SummerFest at Gaylord Texan is happening now and is a great staycation option for your family this Summer. Thank you Gaylord Hotels for inviting our family to a complimentary stay in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own. Keep reading to find out if this family staycation is right for you. (Check out videos and more tips on my Instagram highlight labeled GAYLORD)
Disclaimer: I am not telling you these activities are 100% safe and COVID-19 free. You are responsible for making the decision of whether or not to visit public businesses. If you feel uneasy, consider these stay at home activities for kids and/or virtual summer camps. Play in public at your risk. Practice safe social distancing rules and consider wearing a mask per CDC recommendations. When in doubt, stay home.
Don’t have a mask? Get adult masks here or kids masks here.
Everything you need to know about Gaylord Texan
Gaylord Texan’s SummerFest features events and activities for the whole family to enjoy throughout the resort! Outside, resort guess will make a splash at Paradise Springs – our 10-acre outdoor resort pool featuring four winding waterslides and a relaxing lazy river!
How much are the rooms at Gaylord?
There is a flash sale happening right now. Rates from $169 are available. Take advantage of these exclusive rates for stays through September 30, 2020. Book with code LPR. Limited time only! Book now
*Blackout dates apply. Limited inventory. Restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night, and based on availability at the time of booking. Applicable tax, resort fee, and parking are additional.
We stayed in a guest room with 2 queen beds facing the Atrium. I highly recommend these rooms as opposed to the rooms that face outside the hotel. We sat out on the balcony and took in the sounds and fresh air of the atrium. It was very peaceful!
Photo by Girl Gone TX
Our view from our balcony.
What are Gaylord Texan’s current safety measures and cancellation policies?
During our July 2020 visit, I noticed an increased effort to protect the hotel guests from COVID-19 starting with the lobby. Hand sanitizer stations are plentiful and throughout the hotel and pool areas. Staff worked behind partitions at check-in and cleaned the desk after each guest. In our room, they left us a bag of room sanitizer and wipes to welcome us.
Photo provided by Gaylord Texan
During my two day visit to the waterpark area, I noticed the cleaning crew wiping down equipment, chairs, and rides multiple times. All staff including the lifeguards wear masks. Hotel guests are required to wear masks in the common area excluding the water park and pool areas. Read more about their commitment to clean here.
Photo provided by Gaylord Texan
Photo provided by Gaylord Texan
Things to do at Gaylord Texan during the Summer
Within four-and-a-half acres of indoor gardens and pathways, visitors will discover family-friendly activities including interactive trivia, canvas painting, a scavenger hunt, and more. After our visit to Paradise Springs on the first day, we took advantage of social distancing Bingo!
Dining at Resort
In-room dining and to-go are currently available inside the resort. Texan Station Sports Bar and Grill are open. Many restaurants are closed due to COVID-19 precations. There are several QR codes available on your check-in information, poolside, and in your hotel room. I wish they had one QR code for everything and maybe they do but there were several different codes spread out.
Photo provided by Gaylord Texan
Paradise Springs
The western-themed resort pool, Paradise Springs, offers guests a fun-filled way to escape the Texas heat. It was definitely the highlight of our trip. We went right after we checked in and again the next morning right as it opened. Shuttles for Paradise Springs depart from the Tour Bus Lobby of the hotel.
Do you have to stay at the hotel to enjoy Paradise Springs?
Paradise Springs does not offer day passes to the waterpark. You must be a hotel guest to gain access to Paradise Springs.
Paradise Springs features
- 600-foot lazy river
- 6,000-square-foot family lagoon with a walk-in beach
- Zip line
- Toddler pool
- 27-foot waterslide
- Two horseshoe hot pools
- Multi-level play structure
Paradise Springs Hours of Operation
Sunday – Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm
Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm
Admission
- Mondays – Thursdays: Paradise Springs does not require reservations and wristbands will be provided upon check-in.
- Weekends & Peak Days: To support social distancing, reservations are required and will be made in time block increments, 9 am-2 pm or 3 pm-8 pm, based on availability. Reservations should be made in advance by calling 817-778-1000 or at the Paradise Springs help desk, located in the Tour Bus Lobby upon check-in. Once your weekend reservation is made, you may pick up your wristband at the Tour Bus Lobby.
Cabanas
There are several cabanas located throughout the waterpark. See Paradise Springs Map.
- Frio Cabanas are on the island side along the lazy river and accommodate up to four guests.
- Brazos Cabanas are on the back lawn and accommodate up to eight guests.
- Guadalupe Cabanas are near the lagoon pool and accommodate up to eight guests.
- Concho Cabanas are near the Texas-themed water play structure and accommodates up to eight guests.
- Party Cabana is located near the bar and grill and can accommodate up to 20 guests.
Pricing for cabana’s start at $250 per day, based on occupancy and availability. Rentals are made in advance are for full days. Same-day reservations may be made at Paradise Springs Only. Reserve Paradise Springs Cabanas here.
How long do you recommend staying to experience everything?
We had a quick 24-hour stay, so we did not get to experience all that Summerfest had to offer. I suggest staying at least 2 nights, 3 days to get the most out of your staycation.
How are the crowds right now?
We stayed at the Gaylord Texan Thursday and Friday. I noticed an uptick of people after check-in on Thursday, but Friday morning at the waterpark was the way to go. There were hardly any people until we left (1 p.m.). I noticed a lot of people checking in as we left on Friday. If you have the opportunity to go during the week, I think that is your best bet for social distancing. While we were walking through the Atrium and resort it felt less crowded.
Conclusion
Overall, I was very impressed by the changes Gaylord Texan implemented to keep their guests safe. The company culture is evident in the way the staff interacted with us. They were friendly, professional and made us feel safe with their procedures. If you haven’t been to a public place like this yet, it can feel like you are living in a different world with masks, social distancing and cleaning. However, with the state of the world right now I appreciate the extra measures to help keep us safe. If you are looking for a change of scenery nearby and want to go somewhere that is clean and fun Gaylord Texan is the place to be.
Looking for more things to do in Dallas with kids?
Check out 25+ Fun Things to Do in Dallas With Kids. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest where I am pinning family activities to do at home and outside.
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