Gaylord Palms Visitor Guide: What to Know Before You Book, Drive or Attend
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is a large resort-and-events property in Kissimmee, Florida, serving Orlando-area vacations and conventions. The smartest plan is to compare the live room rate with the resort fee, parking and airport transfer, then match your room, water-park access or convention route to the reason you are visiting.
This page separates current official facts from variable prices, event-specific rules and third-party listing conflicts so you can make the next decision without opening ten tabs.
The Answers Most Visitors Need First
These are the current facts that change the trip. Room rates and some promotions remain date-dependent, so they are not presented as permanent prices.
Kissimmee, FL 34746 — not the City of Orlando.
Official property contact.
Hotel does not list a general airport shuttle.
Verify on the final booking screen for your dates.
Overnight guests get in/out privileges; day guests pay per entry.
Current official property rate.
Minimum check-in age is 18.
Official Quick Facts PDF lists 129 suites.
Current Marriott Events top-line figure.
Florida Exhibition Hall is the largest space.
FlowRider can cost extra.
Rooms, atriums, water park, dining and meetings.
Which Gaylord Palms plan fits your visit?
Stay onsite when schedule convenience matters
Compare the event room block with the public room rate, resort fee and parking. Save your ballroom, hall and registration location before arrival because the property is large.
Value the water park and seasonal experiences separately
Cypress Springs is a registered-resort-guest amenity. If your family will use the water park, atrium activities and onsite dining, an onsite stay can be more useful than comparing room price alone.
Watch the per-entry parking rule
Day guests are charged per entry for self parking, while overnight guests receive in/out privileges. Avoid unnecessary drive-out and return trips.
Use the capacity chart and show manual
Marketing pages use several meeting-space totals. For an RFP or freight plan, use the current room-by-room chart, planner toolkit and show-specific exhibitor manual.
Gaylord Palms address: it is in Kissimmee, not Orlando city
Search results often add “Orlando” because the resort serves the Orlando tourism and convention market. The official mailing address is in Kissimmee.
| Field | Current detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Hotel, map and rideshare search |
| Street | 6000 West Osceola Parkway | Driving and delivery address |
| City / ZIP | Kissimmee, FL 34746 | Correct mailing city |
| Phone | +1 407-586-0000 | Property-specific room, accessibility and stay questions |
| Coordinates | 28.3436370, -81.5252830 | Exact map pin from Marriott’s official map link |
What the official Gaylord Palms Quick Facts PDF adds
The two-page Marriott Quick Facts sheet contains useful details that short hotel listings usually omit. The key is to convert them into decisions rather than copy brochure language.
Useful for large room blocks and understanding why conference weeks can materially affect room availability.
The PDF uses a broad flexible meeting/convention/exhibit/outdoor/pre-function figure and separately identifies the 178,500-sq-ft exhibit hall.
Use the live Marriott Events capacity chart for the exact current room setup and attendee capacity.
Everglades, Key West and St. Augustine themes, with gardens and Florida wildlife including alligators, turtles and fish.
Useful for attendees planning workouts around early sessions or late receptions.
The PDF names Green Key Global 4-key Eco-Rating (2025) and Florida Green Lodging 3 Palms Designation (2025).
Theme-park distance: read the PDF carefully
The PDF says Walt Disney World Resort is less than one mile away, ESPN Wide World of Sports is under 2.4 miles, Celebration Golf Club is under 3 miles, Disney Springs is 5 miles, SeaWorld is 7 miles and Universal Orlando Resort is under 11 miles. “Walt Disney World Resort <1 mile” describes proximity to the resort property, not a guaranteed one-mile drive to Magic Kingdom or another park entrance.
Where search results conflict — and which source to trust
This is one of the biggest gaps in competing pages. OTAs, review sites and even different official marketing pages can describe the same property differently.
Use the current property page as the operational source of truth. Marriott lists Mears Transportation as an alternate option. Event-specific group shuttles can still exist.
The overview copy says nine restaurants, while the current amenities/dining FAQ lists 11 dining outlets or services. Use the detailed outlet list and current hours, not the headline count.
These sources appear to measure different inventories or use rounded marketing figures. Do not average them. Use the live room-by-room Marriott Events chart for an RFP.
The official PDF refers to Walt Disney World Resort property proximity. Driving distance to a specific theme park depends on that park and route.
