Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Bold Disney theming, family-suite options and access to the Disney Skyliner make this a fun first-visit choice.
- Family suites are available
- Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
- Three themed pool areas
UK family package holiday guide
Orlando Package Holidays for UK Families
Choose the right area and hotel before comparing flights-and-hotel packages. This guide highlights four popular Orlando bases and three family hotel picks in each—covering value, park convenience and extra space.
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Which area suits your Orlando package holiday?
There is no single “best” package for every family. Choose the area that removes the most travel from the parks you will visit most often, then compare the room, flights, baggage and total package price for the same dates.
Magic-first trip
Walt Disney World
Best for: several Disney days, younger children and guests who value themed surroundings and Disney transport.
Thrill-first tripUniversal Orlando
Best for: Universal-heavy plans, teenagers, Epic Universe visits and families who will use hotel park benefits.
Flexible central baseI-Drive & SeaWorld
Best for: mixed park plans, nearby restaurants, SeaWorld days and travellers who want an off-site hotel choice.
Space for longer staysKissimmee
Best for: apartments, townhouses, self-catering, larger groups and families comfortable driving in Orlando.
Walt Disney World Resort
Choose this area when Disney is the centre of the holiday. Staying on-site can simplify Disney park travel and keep the theming going after you leave the gates, but rooms can cost more for the amount of space provided.
Best forFour or more Disney park days
Transport styleDisney buses, boats, monorail or Skyliner, depending on the hotel
Think twice ifYou need a kitchen or lots of room at a lower price
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
A relaxed, colourful resort with particularly useful transport for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Disney Skyliner hub
- Multiple village pools
- Strong mid-range on-site option
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
A memorable deluxe stay for animal lovers, with savannah viewing areas and extensive dining choices.
- Wildlife-viewing experience
- Distinctive dining and theming
- Disney bus transport included
Before booking: Disney resorts can be large. Check the exact room category, maximum occupancy and transport arrangements for your dates.
Need more detail? Read our Walt Disney World accommodation guide.
Universal Orlando Resort
This is the convenient choice for a Universal-heavy holiday. On-site transport and eligible hotel benefits can save time, but those benefits differ by hotel and still require valid park admission.
Best forUniversal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and Epic Universe
Transport styleComplimentary resort transport, with some parks walkable from selected hotels
Think twice ifMost of your park days will be at Walt Disney World
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
A lively retro-themed hotel with family suites, two pool areas and easy access to Universal Volcano Bay.
- Family-suite choices
- Lazy river and waterslide
- Universal transport and eligible on-site benefits
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
A premium option beside Epic Universe, including a dedicated park entrance for hotel guests with valid admission.
- Dedicated Epic Universe entrance
- Rooftop views over the park
- Early Park Admission on eligible dates and attractions
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
A popular premium stay when your priority is reducing regular queue time at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
- Universal Express Unlimited included for eligible guests
- Early Park Admission where applicable
- Complimentary resort transport
Before booking: Universal benefits vary by hotel, park and date. Check the current terms, participating attractions and ticket requirements on the hotel page.
Compare every option in our Universal Orlando Resort hotel guide.
International Drive & SeaWorld
I-Drive is a flexible off-site base with restaurants, smaller attractions and a broad range of hotels. It works well for mixed park plans, though “International Drive” covers a long area, so always check the hotel’s exact position.
Best forMixed attractions, SeaWorld days and plenty of nearby dining
Transport styleHotel shuttles, I-RIDE Trolley, taxis or a hire car
Think twice ifYou want the full on-site Disney or Universal experience
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
A straightforward, well-positioned choice opposite Pointe Orlando, with dining and entertainment nearby.
- Three swimming pools
- Scheduled transport to selected parks
- No resort fee shown on the linked provider page
Sonesta ES Suites Orlando – International Drive
A useful option for families who prefer suite-style accommodation and a central International Drive position.
- Good central I-Drive location
- More practical room layouts for families
- Transport options to major parks
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
A more upscale family hotel in the SeaWorld end of International Drive, with a large pool and children’s water-play area.
- Convenient for SeaWorld
- R Aqua Zone for children
- Large outdoor pool
Before booking: Free or included hotel shuttles usually run to timetables rather than on demand. Check times, reservation rules and where each service drops you.
Planning SeaWorld days? See our SeaWorld Orlando accommodation guide.
Kissimmee & west of Disney
Kissimmee is popular with families who want apartment or townhouse space, kitchen facilities and resort-style pools. It can be excellent for longer holidays, but a hire car is normally the most flexible way to get around.
Best forLarger families, self-catering and longer stays
Transport styleA hire car is usually most convenient
Think twice ifYou want to walk to nightlife or rely entirely on frequent park transport
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
Apartment-style accommodation with a full water park makes The Grove especially appealing for pool days between the parks.
- Apartment layouts with kitchen facilities
- Surfari Water Park
- Scheduled Walt Disney World transport
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort
A large activity-filled resort with multi-bedroom accommodation that can work well for extended-family trips.
- Two- and three-bedroom options
- Water-park and lazy-river facilities
- Wide choice of on-site activities
Regal Oaks
A practical middle ground between a hotel and a private villa, with multi-bedroom townhouses close to the Disney area.
- Two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses
- Kitchen and living space for longer stays
- Approximately four miles from Walt Disney World
Before booking: “Kissimmee” covers a wide area. Compare the exact map position and realistic driving times, particularly if most of your days are at Universal Orlando.
Still comparing every type of stay? Use our wider Orlando accommodation guide.
A smart alternative
Should you split your stay?
For a two-week holiday with several Disney and Universal days, changing hotels once can reduce repeated cross-Orlando journeys. It adds one packing day, so it suits families who value park convenience more than settling into one base.
Simple rule: if you have at least three full park days in each resort area, compare a split stay against one central hotel before booking.
Nights 1–7Disney hotel or a spacious Kissimmee resort for Walt Disney World days.
Nights 8–14Universal hotel for the Universal parks, CityWalk and selected on-site benefits.
Orlando area FAQs
Which area is best for a first Orlando holiday?
If most of your park days are at Walt Disney World, stay in Disney or nearby Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee. If Universal is the priority, an on-site Universal hotel can make those days much easier. For an even split of attractions, International Drive is a flexible central base.
Can we stay in Orlando without hiring a car?
Yes, particularly at an on-site Disney or Universal hotel, or at a carefully chosen International Drive property. Budget for airport transfers and taxis, and check hotel shuttle timetables before relying on them. Kissimmee is usually easier with a car.
Are the three hotels in each area a ranking?
No. They are Orlando Holiday Planner’s editorial picks for different family needs—such as value, park convenience, room space or resort facilities. Availability and the best option for your dates can change.
Do Orlando package holidays include theme-park tickets?
Package contents vary. Some search results may include ticket options while others are flight-and-hotel only. Read the live package summary carefully before paying and make sure every traveller has the tickets you expect.
Will I pay more by using an affiliate link?
There is no extra charge added by Orlando Holiday Planner for using these links. We may receive a commission from the provider if you complete a qualifying booking.
Ready to compare live Orlando packages?
Enter your dates and passenger details, then compare the total package price—not only the headline price per person. Check baggage, transfers, tickets, room type and any local fees before booking.