Family Vacation GuideOrlando

This 110-acre wildlife reserve is filled with gators and fun attractions. Zipline over a gator-infested lake, even pose for a wrestling photo.

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.

This I-Drive attraction is an odd museum filled with all the unbelievable anomalies of the world like six-legged cows, vampires, and giants.

Kids get to learn about science, the fun way, by doing cool interactive experiments. The upside down building is quite a sight too.

This old-timey themed park and shopping mall has bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade, go carts, and haunted house, among stores and restaurants.

Tons of thrilling waterslides will keep you cool on a hot Orlando day. The park will close in Dec. 31, 2016 to make way for another, bigger one: Universal's Volcano Bay.

The water's always cool and clear in this natural spring. Take a scenic walk and then hop on in. Sure beats swimming with the gators.

They've got griddles by your tables where you can make your own pancakes. This 300-year-old mill at De Leon Springs was onced used by Spanish sugar plantations.

In this gorgeous coastal river, you have the opportunity to swim with hundreds of manatees. You can even kiss these loveable Sea Cows.

Sixty minutes from Orlando is a beach park, perfect for picnic. Bring your bathing suit and swim with dolphins and manatees in the warm ocean.

Kayak or paddle through a dense swamp forest at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

Take a boat ride on the canals that connect the lakes of Winter Park. You'll pass through a botanical garden and cruise by a sculpture garden. Then go explore the town.

You fly across over a mile of cables on a course of 8 ziplines. Set up as dual racing zips, you can race your friends and family as you go.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

This 400-foot tall ferris wheel has changed the Orlando skyline forever. Get the best view of the city as you ride the loop.

It's soon to be the most happening spot of I-Drive! When completed, it will host a wax museum, aquarium, skeleton exhibit, and tons of shopping and dining.

It may be their first season, but the Orlando City Lions soccer team have exploded in local popularity. If you ever counted MLS out, think again.

Journey into the jungles of Jurassic Park and the wacky world of Seuss Landing. You'll find thrills with an adventurous twist.

SeaWorld's waterpark combines thrilling slides with sea life exhibits. The iconic Dolphin Plunge sends you flying down a tube into an actual dolphin sanctuary.

SeaWorld takes you inside the lives of dolphins, orcas, seals, and even penguins with a number of thrilling shows. There are two roller coasters and dozens of attractions.

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,

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.

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.

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.

Madame Tussauds wax museum features shockingly life-like sculptures of history's famous icons. The museum is part of the I-Drive 360 area, which is also home to the Orlando Eye.

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...

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.