The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to The Grove Resort, I wasn’t expecting much — it’s one of those newer places that popped up in the last few years on the outskirts of Disney territory. But you know what? This place actually gets it right in ways that surprised me. The resort sits on this sprawling property about 15 minutes from Disney World (closer to the back entrance near Celebration), and the first thing that hits you is how much space they’ve given everything to breathe. The lobby’s got this modern Florida vibe without feeling sterile, and check-in was refreshingly smooth — no crazy lines like you’ll find at some of the Disney properties.

The real star here is obviously the water park, and I mean, it’s not just some afterthought pool area. They’ve built this legitimate water playground with slides that’ll keep teenagers happy and lazy river sections where parents can actually relax. The flowrider surfing thing is pretty cool too, though honestly, the lines can get brutal during peak times. What I really appreciated was how they designed the pool areas — there are these quieter spots tucked away if you’re not into the chaos, and the adult-only sections actually stay adult-only. The rooms themselves are solid; I stayed in one of the two-bedroom suites and the kitchen was properly equipped (not just a mini-fridge situation), which saves you a fortune when you’re doing the Orlando theme park marathon with kids. The beds are comfortable, though the walls aren’t exactly soundproof — you’ll hear your neighbors if they’re being loud.

Location-wise, you’re sort of in this sweet spot where you avoid the insanity of International Drive but you’re still close enough to everything that matters. Universal’s about 20 minutes away, Disney’s right there, and if you need groceries or real food, there’s a Publix just down Grove Resort Avenue. The resort restaurant is decent but pricey — I’d honestly recommend grabbing breakfast there once for the convenience, then hitting up the Wawa or that little strip mall on Daryl Carter Parkway for everything else. Parking’s free, which feels like a miracle in Orlando these days. The 8.1 rating feels about right — it’s not going to blow your mind with luxury, but it delivers exactly what families need for a theme park vacation without the Disney resort price tag. The staff genuinely seems to care, which you notice in little things like how quickly they clean the pool areas and how they handle the inevitable chaos of families checking in and out. If you’re doing Orlando with kids and want a home base that’s actually fun to return to at the end of the day, this place works.