal special events delight guests throughout the year at Gaylord Palms. "Once Upon a Spring" provides "egg-citing" adventures and blooming beauty in the atrium, the "Summer of More" highlights fun in the sun and immersive activities, and "Goblins and Giggles Weekends" features family-friendly, fall fun with lots of sweet treats.
And despite being in Central Florida, there's a chill in the air each year at Gaylord Palms, as "ICE!" returns every November. A guest favorite, "ICE!" features more than 2 million pounds of ice, hand-carved into characters and scenes from classic Christmas tales. A team of international master ice artisans spends approximately five to six weeks carving giant blocks of ice into a 20,000-square-foot, walkthrough attraction. To maintain the intricate ice carvings, the attraction's temperature is kept at a steady 9-degrees Fahrenheit, and guests are provided Gaylord Palms' signature blue winter parkas to help them keep warm.
Other highlights of the annual Christmas at Gaylord Palms celebration include character dining experiences, a Cirque live show featuring high-flying acrobatics and an original musical score, photos with Santa, a holiday escape room, a resort-wide scavenger hunt, story time with Mrs. Claus, craft activities inside the Elf Training Academy, one of Florida's largest Christmas shops, and more.
To find out more information, book a room, package or purchase tickets for special events, guests can go to GaylordPalmsGetaway.com, or call 407/586-0000.
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ABOUT GAYLORD PALMS RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER
Gaylord Palms Resort features 1,718 guest rooms and suites and more than 500,000 square feet of flexible, indoor and outdoor meeting space. Guests can explore the resort's 4.5-acre garden atrium with its winding waterways, waterfalls, plants and Florida wildlife. Other resort features include gourmet dining, a full-service spa, the 3-acre Cypress Springs Water Park and a host of special events throughout the year. The resort is located within minutes of the area's world-famous theme parks and attractions.
