Orlando is early mornings in the theme parks, children with big expectations and afternoons when a pool is suddenly the best thing in the world. You can spend a whole holiday on Disney and Universal here, but your hotel can be surprisingly far from the park you’re visiting.
That’s why I’d start with your park days and choose a hotel afterwards. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe are in different places. In this guide, you’ll get five areas and my hotel picks, so you can choose a base that suits the transport, your budget and the days when the family needs a break.
Contents
The Best Areas in Orlando
- Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area - best area for a holiday centred on Disney
- Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - best area for the original Universal parks
- Epic Universe - best area for a trip built around the new Universal park
- International Drive near ICON Park - best area for restaurants and a flexible base
- Kissimmee - best area for more space and a holiday with a car
Below, I’ll take you through the five areas and recommend hotels with different strengths. Along the way, you’ll also get help telling the difference between park hotels, ordinary hotels and places with more space for the whole family.
1. Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area - best area for a holiday centred on Disney 🏰
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The area lies south-west of Downtown Orlando. Your hotel’s distance from each Disney park matters more than its distance from the city centre.
- 🚕 Transport: Whether you use Disney transport, a hotel shuttle, a car or a taxi depends on the hotel. Not all hotels in the area come with the same transport benefits.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 25 to 45 minutes by car from Orlando International Airport (MCO), depending on the address and traffic.
- 💰 Price range: $$ to $$$. Park hotels and larger suites can cost considerably more than ordinary hotels in Lake Buena Vista.
- 👮 Safety: Use the marked footpaths and crossings. The lakes at the resorts aren’t places where you can swim freely.
If most of your holiday will be spent in the Disney parks, this is where I’d base myself. Lake Buena Vista is a wide hotel area that’s also associated with Disney Springs, while hotels deeper inside Walt Disney World can be closer to particular parks. It isn’t one small town centre where you can walk to everything.
Start by counting your days at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Hotels near EPCOT give you a different daily routine from those by Disney Springs. I’d happily pay more for a location and a type of transport that make it realistic to head back to the hotel in the middle of the day, especially with younger children.
Disney’s overview of resort transport explains the difference between the buses, boats, monorail and Skyliner. Some journeys involve a change. A hotel with Lake Buena Vista in its name doesn’t automatically get access to every service, so check both the specific route and the hotel’s terms before you count on free transport in your budget.
See hotels in Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area here.
Disney Springs is handy for evenings of restaurants and shops when you don’t want to squeeze in yet another park day. The official guide to Disney Springs gives you an overview. I wouldn’t choose a hotel purely to be close to the restaurants, though, if the whole family has to set off early for Magic Kingdom on several mornings.
The downside is the distance to Universal. You can easily visit both groups of parks from the same hotel, but repeated trips across the area take time. On a longer holiday with several days at each, I’d consider splitting the stay in two. That can be more comfortable than searching for a single hotel that’s only moderately well placed for everything.
Below, I’ve picked three different options: Swan Reserve inside the Disney area, Drury by Disney Springs and Grand Beach with more self-contained holiday apartments. They suit different budgets and routines. Compare transport, breakfast and space before you decide which stay is actually the best value for your family.
Places to Stay in Lake Buena Vista and the Disney Area
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve - pricier hotel choice for a Disney holiday
Swan Reserve has an outdoor pool, a gym and a garden, and it’s my pricier pick in this area. I’d look here in particular when Disney takes up most of the schedule and you’d like a good hotel base between park days.
The specific room or suite needs to suit your family, and extra space can be worth more than a great view. A previous guest highlights both the room and the staff. Compare the transport to the parks you’re actually visiting before you choose it over a hotel by Disney Springs.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Very friendly staff and a really nice room.”
See photos and book Walt Disney World Swan Reserve here.
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs Area - practical family hotel with breakfast and a pool
Drury Plaza has a pool, a sun terrace and a breakfast buffet. It’s a hotel I’d put high on the shortlist when the family wants to start the day with breakfast on site and have the option of a swim after the park.
You’ll be staying by the Disney Springs area, which gives you a different location from the hotels near EPCOT. One guest highlights the food and the service, among other things. I’d work out the total price with the meals and transport options that actually come with your rate.
One previous guest points out: “Excellent location, service, room and food.”
See photos and book Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs Area here.
Hilton Vacation Club Grand Beach Orlando - holiday apartments with kitchens and room for more people
Grand Beach has holiday apartments with fully equipped kitchens, outdoor pools and a lakeside area. It’s my pick if you’d like to combine park days with a more ordinary holiday routine, where you can eat some of your meals in.
