Staycation Archives - On the Go in MCO

Once Upon a Spring at the Gaylord Palms Resort

Gaylord Palms Resort guests will see lots of larger-than-life, colorful Easter eggs all around the 4.5-acre garden atrium during the annual “Once Upon A Spring” special event.

The Gaylord Palms resort just celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the resort continues the festivities with the Once Upon a Spring event.

From March 4 to May 8, the Gaylord Palms Resort will be hopping with colorful springtime flowers, larger-than-life Easter eggs, an artful pop-up bar, sweet treats to eat (and decorate!), a themed escape room, sing-along fairy tales with Mother Goose, and more.

Once Upon a Spring at Gaylord Palms 2022

Once Upon a Spring Spotlight

Springtime Stories

Famous children’s tales take center stage when Mother Goose leads a musical storytelling experience in Paint Me A Fairytale, an interactive stage show in the hotel’s garden atrium. With the help of her storybook friends, Mother Goose brings classic tales like Little Red Riding Hood, the Princess and the Pea, and Jack & the Beanstalk to life through story and song.

Celebrating its Florida history, Gaylord Palms mixologists have created an orange creamsicle cocktail for the resort’s 20th anniversary. Featuring orange-flavored vermouth and vanilla vodka, the birthday beverage is topped with an anniversary garnish made with cocktail rice paper.

Colorful Cocktails & Multicolored Mocktails

Resplendent artist palettes and pastel paintings serve as inspirations behind The Art Bar, a colorful pop-up bar that features a host of new cocktails and mocktails. Nestled in the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, the bar is the Gaylord Palms mixologists’ toast to the annual springtime celebration. The newly created menu features a wide range of libations made with colorful botanical and fruity ingredients with something to please every palate.

Make a Date to Decorate

Guests are encouraged to play with their food in Springtime Sweets Cookie Decorating, where they can decorate delicious cookies and take them home. This interactive, hands-on activity features a visit from the lovable Easter Bunny, who takes a break from delivering eggs to make a special appearance.

A Fanciful Escape Room

Amidst the bright hues of a dreamlike garden setting, guests work together in the all-new and original Journey Into Spring escape room experience to decipher riddles, find hidden keys and unlock mysteries and secrets of the season.

Eggspress Yourself

Larger-than-life Easter eggs and bouquets of blossoms highlight the Eggspression Garden, a themed walk-through experience. A giant Easter egg archway greets guests on the self-guided trail as they discover plenty of springtime photo spots for that perfect picture to share with friends and family.

Rabbits and Riddles

With a book of clues in hand, guests solve puzzles and riddles in the Blossomin’ Bunnies Scavenger Hunt. Successful springtime sleuths who find all of the hidden hares throughout the hotel atrium receive a special prize.

Springtime Nights, Springtime Lights

When night falls, a salute to springtime takes place in the skies above the atrium on the resort’s newly upgraded, animated light curtains. Blooming flowers, pastel Easter eggs, and bouncing bunnies come to life in a bright and colorful display that repeats throughout the evening.

Educating & Entertaining Animal Adventures

There’s plenty of springtime fun for the kids with adventures designed to entertain, enlighten and educate. Adventure Kid Sophie, Ava the Alligator, and Seth the Sea Turtle invite young explorers to join the Adventure Kids Club and learn about nature. At the same time, Wild Florida makes weekly visits to the resort and lets guests get up close with the Sunshine State’s indigenous wildlife. During Once Upon A Spring, Wild Florida will showcase animals like alligators and snakes and share how these unique species help the ecosystem throughout the season. Gaylord Palms has spots all around the resort with virtual animal encounters for guests who don’t want to come face-to-face with a real reptile. Using a mobile device and a special augmented reality application, guests can track down endangered species worldwide and then take a virtual photo with them.

Hoppy Easter!

On Easter Sunday, Villa de Flora will serve a plentiful Easter Buffet for guests to enjoy. In another highlight of the day, guests can visit the Easter Bunny on April 17 in meet-and-greet sessions from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fresh from delivering eggs, treats, and sweets to children worldwide, the Easter Bunny will pose for photos in the resort atrium.

Year-Round Family Fun

During a season known for warmer temperatures and sunshine, Gaylord Palms guests can highlight their springtime sojourn with family fun at Cypress Springs Water Park. The water park features waterslides for adults and children, a dedicated kids’ water-themed playground, two pools, and Crystal River Rapids – a new action river attraction inspired by Florida’s spring-fed rivers that takes guests through twists and turns at more than three feet per second. Cypress Springs Water Park is an exclusive amenity for overnight guests at Gaylord Palms Resort. Open year-round.

