Our Experience at Gaylord Palms Resort with New Health and Safety Measures in Place

Hi everyone!

We were invited by Gaylord Palms Resort to spend 2 nights to experience SummerFest (June 25 – September 7, 2020) as well as their new health and safety protocols. We have stayed many times through the years and it is one of my favorite resorts in Central Florida. This is actually the time of year where Gaylord Palms would announce the theme for the popular ICE! attraction that is held in winter (I don’t know if they will have it yet or not this year). Gaylord Palms is a Marriott property and during the time we stayed there, masks were required in public areas as per Osceola County ordinance (however, as of July 27th, 2020, it will be a Marriott rule as well for all their hotels). Living in Central Florida, masks and distance have been in force around the parks and other areas for a couple of months now. Here is a look at our stay at Gaylord Palms!

Our show includes a segment on our stay at Gaylord Palms. The segment starts at about 19 minutes in.

The area we are standing in the first photo is just outside the main entrance. This view is gorgeous during the holidays and still very pretty at other times of year.

The revolving door always has decorative plants in it.

Walking into the resort, the atrium is a big reveal just beyond the lobby.

Waterfalls and beautiful landscaping can be found in the 4 1/2 acre atrium.

Back to the lobby, there are some modifications now due to the pandemic.

Markers are on the ground for social distancing. There is also plexiglass between guests and employees. Checking in can be done online to bypass the front desk, but I had some issues with the app so we stopped by to check in.

Masks and other items can be found in a lobby vending machine.

We had an atrium view, which is my favorite way to experience Gaylord Palms. It doesn’t matter what the weather outside – to be able to sit on the balcony and hear the waterfalls is always relaxing.

We also had an alligator view.

Even if you don’t have an atrium room, the elevators allow an expansive look into the atrium.

This is our Emerald Bay room. There are about 1400 rooms and suites (with more being built in an expansion) and the standard rooms are spacious, 410 square feet.

The balcony doors can be seen in this photo.

We also received hand sanitizer and a hand sanitizer wipe. Extra hand sanitizer is always welcome. Housekeeping is giving the rooms extra cleaning, but I also bring my own Lysol wipes for touch points.

There are distancing markers in some locations, including outside elevators.

The maximum occupancy on the elevator is 4 people or one travel party per elevator.

Signage gives health and safety tips.

Just as with the theme parks, not everything is open. Wreckers Sports Bar was open as was the Sandbar pool bar/restaurant during the day and Emerald Bay Marketplace. But other restaurants were not during our 2 nights. There are also counter and table service restaurants within a few minute drive of the resort.

Wreckers Sports Bar is where we normally eat at in the resort. We aren’t dining inside currently, but there are some outdoor tables.

The food here has always been good and I recommend it if you are visiting the resort.

I always love walking through the atrium. The landscaping is lush, and there are alligators (baby and regular) along with fish, turtles and snakes.

There are three distinct areas of the atrium – Everglades, St. Augustine and Key West.

Gator Springs used to be sponsored by Gatorland, it is now sponsored by Wild Florida. There are feedings on Tuesdays and Saturday.

There are quite a few alligators there right now, as well as turtles.

A gator rests its head on a turtle.

The atrium is climate controlled, so wearing a mask is easier. We wear face coverings usually a couple of times per week for outings ranging from 3-9 hours in 90+ degree heat so it was very comfortable in the atrium.

This area is the Everglades walk.

If you want to find the baby alligators, they are at Sawgrass Place. There are also snakes there.

There were 2 baby alligators (grunts) sleeping when we stopped by.

Key West is at the other end of the resort.

Key West Lagoon used to have stingrays. Guests can still enjoy the fish and there are feedings on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

The boat is part of Moor restaurant, which was closed.

We stopped by to see the koi fish.

I am used to this area being a hub of activity during the holidays with shows and a light show, but guests can still enjoy a light show this summer in the evenings. We talk about it in our Mousesteps Weekly show (embedded early in the article).

A variety of merchandise can be purchased – souvenirs, snacks and sundries.

The Cypress Springs Water Park wasn’t too busy but there were guests swimming and the slides and Flowrider were open at times.

With the Walt Disney World waterparks not open right now, it is nice having a terrific set of slides here at the resort.

I am partial to the South Beach Pool for adults.

An employee was cleaning chairs.

Masks were mentioned on the digital sign.

 

And here is one last sign – allow six steps between you and the guest in front of you.

SummerFest at Gaylord Palms is scaled back this year and we were visiting early in the week so some activities were not running. But it was nice to get back and see the new protocols and enjoy the beautiful atrium. If you have visited Gaylord Palms before, it will be a modified experience just as much of Central Florida is. The flip side of that was we were able to enjoy the walk around the resort with fewer guests. Gaylord Palms is a great resort for a staycation or if you are visiting the area!

Gaylord Palms invited us to stay for 2 nights, all views are ours.