Here, I’d put the size of the apartment, the bed arrangement and the kitchen ahead of the shortest possible journey to a park entrance. A previous guest highlights the helpful staff. It’s especially suited to a stay of several nights, when you’ll use the extra space and the chance to shop for groceries every day.
One guest review on Booking.com reads: “The staff are very helpful.”
See photos and book Hilton Vacation Club Grand Beach Orlando here.
2. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - best area for the original Universal parks 🎢
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying by Universal’s original resort area, south-west of Downtown Orlando. Epic Universe is at a different address further south.
- 🚕 Transport: Depending on the hotel, you’ll use a shuttle bus, a walking path, a boat or a car. A hotel near Universal doesn’t necessarily have walking access to the park entrance.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 20 to 35 minutes by car from MCO. Waiting time and heavy traffic come on top of that.
- 💰 Price range: $ to $$$. There’s a big difference between the ordinary neighbouring hotels and the pricier Universal hotels.
- 👮 Safety: Use the route to the parks that your hotel recommends, and cross the wide roads at the marked crossings.
This is my first choice if Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure take up most of your plans. The two parks sit in the same original resort area, with CityWalk as their shared entrance area. That makes it easier to group several park days here, while Disney and Epic Universe become separate trips from the hotel.
I’d start by comparing one of Universal’s own hotels with an ordinary hotel nearby. Weigh the price difference against the transport and the benefits that actually apply to your stay. Early park admission, for example, isn’t the same as Express access to shorter queues, and a hotel booking doesn’t replace a valid park ticket.
Don’t choose on the strength of the phrase across from Universal alone, either. There can be roads, car parks and a longer route between the hotel and the entrance. With children after a long day, I’d sooner have a usable hotel shuttle than a distance that’s only short on paper. Check the departure times and any booking requirements, so the last ride back fits your evening.
See hotels near Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure here.
CityWalk’s restaurants and entertainment make it easy to stay in the area after the parks. It also works well for adults who want to combine the rides with dinner and a drink. I’d still plan in a quieter evening, so the stay doesn’t turn into a string of early mornings followed by nights that run far too late.
Cabana Bay is worth a look when the pool and the holiday feel of the hotel count too. Surfside is a simpler Universal option, while Hyatt Place lets you compare with an ordinary hotel base. They’re in different spots, even though all three work for the same two parks. Use the map alongside the hotel description.
The area is less of an obvious pick as your only base if you’re spending just one day at Universal and five days at Disney. In that case, I’d flip the priorities. If your trip also includes a big city on the East Coast, my guide to where to stay in New York can help with a completely different part of your USA trip, where location once again saves you travel time.
Places to Stay near Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort - family resort for park days and pool breaks
Cabana Bay is my pick if the hotel also needs to work as a holiday base between trips to the parks. The pool and how close it is to Volcano Bay make it especially appealing when you want to combine the big rides with days in the water.
A previous guest highlights the attentive lifeguards at the pool. For a family, that’s a more concrete benefit than the decor alone. I’d compare the room types carefully if there are several of you, and choose by both the sleeping arrangements and the time you’ll actually spend at the resort.
One guest describes their stay like this: “Very attentive lifeguards at the pool.”
See photos and book Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort here.
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites - simpler Universal option with the hotel’s park benefits
Surfside is worth comparing if you’d like to stay at a Universal hotel without starting at the most expensive resort options. Booking.com describes early park admission to selected attractions, for which you still need a valid park ticket.
I’d choose between a room and a suite by the number of people, not just the lowest starting price. One guest highlights the feeling of staying close to everything. Build the hotel’s transport options into your plans, and don’t count on walking straight to the rides.
One previous guest writes on Booking.com: “It felt like being right in the middle of it all.”
See photos and book Universal’s Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites here.
Hyatt Place across from Universal Orlando Resort - ordinary hotel close to Universal
Hyatt Place has an outdoor pool and food available around the clock, according to the hotel description on Booking.com. It’s my alternative if you want to stay near Universal and would sooner compare ordinary hotel facilities than choose a resort for its theme.
A previous guest highlights the location near Universal and places to eat. I’d see it as a practical base for long days out. The name across from Universal doesn’t mean you’re standing at the park’s ticket gates when you walk out of reception, so check the actual route.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Close to Universal, shopping centres and places to eat.”
See photos and book Hyatt Place across from Universal Orlando Resort here.
