Just because school is back in session doesn’t mean fun needs to end – and what better place to battle boredom than Orlando? As many American families add virtual schooling to parental work-from-home arrangements this fall, there is a newfound flexibility for traveling, and Orlando’s famous resorts are offering a welcome change in scenery with new creative options to facilitate school- and work-cations. Savings, kid and parental sanity savers, personal “business butlers,” supervised schoolwork sessions and, of course, recess breaks like nowhere else in the world, are just a few of the options Orlando hotels are offering to escape the house and relax while still staying connected as a student, employee or family.
Orlando is home to some of the most trusted tourism brands and hotel companies in the world that take safety extremely seriously. Masks are required for everyone over the age of 2 while in a public space and social distancing measures are strictly enforced. Information about Orlando’s safety measures can be found at VisitOrlando.com/healthytravel.
Unique Ways to Work & Learn
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
- Supervised Schoolwork Sessions: Parents can enroll their virtual learners in a supervised schoolwork session overseen by kids club staff who have years of experience working with children. Sessions are held in a quiet, dedicated learning space in the hotel’s airy ballrooms and are limited to six students per class.
- The Ultimate “Recess”: After school, kids can experience the ultimate “recess.” With the resort’s exclusive 5-acre water park as their playground, kids will have a blast swimming in the Explorer Pool, floating down the lazy river, zooming down the water slides, and enjoying outdoor recreation such as sand volleyball, basketball, foosball, table-tennis and more.
- Adults-Only Relaxation: While kids are e-learning, parents (and adults traveling solo) can relax – with or without their work laptop – by the resort’s lakeside, infinity-edge adult-only Oasis Pool or play a round of golf on the 18-hole Tom Fazio designed course.
- Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek
- Wine & Noise Cancelling Headphones: Visitors can save up to 30% and preserve their parental sanity with the “Back to School, Back to Your Bucket List” package, which is available for stays through Dec. 18. Included is upgraded Wi-Fi; a Club Wyndham backpack filled with must-have school supplies for the kids; and a bottle of wine and noise cancelling headphones for adults.
- The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
- Business Butler & Cabana Work Station: The “Work From Resort” program includes savings up to 50% on suites and connecting guest rooms, and amenities such as a Business Butler, who can help locate ideal remote office locations throughout the property; secure Wi-Fi hotspots in poolside cabanas; and manage traditional tasks such as scanning and printing.
- Custom Kids’ Activities: A Grande Lakes Ranger will provide a customized itinerary of outdoor activities including arts and crafts; animal feedings; soccer and bocce ball. From 5-7 pm, families can enjoy after- school/work resort experiences like cycling on the bike trail, fly fishing, eco-tours along the Headwaters to the Everglades and paddle boats on the resort’s more than 500 acres of natural Florida habitat.
- Margaritaville Resort Orlando
- “Work From Paradise”: This package includes breakfast for two each day and a $50 resort credit when booked by Sept. 30 for travel by the end of 2020.
- Relax on the Beach: Resort amenities for a refreshing recess break include a pool complete with a white, sandy beach and a kids’ club offering games, crafts and activities with trained counselors.
- Gaylord Palms Resort
- Augmented Reality Animal Hunt: Kids can supplement their remote learning programs with free “edutainment” activities including a Wildlife Rescue augmented reality experience where kids can discover, learn and “rescue” up to 12 different animals by taking pictures of them on their phone; horticulture tours; and an in-room Adventure Kids program teaching about personal sanitary practices and social distancing through books and songs.
Afterschool Fun
When the school and workday are done, visitors can enjoy their downtime exploring the world-famous theme parks, which are all adhering to strict safety protocols including limited capacity. Starting mid-September, the parks will unveil special festivities (with proper social distancing measures) including: SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular, where guests can safely explore a trick-or-treat trail and decorate cookies with Cookie Monster. Magic Kingdom Park will celebrate the spooky season with glowing decorations; beloved characters in their best Halloween costumes; festive themed merchandise; and photo opportunities at select locations throughout the park. At Universal Orlando Resort, two of Universal’s famous themed haunted houses are included in daytime admission including Revenge of the Tooth Fairy and Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives at Universal Studios, and trick-or-treating is available to guests 12 and under throughout Islands of Adventure
The Orlando Destination
Home to seven of the world’s top theme parks, Orlando is the country’s No. 1 favorite family vacation destination and Theme Park Capital of the World®. Visitors create cherished memories with friends and family by immersing in the open-air adventures and lands of legendary theme parks from Disney, Universal and SeaWorld; relaxing at world-class water parks; soaring on outdoor thrill rides; exploring activities in nature; and dining al fresco at award-winning restaurants. With 450 hotels, Orlando offers a wide range of lodging choices, from wide-open expansive resorts to uniquely themed boutique hotels, many with elaborate pools featuring waterfalls, lagoons, water parks and even lazy rivers. Home to the most recognized travel brands in the world, Orlando’s theme parks, attractions, hotels and other businesses have developed comprehensive safety measures and worked closely with medical experts to create safe travel experiences. Please note that Orange County requires the use of face masks in public places.