In Orlando the parks you plan to do decide where you stay, and the first choice is Disney or Universal. At Walt Disney World, in the Magic Kingdom area, Disney's Grand Floridian is one monorail stop from Magic Kingdom, with water taxis and a 19-minute walking path besides, and the Four Seasons, in gated Golden Oak, runs its own free coaches to the parks. In the Epcot area, the Yacht Club is on Crescent Lake, nine minutes' walk from Epcot's International Gateway. Pop Century is five minutes' walk from a Skyliner gondola station, and Animal Kingdom Lodge relies on Disney's buses. A Disney-owned hotel brings Disney's transport, free parking at the hotel and the parks, Lightning Lane passes on sale seven days ahead rather than three (once in the US, Disney's European site says), and Early Theme Park Entry, 30 minutes before opening every day, which the Four Seasons shares. Extended Evening Hours on select nights are for the Deluxe hotels: the Grand Floridian, the Yacht Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Disney says both perks run through 2027.
Universal Orlando is the other base, 23 to 30 minutes' drive from the four Disney hotels here with the roads clear. Its hotel guests get Early Park Admission, up to an hour before opening at select rides, and free shuttle buses. Cabana Bay's leave every 15 minutes, and Islands of Adventure is 22 minutes' walk away. At Loews Portofino Bay, Universal Express Unlimited at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure comes with the room, and a water taxi crosses to CityWalk. Universal Helios Grand is the only hotel with its own entrance into Epic Universe, though a ticket is still needed. Away from both, The Ritz-Carlton in Grande Lakes has no park perks but a shuttle to the parks, booked a day ahead, in its resort fee, and The Alfond Inn is in Winter Park, five minutes' walk from Park Avenue, for the days away from the parks.
Orlando International (MCO) has Terminals A and B in one building and Terminal C to the south; at A and B taxis wait on Level 1 and app cars on Level 2. By car from Terminal A's ground transportation level, with the roads clear, The Ritz-Carlton is 21 minutes, the three Universal hotels 22 to 28, The Alfond Inn 30, and the Four Seasons and Disney's four 34 to 39; Terminal C adds 3 to 11 minutes. Mears Connect's shared shuttle serves every Disney-owned hotel for $17.60 an adult, plus a 6% fuel surcharge, and allows 30 to 60 minutes for traffic and stops. Brightline runs south to Miami, not to the parks. A car earns its keep at Grande Lakes and in Winter Park, or for both resorts in one trip; for one resort's parks, its own transport does the work.
All ten are in Orange County, where tax adds 12.5% to a hotel night. Disney's and Universal's own hotels charge no resort fee; The Ritz-Carlton charges $55 a night, the Four Seasons $55 in 2026 and The Alfond Inn $27, each plus tax. Overnight self-parking is free at Disney's own hotels, with valet at $42 a night at the Deluxe ones; Cabana Bay charges $26 plus tax, Portofino Bay and Helios Grand $36, The Ritz-Carlton $58 for valet and The Alfond Inn from $37, and the Four Seasons, valet only, publishes no rate.
The honest part. Orlando is spread out: Magic Kingdom's car park to Epic Universe's is 32 minutes by car with the roads clear, and Animal Kingdom Lodge to The Alfond Inn 44 km (28 miles). By NOAA's averages at the airport, July days reach 33.3°C (92°F) and January's 22.1°C (71.8°F); the National Weather Service says summer afternoons usually bring cloud buildups, and June, at 204 mm (8 inches), is the wettest month. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Prices follow the calendar: before tax, Pop Century's Standard Room is $195 a night midweek from January to early February and $206 in late August, but $235 to $259 from Presidents' Day week, which is also English half-term, into mid-March, $315 over Easter and $359 between Christmas and New Year.