3. Epic Universe - best area for a trip built around the new Universal park 🌌
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Epic Universe sits apart from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It isn’t an extension you walk into from CityWalk.
- 🚕 Transport: Hotel shuttles and cars connect the area with the other parks. Helios has a dedicated guest entrance to Epic Universe.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 20 to 30 minutes by car from MCO, depending on traffic and the hotel entrance.
- 💰 Price range: $$ to $$$. Helios is the pricier choice, while Stella Nova and Terra Luna are worth comparing.
- 👮 Safety: Stick to the marked paths and bus stops. Take breaks from the heat, especially on full days in the park.
Epic Universe deserves its own section, because its location changes which hotel you should choose. The park is at a different address from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. A hotel that’s perfect for the original parks therefore isn’t necessarily the most practical for several days at Epic. Here, I’d prioritise an easy journey back to the hotel above all.
The area is an obvious choice if Epic Universe is the big experience of your trip, or if you want to split a Universal stay between two bases. The official destination guide to Epic Universe shows the park and its three associated hotels. Helios, Stella Nova and Terra Luna don’t give you the same location or hotel experience.
Helios is the option with a dedicated park entrance for hotel guests. Stella Nova and Terra Luna are alternatives in the surrounding area. I’d weigh the extra cost of Helios against the time you expect to save and how much you’ll use the hotel. For a single park day, the premium is harder to justify than on a longer stay.
See hotels near Epic Universe here.
The important detail is still the ticket. A dedicated entrance and any early admission don’t mean that the park visit comes free with the room. Check which benefits apply to your dates and your ticket type. I also wouldn’t assume that a benefit from another Universal hotel automatically applies in the same way at Epic Universe.
On the plus side, a base close by can make a midday nap or a pool break realistic. That’s a big advantage with younger children, but also for adults who’d like some energy left for the evening. I’d plan around the family’s pace, not around squeezing as many hours as possible out of every park ticket from morning to night.
The downside is that you don’t have CityWalk and the original parks right outside the door. You’ll need to build the transport between the two resort areas into your plans. If you’ve only got one day at Epic and several days around Islands of Adventure, I’d normally stay by the original area and make the trip over here without moving the whole stay.
Places to Stay near Epic Universe
Universal Helios Grand Hotel - luxury choice with a dedicated entrance to Epic Universe
Helios is my clear pick if you’re willing to pay for the closest connection to Epic Universe. Hotel guests have a dedicated park entrance, and the hotel has a pool as well as both standard rooms and suites. You still need a valid ticket for the park.
A previous guest highlights the view of the park. It doesn’t necessarily come with every room, so choose the right category if the view is part of your reason for booking. I’d prioritise Helios above all for a stay where Epic and the hotel together fill several days.
One previous guest points out: “The fantastic view over the park.”
See photos and book Universal Helios Grand Hotel here.
Universal’s Stella Nova Resort - pool and hotel shuttle to the Universal parks
Stella Nova has a large pool area, a water play area for children and free transport to the Universal parks. I’d choose it if you’d like a new hotel base near Epic and still want to be able to carry on to the other parks.
It’s a different option from Helios with its dedicated park entrance. One guest highlights the cleanliness and the location. For a family who want to combine park days with pool breaks and keep the hotel bill below the top price level, it’s a good one to compare.
One guest review on Booking.com reads: “Nice and clean. Good location.”
See photos and book Universal’s Stella Nova Resort here.
Universal’s Terra Luna Resort - practical alternative for a trip focused on Epic
Terra Luna has a restaurant, a bar and a gym, and it’s the third hotel I’d compare around Epic Universe. It suits you if you’d like to stay in the new resort area but don’t necessarily want to pay for Helios.
One guest who stayed here for a visit to Epic highlights the easy bus ride. That connection between hotel and park matters more than the straight-line distance on the map. Compare Terra Luna and Stella Nova on the total price, the room type and the facilities your family will use.
One guest describes their stay like this: “The bus is very convenient.”
See photos and book Universal’s Terra Luna Resort here.
4. International Drive near ICON Park - best area for restaurants and a flexible base 🎡
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the tourist area around ICON Park, south-west of Downtown Orlando. International Drive is long, so remember to check the street number.
- 🚕 Transport: The I-RIDE Trolley connects parts of the area. A car, a taxi and any hotel shuttle are the options for park days.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 20 to 35 minutes by car from MCO. Queues on the main roads can make the journey longer.
