Celebrating the Holidays with Gaylord Palms Orlando

If you are looking for a fantastic holiday destination, you can bask in the sun and still enjoy the magic of winter at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL.  This is an enchanting luxury hotel that is only minutes away from Epcot®, Disney® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. 

Grounds

This Kissimmee resort spans over 63 acres.  You will be able to enjoy signature atriums that depict Florida’s natural beauty by recreating various vibrant Florida environments.  Be sure to take a stroll at night to experience the gorgeous lights.  Shops and convention center events along with 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space add to the experience.

Pool

Their extravagant pool and Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park will keep both you and the kids busy and allow you to soak up the Florida sun in the middle of winter.

You will enjoy lush gardens and the children will be enamored by the fun tree house in the lovely pool area. Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park is Everglades-inspired and the water wonderland features a zero-entry swimming pool with four water slides, oversized tipping bucket, movies and pool parties! Once the kids have had their fun, adults can enjoy a tranquil escape at the adult-only tropical oasis of the South Beach Pool.

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This palm tree lined pool features a covered restaurant and bar. You can also reserve a cozy poolside cabana to cool off in the shade, as you take in a breathtaking view and watch your favorite TV program while sipping on a frosty drink.

Dining

There is an abundance of dining options at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.  If you are hungry after hanging out at the pool, conveniently located just steps from the pools, SandBar offers All-American favorites and refreshing beverages.  They also offer a fun kids’ menu.  To snack on something and cool off from the Florida sun you can also indulge in frozen yogurt at Honeybells Frozen Yogurt.  If you would rather have some coffee and a fresh pastry, then head over to the signature coffee bar overlooking the St. Augustine Atrium, The Cocoa Bean. 

There are options for every taste.  You can dine at Sora for fresh sushi.  This modern sushi bar and lounge is also a hotspot to gather for eclectic, fusion-inspired cocktails and handcrafted drinks.  However, if you would prefer a more hearty meal and a fine dining atmosphere, then Old Hickory Steakhouse will satiate your hunger pangs with fine wines as you savor tender, juicy premium All Natural Black Angus seared to perfection.  You can also indulge in artisanal cheeses from the Maitre d’Fromage of one of the finest restaurants in Kissimmee.

To dine in a more light hearted and fun atmosphere there is Sunset Sam’s and Wreckers Sports Bar. Sunset Sam’s is a 60′ sailboat right inside the Kissimmee resort! Enjoy the exciting tropical oasis while you dine on New World Floridian cuisine.  A variety of fresh seafood is prepared to your preference and a delightful kids’ menu is also available.  If you are a sports fan, then you will love the elevated bar, which features a 37′ sport screen at Wreckers Sports Bar.  Mouth-watering appetizers, hearty concoctions and the coldest draft beer in town, including exclusive Wreckers Red Ale will quench your thirst.

Last, but not least, don’t forget to have brunch at Villa de Flora, voted Critic’s Choice for Best Brunch by the Orlando Sentinel. Set in the grand dining room of a European villa, their chef’s table offers a fresh and authentic seasonal buffet menu inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.

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Spa

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center offers relaxation Florida style at their Relâche Spa & Salon.

Awarded Four Stars by Forbes Travel Guide, they offer “Best of Florida” spa treatments in a setting reflective of the Sunshine State’s azure colored oceans, mystical springs and serene tropical tranquility.  Their exclusive treatments and therapies are infused with natural elements from the garden and delivered with flawless professionalism.

Attractions and Entertainment

Needless to say, but you have the nation’s best amusement parks just steps away.  The resort is near Orlando and you also have available to you Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Discovery Cove, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, and Blizzard Beach.  At the resort itself you can take in a live gator feeding or discover other Florida exhibits.

Winter Holidays at Gaylord Palms

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The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord Palms Resort from November – January.  If you visit during this time, you and your family will marvel at dozens of lavish holiday displays that include more than 2 million twinkling lights and acres of larger-than-life decorations. Enjoy heartwarming visits with Santa and captivating musical events.  Right in the center, there is the Market Square, which consists of the Emerald Plaza, a stage area for performances.  The evening performances are actually quite impressive.

When you are staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort, you can even go snow tubing in Florida!  Visit the Alpine Village and zoom down an eight-lane tubing hill that’s fun for all ages and covered in real snow! If you have small children, there are double riding tubes available for parents to ride with their kids.

In the Alpine Village is ICE! featuring The Nutcracker.  ICE! is an indoor winter wonderland where you can walk through holiday attractions, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, so remember to bundle up.  You will see two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, four ice slides, six individual rooms depicting the story of The Nutcracker, The Frostbite Factory is a live carving zone, and the final room is a breath-taking Nativity scene carved from crystal clear ice.

Also inside ICE! is On The Blocks, and exclusive 21 and over bar.  You can have a unique VIP experience which will allow you to chill out and enjoy a sampling of Johnny Appleseed sweet, intense and gluten-free cider poured through an ice luge, and a choice of the Maker’s Mark specialty drink, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio or Rutherford Hill Merlot served in a souvenir glass that is yours to keep! Ambient lighting, music and fun photo opportunities set the mood inside this winter time bar.

You will get the best of both worlds when you visit Gaylord Palms Resort during the next holiday season.  Experience the sensation of the Sunshine State and the enchantment of winter with extraordinary service and superior amenities created for a world-class Florida escape.

Ready to escape to the Gaylord Palms?

Photo Credit: The Art of Making a Baby