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The best hotels in Kissimmee give you more room for your money than most Orlando addresses: villa resorts with full kitchens, a giant atrium resort with its own water park, and budget hotels on US-192 with Disney shuttles. Most sit roughly 12 to 22 minutes by car from Magic Kingdom’s parking lot.
Most picks sit on the US-192 corridor (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) along Disney’s southern edge, and the Reunion resorts lie farther southwest. Below, 10 hotels are compared on drive times, shuttles and fees, plus how Kissimmee compares with Lake Buena Vista.
Quick answer: For a resort you never have to leave, book Gaylord Palms. For pools, park shuttles and nightlife on foot, pick Margaritaville Resort Orlando. Big families should compare villas at Orange Lake and Westgate or a private-pool home at Encore; golfers belong at Reunion Resort. For suites with free breakfast, choose Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South or Staybridge Suites Royale Parc. On a tight budget, try Comfort Suites Maingate East or Ramada Kissimmee Gateway, both with complimentary Disney shuttles.
How we chose: Every hotel below has a Kissimmee address. We checked fees, transport and amenities on official hotel and brand pages in September and October 2026 (naming a public fee tracker where a hotel publishes no fee) and weighed location, park transportation, amenities and total cost. We did not stay at these hotels and don’t publish scores or prices, which change daily.
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Best hotels in Kissimmee compared
| Hotel | Best for | Park shuttle | Fees at last check | Drive to Magic Kingdom lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaylord Palms | Water park, atrium | Disney parks, in resort fee | $45 resort fee, $40 parking | About 12 to 15 min |
| Margaritaville Resort Orlando | Pools, Sunset Walk | In resort fee, reserve | $48 resort fee, $20 parking | About 16 min |
| Orange Lake Resort | Villas, lazy river | On-resort only | $45 resort fee, parking included | About 19 min |
| Westgate Vacation Villas | Villa value | None advertised | $29.99 resort fee, free parking | About 15 min |
| Reunion Resort | Golf, quiet villas | Disney only, in resort fee | $40 resort fee, $20 parking | About 22 min |
| Encore Resort at Reunion | Large groups | In resort fee, reserve | Varies by home, free parking | About 19 min |
| Embassy Suites LBV South | Suites, free breakfast | Paid, $10 Disney round trip | No resort fee listed, $25 parking | About 16 min |
| Staybridge Suites Royale Parc | Kitchens, Universal too | Free, Disney and Universal | $10 parking, about $20 fee (tracker) | About 15 min |
| Comfort Suites Maingate East | Budget suites | Free to Disney | No resort fee | About 16 min |
| Ramada Kissimmee Gateway | Low total cost | Complimentary, scheduled | About $20 resort fee (tracker), free parking | About 13 min |
Fees are per night plus tax at the time of writing (official pages, or a public fee tracker where marked); confirm before booking. Drive times are routing estimates without traffic.
1. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord Palms, on Osceola Parkway near I-4, is Kissimmee’s all-in-one resort. Rooms, refreshed in a recent multi-million-dollar renovation, wrap around a 4.5-acre glass garden atrium. Outside, the three-acre Cypress Springs Water Park has seven waterslides, a rapid river, a zero-entry pool and a South Beach-inspired pool, and there are nine restaurants and a full-service spa.
Christmas at Gaylord Palms, with the separately ticketed ice! featuring The Polar Express, runs from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027.
- Why stay: A water park, an indoor garden atrium and plenty of dining make rest days easy, even in afternoon storms.
- Getting to the parks: At the time of writing, the resort fee includes a shuttle to all four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs, bookable up to 5 days ahead (schedules change weekly). By car it’s roughly 12 to 15 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot, plus Disney’s $35-a-day standard parking.
- Good to know: Gaylord lists a $45-plus-tax daily resort fee covering the Disney shuttle, Wi-Fi, a daily yoga class for two and water park admission for up to four guests, and Marriott listed self-parking at $40 and valet at $55 a day plus tax in mid-2026. No pets. Check current terms.
Best for: Families who want a full resort day between park days, and holiday visitors.
For rooms and fees in detail, see our Gaylord Palms Resort guide.
Check Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center prices on Booking.com
2. Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Margaritaville Resort Orlando, just off US-192 southwest of Disney’s parks, mixes hotel rooms and suites with one- to eight-bedroom cottages and two- to four-bedroom villas. The hotel has lagoon-style pools, and Sunset Walk next door adds restaurants, bars, a movie theater, an arcade and nightly live music on the Promenade Plaza Stage.
Island H2O Water Park is next door. In its 2026 season (March 6 to October 31), daily admission is included when you pay the full resort fee, but at the time of writing it opens only on weekends through October 31. Check whether the perk returns in 2027.
- Why stay: Resort pools, a water park next door and walkable dining in one place.
