Westgate Resorts Military Weekend: Fun For The Whole Family
Military Salutes Weekend at Westgate Resorts
Have you heard that each year on Veterans Day, Westgate Resorts gives away hundreds of FREE vacations for veterans and active military families? I’ve always known that Westgate hotels in Orlando are great for vacation, but I was impressed when I learned how much they give back to military families. Westgate Resorts Military Weekend is such a gift to service members and their family!
We were recently invited to attend the 2022 Westgate Resorts Salutes Military Weekend. It was an amazing weekend full of events and family time. When we checked in and saw the itinerary for the weekend we were so excited – the schedule was loaded with fun events our whole family would enjoy!
Activities for All Ages: Relaxation and Adventure
Whether you are looking for an exciting adventure or a peaceful and relaxing getaway, Military Weekend at Westgate hotels in Orlando has something for everyone. From thrilling activities like water slides and military tank demonstrations or low-key floats in a lazy river before dancing the night away, there is something available for visitors of all ages. Plus, with spacious suites and great dining options onsite, you can easily sit back, relax and just enjoy being on vacation.
Accommodations: Spacious Suites at Westgate Town Center Resort
The Westgate Town Center offers modern, spacious suites that are perfect for families. Their suites provide all the comforts of home with upgraded amenities to make your stay feel like a five-star experience. Guests can choose what best meets the needs of their family from studio villas to one-bedroom deluxe villas. All of the rooms have great views and easy access to all of the on-site amenities.
During the 2022 Westgate Military Salutes Weekend we stayed in a beautiful one-bedroom deluxe villa. Immediately we were impressed with the amount of space in the villa. It included a full kitchen, a washer and dryer (super helpful for those swimsuits!), a large bathroom with updated shower and luxurious jetted bath tub, a king bedroom, a sofa bed in the living room, and a screened patio with ample seating that overlooked the pool.
On-Site Entertainment: Waterpark, Exhibits, 5K, Concerts and More!
One of our favorite parts of the Westgate Town Center Resort in Orlando is the two-story, Shipwreck Island waterpark that is on-site. Each morning the first question the kids would ask was, “When are we going to the water park?”
This year the Military Weekend was held in December. I wasn’t sure it would be warm enough to play in the water, but all of the pools were heated and very pleasant.
Our 2 year old loved the lazy river, the main pool, and the splash areas. The 8 and 9 year olds were so excited for the water slides at Shipwreck Island and days later are still telling me how much fun they had! Needless to say, the on-site waterpark at this Westgate Resort is a big win for the family!
In addition to the waterpark, there were loads of activities going on throughout the weekend.
On Friday afternoon we enjoyed talking to different representatives at the Military Resource Fair. Each organization or company present was eager to help military families. The kids enjoyed free snow cones and we all signed up for the free, annual Red, White and Blue 5K race for the following day.
Friday evening included an outdoor concert featuring Soul of Motown. The boys had a blast dancing to music way past their bedtime!
Saturday morning we hit the ground running with the Red, White, and Blue 5K and then grabbed some breakfast before heading out to Family Field Day. We played games on the lawn and had lots of laughs. The kids challenged their dad to a tug of war competition and were victorious (with a bit of help!). Our military kids sat in humvees and chatted up local reservists finding out more about their military and civilian jobs. Then we enjoyed free hot dogs and burgers in a picnic on the lawn.
That afternoon we visited the Historic Military Vehicle Display and talked with veterans about the different machinery and weapons they had on exhibit. The boys learned all about tanks from WWII and were wowed by the veteran who showed them a real bullet hole in the Hellcat tank. They learned a bit about military life during past wars and were excited to see pieces of history up close.
One of the favorite parts of the afternoon was the Firing Demonstration where the tanks demonstrated their fire power. One of the tanks even crushed a car! This event was loud, exciting, and memorable.
Saturday evening we enjoyed another outdoor concert featuring The Chris Weaver Band. At the concert there were complimentary hot dogs, burgers, and soft drinks. The adults could even enjoy $1 beer. The kids were all given glow sticks that were a huge hit. Following the concert was an impressive fireworks show!
On Sunday we made sure to play a round of Jurassic miniature golf for some final fun before we headed to the airport. Our young paleontologist was stoked about the dinosaur theme!
As you can see, it was a fun-packed weekend with all that you could do on-site! (And we didn’t even have time for the movie, seminar or magic show that was offered!)
Offsite Excursions in Orlando
With all the on-site activities you may never find a reason to leave the resort, but if you do, there are many great family attractions located close to Westgate Resorts in Orlando. Of course Orlando is known for large theme parks, but there are also local shopping outlets and museums.
During the Military Salutes Weekend we did use our complimentary tickets provided by Westgate Resorts to visit SeaWorld Orlando for a few hours. The big kids were pumped for the thrilling roller coasters and our youngest loved visiting the iconic characters from Sesame Street. We froze meeting the penguins and laughed as we were splashed by dolphins. When the crowds started to pick up in the afternoon we decided to head back to the Westgate Town Center Resort for lunch and time in the pool.
Dining Options
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a romantic dinner for two or a family feast, there is something for everyone when it comes to dining at Westgate Resorts. From traditional American classics to exotic international flavors, we were impressed with the variety of dishes throughout the restaurants that could satisfy every palate in our family.
Some of our onsite favorite dining selections were the tender, well-seasoned carne asada and margaritas at Los Amigos Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar and the sweet and savory Lu Lu’s Asian Wings at Drafts Sports Bar & Grill. The kids were delighted to stop in for a scoop at the Hershey’s Ice Cream Shop. As parents on a cross-country trip with kids, we were excited to find Starbucks coffee at two locations onsite.
With so many options at your fingertips, you are sure to find something delicious and enjoyable.
Military Discount at Westgate Resorts Beyond Military Weekend
As a premier dining and entertainment destination in Orlando, Westgate Town Center Resort has something for everyone. But for members of the military, there are even more exclusive opportunities to save – not only in Orlando, but at Westgate Resorts across the country!
Westgate Resorts proudly offers numerous discounts and deals to show support and gratitude for military personnel, allowing them to experience all that Westgate Resorts has to offer at a fraction of the price.
If you are looking for amazing military discount resorts look no further than Westgate Resorts!
Enjoy a fun weekend getaway at Westgate Resorts Military Weekend!
I know you don’t want to miss next year’s Military Weekend at Westgate Resorts. So drop what you are doing today and set an alarm on your phone to remind you that Veterans Day is when you sign up for this amazing free weekend vacation.
A special thanks to Westgate Resorts for this amazing opportunity for our military family to enjoy a wonderful vacation weekend together!
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