Orlando Area Attraction News

Gaylord Palms “Pirates and Princesses” Summertime Event Now Taking Place Through September 5th, 2022

Denise ,  ,  ,  , 

Hi everyone!

Gaylord Palms kicks off its summertime “Pirates and Princesses” event today (May 13th, 2022). It runs through September 5th, 2022. Read below for all the details!

Guests can highlight their summer at Gaylord Palms with an array of family fun at Cypress Springs Water Park. The 3-acre water wonderland features seven waterslides, multi-level children’s playground, two swimming pools and Crystal River Rapids – a new action river attraction that takes guests through twists and turns at more than three feet per second. (Douglas Scaletta, photographer)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (MAY 13,2022) — Starting today, guests are invited to sail into Gaylord Palms during the resort’s “Pirates and Princesses” summertime special event. A celebration of brave buccaneers and regal royalty, event activities take place from May 13-Sept. 5, and include a treasure trove of interactive shows, hands-on experiences and themed décor throughout the 64-acre resort.

In addition, guests can enjoy their summer by beating the heat at Cypress Springs Water Park, tasting a world of cuisine in award-winning restaurants, and rejuvenating in a luxurious, full-service spa.

During the Pirates & Princesses event, guests can learn to be a pirate or princess in the “Pirates and Princesses Academy,” solve puzzles and riddles inside an enchanted escape room, raise a hearty mug of grog at “The Captain’s Quarters” (a pirate-themed pop-up bar), stroll through remnants of a pirate galleon on a photo trail, search for treasure in a new scavenger hunt and more.

Relâche Spa at Gaylord Palms also joins the celebration, with treatments designed to soothe the meanest marauders and pamper the prettiest princesses.

Here’s a look through the spyglass at activities planned for the Pirates & Princesses summer-long celebration:

Guests are invited to sail into Gaylord Palms during the resort’s “Pirates and Princesses” summertime special event. A celebration of brave buccaneers and regal royalty, event activities take place from May 13-Sept. 5. (Christina Dworkin, photographer)

Wear a Crown or Wield a Sword

Young guests learn the finer points of becoming the best swashbuckler on the seas or the most-poised princess in the palace in “Pirates & Princesses Academy.” This live, interactive show invites guests to step into a fantasy world to hear musical tales of adventure on the high seas and inside the kingdom. Successful students take the official princess oath and join the royal court or recite the pirate pledge and become part of the captain’s crew.

A Summer Escape

A dream-like garden filled with puzzles, riddles and brainteasers is home to Gaylord Palms’ summer escape room experience. In the “Secret Garden Escape Room,” guests hunt for clues while a mischievous fairy flutters about her fanciful forest home which sits right outside the princess’ kingdom. The fairy, who might even offer a helpful puzzle hint, challenges guests to escape within 30 minutes, or be trapped in the garden forever.

Arrrrr You Thirsty?

Ahoy! Pirates in search of tasty grog can raise a hearty tankard at the Captain’s Quarters Bar. The themed pop-up bar, resembling a captain’s retreat and pirate ship’s helm, serves up beverages to satisfy every buccaneer. A new menu of nautical and royal cocktails and mocktails, created by Gaylord Palms mixologists, provides plenty of exotic thirst-quenchers for pirates of all ages.

Set Sail for Captain’s Quarters Trail

A seafaring stroll through Captain’s Quarters Trail provides a bounty of photo opportunities for guests to share with their favorite landlubbers. Adjacent to the Captain’s Quarters bar and adorned with ship parts and tools of the pirate trade, the trail provides treasured spots to take pictures to share with friends and family.

A Pirate’s Pleasure is Finding Treasure

Pirates love hunting for hidden treasure, and guests can join in the fun in the “Shiny Stash Scavenger Hunt.” Searching high and low in the atrium for treasure hidden by the Princess, the interactive scavenger hunt challenges guests to solve riddles and puzzles and find the kingdom’s riches.

Pictured: a young guest gets an up-close meeting with a pirate’s favorite feathered friend during the summer “Animal Encounters, presented by Wild Florida” at Gaylord Palms Resort. It’s all part of the Pirates & Princesses celebration taking place May 13-Sept. 5 across the 64-acre resort. During the summer special event, guests can celebrate the fantasy worlds of brave buccaneers and regal royalty with 10 family-friendly activities. In addition to Animal Encounters, guests can learn to be a pirate or princess in the “Pirates & Princesses Academy,” solve puzzles and riddles inside an enchanted escape room, raise a hearty mug of grog at a pirate-themed pop-up bar, stroll through remnants of a pirate galleon, search for treasure in a new scavenger hunt, and more.