- Getting to the parks: Shuttles covered by the resort fee go to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando (including Epic Universe) and SeaWorld. Reserve 24 hours to 1 hour ahead; groups of 10 or more and strollers aren’t allowed. By car, the Magic Kingdom lot is about 16 minutes away.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the resort fee is $48 plus tax per night (transportation, Wi-Fi, pool towels, fitness center). Self-parking is $20 and valet $45 a night plus tax; cottages include two parking spaces. You must be 21 to check in.
Best for: Couples and families who want park shuttles and nightlife within walking distance.
Comparing rooms and cottages? Read our Margaritaville Resort Orlando guide.
3. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort
Orange Lake is a 1,100-acre vacation-ownership resort on US-192 that, according to the resort, shares a border with Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Its 2,478 rooms run from studio suites (up to 5 guests) to four-bedroom villas (up to 16); two-bedroom and larger villas have full kitchens, while studios and most one-bedrooms have kitchenettes. Four villages are linked by an internal shuttle.
The water is the draw: seven heated outdoor pools, waterslides, a 1,200-foot lazy river in River Island and watersports rentals on the lake. Golfers get two 18-hole and two 9-hole courses, plus two 36-hole mini golf courses. At the time of writing, North Village’s main Splash Lagoon pool was partly closed for renovation.
- Why stay: Apartment-style space for big families, with water-park-style pools included.
- Getting to the parks: About 19 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot by car. The resort fee covers a shuttle between villages, but no theme park shuttle is advertised.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the FAQ lists a $45 nightly resort fee (up from $39 in June 2026) plus a $115 deposit per stay; the fee covers parking for up to two vehicles, Wi-Fi, the lazy river and waterslides. No pets, River Island must be booked specifically, and the resort, which straddles the Orange-Osceola county line, quotes 12.5% tax.
Best for: Multigenerational groups who want villas, a lazy river and golf in one place.
Check Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort prices on Booking.com
4. Westgate Vacation Villas Resort & Spa
Westgate Vacation Villas, just off US-192 near Disney’s southern entrance, has studios with kitchenettes and one- and two-bedroom villas with full kitchens; two-bedroom loft villas sleep up to 10. It shares the amenities of the adjacent Westgate Town Center Resort, including 14 heated pools, hot tubs, mini golf, tennis, a movie theater, an arcade and bike rentals.
Shipwreck Island Water Park, a pirate-themed park with a lazy river, slides and water cannons, is on site, but admission isn’t included for most guests (a single-day ticket was $25 at the time of writing).
- Why stay: One of the lower resort fees for a full villa resort, plus free parking.
- Getting to the parks: Westgate lists Walt Disney World 7.8 miles away (about 15 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot), and its pages list an on-property trolley but no theme park shuttle, so plan to drive.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the resort fee is $29.99 plus tax per night and self-parking is free. You must be 21 to check in, the deposit is $50 by card or $200 in cash, rollaway beds are not available, and up to two dogs (60 pounds combined) are allowed for a fee.
Best for: Budget-minded families who want a kitchen and a pool within a short walk of any villa.
Check Westgate Vacation Villas Resort & Spa prices on Booking.com
5. Reunion Resort & Golf Club
Reunion Resort is a 2,300-acre golf resort community southwest of Disney. It has three championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, eight guest pools and a five-acre water park with a 1,000-foot lazy river, a zero-entry pool, a large waterslide and a kids’ splash zone.
Stays are in one- to three-bedroom condo-style villas with full kitchens and balconies, or in more than 80 homes of 3 to 14 bedrooms.
- Why stay: Top-tier golf and a private water park without theme-park crowds.
- Getting to the parks: The resort fee includes a Walt Disney World shuttle that drops off at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios (transfer to Disney buses for other parks); reserve online up to 3 days ahead, by 7 p.m. the day before. There’s no Universal or SeaWorld shuttle. By car, the Magic Kingdom lot is about 22 minutes away and Universal about 28 minutes.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the resort fee is $40 plus tax per night (more for some larger homes), and self-parking is $20 plus tax per day, with no valet. Pets are not permitted. Water park access comes only with direct or preferred-partner bookings in units with amenity access, so confirm before paying.
Best for: Golfers and families who prefer a calm, residential base.
6. Encore Resort at Reunion
Encore Resort, also in the Reunion area, rents 4- to 13-bedroom vacation homes, each with a private pool, plus a guests-only water park, on-site dining and scheduled family activities.
- Why stay: One booking covers a big family reunion, with a private pool at every home.
- Getting to the parks: The resort says Walt Disney World is 10 to 15 minutes away (about 19 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot by our routing). Resort-fee shuttles go to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld; reserve at least 24 hours ahead (no groups of 10 or more). Airport transfers cost extra.