Gaylord Palms prices: calculate the stay, not just the room rate
There is no reliable single “Gaylord Palms price.” A SERP may show one date-specific nightly rate, but the useful total combines the live room rate with the resort fee, parking, transport and optional experiences.
| Cost | Current status | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Room rate | Dynamic | Dates, room/view type, occupancy, cancellation terms, group code and taxes. |
| Resort fee | $45/night shown by current Marriott destination listings | Final booking screen and package inclusions. |
| Self parking | $40/day + tax | Event/group parking terms and whether you are overnight or day-only. |
| Valet | $55/day + tax | Your need for convenience versus self parking. |
| Airport transfer | Separate | Mears, rideshare, taxi or private car for your arrival time and party size. |
| FlowRider / ticketed activities | Can cost extra | Current activity access and pricing after check-in or on the official experience page. |
Gaylord Palms to Orlando International Airport
Marriott lists MCO 19.3 miles from the property and says the hotel does not provide shuttle service. That is the detail to plan around, even if a third-party listing says “airport shuttle.”
MCO is the main Orlando airport most visitors mean. Marriott also lists Kissimmee Gateway at 8.0 miles and Orlando Executive at 22.0 miles.
Marriott names Mears Transportation as an alternate. Compare rideshare, taxi and private service based on group size, luggage and arrival time.
If you are staying onsite for a convention, a rental car adds daily parking. If you are visiting multiple parks or offsite meetings, the flexibility may still justify it.
Some conference organizers run temporary overflow-hotel or group shuttles. That is an event benefit, not a permanent Gaylord airport service.
Self parking, valet, EV charging and the re-entry rule
| Option | Current rate | Best use | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self parking | $40/day + tax | Most overnight drivers and convention attendees | Overnight guests get in/out privileges; day guests are charged per entry. |
| Valet | $55/day + tax | Tight arrival windows, mobility or convenience | Confirm event/group terms if your registration includes a special arrangement. |
| EV charging | Available | EV drivers | Charging-station availability is not guaranteed at arrival. |
| Accessible parking | On-site | Guests needing an accessible route | Marriott lists accessible and van-accessible on-site parking. |
Which Gaylord Palms room or view should you book?
The room page is more useful when read by intent. Every room has been refreshed in the resort’s $100+ million guest-room renovation, but view, balcony and layout still change what you get.
| Room / view | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Florida / outward view | Guests who do not need an atrium balcony | Usually the simplest choice when meeting schedule and room cost matter more than scenery. |
| Atrium View | Indoor garden atmosphere | Everglades or Key West atrium views; balcony layouts vary by exact room category. |
| Main Atrium / Emerald Bay | Premium indoor view | Emerald Bay Main Atrium rooms use French doors to a balcony overlooking indoor gardens and wildlife. |
| Gulf Coast / Water Park View | Families prioritizing Cypress Springs | Views of the three-acre water park; do not confuse a view room with guaranteed special activity access. |
| Deluxe Suite | Families or business travelers needing a living/work area | Official room page lists 831 sq ft and a dining table that can double as conference space. |
| Presidential Suite | Executive hosting / premium stay | The property lists 10 Presidential Suites; call the hotel to book. |
Gaylord Palms restaurants: choose by time and trip type
Official pages count dining differently, so this guide focuses on the actual outlets/services currently listed and what each solves for the user.
| Option | Best for | Current useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Old Hickory Steakhouse | Client dinner / special occasion | Dinner; smart casual; official phone 407-586-1600. |
| MOOR | Seafood / atrium atmosphere | Key West Atrium; hours vary; smart casual. |
| Villa de Flora | Breakfast / buffet-style meal | Mediterranean influences in the garden atrium. |
| Wreckers Sports Bar | Groups / sports / casual dinner | 37-foot screen and 50+ HDTVs. |
| SandBar | Pool day | Poolside salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and kids menu. |
| Socio | Cocktails / sharing plates | Cuban-inspired lounge and bar. |
| Emerald Bay Café & Market | Fast coffee / snacks | Open-air market with bistro seating. |
| Cocoa Bean Coffee House | Early conference morning | Starbucks beverages and grab-and-go bites. |
| Room Delivery | Working from room / family downtime | Meals and snacks packaged for room or on-the-go use. |
| Jamba / Cold Stone | Smoothie, bowl or dessert stop | Specialty outlets that help explain why detailed pages can count more outlets than marketing copy. |
Gaylord Palms photos: what to inspect before booking
The current official Marriott gallery shows 105 images. Use the gallery as a decision tool rather than scrolling only the resort hero shots.
