
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Best for families or groups who want on-site water attractions, multiple restaurants, and dedicated convention/event space.
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Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is a large, 4-star Kissimmee resort and convention center with a multi-acre glass atrium, a 3-acre water park, multiple restaurants and a full-service spa. Disney's Old Key West Resort is a relaxed, Florida Keys–style Disney Vacation Club property in Lake Buena Vista with spacious villa-style accommodations for families and longer stays.
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Best for families or groups who want on-site water attractions, multiple restaurants, and dedicated convention/event space.

Best for travelers who want roomy 1–2 bedroom villa-style accommodations close to Disney with complimentary theme-park shuttle service.
When Gaylord Palms wins: choose Gaylord Palms if you want a resort with an on-site water park (Cypress Springs), multiple full-service restaurants and bars, a large spa (Relâche Spa), and convention / event infrastructure. It’s the better fit for groups, meetings, or families who prioritize on-site activities beyond the theme parks.
When Disney's Old Key West wins: pick Old Key West if your priority is a quieter Disney-area stay in villa-style rooms (1– and 2-bedroom villas, plus deluxe studios), easy access to Walt Disney World via complimentary shuttle, and a resort layout suited to longer stays or families who want kitchenettes or full kitchens.
Bottom line: Gaylord Palms is an activity-forward Kissimmee resort with big meeting spaces, a water park and a spa; Old Key West is a low-key Disney Vacation Club resort that’s better for guests wanting roomy villa accommodations and direct Disney convenience.
| Category | Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Disney's Old Key West Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large resort + convention center with a busy family focus and atrium garden spaces | Relaxed, low-key Disney Vacation Club resort with Florida Keys styling |
| Location | 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee — marketed as an Orlando-area resort, ~3 miles from Walt Disney World | 1510 N Cove Rd, Lake Buena Vista — on a lake, minutes from Walt Disney World and Disney Springs |
| Size (rooms) | About 1,406–1,718 rooms (listed across sources) with many meeting rooms | 761 rooms (villa and studio mix) |
| Audience & age policy | All-ages resort; family-friendly water park plus a separate adults-only pool area | All-ages Disney resort; family-oriented vacation-club accommodations |
| Pools & water features | Cypress Springs Water Park (3 acres): four water slides, Crystal River Rapids action river, FlowRider; 3 outdoor pools and 2 hot tubs; adults-only South Beach Pool | Outdoor pool(s), children's pool and a hot tub; complimentary theme-park shuttle |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets including Old Hickory Steakhouse, MOOR, Villa de Flora, Wreckers Sports Bar, Socio, SandBar, cafes and grab-and-go options | One main restaurant, a bar/lounge and poolside bar; cooked-to-order breakfasts available for a fee |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa — 25,000 sq ft, 25 treatment suites, sauna, steam room; fitness center (24-hour) | Not published |
| Known for | Convention and events space plus a large indoor atrium and family water park | Spacious DVC-style villa accommodations and easy Disney access |
| Shuttle / park access | Scheduled shuttle to Walt Disney World and Disney Springs included in resort fee; car recommended for wider travel | Complimentary theme park shuttle to Walt Disney World; close to Disney Springs |
| Parking & fees | Self and valet parking for a fee; mandatory resort fee covers Wi‑Fi, pool/waterpark access and other inclusions | Self parking (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge); cooked-to-order breakfast is fee-based |
Gaylord Palms sits in Kissimmee on a large property marketed to the Orlando meeting and leisure market.
Better if you want a resort set apart with its own grounds, atrium and meeting campus while still being near Disney.
Disney's Old Key West Resort is located in Lake Buena Vista and is designed around villa-style accommodations close to Walt Disney World.
Better if your top priority is shorter transfers to Disney parks and a quieter, residential-style resort footprint.
Gaylord Palms offers a wide mix of rooms and suites including atrium-view rooms and multi-room suites.
Pick Gaylord Palms when you want standard hotel rooms or suites with resort-facing views and easy access to on-site amenities.
Old Key West is a Vacation Club property with Deluxe Studios, 1- and 2-bedroom villas suitable for families or longer stays.
Pick Old Key West for villa layouts and extra space when you need kitchen facilities or separate bedrooms.
Gaylord Palms runs multiple full-service restaurants, bars and casual cafés across the resort.
Gaylord Palms is stronger for on-site dining variety, from steakhouse dinners to grab-and-go snacks.
Old Key West lists one main restaurant, a bar/lounge and poolside service; breakfasts are cooked-to-order for a fee.
Old Key West is suitable when you prefer simple on-site dining plus the option to prepare meals in a villa or visit Disney-area restaurants.
Gaylord Palms' headline amenity is the Cypress Springs Water Park and multiple outdoor pools.
Choose Gaylord Palms if water attractions and family pool activities are a priority.
Old Key West offers outdoor pool facilities, a children's pool and a hot tub designed for a quieter resort stay.
Pick Old Key West for calmer pool time and villa-style pool access rather than a full water-park experience.
Gaylord Palms has a major spa, a 24-hour fitness center and several evening dining/drink outlets.
Gaylord Palms is the stronger pick for spa services, fitness facilities and multiple nighttime dining/drink options.
Old Key West focuses on relaxed, family-friendly leisure rather than a dedicated full-service spa or nightlife.
Old Key West suits travelers who plan park evenings or prefer minimal on-site nightlife, relying on Disney or off-property options for late-night activity.

Gaylord Palms — Cypress Springs Water Park (slides, action river, FlowRider) and multiple pools make it the clear choice for families wanting on-site aquatic attractions.

Disney's Old Key West Resort — 1- and 2-bedroom villas and Deluxe Studios give families room to spread out and self-cater.

Gaylord Palms — Relâche Spa is a large, full-service spa with many treatment rooms, sauna and steam facilities.

Disney's Old Key West Resort — close proximity to Walt Disney World and complimentary Disney shuttles make park logistics easier.
Gaylord Palms is better if you want on-site water-park attractions and kid-focused pools; Old Key West is quieter and better if you prefer villa space and in-room kitchens for family logistics.
Both properties are marketed for Disney access, but Old Key West emphasizes very short transfers and complimentary Disney shuttles; Gaylord Palms also runs scheduled shuttles covered by the resort fee and is a short drive from Disney.
Yes — 1 Bedroom Villa and 2 Bedroom Villa configurations are published and are suitable for longer stays, with kitchen or kitchenette facilities implied in villa listings.
Both properties charge for parking; Gaylord Palms has a mandatory resort fee that covers resort-wide Wi‑Fi and water-park access, while Old Key West lists self-parking and valet surcharges and complimentary theme-park shuttle service.
Explore how Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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