10 family-friendly places to stay in Orlando

This mod family-oriented compound is a great place to hang your hat while you’re in the Sunshine State. Cool off in the oversized pool and splash pad, then grab a kid-friendly dinner of wraps, burgers, salad or pizza at the nearby open-air café. Beach volleyball courts and an impressive games room, complete with arcade games and air hockey, will appeal to the whole fam. Coin laundry is offered in each building, and a free shuttle will take you to nearby attractions. avantiresort.com>

If roughing it is more your style, this lush campground located within Walt Disney World is the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors while staying close to all the action. Don’t let the fact that it’s located in the park fool you; this is a true American frontier campsite on more than 300 sprawling hectares of beautiful pine and cypress forests. The campground accommodates both tents and RVs, and campers might see gentle wildlife like deer, rabbits and even armadillos! Do your own cooking or check out one of the many themed on-site restaurants. Families can participate in singalongs around the campfire and enjoy horseback riding, archery, arcade games, Disney movies under the stars and the pool. Rates vary by campsite. disneyworld.disney.go.com>

Nestled in the heart of downtown Orlando, this hotel is great for both big kids and little kids. Two-bedroom suites are perfect for accommodating families, and a shuttle bus will take you to nearby attractions. Cribs, playpens and bed rails are available by request. Rates vary by date. thepointorlando.com>

If you’re making the trek to the most magical place on earth with a large group, this laid-back hotel is the perfect spot for your brood. It boasts two- and three-bedroom hotel suites, a large pool and a special splash pad area with squirting jets and tumbling fountains. Fun weekly family activities include arts and crafts, taco night, poolside movies and live entertainment. floridaysresortorlando.com>

Are your kids obsessed with animated characters like Spongebob? Living and breathing all things Nickelodeon here will be their dream come true. All themed suites include kitchenettes for making easy and cost-effective in-room meals. The courtyard of the resort includes a collection of pools, waterslides, cabanas, minigolf and a splash pad that caters to the younger members of your crew. (Characters like Dora and Diego have also been known to frequent the area!) Grab a slice at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ favourite pizzeria, take in a 4-D movie with the family or get slimed onstage, the highest Nickelodeon honour. nickhotel.com>

Your little fish will squeal with delight when they see this joint’s massive, outdoor shipwreck-themed water park ($20 per person) that incorporates twisty waterslides and equipment to climb. Kids won’t mind rainy days with the in-house movie theatre that plays Disney flicks daily (free for guests). Watch out for the dinosaurs on the minigolf course (available for a small fee to guests). The spacious two-bedroom villas are a little dated, but this resort makes up for it with its itinerary of fun family activities. westgatedestinations.com>

The retro stylings of this funky hotel will remind some parents and grandparents of family vacations from days gone by. Guests with valid theme park passes get one-hour Early Park Admission for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. And if the groovy decor and vintage-looking pool, complete with mid-century-modern waterfall and twisting slides, weren’t cool enough, there’s a sandbar for lounging and building sandcastles. Suites include a kitchenette and—oh yeah—the resort also has a bowling alley! universalorlando.com>

Just off Orlando’s famous International Drive, the CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resort offers fun seekers the city’s only canopy-covered water park, with 14 slides to ensure rainy vacation days aren’t spoiled! A large breakfast buffet, with everything from flapjacks to cold cereals, will appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. Be on the lookout for CoCo, the resort mascot, a friendly snorkel-clad giant parrot. If a low-key day is what you need, lounge under a cabana on the poolside beach. The gigantic 604-square-metre arcade with two-lane bowling isn’t a terrible way to pass the time either. There are brightly coloured rooms to fit every budget and a complimentary shuttle to transport you to all those other Orlando attractions when you finally decide to leave the pool. cocokeyorlando.com>

Catch all the action of Epcot’s nightly fireworks show from your hotel window at this prime locale that’s conveniently close to Walt Disney World. The oasis-like pool isn’t too shabby either, and there are two zero-entry pools and a lazy river for relaxing. Babysitting services are available for parents who want to check out the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa. A complimentary shuttle will schlep you and your crew to all the local attractions. hilton.com>

Looking for the full Disney experience? Look no further than this art-geared hotel, which features more than 1,000 family suites, all inspired by beloved Disney flicks like Finding Nemo, The Lion King and Cars. If your little one is an old-school princess fan, try a room themed on The Little Mermaid, complete with seashell headboards and deep-sea-themed bedding. Themed courtyards recreate classic scenes, and sketches of famous movie scenes decorate the lobby—very intriguing for aspiring animators. Tired after a long day of riding teacups? Order pizza right to your room or enjoy a film under the stars by the pool. Family suites facilitate up to six people and include a kitchenette and two bathrooms. disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/art-of-animation-resort>