Hotel at a Glance: Flamingo Waterpark Resort

This family-friendly hotel in greater Orlando is known mainly for its crown jewel: a 50,000-square-foot water park. The aquatic oasis has something for everyone. Little ones can splash around in the kiddie play zones, older kids can whoosh down water slides, and adults can kick back in the lazy river. With this getaway, you’ll get four water-park passes for every night of your stay.

• Beyond the water park: Orlando’s famous theme parks are within a 20-minute drive of the resort.
• Hop on the shuttle to get to Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Walt Disney World® Theme Parks.
• Vacation mode: Relax after a long day of swimming or roller-coaster riding with food and drinks at the resort’s snack bar and grill.
• Tropical hues decorate the guest rooms, which feature mini fridges, cable TV, and WiFi.

Kissimmee, Florida: Easy Access to World-Famous Theme Parks and Major Orlando Attractions

Located on the banks of Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee sits about 22 miles from downtown Orlando and just 16 miles from the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks. The world’s most-visited entertainment resort spans roughly 30,000 acres, encompassing four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, and the Downtown Disney® Area. There’s no shortage of things to do here: begin your day at Magic Kingdom® Park by boarding Space Mountain® Attraction, a rocket-shaped three-seater that climbs to 180 feet before entering a deep black tunnel and racing past stars, satellites, and constellations. After that, ride past the ghastly goofballs inside The Haunted Mansion. For dinner, head over to Epcot® to sample cuisine from Morocco, Mexico, France, Italy, and several other countries at the World Showcase. As one of the most popular family destinations in the world, sunny Orlando is home to other theme parks including Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.

Those hoping to shake up the typical theme-park-dominated itinerary can head into downtown Orlando’s vibrant arts district. The neighborhood boasts venues such as the CityArts Factory, a multifaceted patchwork of gallery spaces, and SAK Comedy Lab, which holds improv shows five nights a week.

About a 10-minute drive north, you’ll find several cultural institutions surrounding Loch Haven Park, including the Orlando Museum of Art; the collection features pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg, Ansel Adams, and Andy Warhol. The park is also home to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the Orlando Science Center, where you can take a rover across a simulation of Mars or race model cars down a 70-foot pinewood-derby track.

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