MIA to MCO where to sleep in Orlando, or elsewhere?

[flav]

I am dropping someone/picking up a car at Miami airport (MIA) on a Friday at 3PM.

I am picking up someone at Orlando airport (MCO) the next day at 11:00AM.

I am trying to be frugal because I am taking a week of vacation with each of them. We will have a lot of beach time, and some Disney later in the trip.

For the drive, the toll road takes 3.5h and the no toll road about 4h.

All prices listed below include fees, tax and parking.

I looked at Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, etc the hotels are all 200$-300$. Are there other towns recommended along the way that would be safe and less expensive?

Otherwise, near MCO the hotels are in the 150$-200$ range, often including breakfast.

I also found the Red Lion and the Rosen Inn hotels on International Drive for less than 100$. Would you recommend them? Any other suggestions?

 

[hrhdhd]

With a Friday 3 p.m. pickup, I'd head north ASAP to avoid (some of) the rush hour traffic in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. I'd probably do the whole drive to Orlando that night rather than stay somewhere like West Palm, which is only about 1.25 hours from Miami.

Not sure which Friday/Saturday you're talking about, but the Wyndham Garden MCO is $114 on 9/20. The MCO Hampton & Homewood Suites run about $134. I'd lean toward being near the airport. Have a sleep in, eat breakfast, and check out when you're ready to pick up your friend.