If the mere thought of wrapping up a long theme park day with wired, cranky kids sounds exhausting -- do we have a solution for you. Soak said kids in the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek's lazy river for several days. Add water rings. Treat with sunblock as necessary. Cranky moods brighten almost immediately. Kids come out good as new.

Sitting amazingly close to the Disney World empire, a stay at this beautiful Hilton means you're a quick shuttle ride to the pirates and princesses and a breezy 50-minute drive to LEGOLAND Florida. A stay here also means a mile-long list of extra amenities. Turns out the Hilton parent company, who owns a gazillion properties, wisely paired their kid-friendly Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek with their five-star Waldorf Astoria Orlando. (Well hello great deal!)

Upon entering the Hilton's lobby I was suitably impressed. The welcoming public areas are spacious teetering on luxurious with a modern vibe and -- wait a sec -- what's that? Just outside the window was not what I expected. From the lobby my heart did flips -- knowing my boys would go wild for this place -- as I beheld one heck of a colorful scene: an immense, swirling water park looking like something from a movie that you've always wanted to visit. And now here you are.

Opening in 2009, the designers of the Hilton apparently decided that kids are lukewarm these days about floating along in boats watching pirates having the high time. Kids today, they decided, want to be in the lagoon having a raucous great time themselves. So into the plans went two lavish zero-entry pools, a 3-acre lazy river, a commercial-sized water slide -- all tied together with four Billy-Goat-Gruff bridges. The effect -- while not exactly natural -- has kid-bliss stamped all over it.

Parents, on the other hand, will find their own fun at the neighboring Waldorf Astoria. The elegant pools are quiet and flanked by deluxe cabanas. The Guerlain Spa is brimming with luxury treatments. The daytime Kid's Club and nighttime sitting service await your reservation. And the stunning golf course, considered one of the finest in Orlando, will impress your golf nut.

Keep in mind that while the Hilton is very close to the action, it's simultaneously quite isolated; leaving the resort requires a shuttle or a car. And no, you can't stroll to a local restaurant or deli. Plan to eat out of the room's fridge or dine at one of the Hilton or Waldorf Astoria restaurants.

Discovering that a resort fee is not charged is a special moment in any traveling parent's life. "How refreshing," you marvel. Until the nickel-and-diming becomes apparent. You won't find a resort fee at the Hilton -- instead it's called the Wi-Fi-and-inner-tube fee. (Can you live without Wi-Fi? You'll make it. And it is free in the lobby and pool areas. Can the kids live without inner tubes at this pool? Not in a million years. Be smart and bring your own from home.)

Extra fees aside, the Hilton Orlando is a wondrous vacation for families. Don't make our mistake of fitting in just a slice of lazy-river time into our packed itinerary. Instead, carve out huge chunks of time to let your kids be silly and screamy and go completely wild in the pools and lazy river, while you kick back on a chaise watching them be kids.

More Information

Family Activities

Rooms

Map

Family Dining

Planning & Tips

Reviews