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The best affordable resorts in Orlando for families are Floridays Resort Orlando, The Grove Resort & Water Park, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista and Avanti International Resort: five places with pools, space and park transport at well below deluxe resort prices. This guide compares the five on suites, kitchens, pools and park shuttles, and shows what each really costs per night once the resort fee and parking are added, because that is where “affordable” often stops being true.
Three of the five (Floridays, The Grove and Cabana Bay) have true family suites with a kitchen or kitchenette. The other two are rooms for a family of four: Wyndham Garden for Disney perks and Avanti for the lowest add-ons if you drive.
Quick answer: Pick Floridays if you are a big family that needs two or three bedrooms and a full kitchen. Choose The Grove for water-park days plus large condos. Book Cabana Bay for a Universal trip with on-site perks. Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista suits a Disney-focused family without a car, with Early Entry and a walk to Disney Springs. Avanti has the lowest add-ons if you drive ($18 plus tax, parking included) and suits a family of four near Universal.
How we chose: we compared family space (bedrooms, kitchens and maximum occupancy), shuttles and park perks confirmed on official pages, total nightly add-ons, pools and location. We did not score the resorts, and the site does not claim personal stays.
Check prices at affordable Orlando resorts
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Affordable Orlando resorts at a glance
| Resort | Largest unit (sleeps) | Kitchen | Water fun | Park shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floridays Resort Orlando | 3BR suite, sleeps 8 | Full kitchen | 2 pools, splash pad | Disney, Universal, SeaWorld (in resort fee) |
| The Grove Resort & Water Park | 3BR condo, sleeps 8 | Full kitchen | Surfari Water Park | Disney, Universal, SeaWorld (fixed times, in resort fee) |
| Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort | 2BR suite, sleeps 8 | Kitchenette (Family Suites) | Lazy river, pool slide | Free to Universal parks (via CityWalk) and Epic Universe |
| Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista | Two-double room, sleeps 4 | Fridge only | Heated pool, kids’ pool | Free hourly to 4 Disney parks |
| Avanti International Resort | Suite, sleeps 4 | Fridge and microwave | Zero-entry pool, playscape | Universal, Epic, Disney, SeaWorld (in resort fee) |
At Avanti, “sleeps 4” means 2 adults plus 2 children. Wyndham Garden doesn’t publish a maximum occupancy, but with two double beds and no rollaways, plan on four.
The real nightly cost: resort fees and parking
Figures below are per night, before tax, as published at the time of writing (September 2026); check current terms before you book.
| Resort | Resort fee | Parking | Park perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti International Resort | $18 + tax | Included in resort fee | None |
| Floridays Resort Orlando | $35 + tax | Included (up to 2 cars) | None (Good Neighbor Hotel) |
| Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort | None listed | $26 + tax per night | Universal Early Park Admission |
| Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista | $36 + tax | $30 + tax per night | Disney 30-min Early Entry |
| The Grove Resort & Water Park | $49 + tax | $35 + tax per vehicle, per night | None (Good Neighbor Hotel) |
If you drive, the gap is wide: about $18 a night at Avanti against $84 at The Grove ($49 resort fee plus $35 parking), both before tax. Under the FTC’s rule on unfair or deceptive fees, in effect since May 2025, mandatory resort fees must be included in the advertised total price, but optional charges such as parking do not have to be. For more options without the daily fee, see our list of Orlando hotels with no resort fees.
1. Floridays Resort Orlando
Floridays is the pick for big families because every unit is a two- or three-bedroom suite with a fully equipped kitchen and an in-suite washer/dryer. Two-bedroom suites are about 1,011 to 1,017 sq ft, with a king bed in the primary bedroom and two full beds in the second, and sleep up to 6. Three-bedroom suites sleep up to 8 and have two bathrooms, a dining area and a living room.
Publix, Aldi and Super Target are within walking distance, so you can cut your food costs noticeably just by making breakfast and dinner in your suite. A large zero-entry pool has a kids’ splash pad, and a quieter second pool has the hot tub, plus a sandy beach area and a poolside bar. Our Floridays Resort Orlando guide has more detail.
- Why stay: Separate bedrooms for 6 to 8 people, a full kitchen and your own washer/dryer, so you can pack lighter.
- Getting to the parks: The official FAQ puts the resort 3 miles from the Walt Disney World entrance and about 8 miles from Universal Studios. A scheduled shuttle to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando (including Epic Universe) and SeaWorld is included in the resort fee. Reserve it at least 3 hours ahead; seats are limited and groups of 10 or more can’t use it.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the resort fee is $35 plus tax per night and covers Wi-Fi, the shuttle and self-parking for up to 2 vehicles. Breakfast is not included. Check current terms.
Best for: Groups of 6 to 8 who want real bedrooms rather than sleeper sofas and plan to cook some meals.
2. The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
The Grove, in Winter Garden west of Walt Disney World, is the resort for families who want pool days between park days. Resort guests get free entry (covered by the daily resort fee) to Surfari, a water park with dual water slides, a 695-foot lazy river, a heated zero-entry pool and a FlowRider Double surf simulator (FlowRider sessions carry an extra fee). The slides have a 48-inch minimum height.
