Gaylord Palms Resort

Designed as a full-scale resort and convention center in Kissimmee, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center is built for large groups that want everything handled in one place. The property combines a big-room hotel footprint with extensive meeting facilities, a signature indoor atrium, and resort amenities that keep teams busy without needing to coordinate multiple off-site plans. It is the kind of place that can absorb tournament weekends, conference crowds, and multi-family travel without feeling like it is running on a thin staff.

For teams playing at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the location is a major advantage because the drive is short, roughly 3 miles. That quick commute helps when you have early warmups, tight turnaround times between games, or late finishes where you just want everyone back in rooms fast. Staying close also reduces the risk of the schedule slipping due to traffic, missed turns, or last-minute food runs that drag out longer than expected.

After games, most groups care about two things: getting fed quickly and keeping the evening under control. Gaylord Palms makes that easier because dining is on property, so you can avoid the “where should we go” debate when people are tired. A sports bar setup, multiple restaurant choices, and grab-and-go options give you flexibility, especially when the team returns in waves or you need a late bite without putting everyone back in the car.

Between matches, the resort amenities can turn downtime into something organized. The water park and pool areas are useful for families and youth teams, and they also give adults a place to reset without leaving the property. If your group needs a calmer plan, the atrium and common areas provide space to meet up, review the next day’s schedule, or simply keep everyone within the same footprint.

Mornings tend to run smoother in a hotel that is used to high-volume groups. Elevators, lobby flow, and food options are set up for people moving at scale, which matters when you have multiple rooms checking out or heading out at the same time. Coaches and team leads can also use the property’s meeting capacity for quick briefings, team rules reminders, or a simple roll call without trying to find space off-site.

Coordinators usually pick Gaylord Palms when they want a hotel that can function as the event headquarters, not just a place to sleep. The resort has about 1,700 guest rooms and suites and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting and event space, so it is built for room blocks, group arrivals, and structured schedules. Engine.com can handle the room block and consolidated billing, which helps when names change, families extend, or part of the team shifts dates around the tournament calendar.

Key hotel features and amenities

• Large resort and convention center with a high room count suited to big room blocks

• Signature indoor atrium with enclosed walkways and central gathering areas

• Cypress Springs Water Park, a 3-acre setup with multiple waterslides, an action river, and a FlowRider surf simulator

• Two primary resort pool areas, including a zero-entry pool option

• Multiple on-site dining choices, including a sports bar and grab-and-go market options

• Full-service spa and wellness services for downtime and recovery

• Extensive meeting and ballroom capacity for banquets, team meetings, and group programming

• On-site retail and convenience options for quick essentials without leaving the property

Points of interest and attractions within a 2 to 3 mile radius

• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, roughly 3 miles away for tournament and practice schedules

• Old Town entertainment district, a nearby spot for casual meals and simple evening walks

• Fun Spot America Kissimmee, close by for arcade and rides downtime

• Celebration area access, useful for a quieter dinner zone and a change of pace

• Celebration Golf Club, a nearby option for adults traveling with the team

• Major dining corridors along the US-192 route for quick group-friendly meals

Features of interest to group travelers

• Strong fit for youth sports teams and multi-family travel because activities and dining are on-site

• High capacity for room blocks, with staff patterns built around group arrivals

• Meeting and ballroom space that can be used for team meals, briefings, and award nights

• Clear on-property landmarks that make meetups easier when groups split into pods

• Food options that support staggered returns, early starts, and mixed schedules

• Parking and arrival flow designed for heavy volume, confirm bus and trailer needs early

• Engine.com room-block support for centralized booking changes and consolidated billing across the group