
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Best for groups, conferences, and families who want a resort with a water park plus convention facilities.
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Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is a large Kissimmee convention resort with a 4.5-acre glass atrium, an on-site water park and a full-service Relâche Spa — read this if you want big meeting spaces, family water-park fun, or a resort spa near Walt Disney World. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club–style, horse-country–inspired Lake Buena Vista resort with villas, multiple pools and a full-service spa — read this if you want Disney theming, villa-style rooms and easy access to Disney Springs.
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Best for groups, conferences, and families who want a resort with a water park plus convention facilities.

Best for guests who want villa-style accommodations, proximity to Disney Springs and Disney transportation in a Disney-branded property.
When Gaylord Palms wins: Choose Gaylord Palms if you need on-site meeting and event space, want a dedicated water park (Cypress Springs) included with the resort fee, or prefer a large resort with multiple full-service restaurants and a Forbes-rated Relâche Spa.
When Disney's Saratoga Springs wins: Choose Saratoga Springs if you prefer villa accommodations (1- and 2-bedroom villas plus Treehouse Villas and deluxe studios), want easy access to Disney Springs and complimentary theme-park shuttle service, or are traveling with a family that benefits from kitchen facilities and villa layout.
Bottom line: Gaylord Palms is the better pick for conventions, large groups and on-site water-park amenities; Saratoga Springs is the better pick for Disney-focused families who prefer villa-style rooms and Disney transportation/brand conveniences.
| Category | Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Convention resort centered on a 4.5-acre glass atrium with leisure and meeting focus | Disney Vacation Club–style horse-country resort with villa accommodations and lake setting |
| Location | 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; ~3 miles from Walt Disney World (serves Orlando market) | 1960 Broadway Street, Lake Buena Vista; near Disney Springs and on a lake |
| Size | About 1,406–1,718 rooms (listed across sources) and extensive meeting space (hundreds of thousands sq ft) | 1,320 guestrooms (mix of studios, 1- and 2-bedroom villas and Treehouse Villas) |
| Who it's for | Families, groups, conventions, business travelers and guests wanting a large resort with on-site entertainment | Families and Disney visitors wanting villa-style stays, kitchens, and easy Disney Springs access |
| Pools & water features | Cypress Springs Water Park (3-acre water park with 4 slides, Crystal River Rapids action river and FlowRider), 3 outdoor pools and 2 hot tubs, plus separate adults-only pool | Four outdoor pools, 2 hot tubs and a waterslide; family-friendly pool options across the property |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple full restaurants and bars (Old Hickory Steakhouse, MOOR, Villa de Flora, Socio, Wreckers Sports Bar, pool bar, cafés and quick-service outlets) | One restaurant plus coffee shop/cafe, poolside bar and a bar/lounge; room service during limited hours |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa — 25,000 sq ft, 25 treatment suites, steam room and sauna; Forbes Four-Star rating | Full-service spa offering massages, facials and body treatments; spa treatment rooms and on-site wellness services |
| On-site family features | Water park with height rules, arcade/game room, supervised activities, playground and kids’ amenities | Children's pool(s), supervised childcare/activities (surcharge), arcade/game room and family-sized villa layouts |
| Transportation | Scheduled shuttle to Walt Disney World included in resort fee; airport transfers not complimentary (MCO ~19–20 miles) | Complimentary theme park shuttle to Disney parks; near Disney Springs and Disney transportation points |
| Known for | Large convention facilities and a year-round water-park experience plus a high-capacity spa | Villa accommodations, proximity to Disney Springs, and easy Disney resort access |
Gaylord Palms sits on a 63-acre site in Kissimmee, roughly a short drive from Walt Disney World and other Orlando attractions.
Best if you want a large resort campus that doubles as a convention center and a short drive to Disney.
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is in Lake Buena Vista near Disney Springs and Disney park transportation points.
Best if you want direct Disney connectivity and proximity to Disney Springs entertainment.
Gaylord Palms offers traditional hotel rooms and suites across multiple room types and atrium views.
Choose Gaylord Palms for conventional hotel rooms and suite options, especially for groups or event blocks.
Saratoga Springs emphasizes villa-style accommodations with full kitchens and living areas.
Choose Saratoga Springs for suites and villas with kitchens when you want more space and self-catering options.
Gaylord Palms has multiple restaurants and bars spanning steakhouse, seafood, buffet breakfast and casual outlets.
Better for guests who want a wide on-site restaurant selection without leaving the resort.
Saratoga Springs offers fewer on-site full restaurants but provides a restaurant, café and bars with Disney service standards.
Better for guests who plan to dine at Disney Springs or in the parks and want simpler on-site dining.
Gaylord Palms' signature amenity is the Cypress Springs Water Park and a dedicated adults-only pool area.
Pick Gaylord Palms when an on-site water park and more pool options are priorities.
Saratoga Springs provides four outdoor pools, waterslide features and family-friendly pool areas across the resort.
Pick Saratoga Springs for multiple family pools and Disney-style pool programming, but not for a resort water park.
Gaylord Palms emphasizes a large European-inspired spa plus 24-hour fitness and event nightlife spaces.
Stronger spa and fitness offerings on-site for guests prioritizing wellness and evening dining/drinks.
Saratoga Springs offers a full-service spa and Disney-organized activities with calmer evening options and Disney entertainment nearby.
Choose Saratoga Springs if you want a Disney-centric evening plan and access to Disney Springs after a day at the parks.

Gaylord Palms — hundreds of thousands of square feet of meeting and exhibition space and many event rooms.

Disney's Saratoga Springs — 1- and 2-bedroom villas, Treehouse Villas and kitchens for longer or family stays.

Gaylord Palms — Cypress Springs Water Park with slides, action river and FlowRider included with the resort fee.

Disney's Saratoga Springs — short access to Disney Springs plus complimentary Disney theme-park shuttle service.
Gaylord Palms — it has an on-site Cypress Springs Water Park with slides, an action river and a FlowRider; note children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Disney's Saratoga Springs — the resort is near Disney Springs and offers convenient Disney transportation.
Yes. Gaylord Palms has Relâche Spa (25,000 sq ft, Forbes Four-Star recognition) and Saratoga Springs lists a full-service spa with massages, facials and body treatments.
Gaylord Palms — it’s a convention center with extensive meeting and exhibition space and many event rooms.
No. Both properties are family-friendly; Gaylord Palms additionally maintains a separate adults-only pool area.
Explore how Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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