Summer Fun At Gaylord Palms | Great Escapes

This summer, there's plenty of fun to be had at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee. Guests are in for a real treat after a $50 million renovation at the Florida resort.

While grown-ups are sure to appreciate the upgrades, this summer will be especially fun for the kiddos! From pool parties to Shrek Feasts, your kids are gonna love it.

Summer Fun With Shrek & Friends

Don't be alarmed if you see a big, green ogre or a cat wearing boots roaming the resort. Shrek and his friends have taken up residence this summer. On weekends through August 25th, guests can book the Summer Fun with Shrek & Friends package. The package starts at around $209 a night and $339 for a weekend. In addition to your room, it includes:

• A DreamWorks welcome amenity at check-in.

• Front of the line access at the DreamWorks Character Meet and Greets which are held from 5-9 p.m. and feature characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar.

• A Puss In Boots Quest For The Magic Beans Scavenger Hunt.

• Wake-Up Calls From DreamWorks characters.

• A souvenir family photo.

• Priority reservations for a ShrekFeast character meal. This is a buffet-style breakfast. You'll be served swamp juice and you'll be expected to take the Ogre Oath in which you must promise to enjoy all the ogre treats until your breath is stinky. The characters from the movie - Shrek, Princess Fiona & Puss In Boots - will come to your table for photos. The buffet is extensive and includes pastries, waffles, egg dishes, sausage, bacon, custom omelets and a green chocolate fountain. The ShrekFeast is $19.95 for kids and $29.95 for adults.

Summer Fun With Shrek & Friends is available at all Gaylord resorts.

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New Water Park

Be sure to pack your swimsuits because your family will want to spend a lot of time at the all-new Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park.

The water park is designed like a treehouse. It has multi-levels and four twisting water slides. As kids play they'll be squirted by sprays and springs and they'll get soaked when the giant overhead bucket dumps 317 gallons of water. The water park is fun for kids of all ages, but the really little ones have an area designed just for them including baby swings. As a parent, it's nice to know that your tiny tots can safely play without getting knocked over by the big kids.

There's a stage and big screen and it's the center of the action during the Crack-a-Lackin' pool parties held during the day. At night, it becomes a Splash 'N' Screen Movie. Guests can watch a movie as they swim. Movies like Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss In Boots and Shrek Forever After are shown at 8:30 p.m.

Grown-ups seeking a swim away from the kids have the South Beach Pool to themselves! It's an adult-only swimming pool and it's a lovely setting for some relaxation.

Be sure to enjoy the food and beverages at the SandBar. You can grab a seat and dine under the thatched roof or order and eat poolside. The food and drinks are delicious, but the desserts are not to be missed. The frozen key lime pop is a slice of key lime pie on a popsicle stick and the frozen banana bites are yummy, too.

Access to the water park and pool is included in the price of an overnight stay. Private cabanas are available for rental at both pools.

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The Resort

The resort itself is stunning. The indoor atrium is absolutely amazing. It's harnesses the beauty of the great state of Florida under one roof. The roof alone is an engineering feat. It's four-and-a-half acres of glass and steel. Below it, lush tropical plants and flowers and Florida's fiercest residents ... gators!

All 1,406 guest rooms have been renovated. If you can swing it, request a room overlooking the atrium. You'll enjoy sitting on your balcony and soaking in the sun and sights below.

If you decide you want to leave the resort (although there's no good reason to), the Celebration Golf Club is just five minutes away. The gates of Walt Disney World are also just five minutes down the road. Free shuttle service is provided to the Disney parks. And a shuttle is also available to SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando for a small fee.