Lake Buena Vista and Disney Springs
Next to Walt Disney World and Disney Springs, a free shopping and dining area with free parking, reached from Interstate 4 exit 67. Disney-owned hotels charge no resort fee, while non-Disney hotels in the area charge US$25–45 a night.
- Best for
- Disney-focused families, first-timers
- Getting around
- Disney Springs is on Disney property; check each hotel for shuttle service.
- Muslim-friendly
- Disney can prepare halal meals on request. Call 407-939-3463 at least 24 hours ahead.
- Keep in mind
- Non-Disney hotels in this area charge nightly resort fees (US$25–45 in Touring Plans' list).
International Drive
A long strip of hotels, restaurants and attractions, including ICON Park and the south-end SeaWorld. It is also the area for Universal Orlando at the north end. The I-Ride trolley runs daily 8 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
- Best for
- SeaWorld, Epic Universe and Universal visitors, budget travellers, halal food
- Getting around
- I-Ride trolley: US$2 adult single ride, US$8 for a 1-day pass. Passes are sold online or at over 100 locations, not on the trolley.
- Muslim-friendly
- ShouFi MahFi Mediterranean Grill, listed by Visit Orlando as halal, is on International Drive.
- Keep in mind
- The Red Line trolley comes about every 20 minutes and the Green Line about every 45 minutes. It is a busy, commercial strip.
Kissimmee
Kissimmee has hotels and suites near Disney, from Gaylord Palms to Celebration Suites at Old Town (suites sleep 4–12 with full kitchens). A kitchen helps with halal cooking and picky eaters.
- Best for
- Larger families, groups, longer stays, budget
- Getting around
- Many properties offer theme-park shuttles. One listed Embassy Suites runs a free shuttle of about 10 minutes to Walt Disney World.
- Muslim-friendly
- Kitchens in suites let families cook their own halal meals.
- Keep in mind
- You will drive or use shuttles to reach the parks, and resort fees can apply.
Universal Orlando area
Official Universal hotels come with Early Park Admission to one or more parks and free resort transportation. The new Universal Helios Grand Hotel has its own entrance into Epic Universe (park ticket still needed).
- Best for
- Universal and Epic Universe fans
- Getting around
- Free shuttles for most Universal hotels, boats at Sapphire Falls Resort and walking paths at some.
- Keep in mind
- Hotel tiers range from Value (Cabana Bay, Endless Summer) to premium (Hard Rock, Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific, Helios Grand), and the premium ones cost much more.
Celebration
A small lakeside town founded by The Walt Disney Company in the 1990s, about 5 miles (10–15 minutes by car) from Walt Disney World. It has brick-lined streets, a town centre with shops and restaurants, lakeside paths and bike rentals.
- Best for
- Quiet stays, couples, families who want a calm base
- Getting around
- Mostly by car; it is about 10–15 minutes from Walt Disney World in normal traffic.
- Keep in mind
- Fewer lodging choices than Kissimmee, and no theme park is within walking distance.
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