Gaylord Palms Resort’s “Once Upon a Spring” Offers Fun for Entire Family (Photos)

March 28, 2021 Denise Gaylord Hotels, Gaylord Palms Resort, Once Upon a Spring, Springtime at Gaylord Palms Resort

Hi everyone!

Gaylord Palms Resort invited us out to experience their Once Upon a Spring seasonal offering. Gaylord Palms used to celebrate one season primarily each year with the very popular ICE! attraction. Now, there is a full slate of activities through much of the year. Gaylord Palms Resort dove directly into spring from the Pirates and Princess Weekends that began just after the holiday season. Now (on select dates) through May 16th, Once Upon a Spring is being offered! In addition, Crystal River Rapids just opened at the resort, adding yet another reason to spend the day at Cypress Springs Water Park.

I have over 20 of my photos in this article with the press release plus our video of the new Crystal River Rapids as part of the resort’s Cypress Springs Water Park. The area offers a lot of value included in the resort fee. We plan to have a photo and video overview of Gaylord Palms Resort in later April.

Just walking around the atrium is my favorite thing to do at Gaylord Palms – I enjoy the landscaping (4.5 acres of gardens, waterfalls, flowers with alligators and fish). I recommend the Spring Into Fun Package if available on the days you plan to visit as it includes “Paint me a Fairytale” and the scavenger hunt. I will be writing up an article on “Paint me a Fairytale” with video this week.

The press release below gives details on the activities you can find at Gaylord Palms during Once Upon a Spring!

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (February 18, 2021) – Gaylord Palms invites guests to Spring It On with an itinerary of family-friendly events and activities to welcome the spring season. As a Spring Break Getaway with Easter events, Once Upon a Spring programming, activities, and an interactive show that brings classic fairy tales to life, and the all-new Crystal River Rapids action river, the resort will provide the perfect springtime retreat from March 12 through May 16.

Gaylord Palms decorated eggs in the atrium with waterfall. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

To celebrate the magic and creativity of the season, the interactive show Paint Me A Fairytale will take guests on an enchanted adventure as Mother Goose uses her magic paintbrush to bring the pages of storybook favorites to life, including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and The Princess and The Pea. Through each classic story, guests will learn that magic lives within all of us when we treat others with kindness and have courage to tell the truth. As a special keepsake, guests will take home a custom watercolor paint set and coloring book featuring characters from the show. To allow for social distancing, capacity will be limited and advance online reservations are required.

“Paint me a Fairytale” show. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Also coming to this year’s programming is the Eggspression Garden, an imaginative walkthrough experience featuring blossoming tulips, gigantic Easter eggs, a massive chocolate bunny and five additional spring-themed photo opportunities. Plus, colorful craft cocktails and mocktails, whimsical paintings and more will delight guests in the ART Bar.

Eggspression Garden. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Gaylord Palms atrium. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

And, just in time for spring break, guests can experience Crystal River Rapids, the thrilling new action river attraction opening March 1 at Cypress Springs Water Park. This exhilarating water ride will twist and turn guests through speeding currents at three-and-a-half feet per second as they race past roaring waterfalls, crumbling limestone walls and larger- than-life leaves. Guest can take in the stunning views of Cypress Springs Water Park from the river’s alcove, cabanas, spas or premium pool seating.

Our video of Crystal River Rapids

Crystal River Rapids. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Additional Once Upon a Spring Activities:

During the Springtime Pool Party, guests can enjoy fun in the sun with pool games, prizes, sing-a-longs and line dances at Cypress Springs Water Park. The ideal setting for family-fun, Cypress Springs features a brand-new action river attraction, zero-entry family pool, treehouse water play structure with four water slides, Big Cypress tower with an AquaDrop slide and two racing slides, and The Wake Zone Double FlowRider with a surfable, simulated wave.
Guests can explore the resort’s 4.5 acres of indoor gardens with seasonally themed Scavenger Hunts.

Eggspression Garden. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Blossomin’ Bunnies Scavenger Hunt. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Meet the Easter Bunny while enjoying a delicious breakfast in the newly renovated Villa de Flora during the Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny Character Breakfast on select dates through April 4. On Easter day, guests can enjoy a specialty brunch at Villa de Flora.

On select dates through April 4, guests can get creative and enjoy a sweet treat by decorating either an Easter egg or bunny cookie in the Cookie Decorating experience. Plus, after decorating, guests can meet the Easter Bunny himself!
Join the resort’s exclusive characters Seth the Sea Turtle, Ava the Alligator and everyone’s favorite Adventure Kid Sophie as they explore the splendor of springtime in the interactive live show Adventure Kids: Sprout into Spring.
High above the indoor gardens, the atrium “skies” will be bright with the Springtime Light Display, as giant LED light curtains vividly display flowers blooming, bunny rabbits scurrying, shooting stars and spring-colored kaleidoscopes.

View from our atrium room. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Springtime Light Display. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Enjoy up-close Animal Encounters with critters from Wild Florida’s nearby zoological park and learn more about the Florida eco-system and the animals’ unique personalities.

Alligators from Wild Florida. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Young alligator. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

From the comfort of their guest room, families can enjoy an interactive video on their in-room TV that follows the classic story of Peter Rabbit in Adventure Kids: Bedtime Bunny Tales.Plus, Relâche Spa is offering a Springtime Renewal special from March 1 – April 30 that allows guests to receive a $25 spa boutique credit and $25 off a future service with the purchase of any 50-minute or longer massage, facial or body treatment.Once Upon a Spring activities are available on select dates, including March 12-20, 25-27, April 1-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30 and May 1, 7-8 and 14-15, 2021. In celebration of the season, the resort is offering a special package with rates from $199. The package includes overnight accommodations, a Scavenger Hunt booklet and tickets to the Paint Me A Fairytale interactive show. For more information, CLICK HERE. Individual tickets for select spring activities are also on sale.

Our room with atrium balcony. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps.

Atrium balcony. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Nighttime view from our balcony. Photo by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, the resort’s spring events and activities have been developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social distancing measures. Programming will also operate in consideration with the latest local, state and federal legislation.

We were invited to Gaylord Palms Resort, all views are ours.

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