Picking a hotel is one of the most important aspects of planning an Orlando vacation. That’s especially true if you’re headed to one or more of the Orlando theme parks, where the special perks offered by on-site Disney World hotels and Universal Orlando hotels can make a big difference in the quality of your trip.
In fact, I love picking my Orlando hotel based on the vibe I want to have for each trip. If I’m looking for a fun weekend away without much theme park time, I opt for a hotel with incredible dining and a unique pool. If I just need a spot to sleep and take a shower, some of the more budget-friendly hotels without all of the frills are a better fit.
And while staying at the more expensive theme park hotels can mean forking over hundreds of dollars per night for the convenience of being nearer to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando, some of the best theme park hotels in Orlando actually don’t cost a fortune.
Cheap theme park hotels in Orlando
If you’re looking for a cheap Orlando hotel on a trip geared around theme park fun, avoid the temptation to stay at a budget hotel that’s not affiliated with the theme parks—even if it’s super close to the action. Why? These hotels often don’t come with any perks and you’ll spend a lot of precious time going to and from these off-site hotels.
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The cheaper theme park-owned accommodations in Orlando are often located a little farther away from the park entrances but most offer complimentary transportation to and from the theme parks. Even better, these often offer theme park perks like extra time in the parks reserved exclusively for hotel guests. And if you’re on a budget and looking to save even more money, theme park annual pass holders, AAA members, and those with AARP discounts can often save even more on some hotels.
Cheapest Disney World hotels in Orlando
If you’re looking at a Walt Disney World vacation, there are a lot of benefits to staying at an on-site Disney hotel. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options, however, because there are more than 30 hotels affiliated with Disney. Here are my three hotels that are heavy with perks but light on your wallet.
My top pick: Disney’s Pop Century Resort
When it comes to cheap Disney hotels, the best one at Walt Disney World is Pop Century. While this Orlando hotel doesn’t have direct walking access to any of the theme parks, it does have a Disney Skyliner station that can take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (home of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) and EPCOT.
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Pop Century has standard rooms with two beds and large bathrooms. Each of the rooms has recently been refurbished, too, adding wood flooring, a Murphy bed, and a completely redesigned bathroom with increased storage. I also love the cute theming, where each section of the hotel is dedicated to a different decade.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort average price: $255 per night
Runner up: Disney’s All-Star Resorts
Disney’s All-Star Resorts is actually three separate hotels: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. Each Disney World property features larger-than-life icons that correspond with the resort theme. Kids especially love these Orlando hotels for the photo ops. None of the three hotels have direct access to any of the Disney water parks or theme parks, but complimentary buses are provided for guests.
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Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort average price: $193 per night
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort average price: $193 per night
Disney’s All-Star Sports average price: $193 per night
One more hotel to consider: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Did you know you could camp at Walt Disney World? While there are luxury glamping cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, there are also cheap campsites for tent and RV camping. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are a great budget-friendly option if you don’t mind roughing it while on vacation or if you have an RV that you can get to Orlando.
The resort is a vacation in itself since there’s so much to do onsite from swimming and s’mores firepits to sing-a-longs with Chip ‘n’ Dale and fishing out on Bay Lake. If you stay here, you may never make your way into one of the theme parks, and we won’t judge you for it.
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort average price: $115
Luxury on a budget: Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve Resorts
If you’ve ever taken the boats from EPCOT to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ve passed by the Walt Disney World Swan Resort and Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, plus its new sister tower, the Swan Reserve. The sister towers are owned by Marriott, which means you could use your loyalty points to stay here. The rooms are spacious and come with plush bedding. Some rooms also have a balcony. All three properties have plenty of dining options, large pools, and direct access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via boat or walking path.
If I had to pick a tower to stay in, I would always choose the Swan Reserve because I love the modern aesthetic mixed with nods to old Florida charm. I also love the quieter pool and the onsite restaurant, Amare, is a must-do when I stay here.
Disney’s Swan Resort starting price: $269 plus resort service package and tax per night
Disney’s Dolphin Resort starting price: $249 plus resort service package and tax per night
Disney’s Swan Reserve starting price: $349 plus resort service package and tax per night
Cheapest Universal Orlando hotels
There are three different price tiers for hotels at Universal Orlando Resort: Value Inns and Suites, Prime Value Hotels, and Signature Collection. Each tier comes with varying levels of perks, but for the best combination of price and perks, here are my three picks.
My top pick: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
If you want to stay at a cheap Orlando hotel and still be close to the action at Universal Orlando Resort, put Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort at the top of your list. Many of the rooms have views of Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, which is one of the best theme park hotel views you’ll ever find in Orlando or elsewhere.
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The retro-themed Cabana Bay is just a short walk to the gates of both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and the guest rooms have fun pop art, bright-colored furniture, and adorable 1950s touches that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort starting price: $145 per night
Runner up: Universal’s Endless Summer Resorts
Families who need a little extra room should consider staying at either of Universal Orlando’s two Endless Summer resorts, Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites. These value hotels are the farthest away from the parks but still come with benefits such as complimentary shuttles and early park admission.
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These are the cheapest hotels in Orlando operated by Universal, and while they are on the other side of I-4 (about 10 minutes from the entrance to Universal Orlando Resort), they’re an incredible value for those looking to save some money. Each hotel has a pool and quick service restaurant for when the parks get a little too crowded, too.
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites starting price: $144 per night
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites starting price: $144 per night
Luxury on a budget: Universal’s Aventura Hotel
If you want to live a little fancier lifestyle while on vacation, but still be mindful of your budget, Universal’s Aventura Hotel is a sweet blend of affordable and luxurious. The sleek, modern hotel is known for its reliance on technology, demonstrated by the robot who roams the lobby interacting with guests. Each room at this Orlando hotel has an iPad that controls everything from the lights to the TV. Most rooms at Aventura have great views of either the Universal theme parks or Volcano Bay. It’s also just a short walk to the theme parks and water park from here.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel starting price: $145 per night
Cheapest SeaWorld Orlando hotels
SeaWorld Orlando is a one-day park for many tourists in Orlando, but people often add a day at Discovery Cove as well to make a more well-rounded trip. If that’s you, then consider staying as close as possible to both parks for easy access. Here are three cheap SeaWorld hotels that I recommend.
My top pick: DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
DoubleTree hotels are great for families, not just for the warm cookies at check-in but for the consistency across properties to make inviting rooms that don’t blow a budget. The DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld does all of that. You can choose to have your room face SeaWorld or the Orlando city skyline, and either way, it’s a good view. And when it’s time to hit the parks, you can schedule your shuttle ride to SeaWorld, Aquatica, or even Walt Disney World at the hotel’s concierge.
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld starting price: $107 per night
Runner up: Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld
At the Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld, you’ll have all of the basic amenities of home while in a spacious hotel room just a few minutes away from both SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. Rooms come with two queen beds or one king. If you didn’t get enough water time at SeaWorld, you can take a dive into the outdoor pool at this Orlando hotel when your time at the theme parks is done.
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld starting price: $101 per night
Luxury on a budget: Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld Orlando
If you’re traveling with a larger family or just want more room consider staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld. The hotel has everything from standard guest rooms all the way up to three-bedroom villas with full kitchens. The lakefront hotel also has two large pools and an outdoor patio complete with fire-pits for hanging out at after a day at the theme parks.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld Orlando starting price: $133 per night
