Things to do on site at Gaylord Palms
On-site highlights at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center include Cypress Springs Water Park (slides, Crystal River Rapids and a FlowRider), multiple outdoor pools including an adults-only South Beach Pool, the Relâche Spa & Fitness Center, an indoor 4.5-acre glass atrium with gardens and waterways, plus several restaurants and bars. The resort also offers extensive event and wedding spaces and a wide range of room types including rooms that overlook the Main Atrium and Water Park.
In this guide
Cypress Springs Water Park & Pools
Cypress Springs Water Park is the resort’s main family attraction: a multi-acre outdoor water park with four water slides, the Crystal River Rapids action river, and a FlowRider surf simulator. Water park admission for overnight guests is included in the mandatory resort fee.
The property also has three outdoor pools and two hot tubs, plus a separate adults-only area called South Beach Pool for guests seeking quieter pool time. Pool hours and access can vary seasonally and are subject to change without notice.
- Water park slides: two taller slides with a 40-inch height minimum; two smaller slides with a 36-inch minimum
- FlowRider surf simulator with lessons and supervised sessions at scheduled times
- Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult in the water park
- Pool cabanas available for rent (reserve ahead; additional charge applies)
- Lifeguard staffing may vary—confirm on arrival
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Water park admission | Included for overnight guests in the resort fee |
| Adults-only pool | South Beach Pool is separate from family areas |
| Pool hours | Generally daily 7:00 AM–11:00 PM; subject to seasonal change |
Relâche Spa & Fitness Center
Relâche Spa is a 25,000-square-foot, European-inspired spa offering massages, facials, body treatments, salon services, a steam room and sauna. The spa features signature ELEMIS treatments and separate relaxation lounges.
The Relâche Fitness Center is open 24 hours and provides cardio, strength and free-weight equipment; fitness and yoga classes are included in the resort fee and typically run Tuesday–Saturday at morning times.
- Spa hours commonly listed as Monday–Saturday 8:30 AM–8:00 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM–7:00 PM (availability may vary)
- Spa Pass guests can access saunas, steam rooms, relaxation lounges and the outdoor spa pool
- Fitness center access is complimentary for hotel guests
| Service | Typical availability |
|---|---|
| Massage & body treatments | By appointment during spa hours |
| Steam room & sauna | Available to spa guests; check spa for access rules |
| Fitness classes | Scheduled classes (morning) covered by resort fee |
The Indoor Atrium and Gardens
The resort is built around a 4.5-acre glass-roofed atrium that recreates Florida landscapes with waterways, tropical plants and walkways. The atrium contains dining areas, lagoon seating and event spots that can be viewed from many guest rooms.
Strolling the atrium is one of the easiest on-site things to do: watch the lagoon boats, check seasonal displays, and take photos by the waterfalls and planted gardens.
- Atrium themes recreate regions such as Key West, St. Augustine and the Everglades
- Look for indoor features like a gazebo, rock waterfalls and lagoon seating areas
- Many rooms are listed as Main Atrium view or Atrium view and have balconies or views over this space
| Atrium feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Glass roof | Wide overhead views and natural light into the garden areas |
| Lagoon/boats | Waterside seating and occasional boat service in atrium lagoon |
| Photo opportunities | Gazebo, waterfalls and themed gardens |
Dining, Bars and Casual Eateries
Gaylord Palms offers a range of on-site dining options from a dinner-only steakhouse to cafés and a poolside bar. Old Hickory Steakhouse operates as the resort’s signature steakhouse for dinner service; MOOR serves seafood and Southern-influenced dishes with lagoon views.
For quicker meals and snacks, Villa de Flora serves breakfast (attended buffet), Emerald Bay Café & Market and The Cocoa Bean Coffee House provide coffee and grab-and-go items, and Cold Stone Creamery and Jamba cover desserts and smoothies.
- Old Hickory Steakhouse: dinner service only
- MOOR: seafood and American dishes with atrium/lagoon views
- Villa de Flora: breakfast buffet hours commonly 7:00 AM–11:00 AM
- SandBar: poolside bar and casual bites
- Socio: lobby lounge for cocktails and small plates
| Outlet | Typical offering |
|---|---|
| Old Hickory Steakhouse | Steakhouse — dinner |
| Villa de Flora | Breakfast buffet — morning |
| The Cocoa Bean Coffee House | Starbucks coffee and bakery items |
Rooms, Views and Where to Stay on Property
Rooms and suites offer a mix of views and layouts; several room types are named for their outlook (for example, Guest room, Main Atrium view, Balcony and Guest room, Water Park view, Gulf Coast Tower). Suites include 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite, Sofa bed and 1 Bedroom Executive Suite, Sofa bed.
If you want to watch atrium activity from your room, request a Main Atrium view or Atrium view room with Balcony. Guests seeking direct sightlines to the water park can request a Water Park view in the Gulf Coast Tower where available.
- Room names to request or compare: Room, Balcony; Guest room, Main Atrium view, Balcony; Guest room, Water Park view, Gulf Coast Tower
- Connecting rooms and accessible rooms are available on request subject to availability
- In-room Wi‑Fi is available; Marriott Bonvoy members may receive complimentary in-room internet when booking direct
| Room type example | Common features |
|---|---|
| Room, Balcony | King or two Queen beds; balcony option |
| Guest room, Water Park view, Gulf Coast Tower | Two Queen beds; water park sightlines |
| 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite, Sofa bed | King bed and double sofa bed; separate living area |
Events, Weddings and Meeting Spaces
Gaylord Palms functions as a full convention center with a large range of event spaces. Options range from intimate boardrooms to ballrooms and large exhibition halls such as the Florida Exhibition Hall and Sun Ballroom.
Wedding venues include indoor atrium locations like the Wedding Pavilion Venue and outdoor lawns such as the Coquina Lawn and Emerald Bay Plaza, with capacities that span intimate ceremonies to large receptions.
- Florida Exhibition Hall: the resort’s largest exhibition space
- Sun Ballroom and multiple ballrooms/divisible meeting rooms for conferences
- Wedding Pavilion Venue, Emerald Bay Plaza Venue and Coquina Lawn for ceremonies and receptions
| Venue | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wedding Pavilion Venue | Indoor gazebo-style ceremony space |
| Emerald Bay Plaza | Spanish Renaissance terrace setting |
| Coquina Lawn | Customizable outdoor garden lawn |
Practical Info: Arrival, Fees, Parking and Nearby Attractions
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM; the property maintains a 24-hour front desk and the minimum age to check in is 18. A mandatory daily resort fee covers items including Wi‑Fi, pool/water park access and fitness classes.
Self-parking and valet are available for a daily fee; the resort also has on-site electric vehicle charging stations. Gaylord Palms is located at 6000 West Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee and is about a five-minute drive to Walt Disney World.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM; late arrivals accommodated until 4:00 AM. Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Resort fee covers Wi‑Fi, pool/water park access and fitness classes (amount varies by date)
- Parking: self-parking and valet available for a daily charge; EV charging on site
- Nearest major airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO), roughly 19–20 miles away
| Service | Typical detail |
|---|---|
| Self parking | Available for a daily fee |
| Valet parking | Available for a daily fee |
| Resort fee | Mandatory; includes Wi‑Fi, fitness classes and water park access |
