Orlando hotels

Capa Lake Buena Vista and Disney Springs Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

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Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, white with red roofs, across the Seven Seas Lagoon at golden hour

From $983 a night, Dec 8 On the Resort Monorail Early entry and extended hours

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney's flagship buys you the monorail, a Magic Kingdom boat and Victoria & Albert's. With work running into 2027, the Polynesian next door is the better buy.

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort Victoria & Albert's Magic Kingdom

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From $976 a night, Dec 8 On the Resort Monorail Home of Trader Sam's

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

The monorail Deluxe to book if you are paying Deluxe prices at all: Magic Kingdom one stop away, Trader Sam's downstairs, and refurbishment due to finish this year.

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto Dole Whip Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

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Pastel harborfront facades of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel with a water taxi on the bay

Express Unlimited included $635–$680 a night, Nov–Dec Water taxi to CityWalk

Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

The Express Pass hotel. Room keys double as unlimited Express at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, which can pay for the rate gap. It does nothing at Epic Universe.

Universal Orlando Resort area Universal Express Pass explained Is Universal Express worth it?

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Universal Helios Grand Hotel

The hotel inside Epic Universe's orbit, with its own entrance to the park. Lovely, but no Express, and Stella Nova walks you to the same park for less.

$499 a night, Nov and Dec Own entrance into Epic Universe No Express Pass included

Universal Epic Universe Universal Stella Nova Resort Universal Orlando Resort area

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$521–$908 a night, Nov–Dec Savanna view rooms Buses to every park

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

The Deluxe hotel with giraffes outside the window, if you pay for a savanna view. Every park trip is a bus, and Jambo House rooms are being refurbished into January 2027.

Jiko - The Cooking Place Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney's Pop Century Resort

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$194–$202 a night, Nov–Dec Walking paths to the parks Early Park Admission

Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Universal's retro value resort: walking paths to the parks, early admission, family suites and $26 parking. No Express Pass, which is the only reason to pay more.

Universal Orlando Resort area Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Universal Stella Nova Resort

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$238–$318 a night, Nov–Dec Skyliner to EPCOT and Studios 30-minute early entry

Disney's Pop Century Resort

The cheapest way into Disney's early entry, free parking and 7-day Lightning Lane window, with a gondola to two parks. Rooms sleep four; the value is real.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort EPCOT Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Family suites sleep six Suites $515–$705, Nov–Dec Skyliner to two parks

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Disney's value resort with family suites for six, on the Skyliner next to Pop Century. The suite is the only reason to pay nearly double Pop's rate.

Disney's Pop Century Resort Orlando with kids Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Aerial view of Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe with its round fountain and paths

Walking path to Epic Universe $225–$367 a night, Nov–Dec Early Park Admission

Universal Stella Nova Resort

Universal's value-priced hotel next to Epic Universe: walk to the park, early admission, $30 parking. The best base for Epic Universe days; a bus ride from everything else.

Universal Epic Universe Universal Helios Grand Hotel Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

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Hyatt Regency Orlando

A big, well-equipped hotel joined to the convention center on south I-Drive. For vacationers the fees and convention pricing make it hard to justify.

9801 International Drive $48 resort fee + $45 parking Universal 10–22 min at 8 a.m.

International Drive Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort

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$404–$584 a night with fee Christmas: Nov 13–Jan 3 Magic Kingdom 8–12 min

Gaylord Palms Resort

The Kissimmee resort built around an indoor atrium, with a water park and the ICE! Christmas show. Fun as a destination; expensive as a place to sleep between park days.

Kissimmee and US-192 Disney's Pop Century Resort Old Town Kissimmee

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Red-tiled Spanish-style buildings under moss-draped oaks on the Rollins College campus, Winter Park

$478.86 all-in, Nov 17 Contemporary art collection Winter Park, near Park Avenue

The Alfond Inn

Rollins College's art-filled boutique hotel near Park Avenue. The right base for a Winter Park trip; the wrong one for theme park days 30 to 45 minutes away.

Winter Park Winter Park and Park Avenue Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

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Palm-lined plaza with benches and restaurants at The Pointe Orlando on International Drive

$131–$195 a night, Nov–Dec Free scheduled Universal shuttle No resort fee

Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando

A plain, cheap I-Drive hotel that is honest about its costs: no resort fee, $10 parking, and a free scheduled shuttle to Universal. What the low rate buys is a bed and a bus.