Once Upon a Spring Gaylord Palms Resort 2022

If there are spring showers, guests can find all sorts of fun activities throughout the indoor garden atrium. In addition to the special events, activities, and décor for Once Upon A Spring, guests can take a relaxing stroll through more than four acres of plants, flowers, waterfalls, streams, Florida fish, alligators, and other wildlife.

Inside the atrium, a delicious selection of restaurants and dining options awaits, including gourmet steaks and an award-winning wine list at Old Hickory Steakhouse, fresh, sustainable, and local seafood at MOOR, and a wide selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Villa de Flora.

Commitment to Clean

As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, Once Upon A Spring activities have been created according to Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and enhanced protocols. The event will operate according to the latest local, state and federal legislation.

Packages and Tickets

In addition to the 20th-anniversary suite special, the Gaylord Palms offers Once Upon A Spring packages that include guest rooms, event tickets, and resort credit at discounted prices. To purchase tickets for Once Upon A Spring events – as well as find booking information for Valentine’s Day spa specials and the Easter Sunday Buffet – guests may visit GaylordPalms.com.

7 Reasons to #SpringItOn at the Gaylord Palms

Disclosure: I was invited to experience the Once Upon a Spring fun at the Gaylord Palms Resort, however, all opinions and exclamation points are all my own!!!

Until May 16th the Gaylord Palms Resort is inviting guests to Spring It On with extra fun during their Once Upon A Spring celebration, and we were really excited to be invited out to check out the family-friendly events and activities.

7 Reasons to #SpringItOn at the Gaylord Palms

1. Blossomin’ Bunnies Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunts have become a staple of the special events at the Gaylord Palms resort, and the Blossomin’ Bunnies Scavenger Hunt is my new favorite!

With kid-friendly clues and super cute bunnies to find, the Blossomin’ Bunnies Scavenger hunt takes you throughout the 4.5 acres of indoor gardens for a basketful of fun.

2. Springtime Light Display

When the sun goes down, the St. Augustine Atrium lights up with images of blooming flowers, bunny rabbits scurrying, shooting stars, and a spring-colored kaleidoscope.

What I love about the Springtime Light Display is that they bring an extra touch of magic to the resort.

3. Paint Me a Fairytale Show

Inside the Castillo De San Marcos, the interactive show Paint Me A Fairytale takes guests on an adventure as Mother Goose uses her magic paintbrush to bring the pages of storybook favorites to life, including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Princess and The Pea.

As a special keepsake, guests will take home a custom watercolor paint set and coloring book featuring characters from the show.

The Paint Me A Fairytale show is a really fun way for little ones to experience their bedtime stories!

To allow for social distancing, capacity will be limited, and advance online reservations are required.

4. Resort-Wide Spring Activities

During the Once Upon a Spring fun there is no shortage of activities to participate in around the resort!

Gaylord Palms Once Upon a Spring Easter 2021 Spring it On

Some of our favorites during our stay were the cookie decorating, the animal encounters, the animal encounters with Wild Florida, and of course the Springtime Pool Party!!!

5. Art Bar

Adjacent to the Paint Me A Fairytale in the Castillo de San Marcos is the Art Bar where you can choose from a variety of themed adult and kid-friendly beverages.

The Art Bar is a lot of fun because the drinks are unique and there is a resident ‘Artist-in-residence’ that keeps things lively!

6. Crystal River Rapids

GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Gaylord Palms is home to an AWESOME new not-so-lazy river called Crystal River Rapids that is such a great addition to the Crystal Springs Water Park!

Gaylord Palms Crystal River Rapids Once Upon a Spring Easter 2021

Inspired by spring-fed Florida rivers, Crystal River Rapids takes guests on an exhilarating ride as they twist and turn through speeding currents at three-and-a-half feet per second. As guests race past roaring waterfalls, crumbling limestone walls, and larger-than-life sprinkling leaves, they will encounter thrilling water activations that will immerse them in the nature of Florida. With a state-of-the-art sound system, heated water for year-round enjoyment, and alcoves that allow guests to stop and take in the stunning views of Cypress Springs Water Park, this new action river adventure will allow for endless family-fun.

While I probably did about 30 laps around the Crystal River Rapids, I have to say that it was just as nice to sit in the alcoves and wait for Zoe to zoom by.

7. Commitment to Clean

When the Gaylord Palms Resort reopened in summer 2020, it debuted a variety of protocols and elevated practices in line with their high standards of cleanliness and excellent service that their STARs take VERY seriously.

