Give your attendees space to spread out and a host of other benefits by booking unforgettable outdoor spaces at Orlando’s meeting hotels and resorts (Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort pictured).
Updated April 6, 2021
No destination is working harder than Orlando to produce healthy in-person meetings, conventions and events. Our meetings industry has adapted to meet today’s business-travel needs. Face-to-face events have returned in a safe manner. And on top of that, many of our meeting hotels and resorts have spectacular, open-air spaces where your attendees can spread out and enjoy our gorgeous nature, sunny blue skies and all the other benefits that come with meeting outdoors.
For your next in-person event, think outside the box — literally — with incredible outdoor spaces at top meeting hotels and resorts in Orlando!
Please note: Depending on the timing of your visit, some experiences may be temporarily modified. Learn more about healthy business travel and safety information in Orlando, and check with your favorite venues and businesses for their current status.
Why Meet Outdoors?
Outdoor meetings and events have long offered numerous benefits. Per Northstar Meetings Group’s The Guide to Outdoor Meetings, events that incorporate natural settings with fresh air, sunshine, foliage and running water are infused with “light space,” which can spur creativity and reenergize your attendees, thereby increasing the success of your gathering. By holding an event outdoors, you’ll also better stimulate your attendees’ senses, which in turn can make a much stronger impression.
As Northstar notes, a survey of 600 event organizers by London & Partners and CWT Meetings & Events revealed that 78% of participants believed that multisensory events offer more memorable, creative experiences for attendees, with 42% sharing that sensory stimulus can help meetings and events stand out from the competition. What’s more, just 27% of those surveyed indicated that traditional events effectively engage all five senses.
Then there are the health benefits, which are arguably more important than ever. With plenty of fresh air and virtually unlimited space where attendees can spread out, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outdoor event venues can help put attendees at ease. The sounds of nature alone can trigger relaxation responses, which allows attendees to stay focused and alert. What’s more, meeting under Orlando’s gorgeous skies can infuse your attendees with a healthy dose of vitamin D — a proven immune-system booster.
Outdoor Spaces at Meeting Hotels & Resorts in Orlando
Now that you know the benefits of spacious, outdoor gatherings, here’s your guide to some of Orlando’s best meeting hotels and resorts with amazing open-air spaces. If your group is comfortable meeting indoors, these properties will be happy to accommodate you with that, too, including a host of enhanced health and safety measures to help protect your guests.
Whether you meet outdoors or indoors, you’ll have access to in-house A/V experts, banquet and catering services, and a host of other extras to ensure your event runs smoothly. Better still, these properties are all in the heart of our convention district and nearby Lake Buena Vista area near Walt Disney World Resort, and close to everything attendees will want to do once the workday is done!
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
In 2018, this AAA Three Diamond property near SeaWorld® Orlando completed a massive renovation that expanded its event space to 100,000 square feet — including beautifully landscaped outdoor areas, an outdoor pavilion and a 6,000-square-foot outdoor veranda with a fireplace, opening up new opportunities for unique gatherings. Nestled within 28 acres of lush, native palm trees, the resort also has two pools, one of which offers private cabanas, and an onsite miniature golf course for more open-air camaraderie.
Learn more: Hilton EventReady and Hilton CleanStay With Lysol Protection
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Whether you choose to meet outdoors or indoors, this AAA Five Diamond resort ensures a customized experience for your event, all in a lakeside setting with spectacular outdoor lawns and unique venues. Open-air options include the 3,800-square-foot Lady Palm Lawn, which can host as many as 552 guests, and the King Meadow Lawn, which has capacity for 700 attendees. It’s all supported by Four Seasons’ famous personalized level of luxury designed to help you achieve a picture-perfect event that attendees will long remember.
Learn more: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts’ Lead With Care
Hilton Orlando
Directly connected to the Orange County Convention Center, this resort sits on more than 26 acres of lush landscaping and tropical inspirations adjacent to International Drive. Its four outdoor event venues are part of The Promenade, an urban park environment boasting mature landscaping, a fire and water fountain, cedar benches, turf lawns, fountain walls, and paved areas. What’s more, all outdoor spaces can be covered with a temporary tent structure. All told, The Promenade totals 50,000 square feet with the capacity for as many as 3,000 guests.
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Ever host a meeting on a private island? You can when your group meets at these sister properties, both a stone’s throw from Walt Disney World. Not only do guests of either resort have full access to the facilities and amenities of the other, but meeting planners can choose from their combined indoor and outdoor event space — including the 10,476-square-foot Signature Island, which can host up to 1,102 guests. Also available are the 6,875-square-foot Bonnet Creek Lawn for up to 700 people, and the 10,000-square foot Bonnet Creek Pavilion for as many as 1,050 attendees.
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Yes, it’s true: Orlando now has two JW Marriott properties! Minutes from the convention center, the original JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, has nine different venues encompassing more than 74,000 square feet of outdoor function space, including Whisper Creek Farms — a working fruit and vegetable garden with 11,000 square feet of event space. Close to Walt Disney World, the brand-new JW Marriott Bonnet Creek has a 5,000-square-foot outdoor lawn and an expansive, open-air rooftop terrace that’s perfect for catching Disney’s nighttime fireworks (when available).
Learn more: Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean
Orlando World Center Marriott
Unforgettable outdoor event space abounds at this resort close to Walt Disney World, with multiple open-air venues for your consideration. One of the most notable is the Harvest Terrace surrounding the property’s futuristic HyCube Hydroponic Production System, which produces non-GMO, pesticide-free vegetables for resort guests. Many other options await, including beachside events. And when your attendees are ready to unwind, they can dive into an ocean of fun at the Falls Pools Oasis, home to multiple pools, water slides and more, among other recreational activities.
Rosen Shingle Creek
Minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, this property boasts breathtaking landscaping that serves as an exceptional background for events hosted on its expansive, open-air terrace. Poolside gatherings are also an option, and attendees can unwind between meetings with a variety of outdoor activities, including Shingle Creek Golf Club by Arnold Palmer Design Company, sand volleyball, tennis and even fishing. Nearby, the meetings-friendly Rosen Plaza and Rosen Centre are directly connected to the convention center and also offer outdoor space. All three of Rosen's convention properties have also achieved Star accreditation from the Global BioRisk Advisory Council — the gold standard of safe venues!
Learn more: Rosen’s Total Commitment
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
One of Orlando’s most legendary resorts, this Marriott property next to Walt Disney World isn’t just a hit with theme park fanatics and luxury travelers, but with serious meeting planners, too. For the latter, the Swan and Dolphin offers more than 333,000 square feet of event space, including over 128,190 square feet of beautifully landscaped outdoor function space. Combined with award-winning banquet and catering expertise, as well as the personalized attention of an experienced staff that will anticipate your needs, this resort is ready to fulfill all of your meeting requirements.
Keep in mind that numerous other Orlando meeting hotels and resorts have outdoor meeting space, as do countless restaurants, cultural centers, nightlife venues and other businesses — including our world-famous theme parks. Incredible open-air spaces are one of many reasons why no destination does healthy meetings like Orlando!
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