Orlando evolved from the ultimate Disney destination to one of America’s most impressive family playgrounds, encompassing SeaWorld, LEGOLAND Florida, and the Universal Studios multiverse (Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, Volcano Bay). This means that each hotel in this expanse can call itself a “base camp,” as it is not only awash in some of the world’s favorite American pop culture immersions but also conference, meeting, and executive retreat sites.
With so much competition between basic motels, familiar branded mid-range hotels, and luxury options, the Orlando World Center Marriott, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, endeavors to be all things to all travelers without coming off like management is trying too hard. One of its advantages is that it is not part of Disney or any other theme park. As you head into its driveway, it looks like an abstract Art Deco-inspired castle that opens out into the world’s largest Marriott-branded hotel, with over 2,000 rooms and suites in a myriad of configurations. It can either be a starting point to an epic trek across the assemblage of theme parks or a standalone resort with its own attractions built into it. This alone makes it a fine option for travelers planning trips that account for business and fun pursuits.
Over 500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space makes the Orlando World Center Marriott one of the premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destinations in the United States. There are 104 distinct meeting rooms and flexible breakout options, with the crown jewel being the options, with the crown jewel being the 105,000-square-foot pillar-free Cypress Ballroom. At 36,000 square feet, the fully renovated Grand Ballroom features advanced audiovisual technology and modern aesthetics. The space is designed for single-level convenience, with most convention and meeting facilities on one easily navigable level to optimize attendee flow and accessibility. “Hidden gem space?” The property has that too, in the form of The Stockroom, which holds up to 50 people and needs to be booked in advance.
The hotel’s business center is fully equipped for printing, shipping, and administrative assistance, while a robust Wi-Fi network infrastructure supports large corporate deployments and heavy convention bandwidth, along with your children’s competing video game and entertainment pursuits. The 18-hole championship Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, a driving range, and a delightful, laid-back spa with top-tier skincare products can be adapted for team building and group recreation activities.
Dining highlights include casual-chic Siro Urban Italian Kitchen, hibachi restaurant Mikado, and its Lobby Bar, which serves surprisingly exceptional sushi. All of these fancier dining options incorporate some form of “family style” dining with shareable presentations that work beautifully in leisure and business dining contexts. All ten of the property’s on-site dining outlets and bars (which also include Latitude & Longitude, which has an abundant breakfast buffet, and sports bar High Velocity) for private group dinners, receptions, and buyouts.
The amusement park spirit defining Orlando is nicely expressed in its River Falls Water Park (the largest in the area) and the Falls Pool (a massive lagoon-style, zero-entry outdoor pool with its own multi-story waterslide tower, a kids’ splash zone, and lovely cabanas). There is also the essential sports bar (High Velocity) and Latitude & Longitude’s breakfast buffet. With the exception of the pools, the restaurant staff temporarily make you forget you are in a massive hotel.
Other cool activities and pop-ups in the Falls Lagoon Pool include The Nomadic Jeweler, offering permanent jewelry poolside on weekends; and free on-site Gatorland Animal Encounter shows every Saturday to see snakes, gators, and other critters up close in an educational setting. There are characters exclusive to the property, including Mingo the Flamingo and Mermaid Elle and her “Mermaid Glow Parties” surrounded by her mermaid “family.”
For the grown-ups, there is also a secret speakeasy that can be booked for private and corporate events, with activities running the gamut from mixology classes to tastings. While fireworks displays from theme parks in the area can be seen between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m., a revamped light show takes place right around the same time at the Falls Lagoon Pool.
The-40 year-old property’s most ambitious leisure travel endeavor is bringing a most inclusive twist to its annual holiday season pop-ups starting this year. Blue, white, and silver replace red and green, and Hanukkah- and Kwanza-focused activities are built into the “Twelve Days of Wonder” at the end of December that further distinguishes the hotel as a destination within Orlando’s sprawling vacation landscape. Executive pastry chefs Ramon Ramos and Alexandre Vacher and their team go all out with five-star hotel-caliber desserts, while the bar team will offer holiday-themed cocktails. Event or travel planners who book The Stockroom for a small group can arrange a mixology class where guests can learn the simple recipes to bring the bar team’s holiday cheer home.
Several weekend farmers’ and craft markets around town, meanwhile, prove there is more to Orlando than the hotels and theme parks. While most fall on Saturdays, Sunday morning is a great time to head downtown to visit the beautiful Lake Eola Park for its weekly market, which not only allows visitors to support local businesses but also provides a sampling of South America, from artisanal leather craftspeople hailing from Brazil to foods from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and other countries.