Pirate Parrots & Slithering Snakes

Guests enjoy up-close encounters with some amazing wildlife during Animal Encounters, hosted by Wild Florida. Animal experts will showcase every pirate’s favorite feathered friend, the parrot, and one of Florida’s famous indigenous snakes during these weekly visits. Guests can also take part in wildlife adventures during the week and watch as Wild Florida feeds alligators in the resort’s Gator Springs and fish in the Key West Lagoon.

The Royal Treatment

Guests visiting Relâche Spa at Gaylord Palms can enjoy summer treatments, like a luxurious lavender spa package in May, or a Father’s Day “Relax & Restore” package in June with body, face and nail treatments designed for men. The award-winning spa features a full array of treatments and therapies infused with natural elements from the garden.

Copyright Gaylord Palms

Summer Nights, Summer Lights

A kaleidoscope of color sparkles in the summer sky during the “Illuminate Florida” light show. Famous Sunshine State landmarks take center stage on the newly upgraded light curtains suspended from the atrium ceiling. The nighttime, animated spectacle can be viewed from many spots in the atrium, and guests with select atrium-view rooms can enjoy the show from the comfort of their balcony.

Copyright Gaylord Palms

Join The Club!

Kids are invited to join the Adventure Kids as Sophie, Seth the Sea Turtle and Ava the Alligator showcase the wonders of summer, with a pirate twist, in “Adventure Kids: Join The Club.” In this live stage show, Sophie and her friends explore conservation, wildlife, nature and more through stories and songs.

In addition to the Pirates & Princesses event, there are plenty of guest activities offered throughout the year at the resort, including:

Safari, So Good!

Guests can go on a virtual safari in the Wildlife Rescue game. After finding specially marked spots in the atrium, guests use their mobile device and a free augmented reality application to discover endangered animals from around the world. Once a spot is found and scanned with the app, virtual animals appear on-screen and guests can take a photo with them.

A special summer beverage is bring offered for guests at Cypresss Springs Water Park at Gaylord Palms Resort. A top-chelf margarita, featuring Patron Tequila and Grand Marnier is served in a take-home souvenir mini-bottle. Guests can sit poolside and sip from a straw in the bottle, or pour in a salt-rimmed cup.

Family Water Park Fun, Year-Round!

Guests can highlight their summer – and any season — with family fun at Cypress Springs Water Park. Open year-round, the water park is an exclusive amenity for overnight guests of Gaylord Palms Resort. The water park is located in the heart of the resort, providing convenient access for guests. There’s something for the entire family, with three water slides for adults and four water slides designed just for kids. A zero-entry pool brims with excitement, including children’s activities, a giant video wall (which transforms into a Hollywood silver screen for “Dive-In Movies” on select nights), and full-size basketball goals. Just around the corner is the South Beach Pool. Inspired by narrow, tree-lined pools found at Miami hotspots, the South Beach Pool is great for guests who want to swim laps or relax poolside in a warm, tropical environment as the Florida breeze gently rustles palm fronds overhead. Guests can reserve poolside seating, a day bed or a private cabana for the ultimate in stress-free pool time.

Atrium Adventures, and a World of Dining:

In case of a summer shower, guests can take a relaxing stroll through the glass atriums, which features more than four acres of plants, flowers, waterfalls, streams, Florida fish, gators and other wildlife. Inside the atriums, a delicious selection of dining options awaits, including Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Villa de Flora, gourmet steaks and an award-winning wine list at Old Hickory Steakhouse and fresh, sustainable and local seafood and vegetables at MOOR.

Gaylord Palms Resort is celebrating summer from May 13-Sept. 5 with its Pirates & Princesses celebration. During the event, guests celebrate the fantasy worlds of brave buccaneers and regal royalty with 10 family-friendly activities throughout the resort. Guests can learn to be a pirate or princess in an interactive show, solve puzzles and riddles inside an enchanted escape room, raise a hearty mug of grog at a pirate-themed pop-up bar, stroll through remnants of a pirate galleon, search for treasure in a new scavenger hunt, and more.

Packages, Tickets and More Information:

Gaylord Palms offers summer packages that include guest rooms, “Pirates & Princesses” event tickets and resort credit so guests can bundle the fun and make the most of their stay. To book rooms, packages, spa treatments and buy tickets for summer events and activities, guests may visit GaylordPalms.com.