- Good to know: The resort fee varies by home and covers attraction transportation, water park access, Wi-Fi and self-parking; Island H2O admission is included on check-in day only, in that park’s season. Pool heating costs $40 a night (May to October) or $60 (November to April), there’s a $500 refundable deposit, and you must be 21 to check in.
Best for: Large groups that want to share one home rather than several hotel rooms.
7. Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South
Despite the name, this tower is in Kissimmee, at SR 535 and Kyngs Heath Road, one block north of US-192. It’s a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel; suites add a living room with a sofa, and Hilton lists firework-view rooms. Every stay includes a free made-to-order breakfast and an evening reception, and there’s an outdoor pool.
- Why stay: Free breakfast and evening drinks, plus a door between parents and kids.
- Getting to the parks: Hilton places the hotel about six miles from Walt Disney World; by car it’s about 16 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot and 19 to Universal or Epic Universe. Hilton links to a third-party shuttle schedule (Platinum Transportation) with one morning run each to Universal Studios, Epic Universe, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT; at the time of writing the Disney ride costs $10 per person round trip, and reservations are required.
- Good to know: Hilton lists self-parking at $25 plus tax per day (no valet) and no resort fee at the time of writing. Dogs and cats up to 75 pounds are allowed for a $75 fee for one to four nights, or $125 for longer stays.
Best for: Families who want suite space and two included meals, and travelers splitting time between Disney and Universal.
Check Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South prices on Booking.com
8. Staybridge Suites Orlando Royale Parc Suites
This all-suite IHG hotel on US-192, east of I-4, has one-bedroom and two-bedroom, two-bath suites. IHG lists a full kitchen in every suite, but the hotel’s own site describes expanded kitchenettes, so ask about a cooktop if you plan to cook. Breakfast is free, and there’s an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a tiki-style pool bar, grills and a game room.
- Why stay: Kitchen space, free breakfast and a free shuttle that reaches both Disney and Universal.
- Getting to the parks: IHG says the free shuttle serves all four Disney parks, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe, first come, first served (no groups of 10 or more), but the hotel’s posted schedule has listed only a few morning departures, so confirm at check-in. Driving takes about 15 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot.
- Good to know: Self-parking is $10 a day and pets under 80 pounds are welcome for $75 (up to seven nights). IHG doesn’t mention a resort fee, but the ResortFeeChecker tracker (February 2026) lists a mandatory $20.43 a night for the pool, arcade and shuttle, so check your rate details.
Best for: Longer stays, families who cook, and car-free trips that include Universal.
Check Staybridge Suites Orlando Royale Parc Suites prices on Booking.com
9. Comfort Suites Maingate East
Comfort Suites Maingate East sits on Florida Plaza Boulevard, steps from Old Town Kissimmee and its Saturday night car cruise. It’s a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel with all suites: two-queen suites with a sleeper sofa (463 square feet) sleep 6, and king and one-bedroom suites sleep 4. Every suite has a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker.
- Why stay: Free hot breakfast (with Mickey Mouse waffles), room for six and no resort fee.
- Getting to the parks: The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to the Disney theme parks and lists Walt Disney World as a 5.2-mile drive. By car it’s about 16 minutes to the Magic Kingdom lot.
- Good to know: The heated pool and hot tub are open 24 hours, there’s a poolside daiquiri bar and coin laundry, and pets are not allowed (service animals excepted). Ask about shuttle times and parking.
Best for: Budget families of up to six who want breakfast included.
10. Ramada by Wyndham Kissimmee Gateway
The Ramada sits on US-192 about a mile from Walt Disney World, according to the hotel. Choose the Standard Inn (drive-up or garden and pool view rooms) or the Deluxe Tower and suites, with interior corridors, elevators, microwaves, mini-fridges and safes. Two outdoor pools, mini golf and an arcade keep kids busy, and there’s a breakfast buffet and Mulligan’s Sports Bar.
- Why stay: One of the shortest drives here to Magic Kingdom’s parking area, plus complimentary shuttles to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld.
- Getting to the parks: A complimentary scheduled shuttle serves the Disney parks, Universal Orlando, Epic Universe, SeaWorld and nearby shopping at set times; ask the front desk for the schedule. By car, the Magic Kingdom lot is about 13 minutes away.
- Good to know: Parking is free, including for RVs and trailers, and pets are allowed in Standard rooms. Wyndham’s page shows no resort fee amount, but the ResortFeeChecker tracker (August 2026) lists a mandatory $20.43 a night covering the shuttle, pools and fitness center, so compare totals.
Best for: A low total cost with complimentary shuttles and free parking.
Room types and fees are covered in our Ramada Kissimmee Gateway guide.
Check Ramada by Wyndham Kissimmee Gateway prices on Booking.com
Kissimmee vs Lake Buena Vista: which base is better?
