Reunion Resort

A sprawling, meticulously groomed mini-city of a resort with 360 condo-style guest rooms, the Reunion Resort is many things to many people. It's a terrific place for groups -- the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, and Detroit Tigers baseball teams have stayed here during spring training -- and it’s a popular venue for weddings, golf reunions, corporate retreats, and big families thanks to ample space in the rooms, which start at 700 square feet. A bevy of dining options, a spa, 54 holes of golf, tennis courts, kids' activities, and multiple pools (including the most elaborate water park with a lazy river south of Orlando) all work to keep guests on the property -- even if the Disney theme parks are just 15 to 20 minutes away by car. Reunion Resort, along with Innisbrook Resort in Tampa and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, is part of the Grand Golf Resorts of Florida.

Reunion's 2,300 acres are situated just east of Interstate 4, about a 15- to 20-minute drive from Disney's area theme parks. As at most Orlando resorts, a car is essential, even if it's just used for driving to nearby strip malls, chain restaurants, or the grocery store. Parking is free here.

• 15- to 20-minute drive to Disney theme parks
• 20- to 25-minute drive to Downtown Disney, a retail and dining complex that also provides park-and-ride service to the Disney theme parks
• 40- to 45-minute drive to Orlando International Airport
• 45-minute drive downtown Orlando; Orange Avenue has a notable dining and nightlife scene, and non-theme-park attractions like Harry P. Leu Gardens and Loch Haven Park, which is home to Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and Orlando Science Center
• 75- to 90-minute drive to Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center

Offering much more than a typical hotel room, the guest rooms here range from one-bedroom condo-style units to private, eight-bedroom homes (Reunion Resort units include privately owned homes, rentals, and vacation timeshares). As in most Central Florida resorts, the rooms have a muted color palette, and while the decor varies across units, it's generally more tasteful than what you'll find at other nearby resorts, like the cheaper Mystic Dunes or the often more expensive Boardwalk Villas.
Please note, however, that exactly where you stay within the resort is important: Because of the size of the property, trips from your room to the water park, spa, or golf courses may necessitate using one of the free resort shuttles (they run 24/7). The most convenient rooms are those in the central resort building, the 11-floor Reunion Grande, where the front desk, concierge, golf clubhouse, and most of the restaurants are located. Other units are farther afield, though all are near something -- the Seven Eagles section of Reunion, for example, is just a two-minute walk from the Seven Eagles pool, the fitness center, and the Cove bar and restaurant. If you find a particular amenity important, it's worth requesting a room nearby.
The base-level room type, the One-Bedroom Estate Villa, has 700 square feet of space, split between a master bedroom, one bathroom, a full kitchen, a living and dining room, and a balcony. Elsewhere at the resort, two- and three-bedroom villas are available, as are stand-alone furnished vacation houses with anywhere from three to eight bedrooms. Many of the stand-alone homes feature private pools.
All room types feature full kitchens, each with a stove, dishwasher, full-size fridge, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, tea kettle, knife set, glassware, cooking utensils, place settings for four people, and cleaning supplies, like dish soap, paper towels, and laundry detergent. They all have small balconies (ground-level units have patios), bedrooms with walk-in closets, and spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers, separate tubs, hairdryers with diffusers, and bath products. Most units come with a washer/dryer and a sleeper sofa in the living room. There is a flat-screen TV in the living room and in every bedroom, but some guests have noted that they're generally older models with picture quality that varies per channel. In-room Wi-Fi is covered by the daily resort fee. Daily housekeeping is free -- something that is not usually provided at the Disney villas and many other condo-style resorts.

Reunion's fitness center has a variety of Life Fitness cardio machines (personal TV screens on all of them) and weight machines and free weights. Personal trainers are available by appointment. The tennis pavilion houses six courts, plus a pro shop with gear for sale or rent. The hotel also offers bike rentals (by the hour, day, or week), and a rotating weekly schedule of yoga and other fitness classes for a fee. The small spa has a varied menu of massages, facials, body treatments, hair and nail services, and waxing. There is 25,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space for conferences, weddings, and other events, plus a business center with computers and a printer. The resort operates 24-hour shuttles around the vast property, which is often a necessity for guests.

Reunion Resort has an excellent collection of 10 pools, including a rooftop one, as well as a five-acre water park. The lifeguarded water park includes a freeform pool, streaming lazy river pool, multiple waterslides, and kids' play area with jungle gym, plus beach volleyball courts and food and drink service. Plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas fill the area.
Pools outside of the water park include the mellower, zero-entry Seven Eagles pool, with two hot tubs, and a rooftop pool adjacent to the Eleven restaurant, at the top of the Reunion Grande building. There are eight small and quiet "neighborhood" pools scattered around the property for those staying farther away from the two main pool areas.

Some of the best golf in Orlando is at Reunion Resort, as there are 54 holes designed by golf pros with names that even non-golfers would recognize. The 6,916-yard Legacy Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, has more than 50 feet of elevation change -- a rarity in Florida -- while the 7,244-yard Tradition Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is notable for its 18 flat, parkland-style holes. The 7,154-yard, Watson Course rounds out the options. The green fees are steep, but they include the cost of a cart, and they're in line with what other resorts charge. Callaway rental equipment is charged per 18 holes. There are two on-site golf academies offering lessons and training, plus a clubhouse with a restaurant, bar, and locker rooms.
 

Is Reunion Resort Family-Friendly?

This is an excellent family resort, thanks to huge rooms, kids’ activities, and a top-notch water park.

For families looking for sports and activities, poolside relaxation, and varied dining -- rather than proximity to Disney's parks, like you'd find at the more expensive Boardwalk Villas -- Reunion is a good value, particularly given its near-luxury level of service and features. The Kids Crew activity center hosts half- and full-day supervised programs (crafts, games, and movies for kids ages 4 to 12), and the five-acre water park, with waterslides and shallow play areas, has lifeguards on duty. There are tennis and golf programs for kids ages 4 to 12, and kid-friendly menus at the Clubhouse, The Grill at the Water Park, and Forte restaurants.
 

What Restaurants and Bars are Available at Reunion Resort?

There are multiple restaurant options on-site, including a sushi bar, Italian restaurant, and rooftop steakhouse.

There's plenty to eat here: options range from casual burgers and salads at the Clubhouse to New York strip steak at Eleven, which is a restaurant, bar, and poolside lounge located on the roof of the Reunion Grande building. It’s a popular spot to take in the nightly Disney fireworks display. Forte, an upscale modern Italian restaurant, open for dinner only, offers pastas, seafood, steaks and chops, and a great wine list. The Cove, a small bar next to the Seven Eagles pool, serves a light menu of Caribbean-influenced bites like shrimp tacos and jerk pork sliders, along with smoothies, beer, wine, and cocktails. The Grill at the Water Park restaurant serves finger foods like chicken wings, sandwiches, and pizzas, as well as umbrella-topped drinks. The Grande Lobby Sushi Bar has fancy cocktails and a small sushi menu. Additionally, all rooms have complete kitchens, so self-catering is an option -- a Publix grocery store is a short drive away. Room service is available from morning until late (from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. during our stay), with a short break in the afternoon.