If you’re planning to visit Disney World or Universal Studios while staying in Orlando, then you already have a lot on your plate. Between finding flights, hotels, park tickets, meals, and more… there’s an endless amount to plan.
Why not make things easier by booking a hotel that offers a shuttle to Disney or Universal? It means one less thing you have to worry about — your ride to the park is already taken care of.
After all, the truth is that visiting the parks can seem overwhelming.
Walt Disney World Resort is a massive area which extends over two cities: Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista (which are essentially part of Orlando). Disney World includes multiple separate theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. It also contains water parks, shopping districts, golf courses, and more than 20 hotels.
The Universal Orlando Resort consists of multiple parks as well: Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios (which includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), and Volcano Bay.
While these parks are big, the good news is if you select a hotel that is run by the theme park, then it will have a transportation to the park included. But park hotels may only run to that specific park. What if you want to visit both?
Are You Visiting Disney, Universal, or Both?
If you’re planning to visit only one of the theme parks, then you can choose a hotel on that property and take advantage of the free transportation services. Just know that you could pay a premium for staying on the park grounds.
If you plan to visit both Disney and Universal, however, don’t expect a Disney hotel to take you to Universal and vice versa. Instead, you can follow one of two strategies.
First, if you don’t mind switching hotels, you stay a few days at a hotel on the grounds of each resort, taking a cab or Uber/Lyft when you transfer from your first hotel to your second.
Alternatively, you can choose one of the many Orlando hotels offering shuttle service to both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. As an added bonus, these hotels can often have prices that are less expensive than staying at the park hotels.
To save you some legwork, we’ve compiled a list of hotels offering theme park shuttle service to the multiple parks.
Shuttle Service and Theme Park Partnerships
Below, we’ve listed only hotels offering shuttle service to both Universal and Disney.
Be sure to check with the hotel to confirm the specific details about the shuttle service as they can change.
Also, shuttle service times may be limited, so consult the schedule before planning theme park activities. At some hotels, you can reserve your shuttle space in advance, while others have a first-come, first-serve policy. Most shuttles often make only one or two stops within each theme park, so allow time to get from your shuttle stop to the specific places you want to visit.
Finally, many Orlando hotels also have a partnership with either Universal or Disney. Their partnership status can enable hotel personnel to help you with ordering theme park tickets.
Note: This article contains affiliate links to Kayak. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Review ratings come from Google and are rounded to the nearest half point.
Orlando Hotels with Theme Park Shuttles
The list below includes hotels at different price points, depending on whether you’re on a tight budget or planning to splurge. Click on each hotel name to read reviews on Kayak. Enter the dates of your stay for the most accurate pricing.
Hampton Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista
Always a popular choice for its value, Hampton Inn has a hotel situation right between Disney and Universal. They offer a free shuttle for guests that covers SeaWorld, Disney World, and Universal Orlando. While this hotel may not be a large resort like others on our list, for those planning to spend the bulk of there vacation in the parks, it’s a good choice. You can also purchase Disney tickets at the hotel.
- Price: $-$$
- Distance to Disney: 8 miles | Distance to Universal: 7 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Sonesta ES Suites Lake Buena Vista
If you’re headed to Disney, this hotel could be ideal. It’s literally minutes from Epcot, and slightly longer to Magic Kingdom. Head the other direction and you can get to Universal and SeaWorld. A shuttle is provided for $10 per person, round trip from the hotel to all three major parks (Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld).
The hotel buildings themselves surround a massive courtyard with pool and hot tubs so you can relax when not at the parks.
- Price: $-$$
- Distance to Disney: 7.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 7.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Grande Villas Resort
According to its website, Grande Villas offers complimentary rides from their sister resort (Cypress Pointe, featured below) with a shuttle to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. In addition, your time at the resort can be filled with the large resort-style pool, mini-golf, playgrounds for the kids, tennis, basketball, and more. Perhaps best of all, it sits right in between the parks, making it an easy ride to any attraction.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 7.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 7.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Cypress Pointe Resort
Located next door the Grande Villas (and both owned by Diamond Resorts), Cypress Pointe also offers shuttles to all the major theme parks. So you can stay at the resort and have your ride already taken care of for no extra charge. On the grounds are also volleyball, tennis, and shuffleboard courts, as well as a heated pool with a huge “water volcano” that kids will love. Simply let the front desk know you need a ride.
- Price: $-$$
- Distance to Disney: 7.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 7.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Homewood Suites by Hilton International Drive
This hotel is in the heart of International Drive, a touristy strip with lots to see and do. Suites here include a full kitchen, making it great for families looking to save some money. Guests can also avail themselves of hot full breakfast daily, a business center and internet access, and an outdoor pool. The hotel has a fee-based shuttle to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, meaning you can get to any park you like.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 13 miles | Distance to Universal: 3 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort Villas, I-Drive/Orlando
When it comes to resorts, it doesn’t get much larger than this Sheraton. It encompasses more than a dozen buildings spread across several lagoons. There’s everything you could want — restaurants, bars, pools, basketball courts, and more. When it’s time to head to head to the parks, there is a $10 per person round trip fee, but it will get you to any of the big parks in the area.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Distance to Disney: 9 miles | Distance to Universal: 8 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Margaritaville in southwest Orlando is located near many of the Disney parks, including Epcot and Animal Kingdom. And while many may not think of this spot for a family vacation, it offers a lot of perks.
Included with the highly-rated resort are shuttles to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom/EPCOT, along with SeaWorld and Universal Orlando. One thing to note is that the hotel requires you to reserve a spot at least an hour in advance.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 8 miles | Distance to Universal: 18 miles
- Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5
SpringHill Suites/TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Parks
This unique hotel is a relatively new spot that’s unique in that it’s two hotels in one. The building hosts both SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites, giving you multiple options. The good news is that both offer suites, making them ideal for families that need a little more space. The resort-style courtyard pool is also a big draw for those that want to relax.
Ready to hit the parks? The hotel offers shuttles to the major parks, giving you a chance to enjoy your day without having to worry about transportation.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 7.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 7 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre
Clean, affordable, and updated with a free shuttle to the major theme parks, there’s a lot to like about the Courtyard Orlando. It has everything you need in a hotel, including multiple pools, fitness center, a small playground for the kids and on-site restaurants. Plus shuttles that get you over to Universal and/or Disney early in the morning so you can get a full day at the parks.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 7.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 7.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
In addition to free shuttles to Disney and Universal, the Rosen Inn also has rides to SeaWorld, outlet stores, and even the airport (a fee applies to airport rides). Just a few miles from Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the hotel offers two seasonally-heated swimming pools, free parking, and a restaurant. Kids can enjoy the hotel’s splash zone, plus a 24-hour video arcade room, and a playground.
- Price: $
- Distance to Disney: 7.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 7.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Comfort Inn Kissimmee by the Parks
Looking for somewhere affordable but with access to the parks? Comfort Inn Maingate can be less than $100 per night and offers scheduled transportation service to and from both Disney and Universal, as well as SeaWorld. Shuttles depart as early as 7:05 a.m. and can return from some parks as late as 10:15 p.m. Just know in advance there are only a few departures each day, so you’ll need to be ready to go on the shuttle’s schedule.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 7 miles | Distance to Universal: 15 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Vacation Villas at Fantasy World
If you want to stay somewhere that the kids will never get bored, this is it. Fantasy World offers villas and townhomes, with a variety of family-oriented amenities such as its own waterpark, complete with two water slides, heated pools, hot tubs, a splash pad, and more. They also offer scheduled service to the parks (Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld) included with the resort fee that you pay.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 9 miles | Distance to Universal: 11.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
If you want to visit the parks but also have a place to play where you stay, this might be it. The resort features a ton of amenities including a large pool shielded from the outside roads, a kids splash pad, basketball court, and tennis court. If you decide just to take it easy for a day, then you’ll have plenty to do at the hotel. It also features rides to the major theme parks (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld) as part of staying at the hotel.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Distance to Disney: 8 miles | Distance to Universal: 7 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Hilton Garden Inn Lake Buena Vista
A free shuttle from the Hilton takes you to Disney, SeaWorld and Universal, which are just a few miles away. Rooms are clean and modern, with a large resort-style pool for everyone to enjoy. You are close to Interstate 4, but that can provide easy access to the parks without having to ride long distances.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 8 miles | Distance to Universal: 7 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
The Grove Resort & Water Park
On the southwest side of Orlando, The Grove Resort & Water Park is ideal for those looking for a place that’s near Disney, though it offers a shuttle that runs to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. One note is that this shuttle requires reservations the day before you plan to ride.
The Grove is also known for having a lot for kids to do, with three pools, splash pad, an a large with fishing, kayaks, and paddle boats. The spot even has its own waterpark on the property.
- Price: $$$
- Distance to Disney: 10 miles | Distance to Universal: 22 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
The Enclave
Sitting right near International Drive, The Enclave is near a number of attractions, including being right near Universal Studios and Volcano Bay waterpark. In addition to things like multiple pools (including an indoor heated pool), tennis court, and playground, there is also a fee-based shuttle to the major theme parks.
- Price: $-$$
- Distance to Disney: 17 miles | Distance to Universal: 5.5 miles
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, International Drive
Sitting on International Drive, this high-rise hotel is right across I-4 from Universal Studios, putting you right near the action. Offering complimentary shuttle service to the parks — including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Universal — this hotel also boasts an outdoor pool, plus free wi-fi and free breakfast, and offers family/oversized rooms.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 13.5 miles | Distance to Universal: 1.5 miles
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Avanti Resort
Sitting along Orlando’s International Drive, Avanti is the heart of everything (Orlando’s giant ferris wheel is just down the street). The Avanti’s amenities include an arcade-style game room as well as an oversized pool and a fitness center. The hotel’s shuttle offers rides to and from the theme parks several times a day, including as early as 8 a.m. and getting back as late as 10:50 p.m. in some cases.
- Price: $$
- Distance to Disney: 13 miles | Distance to Universal: 3 miles
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the shuttles to the theme parks in Orlando free?
Many hotels in the area offer free shuttles as a perk to stay with them. We’ve tried to identify those above which have free and which have paid shuttles. The good news is that even if there is a cost, the price of the shuttle will be only be about $10 roundtrip. If you want to be sure, you can contact the hotel directly to see what their policy is.
Do hotels offer shuttles to the airport?
Many hotels in Orlando do offer airport shuttles, but we’ve found there is often a cost for this transportation unless the hotel is near the airport (which is about 30 minutes from the theme parks). In other words, those hotels near the parks on the southwest side of the city are likely to have theme park shuttles. Those hotels closer to the airport are more likely to have airport shuttles. Few have both.
More on Visiting Orlando:
- The Best Ways to Get Around Orlando Depending on Your Vacation (Uber, Car Rental, Shuttle)
- 18 Amazing Orlando Hotels With TONS for Kids to Do (Waterparks, Mini-Golf & More)
