START WITH YOUR PRIORITIES
Which area should you shortlist?
This is a planning shortlist, not a hotel ranking. Compare the actual address against the journeys you intend to make.
5 areas to compare · check transport before booking
Disney resort hotels
Disney is the centre of your holidayHotel transport can suit Disney-heavy trips. Plan the airport and Universal journeys separately.
Also weigh up: Room cost and meal allowances vary; a Disney stay does not put Universal next door.
Lake Buena Vista
Comparing off-site bases near DisneyCheck the exact hotel shuttle, timetable and local walking routes. A name saying “Disney area” is not enough.
Also weigh up: The right rate depends on breakfast, resort fees and journeys to other parks.
Universal resort hotels
Universal is your main priorityHotel buses and walking routes can suit Universal days; route and benefits depend on the property.
Also weigh up: Hotel benefits differ. Check park access, transport and whether Express is actually included.
International Drive
Restaurants and entertainment near your baseCheck the precise location, crossings, trolley stops and park shuttles. Do not assume the whole area is walkable.
Also weigh up: It is a long area. Two I-Drive hotels can give you very different journeys.
Kissimmee and villa areas
Considering more living space or a private homeMap the actual property first. Car hire or repeated private transport may need a substantial budget.
Also weigh up: Check cleaning, pool heating, parking and transfer costs as well as the nightly price.
Choose the area and transport together
A low room rate can become less attractive once you add food, resort fees, parking or repeated rideshares. Make a list of your priority parks and day trips, then check door-to-door journeys from the actual hotel address.
Don’t treat ‘Orlando’, ‘near Disney’ or ‘International Drive’ as a travel-time guarantee. Even hotels described using the same area can have different shuttle routes, crossings, nearby food and journey times.
What our three stays taught us
Our Courtyard Lake Buena Vista booking was our main base. Breakfast in our rate and a fridge and microwave were useful over a longer stay. We used Uber for Universal and SeaWorld and checked the advertised Disney shuttle timetable.
Our Port Orleans Riverside night gave us a Disney resort setting and the boat towards Disney Springs. Cabana Bay was our Universal resort night before park day. Both added experiences, but also introduced luggage, check-in and transfer decisions.
Hotel or villa? Compare the whole stay
A hotel room may suit a couple or smaller family wanting shared facilities and on-site dining. A whole-home stay can offer more space, but check the exact property and the travel it creates. Compare cleaning charges, pool heating, deposits, parking and cancellation terms as well as the nightly rate.
We have first-hand hotel stays to show you. Our comments about villa areas are planning considerations; we are not presenting a villa stay as our personal review.
Use the map before reserving
The area chooser links to maps so you can check location against your priority parks, restaurants and any beach day. Check routes at likely travel times and confirm the hotel’s own shuttle information. A map pin alone doesn’t confirm that a route is practical on foot.
If you prefer no car, build the rideshare and shuttle plan before choosing the cheapest room. If you hire a car, add the full rental, parking, toll and fuel costs to your comparison.
See the three stays for yourself
Courtyard Lake Buena Vista
Palm Parkway · Lake Buena Vista
Just over £800 · our price thenRead our stay review →
Port Orleans Riverside
Disney Springs resort area
£224.45 · our price thenRead our stay review →
Cabana Bay
Universal Orlando resort
£127.32 · our price thenRead our stay review →Sources and current details
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