A Hidden Gem Near Disney: Our Stay at Paradise Palms Resort
You finally saved up enough for that Disney World vacation you've been dreaming about for years. The kids are beyond excited to meet Mickey and see the fireworks show, and you can't wait to relive some of your favorite childhood memories with your own family.
But after a long day walking around the parks in the hot sun, you want to retreat to a resort that feels like home. Look no further than Paradise Palms Resort, Kissimmee Florida, just a few miles from the Disney gates.
This hidden gem has everything you need to recharge for another magical day - spacious townhomes, gorgeous landscaping, a large community pool, a splash pad for the littles, and amenities galore. Keep reading to find out why you should consider Paradise Palms as your home away from home on your next Orlando adventure.
7 Things to Know about Paradise Palms Resort
We secured our stay via Airbnb, but there are plenty of other options out there like Vrbo and other travel consolidators. Go with the one that you feel most comfortable with
If at all possible, try to secure a rental near the clubhouse
Do take some time out to explore the clubhouse and take advantage of the amenities
Your townhouse rental will come with a parking spot
Paradise Palms is a gated community, your host will arrange entry to the property
The location is hard to beat. The resort is located about 5 miles from the Walt Disney World gates. Your ride to the parks will depend on traffic but could take as little as 10 minutes depending on where you are going on property
As will most short term rentals, keep in mind that maid service is not available
Paradise Palms Resort: A Hidden Gem Near Disney World
Paradise Palms Resort is a hidden gem located just about 5 miles from Walt Disney World. Our little group recently stayed at the Majesty Family Villa during our vacation and were pleasantly surprised by this little oasis.
Spacious Accommodations
Our townhome came with the use of four bedrooms. There was one bedroom on the first floor with a bathroom in the hallway right next door.
The First Floor
The first floor, of the townhome has an open concept design that housed the kitchen, dining room, living room and the sliding doors to the private pool. When looking at the listing on line, the photos were deceptive, the space was actually larger in person.
Paradise Palms Resort, Majesty Family Villa Dining Room
If you're interested in this listing, don't let the photos fool you. Our family of four comfortably lived and worked in this space for three weeks.
The Second Floor
On the second floor of the townhouse, you will find the main bedroom with an en suite, the laundry, and two other bedrooms that share a bathroom. There was more than enough room for our little group of four and the property can accommodate up to 8.
Paradise Palms Resort, Majesty Family Villa Main Bedroom
The decor had subtle Disney touches throughout that were just enough to let you know you were in a vacation rental in Orlando but not enough to make you feel like you were sleeping in the middle of the theme park.
Paradise Palms Resort, Majesty Family Villa Dining Room
The pool is a splash pool. But don't let that scare you. We found it was more than large enough for the three of us to splash around and enjoy ourselves. The townhouse does come with pool toys and can be heated.
Paradise Palms Resort, Majesty Family Villa Private Pool
Last but not least, the townhouse does have free wifi. Two of our group were able to access it to work our day jobs with our little guy using the wifi for his online classes, all with no issues connecting.
Paradise Palms Resort Amenities and Activities
You could quite literally spend a day relaxing at the resort either at your town home or using the facilities at the clubhouse. While this particular resort doesn't have its own water park, the pool provides a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
Paradise Palms Resort Clubhouse
Parking
No need to worry about parking. The townhome came with a parking space right out front, which made it easy to come and go knowing a spot would be waiting when you returned.
Main Pool and Waterslide
The main pool comes equipped with a large enough slide to keep your older ones entertained for hours. There's also a splash pad to keep the littles occupied as well. The pool deck has plenty of tables and lounge chairs available to spend the day relaxing by the pool. Poolside cabanas available for rent and there are jacuzzi's available for use.
Paradise Palms Resort, Main Pool Area and Splash Pad
Pool Bar & Grill
While you're at the pool take advantage of the pool bar and grill for a lunch or dinner. We were pleasantly surprised by the dishes that we ordered. Everything came to the table hot and freshly prepared. The meals were tasty and exceeded our expectations for a pool bar. You can eat in or take your order back to your rental to enjoy.
Paradise Palms Resort, Main Pool Deck
Movie Theatre
When you're done with the pool, head inside to take in a movie. You're not going to find first run features here, when we peeked inside, the Little Mermaid was queued up to play.
Paradise Palms Resort Cinema
However, if you check the schedule you're likely to find a movie that your little will love. Keep in mind that this is not a full fledged "theatre", it's more of a movie room but is a nice option to have available.
