A Staycation Resort fit for a Queen!

If you have a larger family like we do and are looking for a place to enjoy a local staycation, then Westgate Resort Villas is the perfect spot for your family!

At Westgate you receive all the comforts of a fully furnished vacation home with premium accommodations. There is a wide variety of villa size options (from a studio to a two bedroom villa with a loft), and the best part is that they are a very close distance to the parks (if that is part of your staycation/vacation), but up to half the rate! #winningatlife when its budget friendly and fun!

We opted out of the theme parks for this staycation, so we could enjoy the onsite amenities! Westgate did not disappoint. There is SO MUCH TO DO and Venardos Circus is in town to boot!

Plan Your Stay

We did a 2 day staycation in a two bedroom villa, which was amazing because the kids had their own room and bathroom. Planning out what we were going to do was crucial so that we made the most of our stay. When I was researching the amenities, I was so impressed with all that there is to experience- it was kind of hard to narrow down what we were going to do aside from the circus and the waterpark. We wanted a low key staycation for the kids that would be super fun, and Westgate was the perfect match.

Here are some of the options we had to choose from:

• Westgate Ice Rink
• Venardos Circus
• rent a swan boat
• 14 different pools
• water park
• horseshoes
• volleyball
• bike rental
• basketball & tennis courts
• game room
• mini golf
• shuffleboard
• full day excursions

The bet part? They offer a ton of entertainment for the whole family:

• games
• crafts
• train rides
• movie theatre
• playground

When we arrived on Friday, we got to experience dinner at Villa Italiano Chophouse which was OUTSTANDING!

On Saturday we tried to sleep in a little, but that did not work out the way we planned! We had a huge breakfast from the onsite Starbucks and marketplace. Then we went for a quick stroll while waiting for the waterpark to open. We walked down this cute bridge with a whole bunch of locks on it!

Then we headed to the Shipwreck Island Waterpark at 11a. There are rides for EVERYONE in the family! We grabbed some drinks at the tiki bar near the Pirates Plunge ride! It was so fun for all of us! Pirates Plunge lands you right next to the outside bar at Los Amigos (perfect time for a drink and snacks after that!)

On Sunday we had brunch at Los Amigos and then checked out! We will definitely be back for another staycation…maybe for a few more days next time.

We could really spend a full week with all that they have to offer. 

There is so much more to do too. We didn’t even have time to explore it all!

We loved the relaxing environment and all of the options of things to do

• it is a bit overwhelming because there are so many choices, but it makes for a fun filled adventure
• Venardos Circus was by far our favorite part of our staycation!
• the water park and night swimming at the pool were definitely the kids favorite things that we did (the 14 pools do not close until 10pm!)
• the walking paths that connect everything are great and make for nice strolls or bike rides

The Food at Villa Italiano Chophouse

OMG the food at the chophouse was out of this world! Not only is it delicious, but the portions are HUGE! The atmosphere is wonderful too! There is a great selection and it was great for the whole family!

The Food at Los Amigos

WOW the food was authentic and spot on! It was all incredibly delicious and {again!} the portions were HUGE! The environment is wonderful and perfect for the family! The menu is huge too!

Go to Venardos Circus!

Only at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort from June 23 – August 17, it is a can’t miss event

Taking place just outside the gates of Westgate Town Center, Westgate Vacation Villas and Westgate Towers Resorts, this animal-free circus treats eventgoers to an array of theatrical comedy, aerial and hand balancing, juggling, acrobatic, and other world-class, death-defying acts that showcase the extraordinary talents of elite performers from around the globe.

Embracing the spirit of family-friendly entertainment, this partnership between Westgate Resorts and Venardos Circus promises a magical experience that transcends generations.

The circus was so much fun for all of us! My youngest was in complete shock and awe the entire time! The performers were so talented and the show itself was amazing! We all loved it so much! We’ve been talking about it for days!

Enjoy Shipwreck Island Waterpark

The Shipwreck Water Park is incredible! You can spend the whole day there (11-6p daily) enjoying family-friendly fun. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and it is just steps away from the room.

Our kids love all the waterslides, lazy river and the pool, but there is even a splash pad for the littles. The great part about Florida weather is that if a storm comes through, you can just head up to the room for a little afternoon relaxation and wait for the storm to pass. They even have cabanas and umbrellas everywhere and a tavern with fun cocktails!

Top Tips

• plan your “things to do in advance” so that you are prepared and ready to go each day
• arrive for check in 30 minutes early or after 6p (it gets busy)
• plan around the weather for the water park and have a “back up plan” of what to do if it rains (there is plenty!)
• be sure to eat at Chophouse and Los Amigos
• use the shuttle service to get around the resort
• bring snacks and drinks (or get them at the marketplace- they have everything) because you have a full kitchen