Where To Stay in Orlando, By an Area Local [2023]

5 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in Orlando

The Greater Orlando area is mostly suburban community with pockets of accommodations and entertainment around the main attractions. Since the best destinations are spread out around town, you should consider your favorite attractions and locations when deciding where to stay in Orlando. 

Lake Buena Vista / Walt Disney World 

👉 Best Area For Families Visiting Disney | ✨ Best Lake Buena Vista Hotels: Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace • Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort • Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Walt Disney World is actually located in two towns – Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista. While there are many Disney resorts to stay at, most lodgings in the surrounding area offer more affordable rates and similar benefits (like proximity to the theme parks and free transportation to and from the parks). For the best deals, check out my article on the best times to visit Disney World.

Since families tend to stay in the area around Disney, most resorts offer children’s activities and entertainment offerings for the younger guests, like a kids’ water park near the swimming pool or an activity area with crafts and games.

Pros of Staying in Lake Buena Vista

• Closest neighborhood to Walt Disney World
• Most resorts have shuttle service to the theme parks

Cons of Staying in Lake Buena Vista

• Traffic is bad at almost any time
• Many resorts charge a resort fee and self-parking 

International Drive

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers | ✨ Best International Drive Hotels: Castle Hotel  • Hyatt Regency Orlando • Rosen Centre Hotel 

International Drive is only a 20-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport and it is the home of the Orange County Convention Center, making it a favorite location for business travelers. However, I-Drive is also home to several of my personal favorite things to do in Orlando, like The Wheel at ICON Park and WonderWorks. 

International Drive is also centrally located with quick access to I-4, the major highway through Orlando. By hopping on I-4, you have just a short drive to reach Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, or downtown Orlando.

Pros of Staying in International Drive

• Central location to major attractions
• Quick commute to Orange County Convention Center
• Lots of hotel and restaurant options

Cons of Staying in International Drive

• Traffic can be very slow during rush hour and on weekends
• Locals frequent the restaurants and bars, which can make wait times longer
• Smaller outdoor space and pools at the resorts 

Downtown Orlando

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best Downtown Orlando Hotels: Grand Bohemian Hotel • The Delaney Hotel • Aloft Orlando Downtown 

Compared to the downtown areas of other major cities, like Miami and Atlanta, Orlando might seem a little underwhelming. But it’s the small town meets the big city feel that gives Downtown Orlando its charm. The heart of the area is Lake Eola, which is home to swans and swan boats alike. 

To the east of Lake Eola, you will find Thornton Park, a small artistic community that boasts historic homes and local eateries. The west side of downtown is home to the Amway Center and Exploria Stadium, the venues for Orlando’s NBA and MLS teams. 

The biggest benefit to staying in downtown Orlando on your vacation is the nightlife. A fun place to start is Wall Street Plaza, a strip of bars in the middle of the entertainment district. Some of my other favorite bars are around the corner from the plaza – The Lodge and Latitudes Rooftop Tiki Bar. 

Pros of Staying in Downtown Orlando

• Lake Eola, craft coffee shops, and nightlife within walking distance
• Close to Amway Center and Exploria Stadium for sporting events

Cons of Staying in Downtown Orlando

• Farther away from the major theme parks 
• Not as many family-friendly attractions 

Universal Studios Area

👉 Best Area For Overall Location | ✨ Best Universal Studios Area Hotels: Loews Sapphire Falls Resort • Hard Rock Hotel • Hyatt House 

Whether you plan to visit the Universal Orlando Resort or not, I think the Universal Studios area is the best overall place to set up a home base for your vacation. This area provides a reasonable drive to Seaworld Orlando, Walt Disney World, and Downtown Orlando. 

The accommodations at the Universal Studios Resort are suited for everyone, from families with young children to couples on a romantic getaway. In addition to the theme parks, CityWalk offers on-site entertainment and dining options, like mini-golf and outdoor bars. 

Pros of Staying near Universal

• Central location to most Orlando attractions
• Top Orlando restaurants and nightlife options at CityWalk

Cons of Staying near Universal 

• The area around the resort is residential, feeling less like a vacation destination

Kissimmee/Celebration

👉 Best Area For Budget-Friendly Accommodations | ✨ Best Kissimmee/Celebration Hotels: Bohemian Hotel Celebration • Margaritaville Resort • Gaylord Palms

For most locals, Kissimmee probably wouldn’t be their first recommendation for where to stay in Orlando. However, this is the best area for budget-friendly rental homes and hotel accommodations. Being removed from the busier part of Orlando also means there are sprawling golf resorts with luxurious spas and large pools. 

The Walt Disney World Resort is directly north of Kissimmee/Celebration, so you can quickly access your favorite attractions. Along US-192 (the major roadway in Kissimmee), you will also find a Funspot America location and Old Town. 

If you are staying in this area, downtown Celebration is a can’t-miss spot! The neighborhood and town of Celebration were originally designed by Disney, so the area is as beautiful as Main Street USA. The Bohemian Hotel, a boutique hotel filled with custom artwork, is one of my favorite staycation destinations in Orlando. 

Pros of Staying in Kissimmee/Celebration

• Best area to stay in Orlando on a budget
• Easy transportation to Disney parks 

Cons of Staying in Kissimmee/Celebration

• Farthest location south of many attractions 
• Parts of Kissimmee are run-down and less attractive 

Tips for Staying in Orlando

Choose the Best Location for Your Stay

You can find an awesome room at one of the many resorts, so I recommend choosing where to stay in Orlando based on what you plan to do during your stay. If you do not plan to rent a car, it is also good to consider Uber costs or free transportation options. 

A rental car is great, though, because it lets you get out for a day and explore my favorite excursions around the greater Orlando area.

🚗 Need a Rental Car? Travel Lemming recommends searching with the excellent Discover Cars search engine. It lets you easily compare prices and ratings for many different agencies.

Take Advantage of Amenities

When choosing where to stay in Orlando, keep in mind that almost every hotel near the attractions will offer free shuttle service to and from the major theme parks (you just might need to schedule it ahead of time with the concierge). Also look for other amenities, like a resort credit, free breakfast, free wifi, or airport transfers. 

Skip the Chain Restaurants 

Orlando is home to almost too many delicious restaurants; it can be hard to choose where to eat! I recommend trying one of the local Latin food restaurants. They are authentic and worth every penny. 

Enjoy a Pool Day 

In Florida, it can feel like summer almost year-round, so take advantage of that heat. Most accommodations will have an outdoor pool on-site (and some are heated for the few cold days we get). If swimming isn’t your thing, look for a resort with a golf course or tennis courts to enjoy the warm weather. 

Travel During the Off-Season

What month you visit Orlando can really affect your trip. The parks have done their best to boost tourism during the off-seasons (early spring and early fall) by hosting festivals or special events. Even so, there are usually better hotel prices and fewer visitors when you avoid summer vacation and the winter holidays. Magic Kingdom is more fun when you aren’t sweating profusely anyways, trust me!

👉 Want More Budget Tips? Check out my full Orlando budget guide for tips on where to stay, what to eat, and what to do on a budget!

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Orlando

👉 Read Next: Don’t miss my epic list of the top activities in the state of Florida!

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Hopefully, this article has pointed you in the right direction of where to stay in Orlando when you visit. If you liked it, be sure to check out my guide to what to do in Orlando.

Scroll down and let me know in the comments where you are planning to stay or your visit to Orlando!