Lake Buena Vista is the hotel area around Disney Springs, SR 535 and Palm Parkway, mostly in Orange County. Kissimmee is the Osceola County side, south and east of Disney, centered on US-192. Names blur the line: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South has a Kissimmee address, and Orange Lake Resort straddles the county line, so check the street address.
Lake Buena Vista wins on Disney convenience. Several hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area, plus Bonnet Creek’s Waldorf Astoria and Signia, are on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list. At the time of writing, no Kissimmee or US-192 hotel is on that list; see our list of non-Disney hotels with Early Theme Park Entry. Kissimmee often wins on space and price.
Taxes differ slightly. Both counties charge a 6% tourist development tax on top of Florida’s 6% sales tax, but Osceola’s local surtax is higher.
| Area | State sales tax | County surtax | Tourist tax | Total on hotel stays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kissimmee (Osceola County) | 6% | 1.5% | 6% | 13.5% |
| Lake Buena Vista (Orange County) | 6% | 0.5% | 6% | 12.5% |
On a $1,500 bill, that one-point difference is about $15, much less than a resort fee or a week of parking. For the Orange County side, see our guide to the best hotels in Lake Buena Vista, and for every area at a glance, our guide to where to stay in Orlando.
How to choose a hotel in Kissimmee
- Decide on car or shuttle first. Gaylord, Margaritaville, Reunion, Encore, Staybridge, Comfort Suites and the Ramada run park shuttles (the first four through the resort fee), Embassy Suites links to a paid one, and Orange Lake and Westgate assume you drive. Shuttles run on fixed times. See also our list of Orlando hotels with free Disney World shuttles.
- Compare the total, not the rate. A $40 resort fee plus $20 parking adds $60 a night before tax, and resort fees are taxed like the room rate. To skip fees, see Orlando hotels with no resort fees.
- Pick your side of US-192. The west end (Margaritaville, Orange Lake, Westgate, the Ramada) is closest to Animal Kingdom; the east side and Osceola Parkway (Gaylord, Embassy Suites, Staybridge, Comfort Suites) are a few minutes quicker to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney Springs and Universal.
- Size the room to the group. Families of six fit in Comfort Suites’ two-queen suites; larger groups should look at villas (Orange Lake, Westgate, Reunion) or Encore’s homes.
- Read the fine print at villa resorts. Margaritaville, Westgate and Encore require you to be 21 to check in, Reunion’s water park access depends on how you book, and deposits are common ($50 by card at Westgate and $500 at Encore at the time of writing).
More Kissimmee guides: staying near the alligators? See our picks for hotels near Gatorland, plus our full Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South review for two-room suites with free breakfast.
Staying in Kissimmee? see Orlando airport to Kissimmee: taxi, rideshare, LYNX FastLink 407, shuttles and SR 417 tolls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kissimmee a good place to stay for Disney World?
Yes, if you have a car or book a hotel with a park shuttle. Most hotels in this guide are roughly 12 to 22 minutes from the Magic Kingdom parking area without traffic. You get more space for the money, but no Early Theme Park Entry and a bit more driving than in the Disney Springs area.
Which Kissimmee hotels have a free shuttle to Disney World?
At the time of writing, Comfort Suites Maingate East, Staybridge Suites Royale Parc and Ramada Kissimmee Gateway advertise complimentary Disney shuttles (a fee tracker lists the Staybridge and Ramada shuttles under their resort fees). Gaylord Palms, Margaritaville, Reunion and Encore cover shuttles through their resort fees, and Embassy Suites links to a $10 round-trip one. Most need reservations.
Is it cheaper to stay in Kissimmee than in Orlando?
Often, yes. Kissimmee has many budget hotels and villa resorts, and big groups can save per person in a villa or vacation home. The hotel tax is higher, though: about 13.5% in Osceola County versus 12.5% in Orange County. Resort fees and parking can matter more than the tax, so compare totals.
How far is Kissimmee from Universal and Epic Universe?
Without traffic, plan on roughly 18 to 29 minutes by car. Hotels near SR 535 and Osceola Parkway, such as Embassy Suites and Gaylord Palms, are closest. Staybridge Suites, Margaritaville, Encore and the Ramada advertise Universal shuttles, including Epic Universe, as does Embassy Suites’ shuttle.
What is the best Kissimmee hotel for a large family?
For 6 to 8 people, a two-bedroom villa at Orange Lake (sleeps up to 8) or a two-bedroom villa with loft at Westgate Vacation Villas (up to 10) gives you a kitchen and separate bedrooms. For bigger groups, Encore Resort at Reunion rents 4- to 13-bedroom homes with private pools.
Sources checked in October 2026: Walt Disney World Early Theme Park Entry, Reunion Resort FAQ, Osceola County Tax Collector: Tourist Development Tax, Orange County Comptroller: Tourist Development Tax FAQs, Florida Department of Revenue: 2026 discretionary sales surtax rates.