Family Vacation GuideOrlando

Home to dozens of shops, restaurants, Cirque du Soleil, and more, it's a nice way to spend an afternoon or evening. You get a taste of Disney without the price of park admission.

It's hard not to get a tear at this touching ceremony. Every day at 5 pm, the marching band plays and a random guest is presented with the flag.

It's like stepping inside a storybook from your childhood. You enter a land of fairy tales, pirates, astronauts, and cowboys. This is Disney World's flagship park.

The new Whole Foods is a great place to buy healthy, organic produce and products.

You'll see a parade with Mickey as a Jedi Knight, tons of fans dressed as characters, and celebrity guests. It runs every weekend from mid-May to mid-June.

Every night, fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella's Castle, while "When You Wish Upon a Star" plays triumphantly in the background.

Nightly fireworks erupt on the lake at Epcot and a laser light show mixes themes from the cultures of the world.

Fireworks light up Cinderella's Castle, while you finish off the night with a dessert party over the lake in Tomorrowland.

Tour 11 countries through their culture and food, as you walk around a lagoon. Then, see the triumphs of human technology and the wonders of the natural world.

Gather round the main stage on summer nights for this family-friendly concert series.

Storytellers from around the world describe their holiday customs and stories.

Hollywood Studios shows you how movies come to life. See behind the scenes, hair-raising stunts, and movie sets that give the illusion of being in another place.

Gather for great food, local art vendors, and family activities in this quaint historic town near Orlando.

Recognized as one of the best free art events in the country, you can walk the streets of beautiful Winter Park and see (and buy!) hundreds of works by local artists.

You can buy crafts by local artisans and fresh produce in a shaded grove by Lake Eola.

Head south to downtown Kissimmee for their summer farmers market, held every Tuesday.

It's a zoo, an animal sanctuary, and an amusement park in one. Go on a safari, explore the Himalayas and venture back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Located on Lake Bryan, you have access to jet skiing and other watersports. Or, hang back by the pool and admire the lilly pads.

The resort is tucked away in a calm forest near Disney World's Animal Kingdom. When not at the theme parks, treat yourself to a massage, or head to the sauna.

True to its safari theme, there's a nature path that snakes past chameleons, butterflies, and frogs.

The massive Wakoola Springs water park will keep the kids entertained while you relax on a plush lounge chair.

Located in ChampionsGate, this luxurious family resort is home to three golf course, several delicious restaurants, rooftop pools, and more.

Set on lake Cecile, you can take out a paddle boat and enjoy the water. There's also a spa onsite for a little pampering. You're close to Disney World and the Florida Everglades

The towering 3-story waterslide is the centerpiece of the main pool area. There's also an 18-hole mini golf course and tons of activities like Karaoke Night.

This Polynesian-themed resort features a fun water park – Liki Tiki Lagoon. It's just a quick 7-minute drive to Disney World.

It's an amazing event to say the least, but be advised, the park can get extremely crowded on New Year's Eve and New Years Day.

Dozens of topiary sculptures recreate Disney characters in greenery. You'll also see elegant flower displays and a number of farm-to-table food stands.

Mother's and Father's Day is a magical way for parents and lovers of Disney to spend their special day. Crowds also tend to be less.

After a patriotic ceremony, pyrotechnics erupt in beautiful sparks all throughout the park.

All around World Showcase you'll find 25 to 30 booths with food and drink from parts of the world not normally featured in Epcot.

It's the big show that you think of when you think SeaWorld. Orcas jump high in the air and dolphins do all kinds of crazy tricks.

Alright Hamilton! This 20 minute show features sea lions in a fictional high school, performing tricks and wacky antics as they work to earn their diplomas. Come at pre-show for good seats!

From June 20 to Aug 9, the park is open late and hosts nightly shows and fireworks. On weekends they throw the "Celebrating America" concert series.

You're right next door to Wet n' Wild Water Park. This resort has a lake with swan boats, beach volleyball, and dozens of daily activities.

Tranquil gardens and a nice family pool make for a relaxing resort, just two miles from Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

You feel like you're in a peaceful forested retreat, away from the hustle, bustle of the theme parks. There’s a nice pool, lakeside lounge, and a golf course surrounding the property.

Steel pan drums play while you watch the little ones climb on the pirate ship pool. There's also a waterslide, fun splash buckets, and a mini golf course at this Key West-themed retreat.

This Orlando resort is basically a mini city unto itself. Plenty of restaurants, several pools, a mini golf course, and tennis courts are all built around a gorgeous lake.

Surrounded by woodlands, you can go boating, fish, or lounge on the lakeside beach. Kids can play at the kids club while you relax with a massage at the full-service spa or by the pool.

This brand new resort has some real state-of-the-art amenities. There's a gorgeous pool, fine wines at the market, and a hi-tech fitness center.

