activities

As many fun activities as there are to be had at our 1,500-acre Lake Buena Vista resort, a big reason many people come to Orlando is all the amazing theme parks and attractions nearby. From Disney to Sea World to Universal Studios, the family fun never stops! Our resort offers unparalleled access to the theme park capital of the world.

Here are just a few of the amazing local attractions near our Lake Buena Vista hotel.

Walt Disney World
See your favorite childhood characters come to life, explore the animal kingdom in a whole new way and feel as though you have traveled around the globe. All this and more can be found at the always-entertaining Walt Disney World. More than just an amusement park, there are actually four theme parks and two water parks, not to mention The Boardwalk, Downtown Disney, Wide World of Sports and more to choose from.

Magic Kingdom® Park
Children will adore the Magic Kingdom®, with classics like Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Tea Party, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and It’s a Small World. But with Cinderella’s Castle as its backdrop, this park has an enchanting quality that delights all ages. Explore Mickey’s Toontown® Fair Area, Frontierland®, Fantasyland®, Liberty Square and much more during your visit to this must-see theme park.

Epcot®
Check out the 300 acres of fascinating entertainment known as Disney’s Epcot®. Future World features attractions showcasing technological advancements, innovation and wonder, with the park icon Spaceship Earth at its entrance. Then visit World Showcase in Epcot® to enjoy shops, attractions and restaurants representing the cultures of 11 different countries.

Hollywood Studios™
Take a behind-the-scenes look at movies in the making. Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ features live shows, backstage tours, and unbelievable attractions for the whole family. Guests can participate in parades, live out a rock star fantasy, or experience blockbuster movies as you’ve never even imagined at this amazing theme park dedicated to entertainment.

Animal Kingdom®
Encounter 250 various animal species in 300 acres of lush landscape at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® theme park. With seven areas to explore—from Discovery Island® to Dinoland USA®—your family will have the adventure of a lifetime. As the largest animal-themed park in the world, Animal Kingdom is definitely worth a visit.

WATER PARKS

Try out the world’s tallest and fastest free-falling waterslide or enjoy a kid-sized, snow-castle fountain play area at Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Or catch 6-foot waves in the Surf Pool and snorkel Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon. These two water parks are Disney World’s super-soaked, fun solutions to beat the heat and feature fantastic attractions and entertainment.

UNIVERSAL AND SEAWORLD THEME PARKS

Universal Orlando
Comprised of two theme parks and an invigorating water park, Universal combines rides and attractions with some of the most popular movies and entertainment events.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure® features five islands where superheroes and legends come to life in the form of amazing 3D attractions, thrilling roller coasters and whimsical children’s rides. Visit Universal Studios Florida® to experience a real television and film studio like none other. Go behind the scenes of some of your favorite shows and take an insider’s peek at all the action. When you’re ready to cool off, check out Wet n’ Wild water park at Universal Orlando where there are a variety of multi-passenger tube rides and exciting waterslides, like the brand new Black Hole™: the Next Generation.

SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando takes families below the surface, above the waves and beyond their expectations. SeaWorld Orlando is the world's premier marine adventure park with more than 200 acres of up-close animal encounters, thrilling attractions and unforgettable performances immersing guests in the mysteries of the sea. State-of-the-art rides twist, turn, and drench guests with unprecedented thrills, while amazing animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and more. From a rockin' nighttime Shamu show to three new sea-themed family rides, families will enjoy new experiences that could only come from SeaWorld, where vacation adventures become lifelong memories.

Aquatica
A one-of-a-kind water park only SeaWorld could create – blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches. Aquatica's signature attraction, Dolphin Plunge, sends riders in clear tubes through a crystal-blue lagoon that is home to black-and-white Commerson's dolphins. A colorful mix of racing tunnels, raft rides and rivers offer crashing surf and high-speed thrills, while pools, lagoons and lazy rivers invite guests to enjoy a slower pace. Plenty of wide, sandy beaches, personal cabanas, refreshing lagoons and cool shade from towering oaks and exotic trees create the ultimate water park for guest comfort.

OTHER THEME PARKS

Busch Gardens
There’s something for the whole family to enjoy at Tampa’s Busch Gardens. When you combine year-round live entertainment, exhilarating roller coasters and the opportunity for close-up encounters with spectacular animals you get an amazing array of things to see and do at this fabulous theme park in nearby Tampa Bay.

Gatorland
Explore Gatorland for an experience like none other. Known as the “Alligator Capital of the World”, Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve with exhibits and entertainment dedicated to this breathtaking creature. With reptilian shows, educational programs, an observation tower and petting zoo, this park offers a fascinating display of alligators and crocodiles.

Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive family adventure where guests enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, rays and tropical fish and hand-feed exotic birds. Experience the most exciting animal encounters the world has to offer in a lush oasis featuring rocky lagoons, white-sand beaches, coral reefs, a tropical river, and resort-style pool complete with waterfalls. Each guest is also provided his/her own swim vest, towel and swim gear, including a snorkel, mask, fins and sunscreen.