I am BEYOND excited to say that the Gaylord Palm has sustained their high levels of cleanliness since our stay in July!

To find out more about Once Upon a Spring and how to book your resort stay, visit the Gaylord Palms website.

If you are looking for more pictures from our Spring It On staycation at the Gaylord Palms, check out our @onthegoinmco Instagram highlights!!!

Pirate and Princess Weekends Return to Gaylord Palms Resort

The Gaylord Palms Resort is welcoming guests to enjoy a bounty of family-fun both inside the resort’s atriums and outside at Cypress Springs Water Park during their Pirate and Princess Weekends until March 7, 2021.

Pirate and Princess Weekends invites guests to join the story of the Captain and his crew of notorious pirates who have plundered the Florida Coast in search of The Princess’s priceless treasure. The pirates have made Gaylord Palms Resort their outpost commandeering the resort’s Everglades Swamp, and guests will get to embark on their own adventure as they choose to take the pirate oath or become an honorary princess or prince for the day.

This year several new Pirate and Princess Weekend activities have been added to the line-up of swashbuckling fun that includes the Pirate Pool Party with Jolly Roger, the Princess Academy show where tales of The Princess and the Swordmistress are brought to life, and an exciting journey with Adventure Kid Sophie and friends as they explore the natural world we live in during Adventure Kids: Join the Club.

Pirate and Princess Weekends 2021 Gaylord Palms Resort

The new Pirate Outpost Invasion deep in the newly established Everglades Outpost is an interactive show experience where guests will hear tales of adventure, swashbuckling music, and enjoy a sip of The Captain’s brew. But take heed, because the pirates have made anchor in a nearby harbor and could invade at any time! Experience includes special pirate keepsakes. To allow for social distancing, tickets will be time-specific and capacity will be limited.

Guests can wet their whistle among relics from past treasure hunting voyages and the pirates who scoured the seven seas to retrieve them in the resort’s new, hidden Pirate Speakeasy. These crafted cocktails are fit for a true buccaneer.

In addition to the Pirate and Princess Weekends events, resort guests can enjoy several daily activities.

The Princess’s Shiny Stash Treasure Hunt leads guests throughout 4.5 acres of the resort’s indoor gardens to find the precious treasures hidden from the Princess’s kingdom. But be careful, because pirates love treasure!

As night falls, guests will want to watch high above the trees inside the resort’s St. Augustine Atrium to see the Pirate & Princess Light Display. Each night colorful lights and imagery of swords clashing, waves crashing, pirate ships, crowns, tiaras, and brilliant jewels will appear creating the perfect close to a day of an exciting adventure.

The Wildlife Rescue Experience is a virtual adventure that guides guests throughout the resort to track down endangered species and help ensure that they are monitored for their protection. The experience highlights indigenous animals from Florida and, with the magic of augmented reality, brings them to life before the participants’ eyes.

In celebration of Pirate and Princess Weekends, the resort is offering a special package starting at $189. The package includes overnight accommodations, a Princess’s Shiny Stash Treasure Hunt Booklet, and tickets to the new Pirate Outpost Invasion interactive show. The package excludes resort fee and parking.

For more information, visit CLICK HERE.

As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, Pirate and Princess Weekends has been developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social distancing measures. Programming will also operate in consideration of the latest local, state, and federal legislation.

Gobblins & Giggles Returns to the Gaylord Palms

Gobblins and Giggles Halloween 2020 Gaylord Palms Resort

This fall, guests are invited to Gaylord Palms Resort to experience a memorable family vacation by enjoying the resort’s Goblins & Giggles celebration, occurring weekends September 11 through October 31, 2020.

Goblins & Giggles Getaway Weekends offers a wide array of family-friendly activations from spooky animal encounters and a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt to wicked pool fun and a meet and greet with Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Most of the activations take place Friday through Sunday.

In celebration of Goblins & Giggles, the resort is offering a special package starting at $189. The package includes overnight accommodations, a Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt booklet and tickets to the new Castillo de San Marcos ALIVE! Ghost Experience. The package excludes resort fee and parking.

