
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Best for families, groups and conference attendees who want resort-scale amenities (water park, atrium, large meeting space).
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Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is a large, family-friendly Kissimmee resort and convention center centered on a 4.5-acre glass atrium and a 3-acre water park — good for families, groups, and event attendees. Disney's BoardWalk Inn is a Disney deluxe hotel with Atlantic City–style boardwalk theming steps from EPCOT and convenient for guests who want on-property Disney access and evening entertainment.
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Best for families, groups and conference attendees who want resort-scale amenities (water park, atrium, large meeting space).

Best for guests who prioritize proximity to EPCOT/Hollywood Studios, Disney theming, and evening boardwalk entertainment.
When Gaylord Palms wins: choose Gaylord Palms if you’re traveling with kids who want an included water-park experience, need lots of meeting or event space, or want resort-style dining and a full-service spa (Relâche Spa).
When Disney’s BoardWalk Inn wins: pick BoardWalk Inn if you want to stay on Disney property within easy reach of EPCOT/Hollywood Studios, value Disney-run amenities and transportation, and prefer an Atlantic City–style waterfront evening scene.
Bottom line: Gaylord Palms is a larger, non‑Disney resort built around family recreation and conventions; Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is a smaller, on‑property Disney deluxe hotel focused on location and the evening boardwalk atmosphere. Your choice depends on whether on‑site Disney location or resort attractions and event capacity matter more.
| Category | Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Disney's BoardWalk Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort and convention center with a large glass atrium, family-focused water-park energy and meeting facilities. | Disney deluxe hotel with Atlantic City–style boardwalk theming, quieter guestroom scale and evening entertainment along the water. |
| Location | Kissimmee / West Osceola Parkway — about 3 miles from Walt Disney World (driving). | Lake Buena Vista, on the Epcot Resort area boardwalk; within a short drive of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. |
| Size | Very large: ~1,406–1,718 rooms (multiple sources list room counts and extensive meeting space). | 378 guestrooms. |
| Target audience / ages | All ages — family-focused with a separate adults-only pool area. | All ages — Disney family audience; not adults-only. |
| Pools & water features | Cypress Springs Water Park (3 acres) with four slides, Crystal River Rapids action river and FlowRider; plus three outdoor pools and two hot tubs; adults-only South Beach Pool. | Outdoor pool(s) and poolside amenities; walkable boardwalk and waterfront setting (on Crescent Lake). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site outlets including Old Hickory Steakhouse, MOOR, Villa de Flora, Wreckers Sports Bar, SandBar, Socio, cafés and Cold Stone Creamery. | Four restaurants/bars listed; signature Disney dining and convenient room service/onsite options. |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa — 25,000 sq ft, 25 treatment suites, sauna/steam rooms; Forbes Four-Star rating referenced. | On‑property spa services available at Disney resorts generally; specific BoardWalk Inn spa details not in the supplied listing. |
| Known for | Convention and event capacity, indoor atrium landscaping, and family water park. | EPCOT-area location, boardwalk nightlife and Disney theming. |
| Shuttle / park access | Scheduled Disney transportation to Walt Disney World parks included in the resort fee; on‑site shuttle options to other parks cost extra. | Complimentary shuttle to Disney theme parks and short drive/walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios; on‑property Disney transportation and easy park access. |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive — hundreds of thousands of sq ft of meeting/exhibit space (Florida Exhibition Hall, Sun Ballroom, Osceola Ballroom, etc.). | Modest meeting and event space compared with Gaylord; BoardWalk Inn is sized for resort guests and smaller group functions. |
Gaylord Palms sits on West Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, roughly a short drive from Walt Disney World and other Orlando-area attractions.
Choose Gaylord Palms if you want a resort that’s set apart from the Disney resort loop but still close to the parks and other Orlando attractions.
Disney's BoardWalk Inn is in Lake Buena Vista on the Epcot Resort Area boardwalk, within easy reach of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Pick BoardWalk Inn if you want on‑property Disney proximity and easy access to Epcot-area parks and evening boardwalk nightlife.
Gaylord Palms offers a wide variety of room types across a very large property, including atrium- and water‑park‑view rooms and multiple suite categories.
Gaylord Palms is appropriate for large groups and families who need flexible rooming and connecting options.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn has 378 guestrooms with a range of accessible and Club Level options.
BoardWalk Inn suits travelers who want Disney resort benefits and a smaller, more intimate hotel footprint than a large convention resort.
Gaylord Palms has a broad dining lineup spanning steakhouse, seafood, buffet breakfast, bars and quick‑service cafés.
Gaylord Palms is strong for on‑property meal variety and large dining capacity for groups.
BoardWalk Inn offers Disney dining and convenient on‑site options with classic Disney service levels.
BoardWalk Inn is convenient for Disney dining plans and park-adjacent meals; Gaylord Palms has a broader on‑site selection overall.
Gaylord Palms’ headline amenity is Cypress Springs Water Park plus multiple pools and an adults‑only pool area.
If a big on‑site water‑park experience matters, Gaylord Palms is the clear choice.
BoardWalk Inn’s appeal is its waterfront boardwalk setting and Disney park access rather than a large water park.
BoardWalk Inn is better if you prioritize Disney location and evening waterfront atmosphere rather than an on‑site water park.
Gaylord Palms provides a full-service spa and 24‑hour fitness center alongside bars and evening options for guests.
Gaylord Palms is strong on spa and fitness offerings for guests seeking wellness services on site.
BoardWalk Inn centers nightlife on its waterfront boardwalk with Disney entertainment nearby and on‑site bars/restaurants.
Choose BoardWalk Inn for a more walkable evening scene tied to Disney’s boardwalk and park hours.

Gaylord Palms — Cypress Springs Water Park, family pools and kid‑friendly activities included with the resort fee.

Disney's BoardWalk Inn — steps from the Epcot Resort area boardwalk and close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Gaylord Palms — extensive meeting and exhibit space including the Florida Exhibition Hall and multiple large ballrooms.

Disney's BoardWalk Inn — Disney deluxe positioning and boardwalk theming for guests seeking the on‑site Disney experience.
Gaylord Palms — the Cypress Springs Water Park, family pools and kid-focused activities make it a strong family option; BoardWalk Inn is family-friendly too but does not have a comparable on‑site water park listed.
Disney's BoardWalk Inn is in the Epcot Resort area and is much closer to EPCOT than Gaylord Palms.
Gaylord Palms — it’s built as a convention center with very large meeting/exhibit halls and numerous breakout rooms.
No. Both properties welcome all ages; Gaylord Palms does offer a separate adults‑only pool area, but the resorts are not adults‑only hotels.
Explore how Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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