Things to do nearby: theme parks, golf and local attractions
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is well located for theme-park access (about a 5-minute drive to Walt Disney World) and offers its own family water attractions on site. Nearby golf options include Falcon's Fire Golf Club and Celebration Golf Club; local entertainment such as Old Town and Fun Spot America are a short drive or walk away.
In this guide
Theme parks and scheduled transport
Gaylord Palms is positioned for quick access to Orlando’s major parks. The resort is about a 5-minute drive to Walt Disney World; SeaWorld and Universal Orlando are commonly reachable in roughly 12–15 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
A scheduled shuttle to Walt Disney World parks and Disney Springs is included in the resort fee for overnight guests; SeaWorld and Universal transfers are sometimes offered for a surcharge. Check the front desk or concierge for current schedules and pricing.
- Walt Disney World — about a 5-minute drive
- SeaWorld Orlando — roughly a 12-minute drive
- Universal Orlando — roughly a 15-minute drive
| Tip | What to ask concierge |
|---|---|
| Park shuttles | Ask about today's shuttle schedule, where to meet, and any per-person fees for non-Disney transfers |
| Arrival times | Confirm recommended arrival time to allow for security and park entry |
| Ticket pick-up | Ask if the resort can hold or collect park tickets for your party |
Cypress Springs Water Park and resort pools
Cypress Springs Water Park is on site and included in the resort fee for overnight guests. The three-acre water park features four water slides, the Crystal River Rapids action river, and a FlowRider surf simulator; children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The property also maintains an adults-only pool area called South Beach Pool separate from the family water park. Pool hours and some slide operations vary seasonally and may close for colder weather; lifeguards are not always on duty at the pools, so supervise children closely.
- Water-park inclusions: four slides, action river, FlowRider
- Height rules: two tallest slides require 40-inch minimum; smaller slides require 36 inches
- Cabanas and reserved seating are available for a surcharge and must be booked in advance
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cypress Springs Water Park | Included in the resort fee for overnight guests; children under 15 need adult supervision |
| South Beach Pool (adults-only) | Quieter pool option separate from the family area |
| Pool hours | Generally 7:00 AM–11:00 PM but may change seasonally |
Golf nearby
Several golf options sit close to the resort. Falcon's Fire Golf Club is noted in property information as a nearby 18-hole course and is listed as being just a short drive from Gaylord Palms.
Celebration Golf Club and other Disney-area courses are also commonly used by guests staying in the Kissimmee/Orlando area. For tee times and transportation, contact the resort concierge or the courses directly.
- Falcon's Fire Golf Club — cited as about 1.9 miles from the resort
- Celebration Golf Club — regularly mentioned as a nearby option
- Concierge can help with tee times, cart/club rental information, and directions
| Course | Why go | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Falcon's Fire Golf Club | 18-hole championship course noted near the resort | Short drive; confirm route with concierge |
| Celebration Golf Club | Popular local course near the Celebration community | About a short drive from the resort; concierge can assist |
| Disney-area courses | Multiple resort and municipal courses available for visitors | Reachable by car in the Disney/ Lake Buena Vista area |
Nearby local attractions and family entertainment
Old Town Kissimmee and Fun Spot America Theme Parks are very close to Gaylord Palms; both are within a short drive or an easy walk depending on your pace and party. Old Town mixes shops, dining, and periodic events; Fun Spot offers rides and go-karts.
Other common day-trip activities from the resort include Gatorland, Celebration Town Center, Kennedy Space Center (about a one-hour drive), and Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. Ask the concierge for maps, hours, and recommended timing if you plan an off-site excursion.
- Old Town Kissimmee — shopping, dining, and evening events
- Fun Spot America — family-friendly rides and go-karts
- Gatorland and Celebration Town Center — short drives for wildlife and local shopping
| Attraction | Typical travel time from resort |
|---|---|
| Old Town | A few minutes by car (or a short walk) |
| Fun Spot America | A few minutes by car (or a short walk) |
| Kennedy Space Center | About a one-hour drive; plan a half- to full-day trip |
On-site dining and after-park options
Gaylord Palms has multiple on-property dining outlets to cover breakfasts, casual meals, seafood and steak dinners, plus coffee and snacks. Villa de Flora serves breakfast; Old Hickory Steakhouse and MOOR are dinner options with varying service styles and dress expectations.
Casual and quick-serve options include Emerald Bay Café & Market, The Cocoa Bean Coffee House (Starbucks brew), Jamba, and Cold Stone Creamery. For groups, in-room A la Carte room delivery is also available; the resort’s bars include Wreckers Sports Bar, SandBar and Socio.
- Breakfast: Villa de Flora, Emerald Bay Café & Market, The Cocoa Bean Coffee House
- Dinner: Old Hickory Steakhouse (dinner-only), MOOR (seafood and casual-elegant dinners)
- Casual treats: Cold Stone Creamery, Jamba, poolside SandBar
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Old Hickory Steakhouse | Dinner, steakhouse setting |
| MOOR | Seafood and Southern-American dinner service |
| Villa de Flora | Breakfast buffet in the Emerald Bay Atrium |
Spa, fitness and downtime options
Relâche Spa is the on-site spa and salon, described as a large European-inspired facility offering massages, facials, body treatments and salon services; it has separate lounges, a steam room and a sauna. Spa hours vary by source but the published schedule lists extended weekday and weekend hours.
The Relâche Fitness Center operates 24 hours and is complimentary for hotel guests; the resort also offers fitness and yoga classes included in the resort fee. If you want poolside downtime, private cabanas at the pools are available for a surcharge and must be reserved ahead of time.
- Relâche Spa: multi-suite spa with ELEMIS signature treatments; check posted hours before booking
- Relâche Fitness Center: open 24 hours; complimentary for guests
- Spa passes and services may include access to steam/sauna and relaxation lounges
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Massage & facials | Book in advance; signature ELEMIS treatments are offered |
| Fitness classes | Some classes are included in the resort fee; check the activity schedule |
| Spa amenities | Steam room, sauna, lounging spaces; outdoor spa pool access may be available with certain passes |
