where to stay in Orlando?

My family always go to Universal and Disney, so in recent years we’ve been doing a split stay. This year we will be spending a week staying at Rosen Inn International on International Drive then heading to Animal Kingdom Lodge (my dream resort) for the second week. This is my favourite way to vacation in Orlando.

Why international drive? 

Well, it’s super touristy so you’re never going to have to look far for a gift shop, Walgreens or somewhere to eat that will suit everyone. Also, most of the hotels here have transport (usually complimentary) to and from Universal resort and sometimes Disney World (although it usually has an added cost since it’s further away). But even if you don’t make use of the transport, an Uber is likely to be $10 straight from your door to Universal’s, which also means you don’t have to plan your day around the bus schedule and can use the free wifi at the park to book your Uber.

International Drive has so many other things to do as well. In terms of shopping, you can catch the i-ride trolley straight to the premium outlets for all the bargains. The Florida mall isn’t too far either. There’s also the new ICON Orlando 360 (formerly I-drive 360, which I still call it but hey there’s people still calling Hollywood studios “MGM” so…) which hosts the SEALIFE aquarium, Madame Tussauds, Skeletons Museum, the new Orlando StarFlyer (tallest swing ride in the world0 and the ICON Orlando (formerly Coca – Cola Orlando Eye). There’s also multiple dining options in this complex including sugar factory and shake shack. 

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On international drive you can also find Wonder works (the upside down house – great to see even if you don’t go inside of it), Ripley’s Believe it or not, Fun spot theme park, loads of mini golf locations and the waterpark at Coco Key resort. Dining on international drive couldn’t be easier ; there’s golden corral, i-hop, denny’s, cici’s pizza, TGI Fridays, Hooters, Millers and SO many more options in such a close proximity. It’s great as you don’t feel restricted to eating in the parks (i.e eating the exact same meal constantly for a hefty price) when you have all of these options outside of your hotel. 

You could definitely spend an entire fun-packed vacation on International Drive without stepping foot in a theme park, if you wanted to.

Why stay at a Disney Resort?

Staying in a Disney Resort has so many advantages. For one, you feel like you’re in a Disney bubble, everything around you is Disney even when you’re not at the parks.

Also, they offer free, regular transportation direct from your hotel to the parks, meaning you don’t have to faff around or worry about the extra costs of Ubers or Lyfts. 

You also get access to Extra Magic Hours (EMH). Every day one of the four theme parks have an extra hour of opening time either in the morning or after regular park closing. This allowed time is exclusive to resort guests and is included in your stay. 

A stay at a Disney resort also includes a personalised magic band for each member of your party. These are super handy, relatively new gadgets for opening your resort room and giving you access to the parks as well as paying for things when charging to the room, almost like contactless payment. A standard one colour magic band is going to set you back $14.99 plus tax, or the character/designed ones which are usually $29.99 or $24.99. The resort stay includes one coloured one per person totally free and Disney have just rolled out a new scheme where in which you can pre-order a selection of magic bands for a special price of $10 instead of $24.99. Whichever option you choose, you can collect them on your arrival at the resort or if you have an American address you can have them shipped there before your stay. 

Disney resort stays also include free airport transfers on Disney’s Magical Express. This means that you can get off the plane at MCO and hop right into the Disney bubble on a Mickey themed bus taking you to the door of your resort, entirely complimentary. Then you can have the same experience on the way back at the end of your vacation.

All of this as well as a stay in a spacious room, with amazing guest services, unique resort theming and access to many complimentary activities such as movies under the stars where you can lay by the pool watching a Disney movie after a long day at the parks. There are also occasional meet and greets with various characters. As shown in the image, some resorts have arcades which are reasonably priced and a great place to spend some time in the air conditioning.

It makes sense economically too. Even if you only stay for one night at a Disney resort you still get all of these benefits. This means that you could head straight there from the airport and stay there for your first night, utilising the free airport transfer on the magical express. If you took a Mears taxi you would be $96 (not including gratituity) for a trip to All Star Sports from MCO. Additionally, if you purchased the cheapest magic band for each person in the party of four, it would cost you $60 plus tax. The rate for one night at All Star Sports resort on the 28th of August (just an example date) is £129 for a preferred room!! 

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Also be sure to look out for free dining and gift card packages when you book direct through Disney to get extra benefits and savings from your stay. Last year was the first time we got to take advantage of this offer and received a free $100 gift card from World of Disney in Disney Springs to spend anywhere on Disney property 

I definitely think that staying in a Disney resort even for one night of your vacation is totally worth it for the magic and the savings.