What to pack for a Gaylord Palms stay
Bring swimwear, sun protection, a light jacket for cooler evenings, and comfortable shoes for walking the atrium and nearby theme parks. Pack any prescription meds, a reusable water bottle, and toiletries — the resort has on-site dining, a spa, and complimentary fitness facilities, so you can travel a little lighter.
In this guide
What to bring for your room
Rooms at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center come in a variety of layouts; examples include Room, Balcony and 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite, Sofa bed. Most rooms provide standard in-room amenities but not specialty personal items.
Bring basics you prefer from home: chargers, sleep aids, eyeglass case, and a small travel first-aid kit. If you need adapters or a spare phone charger, pack them — the property accepts major credit cards but you may want a backup power bank for long park days.
- Phone chargers and power bank
- Sleep mask/earplugs if you’re a light sleeper
- Prescription medications and copies of prescriptions
- Light jacket or sweater for cool evenings in winter
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Reusable water bottle | Stay hydrated between water-park sessions and park trips |
| Small laundry bag | Keep wet swimsuits or dirty clothes separate |
| ID + credit card | Required for check-in (minimum age 18 to check in) |
Pool and Cypress Springs Water Park essentials
Cypress Springs Water Park (listed as a 3-acre water park) and the resort’s outdoor pools are included in the resort fee for overnight guests. The water park has slides, the Crystal River Rapids action river, and a FlowRider surf simulator.
Pack swimwear and water-friendly footwear, plus safety items for kids. Note height rules: the two tallest slides require a 40-inch minimum and the smaller slides require 36 inches. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Swimsuits and rash guards
- Water shoes or flip-flops (pools are outdoor, some rock surfaces can be warm)
- Sunscreen (reef-safe if you prefer), hat and sunglasses
- Small towel/cover-up for walking between pool and room (pool towels may be provided by the resort)
| Amenity | Note |
|---|---|
| Cabanas | Available at the water park and South Beach Pool; reserve ahead and expect a surcharge |
| Lifeguards | Lifeguards are not on duty at the pools (check posted rules before swimming) |
| Pool hours | Typically daily 7 AM–11 PM but hours can change seasonally |
Spa, fitness and wellness items
Relâche Spa is on-site and includes treatment suites, a steam room and sauna; the property’s Relâche Fitness Center is open 24 hours and complimentary for hotel guests. If you plan spa treatments, bring lightweight, comfortable clothing and after-spa sandals.
Fitness classes (yoga, etc.) are included in the resort-fee offerings on certain days, so pack workout clothes if you expect to join early morning sessions.
- Workout clothes and training shoes
- Swimwear if you plan spa outdoor pool access associated with spa passes
- Personal toiletries if you prefer specific brands (the spa provides treatment products during services)
- Reusable face mask or allergy meds if you’re sensitive to steam/sauna
| Facility | Tip |
|---|---|
| Relâche Spa | Bring booking confirmation and arrive early to use relaxation areas |
| Relâche Fitness Center | Open 24 hours — pack earbuds and a towel if you prefer your own |
| Steam/sauna | Noted in spa amenities — avoid heavy jewelry or contact lenses when using |
Dining, bars and evening wear
Gaylord Palms has multiple on-site restaurants and bars including Old Hickory Steakhouse (dinner only), MOOR, Villa de Flora (breakfast), Wreckers Sports Bar, SandBar and Socio. Villa de Flora runs an attended breakfast buffet; The Cocoa Bean Coffee House serves Starbucks brew.
Pack a mix of casual daytime clothes for pool/atrium walking and a smart-casual outfit if you plan to dine at Old Hickory Steakhouse or MOOR in the evening — Old Hickory lists a smart/resort-casual dress code for dinner.
- Smart-casual outfit for dinner (Old Hickory Steakhouse suggests Resort/Smart Casual)
- Casual daytime clothes and comfortable shoes for atrium and outdoor areas
- Refillable water bottle — many dining options and cafés on property
| Meal | Typical venue |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Villa de Flora, Emerald Bay Café & Market, Cocoa Bean |
| Dinner | Old Hickory Steakhouse, MOOR, Wreckers, Socio |
| Quick snacks | Cold Stone Creamery, Jamba, market outlets |
Packing for families and kids
Gaylord Palms is family-friendly and centered on its water-park and kid-focused amenities. Pack swim diapers if you’re traveling with infants and a change of clothes for kids after pool time.
Bring small entertainment for downtime — books, tablets with headphones, or travel games. The resort has an arcade/game room and family-friendly dining options, but favorite snacks or night-time comforts can be handy.
- Swim diapers and a pack of quick-dry towels
- Children’s sunscreen and a wide-brim hat
- Floatation devices only if approved by lifeguards/pool rules — check with the resort
- Small backpack for park days and pool essentials
| Kid useful item | Why bring it |
|---|---|
| Waterproof pouch | Keep phone/ID dry at the water park |
| Extra change of clothes | Wet kids will want dry clothes for dinner or the atrium |
| Copies of ID/medical info | Useful if children need medical attention or proof of age/height for slides |
Day-trip and travel logistics to/from the resort
Gaylord Palms is at 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746 and is marketed as about three miles from Walt Disney World. The nearest major commercial airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO), about 19–20 miles away.
The resort’s daily resort fee covers scheduled shuttle transport to Walt Disney World and includes pool/water park access and fitness classes; the property does not provide a complimentary general airport shuttle, so plan ground transfers or use local providers.
- Printed directions or offline map for driving to nearby parks
- Portable charger and small daypack for theme-park excursions
- Copies of reservations and any shuttle confirmations
| Nearby spot | Typical travel time/distance listed in sources |
|---|---|
| Walt Disney World | About 3–5 minutes by car (approximately 3 miles) |
| SeaWorld / Universal | About 12–15 minutes by car (times vary by route) |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | About 19–20 miles (travel time varies with traffic) |
