An Orlando theme-park vacation can get expensive quickly. Between park tickets, meals, transportation and accommodations, finding places to save can make a big difference, especially when traveling with kids or a multigenerational group.
We stayed at Westgate Town Center Resort in Kissimmee, a sprawling, family-friendly resort close to Orlando’s major theme parks. For families looking for a more budget-conscious stay, the appeal is simple: plenty of room, lots to do on-site, and the option to spend a full day having fun without buying another day of theme-park tickets.
Together with Westgate Vacation Villas, the resort has more than 3,000 suites, ranging from studios to four-bedroom villas. That flexibility can be especially helpful for larger and multigenerational families. Instead of booking multiple traditional hotel rooms, families can choose accommodations that provide more room to spread out and spend time together.
When you’re traveling with kids, the little conveniences matter, too. Having space to relax between outings, easy meal options, parking and activities right at the resort can make a busy Orlando vacation feel a little easier.
Westgate has also completed a nearly $120 million multi-year investment, including renovations to more than 1,500 suites, an updated lobby, and new dining and entertainment options.
The star of our stay was Shipwreck Island Water Park, and especially the lazy river. Floating around the lazy river was exactly the kind of downtime we needed after busy days in Orlando. There are also water slides, splash areas and plenty of opportunities for kids to cool off and burn some energy. Good to know: Shipwreck Island is also open to the public, so it can get crowded. If a water-park day is a priority, consider getting an early start.
Be Advised: Give Yourself Time at Check-In. Some guests noted that check-in took longer than expected, so we’d recommend allowing some extra time when you arrive. That said, we found the staff friendly and helpful throughout our stay.
The MacKID Take: For families trying to keep an Orlando vacation budget under control, Westgate Town Center offers something valuable: options. Families can choose accommodations based on the size of their group, spend the day at the pools and water park, or duck into the arcade when everyone needs a break, all without having to leave the resort in search of something to do.
We think it’s particularly worth considering for larger and multigenerational families who want room to spread out without giving up kid-friendly activities.
