As a Florida resident of 30+ years, I still equate going to Orlando with visiting one of my favorite theme parks. However, if you’re a true South Florida resident, you also know that spring break season is the absolute worst time to go. Crowds from all over the country descend upon Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, sucking out all of the enjoyment I would realistically have if I visited on a lower traffic January or February afternoon instead.
Villatel Orlando invited my family to experience their “all villa” resort on I-Drive for spring break, so I challenged myself to instead find fun, non-theme park activities to do with my tween daughter and her best friend. I think we succeeded! Orlando actually has a ton of things to do that are completely unrelated to “the mouse.”
Let’s hop on the Florida Turnpike north, shall we?
Stay at Villatel Orlando Resort
While the location of Villatel Orlando Resort is ideal for theme park adventures, especially Universal Studios, this 80-acre retreat conveniently sits at the heart of International Drive and features private villas and apartments, an impressive waterpark and plenty of space for extended family or your spring break travel posse.
We stayed in one of Villatel’s town home-style villas and you really can’t beat the setup. They can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 26 guests with four to nine bedrooms, impeccably designed living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen and your own private pool and patio. Our villa (four-bedrooms/1888 square feet) also had a wonderful food-themed kids room featuring bunk beds, arcade games and even a grilled cheese slide! They absolutely loved it and were entertained for hours.
Although Villatel Orlando does have a brand-new water park (we took full advantage of Aqua Bay!), it was also so nice to be able to take my book out by our villa’s screened-in pool and enjoy the sunshine in private. (There is also a propane grill and pool heater available for an extra fee, FYI.)
At the resort’s center, Villatel Orlando seems to have thought of everything, offering guests access to a premium fitness center, basketball and pickleball courts, a Topgolf Swing Suite and my favorite: a covered playground. This Boca mom knows from experience how valuable a shade structure is in the hot Florida sunshine!
But, where did we spend the bulk of our Orlando spring break?
Splashing Around at Aqua Bay
While staying at Villatel Orlando Resort, do not miss out on their complimentary water park, Aqua Bay! It couldn’t have been more convenient for this mom to have a lazy river, water slides, a splash zone and a poolside restaurant located just a short walk from our villa. I even let the girls go back and forth on their own as I found the property to be extremely safe. No car can enter Villatel Orlando Resort without being a registered guest. (The downside? You do have to pay for parking.)
You can even upgrade your family pool day with a private cabana rental that includes plush loungers and shaded comfort. As us Floridians know, March and April pool days can sometimes feel chilly after a swim, so there is premium poolside heating available too. Your kids won’t want to leave, so I highly recommend setting aside an entire day for just Aqua Bay fun.
Creating at Crayola Experience Orlando
I was initially hesitant to take my older girls to the Crayola Experience because I had heard it was geared more towards little kids, but when in Rome…or Orlando. Turns out? It’s creative entertainment for all ages.
Crayola Experience Orlando is 70,000 square feet of colorful, hands-on fun with dozens of interactive attractions. Kids (and adults!) can name and wrap their own crayons, create melted wax keepsakes, climb a two-story playground and even watch their artwork come to life.
Know before you go:
- We recommend three to four hours to explore, create and play.
- The Crayola Store is open to the public daily.
- There are several free parking options within walking distance of the attraction.
- There is fast food for purchase, but I preferred to have lunch at a restaurant in the mall after we were done creating.
Shopping the Florida Mall
Is it me or are tween girls singlehandedly saving shopping malls across the country? It’s all they want to do, even on spring break! Luckily, The Crayola Experience happened to be located at the Florida Mall, so we spent an entire afternoon exploring this mammoth shopping destination.
The Florida Mall has a pretty perfect mix of stores that the tweens and I both actually got excited about. From trend-forward fashion to fun accessories and gifts, there are tons of options for every price point. Not to mention, plenty of spots to grab a snack or take a break when attention spans started to fade. I was initially leaning towards going to the Mall at Millennia, but this was too convenient of an opportunity to pass up!
While spring break in Palm Beach County may be behind us, there are still plenty of school breaks ahead. Hopefully this post has sparked some ideas for your next getaway and inspired you to experience Orlando in a whole new way!
Michelle Olson-Rogers is a mom of one and the founder of Modern Boca Mom, an award-winning lifestyle website for the stylish & modern South Florida parent. She can also be found on Instagram at @modernbocamom.
