Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park vs Elk Springs Resort
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 88/100 on FamilyFactor to Elk Springs Resort's 85/100 — a 3-point gap. Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores higher on kid amenities and safety. Elk Springs Resort scores higher on room fit for families. Both sit in the same $$$ price band.
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FamilyFactor, side by side
| Scored on | Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park | Elk Springs Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Kid amenitieskids club, water park, pool, playground | 94 | 86 |
| Room fit for familiessuites, connecting rooms, cribs, kitchenettes | 87 | 92 |
| Locationproximity to family attractions and walkability | 84 | 80 |
| Value for a family of fourrates, free-kid policies, what is included | 78 | 74 |
| Safetypool gates, balcony safety, gated property | 90 | 85 |
| Parent downtimeadult amenities, quiet zones, babysitting | 85 | 88 |
| FamilyFactor overall | 88 | 85 |
Every number here is the property's own FamilyFactor score from the WhichFamilyVacation catalog. Bold marks a lead of 5 points or more — anything closer is a tie in practice.
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Gatlinburg, TN · FamilyFactor 88/100 · $$$
A sprawling Smoky Mountains resort anchored by the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park — the largest in the South — with spacious villas, mini golf, a spa, and on-site dining.
Pick Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park when
- Kid amenities matters most to you — Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 94 to Elk Springs Resort's 86 (kids club, water park, pool, playground).
- Safety matters most to you — Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 90 to Elk Springs Resort's 85 (pool gates, balcony safety, gated property).
- You want wild bear falls indoor/outdoor water park (60,000 sq ft), lazy river, and multiple waterslides — listed for Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park, not for Elk Springs Resort.
- You need a studio villa and 1-bedroom villa — in Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park's room list, not Elk Springs Resort's.
- You are travelling with toddlers — Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is scored for that group, Elk Springs Resort is not.
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Elk Springs Resort
Gatlinburg, TN · FamilyFactor 85/100 · $$$
A private 68-acre gated cabin resort bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering 1–7 bedroom luxury cabin rentals with private hot tubs, game rooms, home theater rooms, and select units with indoor heated pools.
Pick Elk Springs Resort when
- Room fit for families matters most to you — Elk Springs Resort scores 92 to Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park's 87 (suites, connecting rooms, cribs, kitchenettes).
- You want private hot tubs (all cabins), fully equipped kitchens, and game rooms with pool tables — listed for Elk Springs Resort, not for Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park.
- You need a 1-bedroom cabin and 2-bedroom cabin — in Elk Springs Resort's room list, not Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park's.
- You are travelling with teens and large groups — Elk Springs Resort is scored for that group, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is not.
We may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park vs Elk Springs Resort FAQ
Which is better for families, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park or Elk Springs Resort?
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 88/100 on FamilyFactor to Elk Springs Resort's 85/100 — a 3-point gap. Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores higher on kid amenities and safety. Elk Springs Resort scores higher on room fit for families. Both sit in the same $$$ price band.
How do Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park and Elk Springs Resort compare on price?
Both are in the $$$ price band for Gatlinburg. On the FamilyFactor value dimension — which weighs what a family of four actually pays — Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 78 and Elk Springs Resort scores 74. Rates move constantly, so check live prices for your dates.
Which has more for kids to do, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park or Elk Springs Resort?
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 94/100 on kid amenities and Elk Springs Resort scores 86/100. That dimension covers kids club, water park, pool, and playground provision.
Which works better for a large family or a multi-generational trip?
Room fit is the dimension to read: Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 87/100 and Elk Springs Resort scores 92/100, covering suites, connecting rooms, cribs, and kitchenettes. Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park lists studio villa, 1-bedroom villa, and 2-bedroom villa. Elk Springs Resort lists 1-bedroom cabin, 2-bedroom cabin, 3-4 bedroom family cabin, 5-6 bedroom lodge, and 7-bedroom large group lodge.
Do parents get any downtime at either?
On parent downtime — adult amenities, quiet zones, babysitting — Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park scores 85/100 and Elk Springs Resort scores 88/100. Worth checking before you book if it matters to you.
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