Room category
Compare Florida view, atrium view, Emerald Bay, water-park view and suite layouts before paying for a view upgrade.
Convention route
Look at Coastal Ballroom, Citrus Ballroom, Escambia, Mangrove Lawn and pre-function areas if your session names appear in the agenda.
Water park
Inspect zero-entry pools, Crystal River Rapids, slides, FlowRider and poolside layout to decide whether the resort amenity changes your stay choice.
Dining
Use restaurant photos to distinguish formal client-dinner spaces from fast conference-break options.
Meeting space: the numbers planners should actually use
The current Marriott Events page provides the most actionable room-by-room inventory: 73 event rooms, 519,242 square feet of total event space, 104 breakout rooms and largest-space capacity of 10,000.
Current Marriott Events top line.
Current official count.
Current official count.
Florida Exhibition Hall.
Nearly 900 standard 10×10 booths.
42×96-ft stage; divides into six.
Divisible into 14 sections.
Large ballroom with pre-function access.
Florida Exhibition Hall micro-details for exhibitors
| Feature | Official detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibit floor | 178,500 sq ft | Large-scale trade shows and up to roughly 900 10×10 booths. |
| Pre-function | 31,800 sq ft | Registration and attendee-flow planning. |
| Loading docks | 19 contiguous dedicated docks | Freight schedules must still come from the show manual. |
| Load-in corridor | 20-foot hallways | Supports equipment and freight movement. |
| Ground access | 18×24-ft roll-up door | Important for large exhibit material. |
| Registration | 5 lockable desks + 9 lockable offices | Useful for show-management and credentialing plans. |
Official planner resources that are easy to miss
Marriott’s Meeting Planner Toolkit turns several planning tasks into dedicated resources. These are more useful than a generic “contact sales” button.
Quick Facts PDF
At-a-glance rooms, meeting inventory, certifications, attractions and resort amenities.
Virtual Tour
Use before an RFP to understand ballroom, pre-function and attendee-flow relationships.
Color Floor Plan Tool
Useful for room adjacency, registration placement and event-flow discussions.
Catering Menu
Use the current official menu for banquet pricing instead of copying old per-person prices into an evergreen article.
Passkey
Marriott describes Passkey as a tool for group room bookings, upgrade options and block management.
Meeting Services App
Designed to help organizers manage service details during an event.
Current convention service contacts
The main Marriott Events page also lists specific partner contacts that can change. Use the live planner toolkit or your Convention Services Manager before sending orders.
Cypress Springs Water Park: what is included and what may cost extra
Cypress Springs is positioned by Marriott as an exclusive amenity for registered resort guests. That distinction matters for day visitors and nearby-hotel guests.
3-acre water park
Current overview highlights seven waterslides, a rapid river, zero-entry pool and South Beach-inspired pool oasis.
Florida Free Fall
Official water-park information describes a 35-foot drop slide.
Tamiami Twister
Racing-slide option for guests looking for a faster water-park activity.
Flash Flood Bucket
The multi-level play area includes a 300-gallon water dump feature.
FlowRider
Double surf simulator; Marriott notes that charges apply.
SandBar
Poolside food option, useful when you do not want to leave the water-park area for lunch.
What is inside the 4.5-acre glass atrium?
The atrium is not just a lobby. Official Marriott sources describe three Florida-inspired environments—Everglades, Key West and St. Augustine—plus waterways, gardens, wildlife and seasonal programming.
Florida wildlife
The Quick Facts PDF specifically names alligators, turtles and fish in the indoor environments.
LED light show
The official PDF describes an animated light display synchronized with energetic music; seasonal versions can vary.
Sunrise Yoga
Official experience material lists daily 8 AM and 10 AM yoga and says it is included in the resort fee; verify the current schedule at the resort.
Wildlife Rescue AR
The experience uses a smartphone and free app to discover 12 endangered animals in an augmented-reality activity.
Everglades Arcade
Useful for family downtime; official experience information notes room-key access.
72-degree atrium
Current overview describes the renovated garden atriums as maintained around 72°F, useful during hot or rainy Central Florida days.
