Where to stay without transport

Question

Hello, we visited in the 90's when our children were young and stayed off park, now looking to visit with grandchildren, will be 9 of us, is it easier to stay in Disney and travel to Universal or off site and travel to both parks

Answer

With a group of 9 and no personal transport, choosing the right accommodation in Orlando requires balancing convenience, cost, and park access. Staying on Disney property offers significant advantages for Disney park access, but it can be less convenient and more expensive for Universal visits. Off-site hotels or vacation rentals can provide more space and amenities, but you will need to manage transport to both Disney and Universal.

If your main goal is convenience and minimizing travel stress within Disney parks:

Staying at a Disney resort allows you to use complimentary Disney transportation (buses, boats, monorails) directly to the parks. This is especially useful with children or large groups.
However, transportation to Universal from Disney resorts is limited. You would need to rely on Uber/Lyft or a rental van, as there is no direct shuttle between Disney and Universal.

For more flexibility and cost-effectiveness, particularly for Universal visits:

Consider off-site vacation rentals or hotels that are centrally located between Disney and Universal, such as near International Drive. This allows easier access to both parks with Uber/Lyft or a rented van for the group.
Vacation rentals can provide multiple bedrooms, living areas, and kitchen facilities, which is ideal for a group of 9 and can save money on dining.

Summary recommendations:

If most of your time is at Disney and convenience inside the Disney bubble is important, stay at a Disney resort and plan separate transport days to Universal.
If you want balanced access to both Disney and Universal with more space and flexibility, an off-site villa or hotel near International Drive is likely the better choice.
Consider group transport options, such as renting a 12-passenger van, to avoid multiple rideshare trips with luggage and children.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on which park will be your focus, the comfort of your group, and how much you want to manage logistics versus paying for on-site convenience.