HGVC and Marriott Horizions are pretty close by. Also Westgate Lakes and Cypress Pointe/Cypress Pointe Grand Villas are easy driving too.
Keep in mind that the onsite hotels at Universal are deluxe hotels thus their prices being high, however, they are hotel rooms, and if you have a party of 5 or 6, you are right, paying for 2 hotels rooms can get steep! Although, as many people say, having access to "front of the line" for onsite Universal guests is priceless.
for a decent sized hotel room that might sleep 5 or 6, my recommendation would be Homewood Suites on Hospitality Way. They are across I4 and have a view of IOA. They have a bedroom with 2 beds and a small living area with I believe a pull out, small kitchen area with a cooktop & apartment sized refridgerator with separate freezer. My opinion would be its small for that many people though & especially only sharing 1 bathroom as I like to spread out on vacation & not be ontop of each other but other people dont mind that sort of thing.