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
One of the first amusement parks in Orlando, Cypress Gardens offers rides, a water park, more than 300 animals and 30 acres of beautiful botanical gardens. Check out our famous water ski show or a concert from world-renowned musicians throughout the park. Explore this horticultural masterpiece, featuring native plants and exotic species exhibited in creative displays from Topiary Trail to Plantation Gardens, for a tranquil and enjoyable getaway.

MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
Internationally recognized for housing the largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the museum also features Decorative Arts and Sculpture, American Paintings and American Art Pottery. Artists include William Morris, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rene Lalique, Carl Faberge, John Singer Sargent and others.

Orlando Science Center
Dedicated to making science fun and accessible to everyone. Explore the human body in 3-D, viewed from the standpoint of a red blood cell, play scientist for the day in a laboratory, climb trees in Kids Town and learn about dinosaurs.

Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba
The incredible combination of art, music and thrilling acrobatics is a “must-see” while in Orlando. La Nouba is only performed here in Orlando, at Walt Disney World.

Harry P. Leu Gardens
Visitors will enjoy three miles filled with delicious fragrance of flowers and other botanicals. The gardens include the largest Rose garden in FL, one of the largest Camellia collections in the country, an herb and vegetable garden and butterfly garden, as well as tour a house museum dating back to the 1880’s. Explore demonstration gardens, designed to inspire homeowners to create their own, including courtyard gardens, wildflower gardens, even an enabling garden for those with limited mobility.

Kennedy Space Center
Located just 45 minutes from Orlando, visitors can take a guided tour around NASA’s launch and landing facilities, experience interactive simulators, view live shows, come face to face with massive rockets and have the opportunity to meet a real member of NASA’s Astronaut Corps. Huge five-story tall IMAX® theaters enable you to feel the thrill of space exploration as you "float" right alongside NASA Astronauts.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Bass Fishing Charter
Enjoy your bass fishing and leave the details to the professionals. Guided fishing charters include boat, guide, fuel, tackle and drinks. Live bait and fishing licenses are extra. See the hotel Concierge for arrangements.

Hot Air Balloons
Take in amazing views of the city and theme parks during a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Your experience begins with a ride to the launch site from the hotel, participation in the balloon inflation, and then a one-hour ride over the area, with your professional, licensed pilot pointing out all the incredible sights. After landing, you will enjoy a champagne toast and breakfast buffet. Stop by our Concierge desk to make arrangements for this memorable event.

Harley-Davidson Rentals
Explore the area as you ride along on a beautiful Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Rentals are available for licensed motorcycle drivers from all other states.

Boat Rentals
Get back to nature and enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful scenery. Centuries-old Cypress trees, Spanish moss, water hyacinths and more can be viewed along Shingle Creek, meandering through a large Cypress swamp. The boats are quiet enough so as not to frighten away wildlife, such as alligators, blue herons, otters and many species of birds and turtles. You can also canoe along the Wekiva River and experience Florida's wildlife, including manatees, turtles, raccoons and other native Florida wildlife. Don’t forget to bring your camera! See the Concierge to make arrangements.

SHOPPING

The Mall at Millenia
Fashionistas won’t want to miss Orlando’s premier destination for luxury shopping. Featuring stores like Neiman Marcus, Chanel, Gucci, Intermix, Louis Vuitton, and Jimmy Choo, shoppers will enjoy a designer paradise of fashion. Extra amenities like valet parking and foreign currency exchange provide extra perks.

The Florida Mall
Don’t miss out on the latest trends. Get your shopping fix at The Florida Mall, featuring anchor shops like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. But don’t forget to wander into the main part of the mall, too, for stores like Pottery Barn, Armani Exchange, and restaurants like California Pizza Kitchen and Salsa Taqueria and Tequila Bar.

Orlando Premium Outlets
Enjoy a visit to Orlando’s luxury outlet destination. Indulge in designer fashions at Barney’s New York outlet, Fendi or La Perla, or stock up on outdoor wear and athletic gear at spots like Nike and Columbia.

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
Just five minutes from Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of the area’s largest outlet malls. Enjoy more than 75 percent off of retail prices at stores like Izod and Gap, plus save on books at the area’s only Border’s outlet.

Prime Outlets Orlando
Enjoy great savings and even better shopping at Prime Outlets Orlando, featuring discounts on everything from clothing (COACH, Ed Hardy, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus Last Call; North Face) to house wares (Bose; Calphalon). You won’t leave empty handed … we just can’t promise your wallet will be full either.

Altamonte Mall
Experience one of the area’s most popular malls. Enjoy stores like White House Black Market, Zales, and Forever 21, plus a movie theater and numerous dining options. It’s everything you’ll need, all under one roof.

Pointe Orlando
Located on the popular International Drive, enjoy the area’s nice weather with a trip to Pointe Orlando, the area’s premier outdoor shopping mall. Enjoy everything from Khiehl’s skincare to Tommy Bahama clothing, plus numerous restaurants like Oceanaire Seafood Room, The Capital Grille, and B.B. King Blues Club plus an enticing calendar of events.