- 💰 Price range: $ to $$$. You’ll find plenty of ordinary hotels here, along with suites that have room for more people.
- 👮 Safety: Watch out for the traffic along International Drive, and use the traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
International Drive is my suggestion if your holiday is going to include several different parks, restaurants and a fair amount of time away from Disney and Universal. I’d look around ICON Park in particular, where places to eat and things to do are clustered together. That gives you a more flexible base than a hotel chosen mainly for one park entrance.
You do need to be precise about the address, though. International Drive is a long road, and hotels at the northern end near Universal don’t give you the same daily routine as a hotel around the convention centre further south. In this section, I’m focusing on the area by ICON Park. It’s easier here to find dinner nearby without planning a whole evening outing.
The I-RIDE Trolley runs on routes around the International Drive area and can be used between many of the hotels, places to eat and shops. Check the route map against your address. I wouldn’t take it as proof that you can do without a car for every park visit, as the actual connections need to match where you’re going that day.
See hotels on International Drive near ICON Park here.
It’s an area I’d consider especially for a longer holiday with a few days off from the parks. A suite with kitchen facilities makes it easier to have a slow morning, while the restaurants nearby give you freedom in the evening. You can spend the money on more experiences if the hotel’s main job is to work well as a base.
The downside is that you don’t get the same short journeys to a particular park as you would by staying close to it. There can also be a fair amount of traffic and tourist bustle around the hotel. So choose by where the room is and by the actual walking route to restaurants, especially if you expect to go out every evening.
If you’re combining Orlando with beach days in South Florida, you can use my guide to where to stay in Miami for your next stop. After a holiday with lots of park days, I’d happily finish by the water. Orlando, on the other hand, is the place where a practical hotel base and a good pool normally matter more than a great view.
Places to Stay on International Drive near ICON Park
Sonesta ES Suites Orlando International Drive - suites by ICON Park with kitchen facilities
Sonesta ES Suites is across from ICON Park, and it’s my first suggestion in the area if you need more space than a standard double room. A suite with kitchen facilities can make a longer family holiday more manageable.
A previous guest describes a unit with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The exact layout depends on the category, so book according to your needs. I’d choose it especially for days when not everyone needs to sleep, eat and get up at the same time.
One previous guest writes on Booking.com: “We had two bedrooms and two bathrooms.”
See photos and book Sonesta ES Suites Orlando International Drive here.
Element Orlando Universal Blvd. - modern alternative by ICON Park
Element is a few minutes’ walk from ICON Park, and it’s my alternative if you’d like to stay at a hotel with a more modern feel in this area. The location works well for the restaurants and activities around International Drive.
Don’t read the name Universal Blvd. as an address by the entrance to Universal Studios. You’re choosing the hotel for its base by ICON Park. One guest describes the impression of a new hotel. Compare the room type and price with Sonesta if more space is an important part of your decision.
One previous guest points out: “Everything looked new.”
See photos and book Element Orlando Universal Blvd. here.
Holiday Inn Orlando International Dr-ICON - straightforward location close to restaurants and ICON Park
Holiday Inn is close to ICON Park, and it’s a hotel I’d compare when you want an ordinary base on this stretch of International Drive. The location makes it a good fit for a holiday with activities in several different places.
A previous guest highlights a room in good condition. Here, I’d look at the actual room rate, breakfast and parking before paying more for a resort further away. Above all, it’s a choice for travellers who want to get out and make use of the area.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was new and in really good condition.”
See photos and book Holiday Inn Orlando International Dr-ICON here.
5. Kissimmee - best area for more space and a holiday with a car 🚗
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Kissimmee is south of Orlando. The hotel picks here focus on the tourist area by US-192 and Lake Cecile, not on Kissimmee’s historic centre.
- 🚕 Transport: A car is often the most practical option. Check any hotel shuttles before you plan park visits without a car.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 25 to 45 minutes by car from MCO, depending on the hotel and traffic.
- 💰 Price range: $ to $$. There are plenty of simpler family hotels and options with extra space.
- 👮 Safety: Don’t leave luggage on show in the car. Use the official walking routes, and only swim in the hotel’s designated swimming areas.
Kissimmee is my alternative if you’re travelling by car and would like more space or want to keep the hotel bill down. You’ll find holiday rentals, resorts and ordinary family hotels. I’d look in particular at the tourist area along US-192 and around Lake Cecile, where the three hotel picks below are located. The name Kissimmee covers a large area.
