Dreams Vista Resort in Cancun | A Kansas City Family Vacation
This summer, we decided it was time for our family to go international, and Cancún, Mexico, seemed like the perfect destination. After some research, Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort caught our eye—especially because of the on-site water park for kids. It seemed too good to pass up compared to the prices of flying domestically! Since I have stayed at Dreams or Secrets Resorts before, I knew what to expect from past experiences, but I was honestly nervous about taking my kids (age 5 & 3) on their first international trip and plane ride! Here is everything I wish I had known before our first trip to the Dreams Vista Cancun Resort with kids!
This was not a sponsored trip, but this blog may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission at no cost to you for using them.
Why We Chose Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort for Our Family Vacation
Here’s what made Dreams Vista an amazing fit for our family:
A Quick and Easy Flight from Kansas City to Cancun
The idea of a direct 3-hour flight from Kansas City was appealing, especially with young kids. No layovers or long travel days, just a straightforward trip to paradise. We flew on Frontier Airlines although I have also had a direct flight to Cancun from Kansas City on Southwest Airlines. I would have rather flown on Southwest this time because of the free bag policy, making it a lot easier to pack our lifejackets and beach toys. We still got by with a large checked bag and a carry-on size checked bag on Frontier Airlines, but it was pricey. We ended up putting our kids’ life jackets in our checked car seat bag without any questions! (I don’t know if this is their policy, so don’t hold me to it!)
A few flight tips:
We like to park near the Kansas City MCI airport at Park ‘N Go. If you sign up for the (free) Park 'N Go Frequent Parker Program you automatically earn 50 points, which equals 5 free days of parking. Do this on your next trip to score free parking! We love Park ‘N Go and have found it to be fast with the shuttle service to the airport and quick pick-up on return flights. They load your bags and drop you off right at your car.
Our kids did amazing on the flight and I can only chalk that up to lots of snacks and new Amazon Fire Tablets. They are worth every penny! Make sure to bring headphones and some gum or chewy candy if your child is old enough.
Most international flights require you to check bags at least an hour before your boarding time, so arrive early.
Stop by the MCI Variety KC airplane play space before your flight to run off some steam, located in Concourse B of the Kansas City airport close to Gate B54.
If you choose to bring a car seat on board (we did not), ensure it is airline-approved.
Seamless Airport Transfer
Traveling with kids can be hectic, so we really appreciated the easy airport transfer in Mexico. We chose Amstar for our shuttle service to the hotel. After landing in Cancun, we collected our bags and headed outside to the shuttle and taxi pick-up area. Amstar employees, easily recognizable in their blue shirts with a Hawaiian flower print, were waiting to assist us. We simply gave them our name, and they directed us to the right shuttle for our hotel. Be sure to book this service in advance!
Special Note: While Amstar does offer car seat rentals, they are unfortunately on a first-come, first-served basis. If you reserve a car seat with them ($15 each way, per seat), just be aware that they may not have one available when you arrive, and you could be out some cash. If you need car seats, I recommend bringing your own. We brought booster seats for our kids, but they weren’t very helpful since the shuttle only had a lap belt, not a shoulder strap. I am not a car seat expert and this is just my own experience.
3. Private Oceanfront Access at Dreams Vista
The private beachfront at Dreams Vista (meaning “view”) in Cancun was a dream come true. Soft white sand and clear ocean water. We loved having a spot where the kids could play while we soaked in the ocean views without the crowds like most Cancun resorts. The beachfront is not very large or wide, but it was enough for our kids to enjoy making sandcastles and finding seashells. Since the beach wasn’t large, we also were close to the ocean which meant we always had a good view of the kids.
The ocean at Dreams Vista had two inflatables for kids in the water plus hammocks for all to use. There was also sand volleyball, kayaks, and catamaran rentals. You are also close to the beachside bar, restrooms, and outdoor showers. We even got up close and personal with a few lizards and iguanas!
Pro Tip: Before heading to breakfast in the morning, save your beach chairs. Since our kids were up at the crack of dawn we never had an issue finding available chairs.
4. A Waterpark Right on Site at Dreams Vista
When we saw that the Dreams Vista Cancun Resort had a waterpark designed for kids aged 12 and under, we knew it was a must. Our kids spent hours there, and it gave us some time to relax and enjoy ourselves too with a little adult beverage! The waterpark had shallow water, a bucket dump, multiple sides for all ages, and a few water sprayers. While a lot of resorts have bigger waterparks with large slides, this was the perfect size for our kids! It was easy to keep track of them and we didn’t have to worry about them not being tall enough to ride the slides. There were kids playing here from babies up to 12 year olds.
One thing to note is that there weren’t very many pool chairs near the waterpark. We usually sat on the edge to keep an eye on the kids. The sidewalk here is also narrow so it did get a bit congested from time to time. The waterpark also had more limited hours than the other pools since there was a lifeguard on duty.
5. Pools for All Ages
There are three pools at Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort. The large recreation pool area was a hit with everyone. My kids even wanted to swim here over the waterpark a few times (probably because they wanted mom & dad in the water too). Whether it was swimming with the kids or lounging by the pool, we found ourselves spending a lot of time in the recreation pool. There is also a smaller pool next to the waterpark and two surfing simulators.
Whether you're at the pools or the beach, there's always wait staff available to take your drink orders—a real treat at any resort! The recreation pool at Dreams Vista was a bit narrower and longer compared to other resorts I've visited, but one of its best features is that it’s almost entirely shaded in the afternoon and evening. This was perfect for us after spending the morning soaking up the sun at the beach.
