Best Western Near Orlando's Theme Parks: Choosing Your Base
Orlando's theme park world spans several distinct pockets of the city, and where you sleep affects how much time you spend in a car versus in a park. Best Western's Orlando properties sit in different parts of this landscape, so the right pick depends on which parks you're visiting and how much you want to drive. This guide walks through the main areas, what to expect for families, how to move between hotel and parks, and how to lock in a fair rate when you book direct.
Choosing your area
Orlando's theme parks are spread across a few separate zones rather than one central district: Walt Disney World and its satellite area to the southwest, Universal Orlando and International Drive in the middle of the city, and SeaWorld a bit further along International Drive. Deciding which park anchors your trip should come before deciding which hotel to book.
Best Western Plus Universal Inn is positioned for travelers whose main focus is Universal Orlando, keeping that park as the primary reference point for the stay. Best Western Orlando Gateway Hotel sits further out along the broader Orlando corridor, a reasonable option if you plan to split time between multiple parks, attend a convention, or want a base that isn't tied to a single resort area.
If your itinerary is Disney-heavy, note that neither of these two properties sits inside Disney property itself, so factor in some drive time regardless of which one you choose. Check the exact address and distance to your priority park on each hotel's page before booking.
Family-friendly by design
Most travelers heading to Orlando's parks are families juggling strollers, early mornings and midday pool breaks, and hotel choice matters more here than in a typical city trip. Look at each property's room types before booking — some parks trips work better with a suite or a room with two queen beds than with a standard double.
Breakfast, pool access and parking policies vary by hotel and can change seasonally, so confirm these details directly on the hotel's page rather than assuming. If you're traveling with young children, a property closer to your main park cuts down on the length of the post-park, pre-nap drive, which is worth weighing against a lower rate further out.
Getting around
A rental car remains the most flexible way to cover Orlando's theme park sprawl, since the parks are miles apart and connected by highway rather than a single walkable district. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the main gateway for most visitors and has standard rental counters and rideshare pickup.
If you're staying along International Drive, the I-Ride Trolley service runs the length of that corridor and can cover some Universal- and SeaWorld-adjacent trips without a car, though it won't reach Disney property. For a Disney-focused stay, you'll generally need a car or rideshare regardless of hotel, since public transit doesn't connect that area to International Drive.
Whichever hotel you choose, confirm on its page whether it offers shuttle service to nearby parks — this can change and shouldn't be assumed from the hotel name alone.
How to book the best rate
Rates for Orlando hotels move with season, school holidays and park events, so the number you see today may not be the number you see next week. Booking directly on bestwestern.online means you're seeing live rates without a third-party markup or the account requirements some booking sites impose.
If your travel dates are flexible, compare a few nearby dates on the same hotel page — even a one-day shift can change the rate meaningfully during peak Orlando periods like school breaks and major holidays.