Hotel with Large Water Park on Orlando's International Drive

In a 54,000-square-foot water park, entering a pool via steps is unthinkable. Instead, falling into the water becomes an art form. The Boomerango Double Rider, for instance, imitates the flight of its namesake toy: two people hop on a double inner tube, glide down a steep incline, and then immediately go up another steep wall before sliding down backward and passing beneath a waterfall. It's one of 14 slides at the canopy-covered outdoor aquatic playscape at CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort, a AAA Three Diamond property. In between splashing around, families can take in the sights at Orlando's entertainment district, which is just minutes away.

A large staff of lifeguards keeps vigilant watch over the water park, which has liquid-based attractions for guests of all ages. You can shoot through oversize tunnels, zipping through turns and drops and finishing with a resounding splash in the warm pool below. Parrot’s Perch features a zero-depth entry to an interactive area with water cannons and climbable structures for youngsters, and the adjacent 6,500-square-foot Key Quest Arcade features more than 50 games (most games cost extra per play).

Spread out across nine buildings, CoCo Key's 391 newly renovated guest rooms come decorated with mahogany furniture, brightly colored walls, and south Florida accents. There's a tropical feel to the resort's signature restaurant, Tradewinds, where chefs prepare American and island cuisine such as conch fritters. Casual food, including burgers and chicken fingers, makes up the menu at the family-friendly Callaloo Grill, and at Wet Rooster Bar, guests can sit down by the pool to enjoy a snack and sip tropical drinks.

Orlando: Family-Friendly Destination Home to Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and More

CoCo Key's scheduled shuttle ferries guests to Universal Studios and its affiliated water park, Wet 'n Wild, as well as to SeaWorld and Aquatica—all of which are located a few minutes away. At Universal Studios, Hollywood blockbusters morph into more than 50 interactive attractions including roller coasters and water rides. At the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fans can troll through the village of Hogsmeade, sip on a butterbeer, hurtle through the air on a Hippogriff-themed roller coaster, and watch author J.K. Rowling write her grocery list. Orcas regularly perform flips and tricks during daily shows at SeaWorld, which also features more than a dozen exhibits, such as the interactive Dolphin Cove.