6. Endless Dining Options
One of the highlights for us was the variety of dining options at Dreams Vista. From poolside snacks to room service, we tried it all. The restaurant meals were particularly impressive—definitely more than we expected from an all-inclusive. The other food was good, though maybe not unforgettable, but overall, we left every meal satisfied. We ate at the World Cafe buffet every day for breakfast and a few times for lunch. They had a kids’ area with favorites like pancakes, french toast, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, pizza, quesadillas, and more.
A few dining tips for Dreams Vista:
There are five à la carte restaurants, one buffet, one international food court, one snack à la carte and one coffee & ice cream parlor. Plus, there are six bars! All food and beverages are included.
On our first night we didn’t want to get dressed up for a restaurant so we ordered room service late in the afternoon so it would arrive in our room around dinner time. If you ever want room service, just remember to order early because the delivery times can be long.
We frequented Coco Cafe, a 24-hour cafe with sandwiches, pastries, coffee & tea, and ice cream. It was a great spot for an afternoon snack or evening ice cream treat!
Most restaurants operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but I highly recommend reserving the teppanyaki table for a special dinner, as it fills up fast! We loved this experience as a family.
Make sure to check the dress code before packing! For dinner, men are required to wear collared shirts and dress pants or Bermuda shorts. Women are required to wear dresses, skirts, or dress pants with a blouse. Flip-flops are generally not allowed inside restaurants, except for the cafes, and tank tops are not permitted for men.
Download the free Hyatt Inclusive Collection App before you visit. Here you can view the dress code, restaurant hours, a map, and more. It’s also my favorite way to research resorts I am interested in.
7. Gorgeous Ocean Views from Our Room
Every morning, we woke up to stunning ocean views from our room. It made our stay feel extra special, like waking up in paradise. The hotel has a unique design where all of the hotel rooms face out towards the ocean so nearly every room has an ocean and golf course view! We chose a Deluxe Ocean View 2 Queens room to accommodate our family of four.
Special note: Many resorts are enormous, with sprawling water slides, endless pools, and long stretches of beach. What I loved about Dreams Vista was its more intimate size. It felt perfectly manageable for our family, and we never had to walk far to get anywhere.
8. Activities for Everyone
Dreams Vista kept all of us entertained. My husband and I had the most fun playing with the kids on the beach, and we didn’t end up trying all the recreational activities—this was definitely a beach bum trip for us!
The resort offers a variety of activities, including a rock climbing wall, pickleball courts, a surfing simulator (for both kids and adults), basketball courts, sand volleyball, a fitness center, and nightly music or performances. For an additional cost, you can also enjoy the golf course and spa services.
9. Family-Friendly Vibes
This resort truly knows how to cater to families. Our kids felt incredibly special during our stay, thanks to the super friendly and kind staff. The kids absolutely loved ordering Shirley Temples and Mango Tango (non-alcoholic) drinks from the bars—such a treat! Each restaurant offered a kids' menu and high chairs, and most public restrooms were equipped with changing tables.
The resort also offers complimentary kids’ Explorer’s Club and teen clubs, giving adults some well-deserved relaxation time while knowing the kids are having a blast. These clubs have a check-in service, and for safety reasons, adult guests are not allowed to stay. However, we did visit during 'family hour,' where families can explore the Explorer’s Club together and play.
Throughout the day, there are scheduled activities like video game tournaments, movies, dinner clubs, crafts, show & tell, and more. The Explorer’s Club for kids features an indoor rock wall, slide, video games, pretend play stations, movies, and plenty of toys. The teen club is equipped with a variety of video games, a basketball hoop game, billiards, ping-pong, and lounging space. For those who want extra childcare assistance, babysitting services are available for an additional charge.
Special Note: To check kids into the Explorer Club independently, they must be between the ages of 3-12 and fully potty-trained.
Quick Packing Guide for Cancun with Kids:
Swimming shirts and cover-ups for kids and adults
Beach toys that are easy to pack, like sand shovels, collapsible sand buckets, pool rings, and water balloon balls
SNACKS for the plane ride, airport, and something familiar in the room to eat
Sun hats and sunglasses (kids too!)
Lotion and spray sunscreen plus aloe vera gel (available for purchase the resort but pricey)
Sandals/flip-flops, sneakers, and dress shoes
Tote bag
Minimal toiletries (soaps provided)
Dressy dinner outfits
A few outfits (most days are just a swimsuit with a cover-up)
Paperback book for beach reading and a couple of children’s books for a bedtime story
Sound machine for the room (drowns out music from late-night entertainment)
Phone chargers and a waterproof phone case
Reuseable straws and insulated cups or waterbottles - Perfect for your cocktails or for your kids to be able to sip their drinks easily
Towel clips for the beach chairs
Tip money in small increments ($1 per drink, $5+ sit down meals) - optional
Our Overall Experience at Dreams Vista Resort in Cancun, Mexico
In the end, Dreams Vista Cancun Resort was everything we hoped for in a family vacation spot. It was the perfect size for our family, offered plenty to do, and made our first international trip a breeze. I felt so thankful that this trip went smooth for our family, minus a few meltdowns. Our kids were in heaven with the waterpark and beach, and we loved how the resort catered to both kids and adults. If you’re planning a family trip to Cancún, we’d definitely recommend giving Dreams Vista a try!
8/15/24 - Gabrielle Isom