Fitness Center
Feel like working out? Well, they've got you covered with a gym that's equipped with cardio machines, weight machines and free weights. There's even a sauna to use after your workout. Or heck, instead of a workout.
Paradise Palms Resort, Fitness Center
Arcade
Don't feel like working out? That's ok, maybe you're in the mood to play games in the arcade. Yes, they have one of those too! A modestly sized game room is available to entertain the littles on a rainy day.
Paradise Palms Resort, Arcade
Outdoor Recreation
Just outside of the clubhouse you'll find recreational spaces for kids and children of all ages.
Paradise Palms Resort, Volleyball Court
Playground
Just behind the clubhouse you'll find a playground and a sand volleyball court.
Paradise Palms Resort, Playground
Sports
You'll also find a tennis court and basketball court. Equipment for all of the recreational activities are available to check out from the concierge desk inside the clubhouse.
Paradise Palms Resort, Sports Courts
What Makes Paradise Palms Unique
Paradise Palms Resort stands out from the crowd of hotels near Disney World for several reasons.
Location
First and foremost, location, location, location! We can't say enough about the location of this resort. You can't get too much closer to Walt Disney World property without staying on property and in the theme park bubble.
It's not just Walt Disney World, you're conveniently located near major roadways that lead to Universal, the beaches, the malls, attractions, groceries and shopping.
Laid-back Vibe
Unlike the chaotic feel of the huge theme park resorts, Paradise Palms has a relaxed, laid-back vibe. You'll feel more like a local than a tourist returning home at the end of the day. A stay here ensures that you won't feel overwhelmed by the crowds or the consistent hustle and bustle of a theme park resort.
Great Value vs. Theme Park Hotels
Our three week stay totaled $3,353.79. As of this writing, the current rates are showing on Airbnb as $142 per night. Let us be the first to tell you, you will be hard pressed to find a room on theme park property at that rate.
Not to mention that even if you could match the rate, you would not have 4 bedrooms, two full baths, a full kitchen, living room and dining room.
Paradise Palms Resort, Majesty Family Villa Kitchen
Having the full kitchen makes it possible for you to save even more by eating some meals in. For a family on a budget, the savings can really add up, allowing you to extend your Orlando vacation.
Oh, and then there's the matter of the private pool.
If not here, you may want to seriously consider finding an off theme park property rental house for your next stay.
Our Experience Staying at Paradise Palms
Our three week stay at Paradise Palms Resort exceeded our expectations. When we booked, we were looking for an affordable place close to Disney that would feel like a home away from home. Paradise Palms ended up being a hidden gem that made for a memorable family vacation.
Make no mistake that the host went along way to making this trip memorable. Check-in was a breeze, with zero issues at the front gate or upon entering the property. Our townhome was clean, well kept and the host was super responsive when we reached out during our stay.
The resort grounds were well-manicured, and the communal facilities that we used were all well kept. The staff was friendly and helpful answering any questions we had during our stay. The only thing we would point out is that while there was a general store on property, the grocery options were limited and overpriced.
Paradise Palms Resort, Walking Path
No matter your length of stay here, or any short term rental property in the area, be sure to stop off at the local Publix, Target or Walmart to stock up.
Of course, the best things about Paradise Palms is the proximity to the theme parks. We can't overstate the how nice it was to be so close to the gates of Walt Disney World and only being a short drive "home" after a long day at the parks.
Paradise Palms is also located near the major highways which made traveling to Universal, the outlets and local restaurants a simple and straight forward drive.
Final Thoughts: Is Paradise Palms Worth It for Your Disney Vacation?
After our stay at Paradise Palms Resort, we can say it’s absolutely worth considering for your next Orlando getaway! This hidden gem offers an affordable, family-friendly place to rest your head at night after exploring the parks.
Located approximately 5 miles from the theme parks main gate, the resort’s close proximity alone makes it an ideal home base.
The resort amenities provide a nice selection of activities for days away from the parks. Lounge by the pool while the kids splash in the splash pad, or unwind in the hot tub as the sun sets. Poolside food and drinks are available if you don’t want to head to your room. There's also the playground and sports courts, if you need to burn off some energy.
For families looking to experience the magic of the parks without breaking the bank, Paradise Palms Resort should be at the top of your list. The value and convenience it provides simply can’t be beaten. Your Disney dollars are better spent on Mickey bars and meeting the characters!
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
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