Book the Grove condos: 2 and 3-bedroom suites with full kitchens, full-size washer/dryers and private screened balconies. Two-bedroom condos are about 1,266 sq ft and sleep 6; three-bedroom condos are 1,396 or 1,544 sq ft and sleep 8. The Terraces at The Grove, on the same campus, is a separate adult-centric section with studios and smaller suites, so it isn’t the family option. The hotel sits on the shores of Lake Austin, where you can try catch-and-release fishing from the pier (guests may use their own gear; artificial bait only) with views of the surrounding nature preserve. See our Grove Resort & Water Park guide for more detail.
- Why stay: Roomy condos, a water park you don’t pay extra to enter, and an arcade with glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf for rainy evenings.
- Getting to the parks: The resort gives drive times of about 14 to 20 minutes to the four Disney theme parks. The shuttle, included in the resort fee, runs at a few fixed times: as of September 2026, 7:25 AM and 10:00 AM to Disney and 7:25 AM to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. Book ideally 48 hours ahead. Universal is about 33 minutes by car without traffic.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, you pay a $49 plus tax resort fee and $35 plus tax parking per vehicle, per night, the highest add-on total of the five. Breakfast is not included. Check current terms.
Best for: Families who plan pool days between park days and have a car.
Check The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando prices on Booking.com
3. Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort (Booking.com may still list it as Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort) is the budget way to stay on-site at Universal Orlando, with 2,200 rooms in a 1950s-60s beach-resort theme. Family Suites are 430 sq ft and sleep up to 6, with two queens, a pull-out sofa, a sliding privacy partition and a kitchenette with mini fridge, microwave and sink. Volcano Bay View 2-Bedroom Suites are 772 sq ft and sleep up to 8.
The Cabana Courtyard pool has a dive-tower-themed water slide and a zero-entry sand beach, and the Lazy River Courtyard pool has a winding lazy river. Inside the main building, Galaxy Bowl has 10 bowling lanes and a full-service restaurant (bowling is paid separately, and lanes can be reserved). You also get Early Park Admission, which lets you into select attractions at a designated Universal theme park up to an hour before regular opening (valid park ticket required; check which park applies for your dates). It is a great head start when the Harry Potter attractions are included, and since May 2025 the designated park can also be Epic Universe.
- Why stay: On-site Universal perks at the lowest price tier, walking paths to the parks, and kitchenette suites for 6.
- Getting to the parks: Complimentary shuttle buses run to the Universal theme parks (check current schedules at the hotel), walking paths lead to Volcano Bay (the water park is closed for the season from October 26, 2026 to about April 1, 2027), and CityWalk is about a 20- to 30-minute walk away. A free shuttle also serves Epic Universe. There is no Disney shuttle.
- Good to know: Universal lists no resort fee for this hotel, so the main add-on is self-parking at $26 plus tax per night at the time of writing (check current terms). Universal Express is not included.
Best for: Universal-focused families of up to 6 who want on-site perks and a kitchenette without Premier hotel prices. Compare it with other hotels near Universal Orlando before you book.
Check Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort prices on Booking.com
4. Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area sits on Walt Disney World property, which brings a perk most budget hotels don’t offer. As an Official Walt Disney World Hotel, it gives guests 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry every day (valid park ticket and Resort ID required) and complimentary scheduled shuttles to the Disney parks; check current terms before you go. A pedestrian bridge takes you into Disney Springs in about a 5- to 7-minute walk.
The rooms are set in five-story courtyard-style buildings with pool or courtyard views; the theme-park views are marketed for the sister Wyndham Lake Buena Vista tower next door. The 394 rooms have two double beds or a king, with no suites, rollaways or cots, so a family of five or more needs two rooms. Rooms have a fridge with freezer but no microwave. Guests share the Oasis pool area with the sister tower, including a heated main pool, a zero-entry kids’ play pool and a hot tub. More in our Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista guide.
- Why stay: Official Walt Disney World Hotel perks without a car: daily Early Entry, free shuttles to all four theme parks and Disney Springs on foot.
- Getting to the parks: Shuttles run hourly to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, from one hour before each park opens until one hour after it closes. Reservations are required, and they don’t serve the water parks, Universal or the airport. EPCOT is about 7 minutes by car.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the resort fee is $36 plus tax and gated self-parking is $30 plus tax per night. Breakfast is extra; LakeView Restaurant sells a buffet with Mickey waffles.
Best for: A family of up to four on a Disney-only trip without a car.
5. Avanti International Resort
Avanti International Resort sits at 8738 International Drive, about 0.4 mile (roughly an 8-minute walk) from ICON Park. The rooms have a contemporary look and include a 55-inch TV, a mini fridge and a microwave.
Avanti is not a suite resort. Double Queen rooms and the Premium Executive King Suite (about 446 sq ft, with a sofa that converts to a bed) sleep 2 adults plus 2 children, and none has a kitchenette. The pool makes up for it: an oversized, heated, zero-entry pool with a children’s water playscape, plus a hot tub, beach volleyball and a game room. Our Avanti International Resort guide has the room details.