The advantage is the freedom to shop for groceries, drive out for food and choose a room that suits the whole family. A hotel with breakfast or a larger suite can make a noticeable difference on a holiday of many nights. Compare the total price for everyone, not just the deal on a small double room.
Kissimmee’s official tourism website also shows nature activities and other things to do beyond the parks. I’d set aside a day without a theme park, especially on a longer stay. It gives the family the chance to use the pool, have a lie-in or take a shorter outing without having to be ready at a particular entrance in the morning.
The distance to Disney can be reasonable from many hotels here, but you need to measure to the park you actually want to visit. A listing that promises a few minutes to Disney may be talking about the edge of the resort area. Parking, onward transport and queues still have to go into the day’s schedule, and that’s especially true of the journey to Magic Kingdom.
Kissimmee is less of an obvious choice if you want to spend every day at Universal and you’re travelling without a car. In that case, I’d prioritise a base further north. A free hotel shuttle can be fine, but few departures or an early last departure can limit your day. I’d check the times before letting the saving on the hotel decide the matter.
I’d also be wary of very cheap motels with unclear room photos and weak recent reviews. More space only helps if the stay works in practice. The picks below give you three different ways to stay in the area: a suite base with breakfast, a hotel with facilities for children and a simpler place by the lake.
Places to Stay in Kissimmee
Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South - all-suite hotel with breakfast in Kissimmee
Embassy Suites has an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a breakfast with dishes cooked to order. I’d choose it when a good morning routine and the space of a suite matter more than staying at a particular park resort.
The South in the hotel’s name matters: the address is in Kissimmee and shouldn’t be confused with the hotels right by Disney Springs. One guest highlights the easy access to activities in the area. With a car and several nights, it’s a hotel I’d compare on the total price for the family.
One guest review on Booking.com reads: “Easy access to the activities in the area.”
See photos and book Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South here.
Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club - budget-friendly family hotel with a play area and a pool
Magic Moment is my simpler pick for a family with children who’d like playtime and a pool to be part of the hotel stay. It’s worth a look if a larger share of your budget is going on park tickets and not on an expensive resort address.
A previous guest highlights exactly that play area and the pool for the children, and describes the breakfast as simple. That’s the expectation I’d go in with: a practical family base, not luxury. Check what’s included in your rate before you compare prices.
One guest describes their stay like this: “The play area and the pool were perfect for the children.”
See photos and book Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club here.
Palazzo Lakeside Hotel - simpler hotel by Lake Cecile
Palazzo Lakeside is on Lake Cecile, and it’s my alternative if you’d like a hotel base in Kissimmee with the lake close by. A previous guest highlights a clean hotel, the pool and how close it is to the shops.
I’d compare it with the other simpler hotels along US-192, especially for a holiday with a car. The lakeside location doesn’t turn your stay into a beach holiday, and you still need to plan transport to the parks. Choose it for a sensible total price and a room that suits you.
One previous guest writes on Booking.com: “Very close to the shops.”
See photos and book Palazzo Lakeside Hotel here.
Where should you avoid staying in Orlando?
For a holiday with Disney and Universal as the main goal, I wouldn’t normally stay in Downtown Orlando. The city centre can be a good choice for restaurants, culture and sport, but it doesn’t make your park days any easier. Winter Park is likewise better as a deliberate choice for a different kind of trip than as a cheap substitute for a park hotel.
Pay attention to the airport as well: MCO is Orlando International Airport, while Sanford is a different airport further away. An airport hotel makes sense for a late arrival or a very early departure, but rarely as a base for the whole family holiday. Finally, I’d rule out an address where the promised short distance means an unrealistic walk along major roads.
I’d choose Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area if most of your days are at Disney, while the area by Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is best when those two parks are the main goal. Epic Universe needs to be judged separately, because it’s in a different location. That’s the most important difference to get straight before you fall for a particular hotel.
International Drive near ICON Park is a flexible compromise with restaurants close by. Kissimmee makes most sense if you’ve got a car and want more space or a lower total price. On a longer trip with several days at both Disney and Universal, I’d happily split the stay between two bases.
Leave room in your plans for days by the pool, too. They’re often what keeps a long family holiday enjoyable all the way through. If you’re combining Florida with a stop in New York, you’ll find ideas for that part of the trip in my guide to things to do in New York. If your trip is ending at the beach, you can see the best areas and hotels in Miami. If you’re carrying on to the Midwest instead, I’ve also written a guide to where to stay in Chicago. Choose your hotel for the holiday you’ll actually have the time and energy for.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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