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Where to base?

Hi folks,

Family of 4 staying in July this year for 2 weeks. We have 1 week onsite at POFQ.

We have 2 week Disney tickets and will mostly be visiting the Disney parks, however, we also want to see other things in Orlando/iDrive etc, especially in the evenings (we like bars and resturants and lively atmosphere).

We wont have a car, and wondering where to base our hotel for the second half of the trip. Should we aim for the hotels around Lake BV, or go a bit further north onto iDrive or even elsewhere?

Any tips or recomendations?

Thanks in advance!

Since your first week is onsite at Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ), you’ll already have convenient access to the Disney parks. For the second week, since you won’t have a car and want easy access to restaurants, bars, and lively evening spots, location choice becomes key.

Here are some considerations:

  • Lake Buena Vista / Disney Springs area:
    • Pros: Very close to Disney parks and Disney Springs, which has a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. Many hotels in this area offer shuttles to Disney parks and free or easy transport to Disney Springs.
    • Cons: Limited nightlife outside Disney Springs. The area is more family-oriented and quieter after park hours.
  • International Drive (iDrive):
    • Pros: Excellent for nightlife, dining, and entertainment. You’ll have walkable access to bars, restaurants, and attractions like ICON Park. Many hotels offer shuttle services to Disney and Universal.
    • Cons: Slightly farther from Disney parks compared to Lake Buena Vista, so shuttles may take longer. Some hotels are busy or crowded, depending on the area.
  • Near Universal / Orlando tourist corridor:
    • Pros: Good if you plan on exploring Universal, CityWalk, and nearby restaurants and bars. Walkable options are limited, but there are lively resort areas with pools and nightlife.
    • Cons: Not as convenient for Disney parks. Without a car, transportation may be limited to hotel shuttles or rideshare.

Recommendations:

  • If your priority is Disney park access and you want the simplest transportation with shuttles, staying near Lake Buena Vista / Disney Springs is best. You’ll have plenty of dining and casual nightlife options within walking distance or a short shuttle ride.
  • If your priority is evening entertainment, bars, and lively restaurants, International Drive is better. You can still get to Disney parks via hotel shuttles or rideshare, and you’ll have a wider variety of walkable dining and nightlife.
  • Consider hybrid planning: book a hotel on iDrive for your second week to enjoy nightlife and easy access to non-Disney attractions, while relying on shuttle services for park visits.

Additional tips:

  • Check if your hotel offers free shuttle service to Disney parks; this can greatly reduce stress without a car.
  • Many iDrive hotels are within walking distance of ICON Park or Pointe Orlando, which have multiple dining and entertainment options.
  • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is reliable in the Orlando area and can supplement shuttles for evenings out.

Overall, for a mix of Disney convenience and lively evening experiences without a car, International Drive is likely the best compromise for your second week.

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