Current Gaylord Palms offers and seasonal experiences
These are date-stamped because expired promotions should be removed, not left on the page as fake freshness.
| Offer / experience | Status | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Super Hero Summer featuring DC | Through Sept. 7 | Overnight stays unlock resort experiences; exact programming varies by date. |
| Legends in the Making Package | Stay dates through Sept. 6 | Seasonal package tied to Super Hero Summer. |
| Final Summer Savings | Book by Sept. 3 | Up to 15% off + $100 nightly resort credit; code T7113 on current property page. |
| Military Appreciation | Select dates | Up to 20% savings; code S5422; valid ID and terms apply. |
| Teacher Appreciation | Select dates | Up to 20% savings; code S5370; valid ID and terms apply. |
| ICE! featuring The Polar Express | Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 | Holiday attraction; tickets and packages should be checked on the current Christmas page. |
Stay onsite or use a nearby hotel?
For convention users, “closest” is not automatically “best.” Compare the room rate, mandatory fees, parking, event shuttle and how many times you will travel between the hotel and Gaylord Palms each day.
| Option / zone | Approx. proximity found in current search | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Village at Parkway | About 0.6 mi | Compare if room economics beat onsite convenience; do not assume the walking route is as simple as the straight-line distance. |
| Parkway International Resort | About 0.7 mi | Another close search result; verify road crossing, rideshare and event commute. |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee/Celebration | Nearby Celebration corridor | A 2026 CADCA event used it as an overflow hotel with a temporary conference shuttle—proof that shuttle benefits can be event-specific. |
| Other Celebration / Kissimmee hotels | Varies | Best when savings remain meaningful after transport, parking and lost conference time. |
Accessible features are verified — but distance inside still matters
Marriott lists accessible parking, accessible meeting spaces, accessible restaurants and multiple guest-room accessibility features. Recent traveler discussion also shows why a second question matters: is the accessible route close to the room or meeting space you need?
What to check in recent reviews before you book
This guide does not invent a rating or copy a review score into schema. Instead, use recent reviews to investigate the friction points that actually change your stay.
Parking cost
Parking expense appears repeatedly in traveler feedback. Compare the current official $40 self / $55 valet rates before judging older reviews.
Walking and elevators
The resort and convention footprint is large. Filter reviews for your tower, conference area and mobility needs rather than assuming every room has the same walk.
Pool and water-park crowds
Peak-day lines and seating can differ materially from quieter weekdays. Check reviews from the same season as your trip.
Room-view expectations
Search the exact category—Atrium View, Main Atrium, Emerald Bay, Water Park View—not just “nice view.”
Conference temperature and flow
For business trips, look for comments about registration, elevator queues, meeting-room route and meal-break timing.
Dining wait times
During large conventions or holidays, onsite restaurants can be busy. Reservations matter more than a generic restaurant rating.
Sustainability certifications and environmental details
These certifications are included because they are named in the official Gaylord Palms Quick Facts PDF and are also represented in the custom EventVenue schema.
Green Key Global
4-key Eco-Rating (2025) in the current Quick Facts PDF.
Florida Green Lodging
3 Palms Designation (2025) in the current Quick Facts PDF.
EV charging
Current property page lists electric car charging as an environmental/parking amenity.
Before you arrive: save these rules
| Task | Current rule / action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in | 4 PM; minimum age 18 | Morning conference arrival does not guarantee an early room. |
| Check-out | 11 AM | Plan luggage if sessions continue after checkout. |
| Pets | Pets not allowed | Service animals are treated separately under accessibility rules. |
| Smoking | Smoke-free property | Do not assume an atrium or outdoor event space changes the hotel policy. |
| Wi-Fi | Available; Marriott advertises complimentary in-room Wi-Fi for Bonvoy members booking direct | Exhibitor production internet should be ordered through event services. |
| Freight | Use show manual / general service contractor | Hotel guest arrival and loading-dock freight are different workflows. |
| Dining | Check live hours; group reservations 10+ have a dedicated contact | Convention demand can fill prime dinner windows. |
Use the official source that matches your task
You should not have to leave this article just to understand the basics. Use the links below when you are ready for a live transaction, exact room inventory or planner document.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center FAQs
Is Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando or Kissimmee?
The property is physically in Kissimmee, Florida, at 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746. It is commonly marketed as an Orlando-area resort because it serves the Central Florida theme-park and convention market.
What is the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center address?
The official address is 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, Florida 34746, USA.
What is the Gaylord Palms phone number?
