Hotel at a Glance: Maingate Lakeside Resort

If the kids haven’t spent all their energy scurrying around Orlando’s theme parks, then you can count on Maingate Lakeside Resort to keep them busy once you’ve gotten back to the hotel. From its spot overlooking picturesque Black Lake, this sprawling campus features such kid-friendly amenities as an 18-hole mini-golf course, an arcade, and two playgrounds.

• Distance from Walt Disney World® Theme Parks: less than 2 miles
• Take the complimentary shuttle to area theme parks to avoid parking hassles.
• Take a dip in three onsite swimming pools; there are also two kids’ pools.
• Three onsite restaurants and a bar include a buffet breakfast spot, a pool bar, a general store, and a Pizza Hut Express, which can deliver fresh pizzas straight to the pool.
• Bring your pooch: The hotel is pet-friendly—two dogs up to 75 pounds each can be added for an additional $25 plus tax per pet per night. There’s a dog park onsite, too.

Kissimmee, Florida: Easy Access to World-Famous Theme Parks and Major Orlando Attractions

Located on the banks of Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee sits about 22 miles from downtown Orlando and just 16 miles from the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks. The world’s most-visited entertainment resort spans roughly 30,000 acres, encompassing four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, and the Downtown Disney® Area. There’s no shortage of things to do here: begin your day at Magic Kingdom® Park by boarding Space Mountain® Attraction, a rocket-shaped three-seater that climbs to 180 feet before entering a deep black tunnel and racing past stars, satellites, and constellations. After that, ride past the ghastly goofballs inside The Haunted Mansion. For dinner, head over to Epcot® to sample cuisine from Morocco, Mexico, France, Italy, and several other countries at the World Showcase. As one of the most popular family destinations in the world, sunny Orlando is home to other theme parks including Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.

Those hoping to shake up the typical theme-park-dominated itinerary can head into downtown Orlando’s vibrant arts district. The neighborhood boasts venues such as the CityArts Factory, a multifaceted patchwork of gallery spaces, and SAK Comedy Lab, which holds improv shows five nights a week.

About a 10-minute drive north, you’ll find several cultural institutions surrounding Loch Haven Park, including the Orlando Museum of Art; the collection features pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg, Ansel Adams, and Andy Warhol. The park is also home to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the Orlando Science Center, where you can take a rover across a simulation of Mars or race model cars down a 70-foot pinewood-derby track.

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