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Orlando is the theme park capital of the world and a favourite winter escape for Canadian families, from Ontario March breakers to Quebec snowbirds. But Orlando is huge and spread out, and the parks sit in different corners of the metro area. Where you stay decides how long you spend in traffic, whether you need a rental car, and how easily you can get back to the pool for an afternoon break. This guide compares the best areas to stay near the parks, with practical tips for travellers from Canada.

Getting to Orlando from Canada

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the main gateway. Whether you leave from Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC) or Vancouver (YVR), schedules and nonstop options change between winter and summer, so compare carriers and connections for your dates before you book a hotel. Some travellers from Ontario and Quebec drive instead, which can make sense for families staying two weeks or longer.

Plan your transport before you pick a hotel. Orlando’s parks are spread over a large area, and public transit is limited for visitors. If you plan to visit both Disney and Universal, a rental car or a hotel with good shuttles will save you a lot of time.

Where to stay

Most visitors base themselves in one of five areas. Here is how they compare:

Walt Disney World resort area

If your trip is mostly Disney, staying inside the Walt Disney World resort area keeps things simple. You are minutes from the parks, the theming carries on back at the hotel, and you can head back for a midday break without a long drive. It is usually the most expensive option, but for families with young children the convenience is often worth it. Check what transport and perks your specific hotel includes before booking, as they vary.

Lake Buena Vista and the Disney Springs area

Along Hotel Plaza Boulevard, at Walt Disney World’s northeast corner, a group of “official” hotels sits close to the parks and to Disney Springs. According to Frommer’s, some of them offer Disney guest perks such as bus service to the parks, but perks vary by hotel, so ask when you book. They generally cost less than on-property resorts. Hotels farther out around Lake Buena Vista are a few minutes’ drive from the parks and can be cheaper still, but they usually lack Disney-specific perks. Expect heavy traffic and busy restaurants in peak season.

Kissimmee and US 192

Kissimmee, along US 192 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway), is the value zone. It is close to Disney, with plenty of budget motels, restaurants, a few higher-end resorts and a large supply of vacation homes, which are popular with big families and groups who want a kitchen and a private pool. The catch is that only Disney is really nearby: Frommer’s notes that Universal and SeaWorld are 20 minutes or more away, and often much longer in peak season. A car is close to essential here.

International Drive

I-Drive is the most central base if you plan to split your days between Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. It sits north of Walt Disney World via I-4, with the north end closer to Universal and the south end closer to SeaWorld. There are hotels at every level, a long line of restaurants and attractions, and a trolley that runs along the corridor. The downsides are constant congestion, partly due to convention crowds, and the fact that some hotels do not offer free transport to Disney. Check before you book.

Downtown Orlando and Winter Park

If you have done the parks before, or are combining Orlando with a conference or a visit with family, consider the city side. Downtown Orlando has the city’s local restaurants, bars and sports and arts venues, while nearby Winter Park is known for its leafy, walkable streets, boutiques and museums. Both are a drive from the parks, so they suit trips with only one or two park days.

Picking the right base for your trip

• All Disney, young kids: Walt Disney World resort area or Lake Buena Vista.
• Disney plus Universal: International Drive, ideally near the middle or north end.
• Two families or more: a vacation home in Kissimmee, with a rental car.
• Universal-focused trip: the north end of I-Drive or the Universal area.
• Snowbirds and long stays: Kissimmee rentals or a condo near Winter Park, and read the registration rule below.

When to go

Canadian school breaks shape crowds in Orlando. The Christmas holidays and March break weeks in Ontario and Quebec are among the busiest times, and US holidays add to the crowds. January, early February and fall weekdays tend to be calmer. Summer is hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Global Affairs Canada notes that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from early June to the end of November, so book flexible rates and buy insurance if you travel in late summer or early fall.

Before you go: border and money tips for Canadians

For a hotel stay in the United States, the paperwork is simple but worth checking every time. According to the Government of Canada’s United States travel advice, Canadians flying to the US need a passport valid for the whole stay (a NEXUS card also works at designated airports), and Canadian visitors can usually stay up to 6 months without a visa. Canadian permanent residents may need a US visa. Rules change, so check travel.gc.ca before you go.

• Staying 30 days or more: Under US law, non-citizens aged 14 and older who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must be registered, and parents must make sure younger children are registered. A US final rule effective June 29, 2026 confirms that Canadian visitors who are not issued an I-94 record can register with USCIS Form G-325R. Look up your I-94 record online after you arrive: if you have one, it generally counts as evidence of registration. Snowbirds and long-stay visitors should sort this out before the 30-day mark.
• Coming home: the mandatory pandemic-era ArriveCAN submissions are long gone. What remains is the optional Advance CBSA Declaration, which lets you complete your customs declaration before landing at certain Canadian international airports.
• Currency: the US dollar is the only currency in practical use. Global Affairs Canada notes that Canadian cash is not widely accepted. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, always pay in USD when a card terminal offers to convert to CAD, and withdraw larger, less frequent amounts at bank ATMs rather than airport exchange counters.
• Insurance: your provincial health plan may cover only a small part of medical costs in the US, so buy travel medical insurance before you leave.

Ready to compare prices? Check hotels and flights for your dates on Expedia.

Bottom line

For a Disney-only trip with young children, stay in or right next to Walt Disney World, ideally in Lake Buena Vista for a balance of convenience and choice. If you are mixing Disney with Universal and SeaWorld, International Drive is the most central base. Kissimmee offers the best value for big families and long stays, especially with a vacation home and a car, while Downtown Orlando and Winter Park suit repeat visitors. Before you go, check travel.gc.ca, pay in US dollars and plan ahead for the 30-day registration rule if you are staying for the winter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Orlando for Disney?

For a Disney-focused trip, stay inside the Walt Disney World resort area or in Lake Buena Vista near Disney Springs. You are minutes from the parks, and some official hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard offer guest perks such as bus service. Perks vary by hotel, so confirm when you book.

Where should I stay to visit both Disney and Universal?

International Drive is the most central base for visiting Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. The north end is closer to Universal and the south end to SeaWorld, with Walt Disney World reached via I-4. It is busy and congested, so check whether your hotel offers transport to the parks.

Do Canadians need a visa to stay in an Orlando hotel?

Most Canadian citizens do not need a visa for a tourist visit and can usually stay up to 6 months, according to travel.gc.ca. You need a passport valid for your whole stay when flying. If you stay 30 days or more, you must be registered with the US government. Check travel.gc.ca before you go.

Is Kissimmee a good place to stay in Orlando?

Kissimmee is a good value base, especially for large families, with budget hotels, resorts and many vacation homes close to Disney. The downside is distance from Universal and SeaWorld, which can take much longer in peak traffic. A rental car is close to essential if you stay along US 192.

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Entry rules, prices and schedules change often. Always check travel.gc.ca and official sources before you go. Sources: United States travel advice – Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca), Neighborhoods in Orlando – Frommer’s, Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration (final rule, June 29, 2026) – Federal Register, ArriveCAN: Advance CBSA Declaration – Canada Border Services Agency.