- Why stay: The lowest add-on of the five if you drive, since the $18 plus tax resort fee includes self-parking, Wi-Fi and the scheduled park shuttles.
- Getting to the parks: As a Universal Partner Hotel, Avanti runs a complimentary scheduled shuttle to Universal Orlando/CityWalk and Epic Universe; reserve in person up to 24 hours ahead. Disney and SeaWorld shuttles must be reserved 3 hours ahead, and groups of 10 or more can’t ride. Universal Studios is about a 10-minute drive; the Disney parks are roughly 18 to 25 minutes.
- Good to know: A partner hotel is not an on-site Universal hotel, so there is no Early Park Admission. Breakfast is not included, but the Café & Marketplace has a kids’ menu. Fees and shuttle rules are as of September 2026; check current terms.
Best for: A family of four or a couple on a Universal or I-Drive trip who want parking included in a low resort fee. Not for groups of five or more.
More affordable resorts to consider
Disney Value resorts: These are booked directly with Disney, not on Booking.com. Disney-owned resorts don’t charge a daily resort fee, overnight self-parking is complimentary, and guests get 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry. Family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation are reported to sleep up to 6; confirm the layout on Disney’s resort page before you book.
Universal Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites have 2-Bedroom Suites of 440 sq ft with 3 queen beds that sleep 6, and self-parking is $26 plus tax per night at the time of writing.
More condo resorts: For more full-kitchen, multi-bedroom options close to Walt Disney World, see our 2- and 3-bedroom suites near Disney World.
Upscale picks: If budget isn’t the main constraint, our list of luxury resorts in Orlando covers the high end.
How to choose affordable resorts in Orlando
- Price the total, not the rate: Add the room rate, resort fee, parking and hotel tax, which is about 12.5% in Orange County, where all five resorts sit. Check the tax line on your booking.
- Count real beds: A sleeper sofa is not a bedroom. Check the maximum occupancy for the exact room type; Wyndham Garden has no rollaways or cots.
- Kitchen, kitchenette or fridge: Only Floridays and the Grove condos have full kitchens; the first table shows what the others offer.
- Read the shuttle rules: The Grove runs a few fixed departures, Wyndham Garden runs hourly with reservations, Avanti’s Universal shuttle is booked in person up to 24 hours ahead, and Floridays needs 3 hours’ notice. Groups of 10 or more can’t ride at Avanti or Floridays.
- Check park perks: Of the five, only Wyndham Garden gets Disney Early Theme Park Entry and only Cabana Bay gets Universal Early Park Admission (details in the FAQ below). None includes Universal Express.
- Decide on a car: Standard Walt Disney World theme park parking is $35 a day for off-site guests at the time of writing, on top of any hotel parking. Without a car, Wyndham Garden (for Disney) and Cabana Bay (for Universal) are the easiest bases of the five.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most affordable resort in Orlando for a big family?
For groups of 6 to 8, a two- or three-bedroom condo saves booking two rooms. Of the two condo resorts here, Floridays has the lower add-ons: a $35 plus tax resort fee that covers parking for up to 2 cars and the park shuttle, at the time of writing. The Grove adds a water park but has the highest add-ons of the five if you drive.
Do Orlando resorts charge resort fees?
Many do, and amounts vary widely. At the time of writing, the resorts in this guide range from $18 plus tax (Avanti) to $49 plus tax (The Grove) per night, while Cabana Bay lists no resort fee but charges $26 plus tax for parking. Disney-owned resorts don’t charge a resort fee.
Which affordable Orlando resorts have 2- or 3-bedroom suites?
Floridays and The Grove both have two- and three-bedroom condos with full kitchens and washer/dryers, and their three-bedroom units sleep up to 8. Cabana Bay’s Volcano Bay View 2-Bedroom Suites also sleep 8, and its Family Suites sleep 6 with a kitchenette. Wyndham Garden has no suites, and Avanti’s one suite type sleeps 2 adults and 2 children.
Do off-site resorts get Disney Early Theme Park Entry?
Only some. Disney gives 30-minute Early Theme Park Entry to Disney Resort hotel guests and to select other hotels, including Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista. Good Neighbor hotels such as The Grove and Floridays are not on the list. You need valid park admission, and a park reservation may be required. Disney says the benefit continues through 2027; check current terms.
Does Cabana Bay include Universal Express?
No. Cabana Bay guests get Early Park Admission, walking paths and the free shuttle, but not Universal Express. Hotel-included Express Unlimited is only at the Premier hotels (Hard Rock, Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific), and it covers Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, not Epic Universe.
Which of these resorts has a water park?
The Grove is the only one with a full water park. Registered guests get into Surfari, with its slides, 695-foot lazy river and FlowRider, through the resort fee, though FlowRider sessions cost extra. Cabana Bay has a lazy river and a pool slide and sits next to Universal’s Volcano Bay, which needs its own admission and closes for the season from October 26, 2026 until about April 1, 2027.
Sources checked in September 2026: Floridays Resort Orlando FAQ, The Grove Resort FAQ, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista FAQs, Avanti International Resort FAQ.