Weekend events and activities include:

NEW! Castillo de San Marcos ALIVE! Ghost Experience features live storytellers who recount real-life ghost stories for all who are brave enough to listen. Guests will explore the fort’s stone walls and encounter the spirits who remain trapped within. Includes an imaginative walkthrough experience transporting visitors of all ages through a world of Halloween Jack-o-Lantern fun.
NEW! The resort’s haunted hideaway SpookEasy offers spine-chilling craft cocktails and a spooky collection of terrifying, ghostly artwork procured by owner’s past. *This haunt is PG-13 due to graphic spooky activations inside.*
NEW! Meet and Greet with Spookley the Square Pumpkin at a fun photo op. One day in the pumpkin patch, the strangest little pumpkin hatched. Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day.
Spooky Animal Encounters provides guests with the opportunity to conquer their fears by getting up-close to live animals and learn about common myths surrounding some of the world’s most misunderstood creatures.
Guests, young and young at heart, can explore the resort during a Trick-or-Treat Expedition, with stops throughout the resort for some deliciously spooky treats.
Seth the Sea Turtle, Ava the Alligator and everyone’s favorite Adventure Kid Sophie explore Florida’s creepier flora and fauna during Adventure Kids: A Spooky Celebration.
Families can hang out poolside with the Halloween host with the most Jack O’ Lantern for some Wicked Awesome Pool Fun in the sun.
Spend the evening at Moonlight Movies watching family-friendly movies on the resort’s pool screen at Cypress Springs Water Park.

Daily activities include:

The Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt featuring Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Spookley found eight spooktacular hiding spots at the resort for his game of Halloween Hide & Seek. Guests solve puzzles to find each clue’s missing word and then use the clues to find Spookley.
The Wildlife Rescue Experience guides guests throughout the resort to track down endangered species and help ensure that they are monitored for their protection. The virtual adventure highlights indigenous animals from Florida and, with the magic of augmented reality, brings them to life before the participants’ eyes.
From the comfort of their guest room, families can enjoy two interactive Halloween videos: Bedtime Stories with Morgana, a treat-making witch from Spooksville, and Monster Mash Bash with Vlad the Vampire.
The Phantom of the Atrium Light Display is a haunting masterpiece filled with mystery, mischief and, of course, magic in the St. Augustine atrium sky.

Guests can relax and unwind at Cypress Springs Water Park & Resort Pools, which feature a zero-entry swimming pool, multi-level water playground, racing slides, a drop slide and a FlowRider surf simulator. The pool experience, an exclusive amenity for hotel guests has been upgraded to implement new cleanliness and social distancing measures, while balancing the aquatic experience guests have come to love. In addition to spaced seating, guests can rent a private cabana for the day including shaded seating, a flat-screen television, refrigerator, and snacks. Premium guaranteed pool seating is also available for purchase.

In accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” practices, the resort provides enhanced cleaning technology, hospital-grade disinfectants, attendants dedicated to sanitizing frequently throughout the day, social distancing protocols, and hundreds of new cleaning processes to take care of guests while they enjoy the resort’s amenities.

For more information or Goblins & Giggles events and overnight room packages, visit GaylordPalms.com.

Our Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Staycation

We had the opportunity to have a really fun ‘staycation’ the weekend before Christmas together experiencing all great amenities and food that the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has to offer, and it was an amazing visit.

Located in the Lake Buena Vista area, the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one mile away from the Walt Disney World Resort, however as the centerpiece of the 1,500-acre Grand Cypress Resort you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

When you first walk into the 18-story atrium lobby and are greeted by Merlot, the resident macaw, you know that you are in a really special place.

The rooms at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress are spacious at 360 square feet, and feature comfortable Hyatt Grand Beds, great amenities, and views you will love waking up to every morning!

We had a Pool View which was absolutely beautiful, and by night we were able to watch to fireworks at both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom every night without having to leave our room!

Here’s a detailed look at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Room Amenities:

Separate work desk
Hairdryer
Iron / ironing board
Coffee maker (Featuring Starbucks Coffee)
Cable / satellite TV channels
iHome™ alarm clock radio

Jack pack adaptor panel for multimedia plug n’ play
Voicemail
High-speed Internet access
Large, flat-screen television
Individual air conditioning control
Ceiling fans
Video checkout

In-room safe
Safety deposit box behind front desk
Mini-Fridge
Crib upon request
Maximum guests per room: 4
Chaise lounge
Spa toiletries

If you are looking for great food, you will definitely find it at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress!

We had an a wonderful dinner at Cascade American Bistro!

The restaurant setting is beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding.

I cannot recommend Cascade highly enough, especially their signature S’mores dessert! It was heaven in a Mason Jar!

When we were relaxing by the gorgeous pool, we also took advantage of the pool-side service from the On the Rocks Poolside Lounge.

My margarita was perfect and the Tri-Color Tortilla Chip trio was tasty with generous portions of each dip. The queso and guacamole were amazing!

