What's the cheapest way to do a resort staycation in Orlando?

A day pass is usually cheapest. If you want to sleep over, booking a last-minute room can be far cheaper than booking weeks ahead.

Orlando · Staycation

Best Orlando Resorts for a Family Staycation

By Janet
Updated June 2026 · 7 min read

Aerial view of the pools, gardens, and golf course at an Orlando resort — The kind of Orlando resort you can turn into a whole staycation, this one is Rosen Shingle Creek.

One of the best-kept secrets of living in Orlando: the resorts here are world-class, and you don't need a flight to enjoy them. A staycation at a resort with an incredible pool feels like a real vacation, minus the airport. Here's what I look for and the kinds of resorts I keep going back to.

What actually makes a resort great for kids

A zero-entry (beach-style) pool so toddlers can wade in safely
A lazy river or a waterslide for the big-kid wow factor
Shade and cabanas so you're not fried by noon
Food poolside so nobody has to leave to eat
Splash pad or kiddie area separate from the deep end

The resort styles I love around Orlando

Orlando's big destination resorts (think the large convention-and-golf resorts off I-Drive and near the parks, plus the Disney and Universal deluxe hotels) tend to have the showstopper pools: multiple pools, lazy rivers, slides, and zero-entry areas. The Lake Buena Vista and Bonnet Creek area is packed with them. You don't have to be a hotel guest to enjoy a lot of these, which is the part most visitors miss.

The local move: you don't need to book a whole stay to swim at these resorts. A day pass gets you in to the pool, lazy river, and amenities for the day, often for the price of a couple of movie tickets.

How I do it for way less

Two tricks make a resort staycation genuinely affordable:

1. A resort day pass (no overnight needed)

This is my favorite. ResortPass lets you book a day pass to a real resort's pool and amenities, no overnight stay required. We pack up, swim the lazy river all afternoon, grab lunch poolside, and come home, and it feels like a whole vacation. I break down exactly how it works, what's included, and how to pick a good one in my ResortPass day pass guide.

2. A last-minute room for an overnight

If you want to actually sleep over and do the full pajamas-and-room-service thing, booking last minute can be dramatically cheaper. I use Hotel Tonight for same-day and next-day resort deals, here's how I score last-minute Orlando rooms for a fraction of the rate.

Always double-check what's included. I learned the hard way that a day pass or room doesn't always come with towels. Confirm towels, parking, and whether food credit is included before you go, so there are no surprises.

Pack for the pool day

The swim gear, rash guards, cooling towels, and pool bag I bring for a resort day are in my Amazon storefront. My pool bag is a BAGSMART tote with a separate wet pocket, which is perfect for stashing damp swimsuits on the way home.

See my Amazon picks → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Make a full day of it

A resort pool morning plus an indoor afternoon when the heat peaks is my perfect low-stress staycation day. And if you've got little ones, my pool and beach essentials list covers the gear that makes it easy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a resort pool without staying overnight?

Often yes. Services like ResortPass sell day passes to resort pools and amenities with no overnight stay required, which is how a lot of locals enjoy the big resort pools.

What's the cheapest way to do a resort staycation?

A day pass is usually the cheapest. If you want to sleep over, booking a last-minute room (I use Hotel Tonight) can be far cheaper than booking weeks ahead.

What should I check before booking?

Confirm what's included: towels, parking, food or drink credit, and which pools and amenities your pass or rate covers. It varies by property.

Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links, including ResortPass, Hotel Tonight, and my Amazon storefront, which means I may earn a small commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Amenities and inclusions change by property, so confirm before you go.

Janet

Orlando mom of two and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. I share the real staycations, family finds, and deals I actually use here in Central Florida. Come say hi on Instagram.

The day-pass trick, explained

How I get into a resort pool and lazy river for the day without booking a stay.

Read the ResortPass guide →

Sources: from experience as a local plus general Orlando resort guidance. Pools, amenities, and day-pass availability change by property and season, confirm before booking.