Places To Visit: Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

We consider the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate to be one of our top 10 favorite places to visit with kids and here is why:

This is a Four Diamond resort located minutes away from the Orlando attractions, yet worlds away from all the distractions, Omni Orlando Resort consistently delivers a sophisticated, individualized experience that discerning travelers have come to expect from Omni Hotels and Resorts.

With the “do-it-all, see it all” mentality in Orlando, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate offers a remedy for vacation fatigue and “tourist overdose” – relaxation.

Close, yet far enough away, theme parks are “easy to get to and easy to escape”:
Six miles to Walt Disney World
14 miles to Sea World
16 Miles to Universal Studios

Through the majestic gates and just past the palm-tree lined boulevard, the $175 million Mediterranean-style resort encompasses 1,200 acres of natural wetlands (a world away from I-Drive) and is the centerpiece of the ChampionsGate community.

Creating a sense of arrival, guests experience the grand lobby (a sans jacket and tie atmosphere) with sunsplashed upholsteries and whimsical artwork including paintings and sculptures totaling more than $3 million.

Some of our favorite things to do there:

The Lazy River
Outdoing the childhood-favorite slip & slide by a landslide, the 850-foot lazy river lets kids of all ages float on bright tubes at speeds ranging from two to eight mph, through its tunnels, gentle rapids and hidden canyons. Winding through the lushly landscaped resort playground, the lazy river channels adventurers through H20 surprises ranging from shooting water cannons to rainbows of arched waterspouts and an exhilarating waterfall.

Family Pool
The zero-entry family pool allows guests to skip the stairs and submerge slowly into the pool as they would the ocean. As parents ease into the pool, children have a blast in the nearby liquid playground, cooling off under dancing water fountains and 30-foot spilling water tower. For the ultimate Orlando thrill ride, kids race to the top of the125-foot corkscrew waterslide, splashing and laughing the whole way down.

For refreshments at the family pool, Croc’s poolside bar and grille provides light gourmet fare from salads and wraps to burgers and sandwiches. From fruit smoothies and H agen Dazs Ice Cream to Daiquiris and Pi a Coladas, there is no shortage of cool sweet treats.

Here are some pictures from our latest Omni adventures: