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The Grove vs Margaritaville Orlando is a choice between a condo resort with its own water park west of Disney World and an island-style hotel with suites, cottages and a seasonal water park next door. The two Good Neighbor resorts are about 4.5 miles apart by road.
Quick answer: Book The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando for 5 to 8 people in one condo with a full kitchen, a washer and dryer and a water park with no posted winter closure. Book Margaritaville Resort Orlando for 2 to 6 people, a small dog, a bus to Epic Universe or lower add-ons: $48 + $20 = $68 a night, against $49 + $35 = $84 at The Grove, before tax.
Quick verdict
Best overall
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
Condos sleep 6 to 8 with a full kitchen and washer and dryer; Surfari Water Park is in the resort fee.
Best value
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
$68 a night for resort fee and self-parking before tax, against $84 at The Grove.
Closest to Magic Kingdom
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark
About 7.5 miles from the Magic Kingdom lot, with Surf & Splash Waterpark included in a $54 resort fee.
Quick comparison
| Hotel | To Magic Kingdom (TTC lot) by road | Resort fee | Parking | Shuttle | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando | About 11 mi | Yes, $49 + tax | $35/night + tax | Scheduled, in resort fee | See today’s price |
| Margaritaville Resort Orlando | About 8.5 to 9 mi | Yes, $48 + tax | $20/night + tax | Scheduled, in resort fee | See today’s price |
| Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark | About 7.5 mi | Yes, $54 + tax | $31/day + tax | Disney shuttle, ask for times | See today’s price |
Fees, parking and shuttles as checked against official sources for this guide; confirm before booking.
Compare rates at The Grove and Margaritaville
On this page
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando: condos and an on-site water park
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando sells 2- and 3-bedroom condos of 1,266 to 1,544 square feet, each with a full kitchen and a full-size washer and dryer. It sits on Lake Austin in Winter Garden, west of Disney property, and says it is “just six miles” from the Disney theme parks. Surfari Water Park, the three Springs Pools and an arcade with glow-in-the-dark mini golf are on site.
The Terraces at The Grove adds studio, one- and two-bedroom suites. Booking.com’s room list for December 9 to 11, 2026 showed only the Grove condos. See our full review of The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando.
Photos from the resort’s own gallery. Tap a photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
Check today’s rates and availability at The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
Book it if:
- You are 5 to 8 people and want separate bedrooms and one shared kitchen.
- You want a water park in the resort fee, with a lazy river and a heated pool.
- You want a 7:25 a.m. shuttle to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom.
Skip it if:
- You travel with a dog: The Grove accepts service animals only, while Margaritaville Resort Orlando takes dogs up to 30 pounds (rate link in the next section).
- You want a shorter drive to Magic Kingdom: Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark is about 7.5 miles from the Magic Kingdom lot, against 11 from The Grove (rate link below).
Margaritaville Resort Orlando: hotel rooms, cottages and Sunset Walk
Margaritaville Resort Orlando has 265 hotel rooms and suites around the Fins Up Beach Club, with three heated lagoon pools and a sand beach, in Kissimmee. It also rents one- to eight-bedroom cottages and has St. Somewhere Spa; The Grove lists no spa. Island H2O Water Park and the Promenade at Sunset Walk are next door. See our Margaritaville Resort Orlando review.
See room photos and current prices for Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Book it if:
- You are 2 to 4 people, or 6 in the 940-square-foot One Bedroom Two Queen Pool View Suite.
- You travel with a dog of 30 pounds or less.
- You want restaurants next door and a 7:20 a.m. bus to Universal, Epic Universe or SeaWorld.
Skip it if:
- You want a water park from November to February: Island H2O is closed, while The Grove lists daily Surfari hours (rate link above).
- You are 7 or 8 people and want one unit on the hotel’s own listing: Margaritaville’s largest hotel suite sleeps 6 (its cottages are a separate rental), while The Grove’s 3-bedroom condos sleep 8 (rate link above).
The Grove vs Margaritaville Orlando side by side
| What matters | The Grove | Margaritaville |
|---|---|---|
| To Magic Kingdom lot | About 11 miles | About 8.5 to 9 miles |
| Smallest unit | 2-bedroom condo, sleeps 6 | 450 to 475 sq ft room, sleeps 2 or 4 |
| Largest unit | 3-bedroom condo, sleeps 8 | Suite for 6; cottages up to 18 |
| Kitchen and laundry | Full kitchen, washer and dryer | Refrigerator in hotel rooms |
| Water park | Surfari, on site, in fee | Island H2O, next door, closed until 2027 |
| Resort fee | $49 + tax | $48 + tax |
| Self-parking | $35 + tax per car | $20 + tax per car |
| First Disney bus | 7:25 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. |
| Epic Universe bus | No | 7:20 a.m. |
| Pets | Service animals only | Dogs up to 30 lb |
| Early Theme Park Entry | No | No |
Checked on November 9, 2026. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Water parks: Surfari vs Island H2O
Surfari is inside The Grove and included in its resort fee; Island H2O is a separately run park next to Margaritaville that closes between seasons.
The Grove: Surfari Water Park
- Slides and pools: dual water slides (48-inch minimum), a 695-foot lazy river, a kids’ activities pool and a zero-entry pool.
- FlowRider Double: extra cost, from $35 per person for 30 minutes (shared).
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at last check on November 9, 2026, subject to weather and season. The zero-entry pool and the Springs Pools are kept at 83°F year-round, per the FAQ.
The Grove’s FAQ disagrees on day visitors: one answer sells daily wristbands to non-guests, another limits Surfari to registered guests and annual members.
Margaritaville: Fins Up Beach Club and Island H2O
- Resort pools: three heated lagoon pools. License to Chill opens from dawn to dusk, and the other two from 9 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. The pool page lists no waterslides.
- Island H2O Water Park: the Live! Lagoon Wave Pool, the Chat Creek lazy river, multi-rider raft slides and two kids’ areas.
- Season: March to October. On November 9, 2026, its website said 2026 sales had ended and showed no 2027 dates.
- The perk: the resort’s Island H2O page offers free admission for stays from March through October 2027, “included with paid full resort fee”, valued at $65.99 per person per day.
Margaritaville’s pages disagree: the FAQ on that same page still gives March 6 to October 31, 2026, and the resort’s main FAQ says passes “will need to be purchased separately”. Get the perk confirmed in writing.
The verdict: from November to February, The Grove wins, because Island H2O is closed. From March to October, Margaritaville can match it if the 2027 perk applies: a wave pool and more slides, against Surfari’s two slides and FlowRider. For more resorts, see our guide to Orlando hotels with water parks and waterslides.
Rooms, kitchens and laundry: who fits where
Every Grove condo has a full kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave and dishwasher, a full-size washer and dryer and a balcony. Margaritaville’s hotel room pages list a refrigerator but no washer or dryer.
| Unit | Size | Beds | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grove 2-bedroom, 2 baths | 1,266 sq ft | King + queen, or king + two full beds; sofa bed | 6 |
| Grove 3-bedroom, 2 baths | 1,396 sq ft | King + two queens; queen sleeper sofa | 8 |
| Grove 3-bedroom, 3 baths | 1,544 sq ft | King + two queens; queen sleeper sofa | 8 |
| Margaritaville standard room | 450 to 475 sq ft | One king, or two queens | 2 or 4 |
| Margaritaville King Suite Studio | 675 sq ft | One king; kitchenette | 2 |
| Margaritaville one-bedroom suite | 940 sq ft | Two queens + queen sofa bed | 6 |
Margaritaville’s king room pages list two guests, but its terms allow three. Ask before booking for three.
Margaritaville’s cottages sleep 4 (one bedroom) to 18 (eight bedrooms), with a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. A 2-bedroom cottage sleeps 6, and a 3-bedroom cottage sleeps 8. Cottage rates on the resort’s site include the resort fee ($37.85 a night for two bedrooms, $41.29 for three). Rentyl manages them. They are not on the hotel’s Booking.com listing; Booking.com sells them as a separate property, Margaritaville Cottages Orlando by Rentyl with H2O Waterpark.
The verdict: for 6 to 8 people, The Grove fits everyone in one unit. Compare more options in our guide to 2- and 3-bedroom suites near Disney World and our list of Orlando hotels with a washer and dryer.
Location: which is closer to Disney World?
Margaritaville is about 2 to 3.5 miles closer to every Disney park, and closer to Universal and the airport. Distances are public-road routes run on November 9, 2026 to each park’s guest parking (for Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center lot); return routes can differ by up to a mile.
| Destination | The Grove | Margaritaville |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Kingdom | About 7.5 miles | About 4 miles |
| Hollywood Studios | About 10 to 10.5 miles | About 6.5 to 7 miles |
| EPCOT (main lot) | About 10.5 to 11 miles | About 8 to 8.5 miles |
| Magic Kingdom (TTC lot) | About 11 miles | About 8.5 to 9 miles |
| Disney Springs | About 11 to 11.5 miles | About 9 miles |
| SeaWorld Orlando | About 15.5 to 16 miles | About 12 to 12.5 miles |
| Epic Universe | About 19 miles | About 15.5 miles |
| Universal garages | About 20 to 21 miles | About 16.5 to 17 miles |
| Orlando airport (MCO) | About 28 miles | About 24 to 25 miles |
The Grove’s “six miles” is shorter than any road route above; Margaritaville’s own figures (3.9 miles to Animal Kingdom, 8.3 to Magic Kingdom) match. The Grove has no airport shuttle; Margaritaville’s FAQ says it has none, although another answer mentions one for an extra charge.
Disney, Universal and SeaWorld shuttles compared
Both shuttles are paid for through the resort fee, need a reservation and a voucher, and exclude groups of 10 or more. The Grove’s times come from its schedule marked “Rev. NOV.26” (operator: Golden Star Transport); Margaritaville’s come from its operator, Firefighters All Services, for November 18 and December 9, 2026, checked on November 9, 2026.
| Park | The Grove leaves | Margaritaville leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Kingdom | 7:25 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. |
| EPCOT | 7:25 and 10:20 a.m. | Via the TTC, then monorail |
| Hollywood Studios | 10:20 a.m. | 10:40 and 11:35 a.m. |
| Magic Kingdom | Via EPCOT, then monorail | 9:15 and 10:40 a.m. (TTC) |
| Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure | 7:25 a.m. | 7:20 a.m. |
| Epic Universe | Not served | 7:20 a.m. |
| SeaWorld Orlando | 7:25 a.m. | 7:20 a.m. |
- The Grove returns: 5:00 and 9:55 p.m. from EPCOT, 5:15 p.m. from Hollywood Studios, 8:00 p.m. from Universal, 7:05 p.m. from SeaWorld, and none listed from Animal Kingdom.
- Margaritaville returns: 5:30, 9:15 and 10:30 p.m. from the TTC, 5:15, 9:00 and 10:15 p.m. from Hollywood Studios, 5:45 p.m. from Animal Kingdom, and 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. from Universal, Epic Universe and SeaWorld.
- Rules: The Grove asks for booking 48 hours to 2 hours ahead, strollers must be folded, and luggage is not allowed. Margaritaville books 24 hours to 1 hour ahead, and no strollers or luggage are allowed.
Margaritaville’s own page still shows a schedule “updated January 7, 2026” (for example, 9:05 a.m. to Magic Kingdom); go by the operator’s system for your date.
The verdict: The Grove suits early starts and strollers; Margaritaville has more returns and the only Epic Universe bus. Neither resort is on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list; both are Disney Good Neighbor hotels. Compare more options in our guide to Kissimmee hotels with a Disney shuttle.
True nightly cost: fees, parking and perks
Both resort fees are mandatory. Booking.com price breakdowns for a December 9 to 11, 2026 stay, checked on November 9, 2026, showed US$98 for two nights at The Grove ($49 a night) plus 12.5% tax, and US$96 ($48 a night) plus 13.5% tax at Margaritaville.
| Per night | The Grove | Margaritaville |
|---|---|---|
| Resort fee | $49 + tax | $48 + tax |
| Self-parking, one car | $35 + tax | $20 + tax |
| Fee + parking | Rate + $84 | Rate + $68 |
| Five nights, fee + parking | $420 + tax | $340 + tax |
The arithmetic: at The Grove, your rate + $49 resort fee + $35 parking = rate + $84 per night. At Margaritaville, your rate + $48 resort fee + $20 parking = rate + $68 per night. Booking.com lists parking at US$37.28 a day at The Grove and US$21.50 at Margaritaville.
- Water park value: The Grove’s pages give no per-person value for Surfari. Margaritaville values Island H2O at $65.99 per person per day: for a family of four, 4 × $65.99 = $263.96 per open day, if the 2027 perk applies. From November to February it is worth $0.
- Shuttle value: each Disney day on the included bus saves Disney’s $35 standard parking fee, which guests of both resorts must pay when they drive.
- Also included at both: Wi-Fi, local calls and the gym.
The verdict: with one car, Margaritaville costs $16 a night less, or $80 over five nights, but in winter The Grove gives more for its fee. Our explainer on Orlando resort fees shows how these charges work.
Dining, groceries and evenings
- The Grove: Valencia Restaurant serves breakfast from 8 a.m. and an all-day menu from 12 p.m. The Springs Bar & Grill and Longboard Bar & Grill serve by the pools, and Alfresco Market sells groceries from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. A Publix is 2 miles away.
- Margaritaville: Euphoria for seafood, Tapas by Euphoria, Salty Rim Bar & Grill by the pool and Provisions for food to go. A Target is 0.5 mile away and a Publix 0.9 mile away.
Neither resort includes breakfast. In the evening, Margaritaville wins: Sunset Walk next door has restaurants, bars, live music and a movie theater, while The Grove’s arcade closes at 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).
Pets, deposits and policies to check before you book
- Pets: The Grove welcomes service animals but not pets. Margaritaville welcomes dogs of 30 pounds or less: $75 + tax a night in the hotel, up to $300 per stay, and $40 a night per dog in the cottages, with two dogs at most per cottage.
- Check-in: 21 or older at both; check-out is 10 a.m. at The Grove and 11 a.m. at Margaritaville.
- Deposits: The Grove holds $100 a night, up to $350. Margaritaville’s terms say $50 a night, up to $300, but its Booking.com listing shows a US$350 damage deposit. Ask which applies.
- Cribs: The Grove rents pack and plays for $20 + tax per 7 days; Margaritaville’s Booking.com listing says cribs are not available.
- Direct-booking perks: Margaritaville Perks benefits and each resort’s direct offers apply to bookings made with the resort, not to Booking.com reservations.
Another option: Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark has one-, two- and three-bedroom suites (kitchen equipment varies by suite type) and the Surf & Splash Waterpark on site, about 7.5 miles by road from the Magic Kingdom lot. Its website lists a $54 resort fee that includes water park access, $31 a day for self-parking (plus tax, per Booking.com), heated pools and a Disney World shuttle (ask the front desk for times).
The arithmetic: your rate + $54 resort fee + $31 parking = rate + $85 per night before tax (Booking.com showed US$108 for two nights plus 12.5% tax). See our Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark review.
Check availability for your dates at Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark
Choose The Grove if…
- You are 6 to 8 people and want one condo with a full kitchen, a washer and dryer and two or three bathrooms.
- You travel from November to February and want a water park at the resort.
- You want a 7:25 a.m. bus to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom, or you need a folded stroller on the shuttle.
Choose Margaritaville Resort Orlando if…
- You are 2 to 4 people, or up to 6 in the one-bedroom suite.
- You travel with a dog of 30 pounds or less.
- You want a bus to Epic Universe, more Disney return times or a drop at Magic Kingdom’s Transportation and Ticket Center.
- You travel from March to October and the resort confirms the 2027 Island H2O perk for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Grove or Margaritaville better for families?
It depends on family size and season. The Grove is better for 5 to 8 people who want one condo with a kitchen and laundry, and for winter trips, when Island H2O is closed. Margaritaville is better for up to four in a hotel room or six in its suite, for dog owners and for Epic Universe days.
Which is closer to Disney World, The Grove or Margaritaville Resort Orlando?
Margaritaville. By public roads it is about 4 miles from Animal Kingdom’s parking and 8.5 to 9 miles from the Magic Kingdom lot. The Grove is about 7.5 and 11 miles from the same lots, although it describes itself as six miles from the Disney theme parks.
Is the water park free at The Grove and at Margaritaville Resort Orlando?
At The Grove, Surfari is included in the $49 resort fee for every registered guest; the FlowRider and cabanas cost extra. At Margaritaville, the Island H2O page offers free admission with the full resort fee for stays from March through October 2027, but the FAQ says passes are sold separately. Island H2O is closed until then.
How much are the resort fees and parking at The Grove and Margaritaville?
At last check on November 9, 2026, The Grove charged a $49 resort fee and $35 per vehicle per night for parking, and Margaritaville a $48 resort fee and $20 per vehicle per night for self-parking, all plus tax. With one car, that is $84 a night at The Grove and $68 at Margaritaville.
Do The Grove and Margaritaville have shuttles to Disney and Universal?
Yes, both are reservation-only and paid through the resort fee. The Grove’s Disney buses leave at 7:25 and 10:20 a.m., plus 7:25 a.m. to Universal and SeaWorld, but not Epic Universe. Margaritaville’s Disney buses leave from 9:15 a.m., and a 7:20 a.m. bus serves Universal, Epic Universe and SeaWorld.
Which resort is better for a family of six or more?
The Grove, for one unit on a hotel listing. Its 2-bedroom condos sleep 6 and its 3-bedroom condos sleep 8, with a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. Margaritaville’s largest hotel suite sleeps 6. Its cottages sleep up to 18, but they are a separate rental managed by Rentyl.
Bottom line
The Grove vs Margaritaville Orlando comes down to party size, season and pets. Choose The Grove for 6 to 8 people in one condo, winter water park days and early Disney buses. Choose Margaritaville for smaller families, small dogs, Sunset Walk evenings, an Epic Universe bus and $16 less per night in fees and parking. For more choices, see our guide to the best hotels near Disney World.
Compare rates for The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando or check availability for your dates at Margaritaville Resort Orlando on Booking.com.
How we checked this guide: fees, rooms, pools, pets and the Island H2O terms come from each resort’s own pages and the park’s website on November 9, 2026, with Booking.com price breakdowns for a December 9 to 11, 2026 stay. Shuttle times come from The Grove’s “Rev. NOV.26” schedule and the Firefighters All Services booking system for November 18 and December 9, 2026, and distances from public-road routing. Read how we research our guides.
Sources checked in November 2026: The Grove FAQ, The Grove accommodations, Margaritaville Resort Orlando FAQ, Margaritaville Island H2O page, Firefighters All Services reservations.