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With tens of thousands of lodging choices available in the Orlando area, from tents to deluxe villas, there is no lack of variety in price or amenities. Actually, narrowing down the possibilities is part of the fun.
More than 60 million visitors come to the Orlando area each year, making it the most popular tourism destination on the planet. More upscale hotels are opening as visitors demand more luxurious surroundings, such as luxe linens, tasteful and refined decor, organic toiletries, or ergonomic chairs and work desks. But no matter what your budget or desires, lodging comes in such a wide range of prices, themes, color schemes, brands, and guest-room amenities, you will have no problem finding something that fits.
Resorts on and off Disney property combine function with fantasy, as befits visitor expectations. Characters in costume perform for the kids, pools are pirates’ caves with waterfalls, and some, like the Gaylord Palms, go so far as to re-create Florida landmarks under a gargantuan glass roof, giving visitors the illusion of having visited more of the state than they expected.
International Drive’s expanding attractions, including the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, and a widening array of eateries, are drawing more savvy conventioneers who bring their families along for the fun.
Many hotels have joined the trend toward green lodging, bringing recycling, water conservation, and other environmentally conscious practices to the table. Best of all, the sheer number and variety of hotel rooms means you can still find relative bargains throughout the Orlando area, even on Disney property, by researching your trip well, calling the lodgings directly, negotiating packages and prices, and shopping wisely.
The cabins in this 750-acre resort campground just a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom don't exactly constitute roughing it, as they are compact, air-conditioned log homes that accommodate four grown-ups and two youngsters.
One of the cheapest ways to stay on WDW property is in your own tent or RV, which can be set up in one of four different areas, from bargain-priced tent sites with water and electricity to deluxe RV sites equipped with electric, cable TV, Internet access, water and sewage hookups, outdoor charcoal grills, and picnic tables.
Considered an even more family-friendly choice than its neighbor (the French Quarter resort), this lodging on the man-made Sassagoula River immerses you in a Creole setting—from the white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend to Alligator Bayou’s backwoods cottages. Highlights include Boatwrights Dining Hall, which features hearty portions of southern Louisiana cooking. Some rooms have extra pull-down bunks and river views, others are princess-themed. The six pools, waterslide, and waterfall are sure hits with all kids. Nightly campfires are pleasant, and, for a fee, there's fishing at Ol' Man Fishing Hole and carriage rides. A free water taxi ferries guests to other Disney resorts on the river and to Disney Springs, and a free shuttle is available to all Disney parks and the airport.
