Recommendation on i-drive condos or resort?

[prisbelle]

Hi! Happy new year!
We’re a family of 2 adults and 2 toddlers doing a split stay in Orlando. We’ve already booked a Disney studio for the first 5 nights, then another family will join us and we’ll stay off-site for a week to explore more of Orlando + returning to Disney with our 14-day passes.

We’d love recommendations on where to stay around the International Drive area for that second week. We’re considering options like Airbnb, condos, or a chain apartments — but it seems like there aren’t many Airbnb options directly on I-Drive and the strip is very long.

A few questions we’re hoping to get help with:
• Is there a particular part of International Drive that’s better to stay in (e.g., closer to Universal vs. closer to the ICON/shops/restaurants)?
• Are there family-friendly condo/hotel areas you’d recommend for two families with toddlers?
• Would you suggest Airbnb/condo rental for a week with little ones? I also saw some holiday villages eg Marriott cypress
Thanks so much in advance!

 

[fla4fun]

You won’t find a lot of Airbnb on I-Drive as it is more commercial than residential. If you want to go that route, I would look for something on the west side of I-4 near the attractions you want to see and then drive where you want to go.

If your goal is to be able to walk to restaurants and shops on I-Drive, then you are limited to the resorts along the street itself. The most northern end of I-Drive has some chain hotels that are not too old. Then the section from Universal Blvd. down to Sand Lake Road is mostly older hotels, shops and restaurants. When you get south of Sand Lake Road, you’ll see a mix of older and newer hotels and what I consider to be the nicest walkable area for shops and restaurants. Once you get south of the Convention Center, and especially Sea World, it’s mostly apartments and timeshares and not much in the way of walkable dining and shopping. So it depends a lot on what you’re looking for. If you want a residential feel, south I-Drive would be the best option. If you want more of a vacation feel and amenities within walking distance, then I recommend the mid section first, and the northern section second. Universal/IOA is at the northern end, Epic and Icon Park are located near the middle section, and there are two outlet malls, located at either end of the I-Drive corridor.

 

[Ashlander]

We really enjoy the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas on Vistana Centre Drive https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hote...ort-villas-lake-buena-vista-orlando/overview/. There are two resorts with similar names, but this one in our opinion is the better one. Lots of room to spread out!

 

[prisbelle]

You won’t find a lot of Airbnb on I-Drive as it is more commercial than residential. If you want to go that route, I would look for something on the west side of I-4 near the attractions you want to see and then drive where you want to go.

If your goal is to be able to walk to restaurants and shops on I-Drive, then you are limited to the resorts along the street itself. The most northern end of I-Drive has some chain hotels that are not too old. Then the section from Universal Blvd. down to Sand Lake Road is mostly older hotels, shops and restaurants. When you get south of Sand Lake Road, you’ll see a mix of older and newer hotels and what I consider to be the nicest walkable area for shops and restaurants. Once you get south of the Convention Center, and especially Sea World, it’s mostly apartments and timeshares and not much in the way of walkable dining and shopping. So it depends a lot on what you’re looking for. If you want a residential feel, south I-Drive would be the best option. If you want more of a vacation feel and amenities within walking distance, then I recommend the mid section first, and the northern section second. Universal/IOA is at the northern end, Epic and Icon Park are located near the middle section, and there are two outlet malls, located at either end of the I-Drive corridor.

Thank you for the details it really helps me understand the map a lot better! Will check with the other family. I guess they'll want something more of a vacation feel + walking distance.

 

[HopperFan]

AirBnB style have LOTS more rules to follow in Orange County which is why you'll see less legal options for that. Personally I would lean towards the resort and "timeshare" style options.

Are you looking at a single unit for all of you? And will you have cars? That would alter my thought process.

 

[prisbelle]

AirBnB style have LOTS more rules to follow in Orange County which is why you'll see less legal options for that. Personally I would lean towards the resort and "timeshare" style options.

Are you looking at a single unit for all of you? And will you have cars? That would alter my thought process.

Would love to have a two or three bedroom unit and no, we are planning to Uber everywhere! Thanks

 

[prisbelle]

Bump! Any recommendation please?

 

[Upatnoon]

Would love to have a two or three bedroom unit and no, we are planning to Uber everywhere! Thanks

I would take a look at one of the Marriott timeshare properties in the Sea World area.

Our kids really enjoyed Marriott Harbour Lake.

You can rent those from various places in addition to directly from the resort, you don't need to buy a timeshare.

 

[prisbelle]

I would take a look at one of the Marriott timeshare properties in the Sea World area.

Our kids really enjoyed Marriott Harbour Lake.

You can rent those from various places in addition to directly from the resort, you don't need to buy a timeshare.

Thanks will check that out!

 

[HopperFan]

I would take a look at one of the Marriott timeshare properties in the Sea World area.

Our kids really enjoyed Marriott Harbour Lake.

You can rent those from various places in addition to directly from the resort, you don't need to buy a timeshare.

Marriott Harbor Lake would be my pick with young kids but I think they only have 2 bedroom. But I do think the second bedroom is two queens so better than some of their other options. They also offer guest rooms that are large with kitchenette, dining space etc that connect to some of their other rooms.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcoho-marriotts-harbour-lake/rooms/

 

[prisbelle]

Marriott Harbor Lake would be my pick with young kids but I think they only have 2 bedroom. But I do think the second bedroom is two queens so better than some of their other options. They also offer guest rooms that are large with kitchenette, dining space etc that connect to some of their other rooms.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcoho-marriotts-harbour-lake/rooms/

2 beds is enough for us! Thank you