The main official property phone number is +1 407-586-0000.
How far is Gaylord Palms from Orlando International Airport?
Marriott lists Orlando International Airport at 19.3 miles from the property. The official Quick Facts PDF also uses a roughly 20-minute airport reference, but actual travel time depends on current traffic.
Does Gaylord Palms provide an Orlando airport shuttle?
No general hotel airport shuttle is listed by the current Marriott property page. Marriott names Mears Transportation as alternate airport transportation. An event organizer may separately arrange temporary group transportation.
How much is parking at Gaylord Palms in 2026?
The current official hotel page lists self parking at $40 per day and valet parking at $55 per day, plus tax. Overnight guests receive in-and-out privileges, while day guests are charged per entry.
How much is the Gaylord Palms resort fee?
Current Marriott destination listings show a $45 per night resort fee. Verify the final booking screen because room packages, fees and inclusions can change.
How much does a room at Gaylord Palms cost?
There is no reliable single room price for 2026. Rates vary by date, room type, occupancy, convention demand, group block and promotion. Compare the live room rate plus resort fee, parking and transportation.
What restaurants are at Gaylord Palms?
Current Marriott pages list Old Hickory Steakhouse, MOOR, Villa de Flora, Wreckers Sports Bar, SandBar, Socio, Emerald Bay Cafe and Market, The Cocoa Bean Coffee House, A la Carte Room Delivery, Jamba and Cold Stone Creamery among the on-property dining outlets and services.
Why do official Gaylord Palms pages say both 9 and 11 restaurants?
The property overview marketing copy says nine restaurants, while the current amenities and dining FAQ list 11 dining outlets or services. The difference appears to be how snack, room-delivery and specialty outlets are counted, so use the current detailed dining page for practical planning.
Where can I see Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center photos?
The current official Marriott gallery shows 105 images covering the atriums, water park, rooms, suites, restaurants, spa, recreation, meeting spaces and weddings.
How large is the Gaylord Palms convention center?
The current Marriott Events page lists 519,242 square feet of total event space, 73 event rooms, 104 breakout rooms and a largest-space capacity of 10,000. Other official and industry pages use different totals for differently defined meeting-space inventories, so planners should use the current room-by-room capacity chart.
How large is the Florida Exhibition Hall?
The official Marriott Events page lists the Florida Exhibition Hall at 178,500 square feet, with nearly 900 10-by-10 booths, 19 contiguous loading docks and ground-level access through an 18-by-24-foot roll-up door.
How many rooms does Gaylord Palms have?
The current Gaylord Palms Quick Facts PDF lists 1,718 guest rooms, including 129 suites.
Which Gaylord Palms room view should I choose?
Choose by how you will use the room. Atrium-view rooms prioritize indoor garden scenery, Gulf Coast rooms can overlook the water park, Florida-view rooms face outward, and suites add living or work space. Select the exact accessible room type during booking if accessibility features are required.
Does Gaylord Palms have a water park?
Yes. Cypress Springs Water Park is an exclusive resort-guest amenity with a zero-entry family pool, play structures, racing and drop slides, Crystal River Rapids and a FlowRider. FlowRider charges can apply.
What are check-in and check-out times at Gaylord Palms?
Check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM. The minimum age to check in is 18.
Are pets allowed at Gaylord Palms?
Pets are not allowed under the general property policy. Marriott separately states that service animals are welcome under its accessibility policy.
Does Gaylord Palms have EV charging?
Yes. The official property page lists electric vehicle charging stations, subject to availability.
What is current at Gaylord Palms in August 2026?
As of August 17, 2026, Super Hero Summer featuring DC is scheduled through September 7, the Legends in the Making package has stay dates through September 6, Final Summer Savings is advertised with a September 3 booking deadline, and ICE! featuring The Polar Express is scheduled for November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
What should convention exhibitors confirm before arriving?
Confirm the event’s exhibitor manual, move-in time, freight route, loading dock assignment, booth number, electrical or internet orders, general service contractor and move-out deadline. Public hotel arrival instructions are not a substitute for show-specific freight rules.
What are the main Gaylord Palms sustainability certifications?
The current Gaylord Palms Quick Facts PDF lists a 2025 Green Key Global 4-key Eco-Rating and a 2025 Florida Green Lodging 3 Palms Designation.
What should you verify before booking?
This tool does not invent a room price. It builds a short verification list from your trip type.