And in the lobby, Perks was a great place to grab a cup of Starbucks and pastry in the morning and as it transformed to Trellises Lounge in the evening it was a great place to grab a quick bite!

We even ordered in-room dining one night, and it was a great way to relax after a busy day at the resort! With so many (even vegetarian) menu options, we found that we had a hard time deciding what we wanted to order! The in-room menu is extremely affordable and convenient, and something that we would definitely experience again!

However, the star for us during our stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress was the outdoor amenities and recreation options we were able to enjoy as a family!

There is an affordable extra Resort Services Program charge at the resort, and with that guests get access to

Health Club Open 24 Hours
Rock Climbing Walls
9 Hole, Par 3 Pitch N’ Putt
Water sports: Canoe, Paddle Boat, Hydro Bike, Aquacycle, Sailboat, and Kayak
Bikes: Adult’s, Children’s, and Surreys
Golf Driving Range
Court Time at the Tennis Racquet Club
Daily Scheduled Shuttle Transportation to Walt Disney World Theme Parks,
Universal Studios/ Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld-Be sure to pick up your
boarding pass from our Lobby Concierge.
Wired and Wireless Internet
Free Local and Toll Free Telephone Service

Zoe wanted to do something on her own, so she participated in Camp Hyatt for the day and had a blast!

Camp Hyatt is an interactive program exclusively for our guests ages 3-12. Our activities focus on the flora, fauna and culture of this unique part of the Sunshine State and includes a Fish Feeding Frenzy, Arcade Challenges, Boats and Bikes, Rock Climbing, Kids Crafts, Marshmallow Roasts, Scavenger Hunts, Short Chef Creations, Video Games and Pool and Beach Games.

Zoe wants to go back to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress JUST to go back to Camp Hyatt!!!

We had such an awesome time exploring the resort as a family! We took our first family bike ride after Dave’s knee replacement surgery, played games, and played on the beach together.

We had so much fun, that we never left the resort!

Here are some of our favorite Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Outdoor Activities:

Boating

A white sandy beach runs along Lake Windsong where you will find canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, sailboats, a volleyball court, and much more.

Boating Hours: 8:00am – return by 5:30pm

Boating Rules: 18 & older for sailboats. 13 & older to be alone on the water in all other craft.

Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age.

Pool, Water Slides, and More

Pool Water Slide Hours: 9:00 am– 5:30pm

Rules: There is a minimum 44 inch height requirement for the pool water slide. Life jacket required for children between 44-48 in.

Water Jet Pad Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm

Poolside Recreation Desk and Pool Towel Service

You can stop here for daily activity information, slide wristbands, pool towels, floats, sunscreen that you may have forgotten, and more!

Daily Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm

Pool Towels are available outside of the On The Rocks bar after operating hours with your resort room key.

Biking

Bicycles for all ages are available including family bikes, bikes with training wheels and adult bikes with child seats. Enjoy 9.2 miles of jogging and biking trails throughout the Grand Cypress Resort.

Hours: 8:00am – return by 5:30 pm

Rules: 13 & older to go biking alone. At least 18 years of age to drive a Surrey Bike. Anyone under 13 must

be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age. Anyone younger than 16 must wear a helmet.

Pitch N’ Putt

Visit our scenic par 3 executive course on Lake Windsong. Complimentary club rentals are available.

Hours: 8:00am– return by 5:30pm

Rules: 13 & younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age.

Rock Climbing Challenge

Come climb the towers at the Grand Cypress! Lanes are available for all skill levels.

Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rules: Minimum/Maximum height and weight requirements vary. See attendant for more

information. Closed toe/heel shoes are required.

Fire Pit

Located on the beach! S’mores Kits are available for purchase in the Palm Cafe, Trellises, or through Room Service for $10.

Available Thursday thru Sunday at Dusk. Weather permitting.

You will also find tons of great ways to have some quiet time while you are enjoying the great outdoors!

At the pool there is a large grotto area full of super comfy chairs.

Then on the beach there are designated quiet areas and hammocks that you won’t ever want to leave!

The grounds of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress are lush, and full of amazing sculptures and statues. I had a really relaxing walk around the resort. It was so nice to steal a few moments for myself!

We had an absolutely amazing and wonderful staycation at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, and if you are looking for a family experience to plus your visit to the Orlando Theme Parks I would absolutely recommend staying at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress!

Disclaimer: Through a partnership with the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, I received accommodations and a meal at the Resort. All opinions are my own.