November 16th?
Does anyone know what is going on in Orlando the week of November 16th? I am trying to find an inexpensive room for Sunday November 16th and I am not finding anything cheap.
I can usually find something on I-Drive around $50 bucks but I am not finding anything.
We drive up Sunday night and aren't there until 9PM or so and leave the next morning by 7 to go to our Disney hotel but I am out of luck.
Thanks!
Good question. You’re right to wonder — November 16, 2025 looks like a pretty busy weekend in Orlando, which could explain why budget hotels around I-Drive are already tight or expensive. Here’s what appears to be going on, plus some ideas for alternative places to stay and how to find a better deal.
What’s happening around November 16 in Orlando?
- ADCC 2025 Trials are scheduled at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) through November 16. This is a high-attendance grappling competition, and many participants and attendees likely booked nearby hotels well in advance.
- Fear Expo Orlando is also listed at the OCCC spanning November 13–17. That’s another major draw for hotel demand in the convention-center area.
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is still ongoing through November 23, 2025. While this doesn't require staying right at a convention hotel, it contributes to more visitors in the area around that time.
- ChariTea Garden Party is happening on November 16 at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park. And there are some arts-and-food events around that weekend: for example, the Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic runs November 14–15, which may spill demand into nearby hotels.
Why You Aren’t Finding Cheap Rooms
Given the combination of convention traffic (ADCC + Fear Expo) plus tourist-type events (food & wine, festival) and general shoulder-season tourism, hotels are likely seeing higher occupancy. That’s probably why the $50-ish I-Drive deals you usually find aren’t showing up.
What You Can Do to Find a Room
- Look slightly outside I-Drive: Try neighborhoods like Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, or near the Convention Center but a few blocks away. These may be more affordable, especially for just one night.
- Use last-minute hotel apps: Tools like HotelTonight, Priceline Express Deals, or Hotwire “Hot Rates” sometimes yield good discounts even for busy weekends.
- Check non-chain options: Smaller motels, locally-owned inns, or even budget boutique hotels may still have availability. Filter Airbnb/VRBO for a one-night stay if that’s an option — could be cheaper than a last-minute hotel.
- Call the hotels: Sometimes calling front desks directly can uncover rooms held off online or cancellations that might free something up.
- Consider public transit or Lyft/Uber savings: If you stay a little further out where it’s cheaper, plan how you’ll get into the I-Drive or convention area. A short ride might be worth the savings on the room.
Bottom Line
Yes, November 16 appears to be a high-demand date in Orlando — not just tourist visitors but also a couple of big conventions. That’s likely why your usual cheap I-Drive options are not available. Your best bet is to either expand your search radius a little, use last-minute deal apps, or check with smaller hotels directly. That way, you might still find a decent deal for your late-night arrival.
More Orlando Travel Questions
- Eating at Sanaa
- Universal early entry
- Taxi Fare
- Midday break at Disney due to heat?
- taxi from mco to rosen at pointe orlando
- Vista cay - public transport to universal parks
- early coffee Disney hotels
- New question about car hire from Orlando Airport
- Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil & Disney
- Savis lightsaber
- First visit
- Recommendation for 4 day stay
