Florida & Universal · A little help with the choices
Disney, Universal, a villa or a split stay: your Florida holiday can bring together the places and pace that suit you.
Universal hotels
Universal groups its hotels into three collections. Start with the atmosphere and facilities you want, then compare the specific hotel benefits for your dates.
Theme park benefits vary by hotel. Express access is not included at every hotel, and park admission requirements still apply.
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Endless Summer Resort sit in this collection. Endless Summer includes Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites.
Photo (2025): Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2025): Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2025): Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Compare Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort for different styles and locations.
Photo (2025): Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2026): Jeremy Thompson · CC BY 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2026): Jeremy Thompson · CC BY 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Includes Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific, Loews Sapphire Falls and Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel. Compare each property’s facilities and benefits individually.
Photo (2016): Miosotis Jade · CC BY-SA 3.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2005): Katy Warner · CC BY-SA 2.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2025): Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Photo (2025): Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Cropped to fit; resized for the web.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Explore the hotel’s official photo gallery ↗
Villas & split stays
A hotel is only one way to stay. We can look at the space you need, the attractions on your list and how you’ll get around before choosing a base.
The right location makes a difference. We’ll think through airport transfers, driving or other transport, and the practicalities of moving between stays.
Breakfast at your own pace, room for everyone and a pool day between park adventures. If that sounds like your kind of Florida holiday, these are the gated communities I’d start with.
A look inside two Formosa Gardens villas I’ve personally stayed in. Photos show those individual homes; layouts, furnishings and facilities vary by property. I’ll check the exact villa for your stay.
From our own villa stays
A few of my own photographs from Formosa Gardens. Time together at the villa, between the park days.
Jodie’s shortlist · Gated communities
Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms and Formosa Gardens are three of my favourite places to look for a family villa. Each offers something a little different, so we’ll find the community and the home that feel right for you.
Kissimmee · North Old Lake Wilson Road
24-hour staffed gated entrance
For pool days as well as park days.
A holiday community with plenty to do between adventures. Alongside the individual homes, you’ll find a shared resort pool and waterpark, playgrounds, sports courts and a cinema.
Compare private-pool villas with the community’s townhomes and condos; the pool arrangements differ.
Kissimmee · South of US Highway 192
24-hour gated community
Your own space, with a resort feel.
A choice of homes with shared facilities for family downtime: a pool, spa and children’s splash pad, plus a cinema, arcade, playground and sports courts.
Private-pool villas sit alongside townhomes and condos. We’ll choose the layout that suits your family.
Kissimmee · Formosa Gardens Boulevard
Gated entrance
Room to make yourselves at home.
A residential villa setting near US Highway 192, with shops and restaurants at nearby Formosa Gardens Village. The focus here is on the individual home and space to spend time together.
We’ll compare each villa’s private pool, bedrooms and living areas; extras such as games rooms vary by home.
The little details matter. I’ll help you compare bedrooms, pool heating and child safety features, any facility or access charges, and the journeys you’ll make. We’ll check these for the exact villa and your travel dates.
We can explore spending part of your trip near Disney and part near Universal. We’ll balance the convenience with packing, transfers and how often you want to move.
We can compare suitable hotels beyond the resort collections, looking at the full holiday cost, room arrangements and transport rather than the room price alone.
Margaritaville
Margaritaville Resort Orlando brings a colourful, island-inspired feel to Kissimmee. Choose hotel rooms and suites or a cottage with more space, with resort dining and nearby Sunset Walk for evenings away from the parks.
I’ll confirm resort pool access, Island H2O waterpark entry, transport and parking for your chosen booking and travel dates. These inclusions can depend on the accommodation and how it is booked.
Through my camera
A few photographs from my own stay at Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
The room and view shown are from one stay. Layouts, views and facilities vary by the accommodation you book.
A resort-hotel base for families who like having dining and shared pools as part of their stay. Compare a room with a suite depending on how much space you need.
Fins Up Beach Club lagoon pools, restaurants and an island-inspired atmosphere. Island H2O is a separate waterpark nearby; eligibility for included entry depends on the booking and season.
Hotel rooms and suites, with different layouts and views. I’ll check the sleeping arrangements for everyone travelling.
Scheduled theme park shuttles require reservations. Hotel parking carries charges, so we’ll compare the practical options for your plans.
A home-style stay with separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and living space. A lovely option to explore if you want family time together and space to spread out between park days.
Selected cottages have a private pool. Access to the resort’s Fins Up facilities depends on the cottage’s approved rental arrangements; I’ll check the exact home and booking.
Cottages range from one to eight bedrooms. Private pools, outdoor space and room layouts vary by property.
Hotel and accommodation details checked against the linked resort, community and supplier sources on 22 October 2026. Room layouts, facilities, transport and availability can change. I’ll check the arrangements for your travel dates and your family’s needs.