At this intimate resort, it feels like you have a private pool in your backyard. At the same time, you have access to amenities at four other resorts and a great golf course.

It has a family community vibe. Kids can make new friends at the pool and beach volleyball courts, while you relax in the cabanas or play a round of golf.

There's tons to do here, betweeen several pools, mini golf, a clubhouse stocked with games, and a huge lake where you can take out kayaks or zip around on a speed boat.

There are plenty of pools, one with a rock waterfall and another with a pirate ship playground. This fun family resort is styled like an Italian villa and close to Disney World.

You have the best of both worlds: a calm family retreat and access to great dining and a huge pool complex at one of Marriott’s biggest resorts next door.

This low-key resort has a calm, friendly pool and poolside bar, a nice place to hang out when not exploring nearby Universal Studios.

Lounge by the pool, play volleyball on the sandy courts, or challenge your kids to a round of mini golf.

Italian cypress line the gorgeous pool and Jacuzzi. Grab a drink at the Tiki Bar and relax after a long day at Disney, while the kids play.

It's right across the street from the most exciting new attractions in Orlando. The brand new Orlando Eye gives you a stunning view of the entire area.

You can kayak on the lake, play a round of golf, watch the little ones climb on the indoor jungle gym, and even see baby chics at the petting zoo.

Set in the exclusive golfing community of ChampionsGate, this resort is home to two-world class courses and the David Leadbetter Academy. You also have a spa and a great pool for the kids.

There's lots of dining, a day spa, and elegant pools with rock waterfalls. This luxury resort is also super close to Disney.

It’s one of the highest rated resorts in Orlando. Entering the gates, feels like you’ve stepped onto Southern estate, with Spanish moss and ponds, surrounded by a world-class golf course.

This action-packed resort features a deluxe waterpark with a long lazy river that twists through a tropical jungle, a 20-foot slide, and main pool with water volleyball.

You get your own calm pool, volleyball, and tennis, nestled within the larger Westgate Town Center – a mini-city unto itself.

Kids can play on the mini golf course or splash around in the calm winding pools. You can even lay back in the hammock for some much deserved rest.

You can walk across the street to SeaWorld. The resort is designed like an island village out of Bermuda, with gorgeous pools, restaurants, and a calming lake.

An enormous fountain pours out into the stunning main pool. This resort is designed like a village out of the famous lake region of Italy. Except you're in Orlando with Disney down the road.

This Kissimmee resort is great for golfers, couples and families looking for a great place to stay. Take advantage of the Kid’s Club, onsite golf course, 4 pools and distance to the major th...

Situated in one of the best locations in all of Orlando, this resort is a great home base to explore the large (and small) theme parks in the area.

Set along Lake Bryan, Grand Beach is just three miles from Disney World. There are plenty of kids pools, a mini golf course, volleyball, and gorgeous nature trails.

It's the best of a Mardi Gras parade, but without the mayhem and debauchery. So dawn your shiny beads and try some Cajun-style food.

Geared for teens and adults, it's not for the faint of heart. Haunted houses and Scare Zones will scare the living bejeezus out of you.

Seuss Landing becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas time. And what better way to get in the Christmas spirit than with the anti-Claus.

Earning the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence, this is probably one of the best outlet shops in the US. You'll find tons of deals and a large food court.

It might not be as big as Vineland, but this sister property has great savings from designer labels such Coach, Cole Haan, and Michael Kors.

Though smaller than the other outlets, it's home to Calvin Klein, American Eagle, Reebok, and Skechers. Sometimes fewer options can make shopping easier.

It's geared towards value-minded shoppers and features top brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Guess,

This hidden gem is located on the calmer west side of Disney World. You have a gorgeous family pool, fun pool bar, clubhouse, and movie theater screening family films every night.

With a huge pirate ship waterslide and fun pools for kids and adults, this resort makes for a nice family getaway near Disney World and a world-class outlet mall.

Enjoy two amazing pools, one with lots of action, and another, with a much quieter vibe. Grab a drink at the pool bar while kids make sand castles and play in the water.

This caribbean-themed boutique resort is one of the few non-Disney resorts located within the gates of the Disney World parks. You’re less than a mile from Animal Kingdom Park.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is one of the few non-Disney resorts located inside the gates of Disney World. It’s an action-packed vacation palace that surrounds a gorgeous lake in the middle.

Surrounded by the emerald green fairways of Grande Pines Golf Club, Parc Corniche is a peaceful family resort right next to SeaWorld.

The Mediterranean architecture of this low-key resort graces the edge of a beautiful lake. Its townhome-style residences are much more mellow than the other larger resorts in the area. SeaWo...

Located just south of Disney World, this New Orleans-style resort evokes the architecture and festive atmosphere of the French Quarter. Lounge by the pool amid the lush palm gardens and head...