All types of accommodations at varying price levels are available in the Central Florida region. From the luxury resort properties to the bargain motels, they're all here.
Something worth taking into consideration when planning your trip is that hotel prices fluctuate greatly by season, especially for rooms in or around the major theme parks. For example, the same hotel room might cost you up to 40% less during the value season. Disney World “defines” this season roughly from New Year's Day through mid-February, the month of September, and from Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas. You'll pay the highest Disney hotel prices during Christmas and Easter vacation, and during the summer.
While many major resort-hotels are located in the Orlando area, you can also find a lot of resort-hotels by the waterfront along the Gulf Coast, particularly in the Tampa Bay area and Sarasota.
Hotels around the Cape Canaveral Area (Space Coast)
The Cape Canaveral area, by the Atlantic Coast, has a selection of accommodations, especially in the beach areas. A good selection of motels and hotels in this area is in Cocoa Beach. Most people stay in this area if they are basing their vacation on the beaches here, rather than the theme parks, which are about an hour away.
Hotels around Orlando, Florida
With so many heavily-patronized theme parks, the greater Orlando area has the largest number of hotel rooms in the region. Visitors seeking family-oriented amenities such as pools with slides and children's programs can usually find these things in an Orlando hotel. Family rooms and kitchenette suites are readily available.
Keep in mind that while most hotels operate shuttle buses to the theme parks (mainly Disney World), some aren't very useful as the route may be long and the schedule infrequent.
There are several Orlando hotel options to consider:
An on-site resort is generally the most expensive option. It is a very popular choice among families who wish to have a “24/7 Disney or Universal experience.” Practically speaking, guests at Disney World resorts are also given early access to the parks. There are a full range of themed Disney hotel options on park property, from motel-like “value resorts” to “deluxe resorts.” Many of these on-site Disney hotels have excellent facilities such as multiple swimming pool complexes, recreational areas for sports, golf courses and tennis courts, and even lakes for boating.
In terms of convenience, the next-best option is to stay in an Orlando hotel that is close to the popular theme parks, including non-Disney hotels on Disney property. These establishments are more reasonably-priced and often advertise special rates.
The International Drive hotels are further away from Disney World, but may be more convenient to the other attractions in the area. The northern end of the greater Orlando area features more budget properties.
The lowest-priced accommodations can generally be found in the Kissimmee area, where there is a large concentration of motels and budget properties.
For travelers on a shoestring budget, youth hostels are available in Central Florida's more urban areas. In the suburban areas, you can also find bed and breakfast establishments (B&Bs) and country inns. A major alternative type of accommodation in the Orlando area is the vacation condo development, or time-share.
Hotels around the Tampa Bay Area and Sarasota, Florida
The Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas offer a wide variety of lodgings, including resorts, inns, B&B's and many motels and hotels. As expected, there is a large concentration of accommodations in the vicinity of Busch Gardens in Tampa. Again, as Tampa and Sarasota are a fair distance away from the theme parks (except for Busch Gardens), most people stay here if they base their vacation on the area's beaches and related activities.
Hotels in Orlando, Tampa, Cape Canaveral and Central Florida
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