Lake Eola and the downtown Orlando skyline
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Flexible booking

Free cancellation hotels in Orlando

Orlando plans tend to firm up park by park. Hold a cancellable rate, then switch districts once you know which gates you’re doing. The cutoff differs by room.

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About Orlando

Orlando is several hotel districts, not one. Walt Disney World is southwest of the city. Universal and International Drive are farther north. Downtown sits around Lake Eola and the Dr. Phillips Center, away from all the parks.

For Walt Disney World, stay around Lake Buena Vista. Disney Springs is in this resort area, but Magic Kingdom and the other gates are spread across a large property. Check the hotel’s shuttle route and parking charge. A hotel with Orlando in its name can still be a long ride from the gates.

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are near the north end of International Drive. I-Drive also has the Orlando Eye at ICON Park, restaurants and a long chain of hotels. The Orange County Convention Center and SeaWorld are farther south. Epic Universe is on its own site near the convention corridor. A room near one gate can be several miles from the next.

Stay downtown for Lake Eola Park, the Kia Center and shows at Dr. Phillips Center, not for the theme parks. Thornton Park sits on the edge of the lake, and Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village have restaurant and bar streets. Winter Park, north of downtown, has the Park Avenue shops and the Morse Museum. From any of these neighborhoods, the parks are a drive or a rideshare away.

June through September is hot and much wetter, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and late fall have milder afternoons. Most visitors fly into Orlando International, where Brightline trains stop at the Terminal C complex. On a multi-park trip, map the drive from the hotel to each gate before you book.

State
Florida
Time zone
Eastern (ET)
Main airport
Orlando International (MCO)
Intercity rail
Brightline at MCO Terminal C
Theme-park districts
Lake Buena Vista, Universal area and International Drive
Summer weather
Hot with frequent afternoon rain
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
Port of Entry at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Port of Entry at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
The Orlando Eye on International Drive
The Orlando Eye on International Drive
Orange County Convention Center exterior
Orange County Convention Center exterior
Shops along Park Avenue in Winter Park
Shops along Park Avenue in Winter Park
Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando
Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando
Photo credits

Where to stay in Orlando

  • Lake Buena Vista and Disney area

    • Disney visits
    • Resort stays
    • Family trips

    This is the base for Walt Disney World and Disney Springs. Some hotels run shuttles to the parks. Others leave you driving and paying to park. Downtown Orlando is a long way off.

    Around here: Walt Disney World, Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom

  • Universal Orlando area

    • Universal parks
    • Short park breaks
    • Nightlife

    Hotels by the main Universal campus are closest to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk. Epic Universe is a separate site farther south. Check how the hotel gets you there before assuming one entrance covers every Universal park.

    Around here: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Universal CityWalk

  • International Drive and ICON Park

    • Attractions
    • Restaurants
    • Mixed itineraries

    The north and middle stretches of I-Drive have restaurants, attractions and the Orlando Eye at ICON Park. The corridor is long, so pick a block near the stop you’ll use most. You can’t walk to every park from one room.

    Around here: ICON Park, The Orlando Eye, International Drive

  • Convention Center and SeaWorld

    • Conventions
    • SeaWorld visits
    • Family trips

    The Orange County Convention Center is on I-Drive, with Epic Universe nearby and SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove farther south. Stay here for a convention or a SeaWorld day. Disney and the main Universal campus still need a car or shuttle.

    Around here: Orange County Convention Center, Universal Epic Universe, SeaWorld Orlando

  • Downtown and Thornton Park

    • Concerts and shows
    • Lake Eola
    • City visits

    Lake Eola Park, the Kia Center and Dr. Phillips Center are all downtown. Thornton Park has restaurants by the lake, and SunRail runs through the center on weekdays. Stay here for concerts and city nights. The theme parks are a drive away.

    Around here: Lake Eola Park, Kia Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

  • Winter Park

    • Park Avenue
    • Museums
    • Longer stays

    Park Avenue has shops and restaurants beside Central Park, with the Morse Museum nearby. Winter Park is north of downtown and has a SunRail stop. It is a calmer city break, but a long ride from the resort corridors.

    Around here: Park Avenue, Central Park, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Best time to visit Orlando

March and April have warm afternoons with fewer rainy days than summer. November through February is milder for long park days. June through September is hot and humid, with frequent afternoon storms. Plan indoor breaks, and watch the forecast in hurricane season.

Average high and low (°F)Days with rainDrier months
  1. Jan: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F, 7 days with rain. Mild, drier days
  2. Feb: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F, 6.4 days with rain. Cooler park mornings
  3. Mar: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F, 6.8 days with rain. Spring park weather
  4. Apr: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F, 6.3 days with rain. Warm spring
  5. May: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F, 8.4 days with rain. Heat building
  6. Jun: average high 91 °F, low 72 °F, 16.2 days with rain. Rainy season begins
  7. Jul: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F, 17.1 days with rain. Hot, frequent storms
  8. Aug: average high 92 °F, low 74 °F, 17.2 days with rain. Hot, frequent storms
  9. Sep: average high 90 °F, low 72 °F, 14.2 days with rain. Warm, wet days
  10. Oct: average high 85 °F, low 66 °F, 8.4 days with rain. Rain easing
  11. Nov: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F, 6 days with rain. Mild, drier days
  12. Dec: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F, 7.1 days with rain. Holiday visits
Source: Wikipedia: Orlando, Florida (MCO 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals; rain days at least 0.01 in)

Getting to Orlando

Most flights land at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Brightline stops at its Terminal C complex, and LYNX buses run to downtown and International Drive. For the theme parks, you’ll usually need a hotel shuttle, a rental car or a rideshare.

MCOOrlando International Airport

9 mi from downtown

To Downtown Orlando
LYNX route 11 or 51. Check the current timetable
To International Drive
LYNX route 42 or a direct car ride. Time depends on your stop

LYNX routes 11 and 51 serve downtown, and route 42 reaches International Drive. Brightline is at Terminal C. Taxis, rideshares and rental cars reach the resort districts directly.

Other ways to arrive

Train
Brightline stops at MCO near Terminal C for South Florida trips. Amtrak and weekday SunRail service use downtown-area stations.
Car
I-4 links the Disney, Universal and downtown corridors. SR 528 runs from MCO toward I-Drive. Allow extra time around park openings and convention events.
Transit
LYNX buses cover the airport and many visitor corridors. SunRail serves downtown and Winter Park on weekdays, but does not reach the theme parks.

Questions about Orlando

Why pay for free cancellation in Orlando?

Flights, park tickets and convention schedules shift. With free cancellation, you can wait to pick the district until they settle.

Is every room at a refundable hotel cancellable?

No. Cancellation belongs to the specific rate and room. Read the deadline and terms before paying.

Which area keeps several Orlando options open?

International Drive lies between Universal, the convention center and SeaWorld. Disney still needs a separate drive, so check the exact hotel location.

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