When to Visit International Drive, FL
The spring months from March to May are ideal for your International Drive vacation. The weather is beautiful, with temperatures ranging from the high 50s to high 80s on most days. There are also not as many tourists as during the summer months. This makes airfares and accommodation costs much more reasonable.
Besides the crowds, the combination of summer heat and humidity can be hard to cope with, especially if you're not used to it. However, winter also brings an influx of tourists keen to spend the festive season with their Florida families and friends and escape the cold back home. You can expect price hikes during the winter months that are similar to those of summer.
Fall can be a good choice for an I-Drive vacation, but the weather may be unpredictable. If you're lucky, you'll enjoy the same affordable prices and pleasant weather that spring vacationers do. But September to November is the most active part of the state's hurricane season. There's some chance that bad weather could spoil your International Drive vacation plans.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in International Drive, FL:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average nightly cost trends by star rating class in International Drive, FL. Analyze these charts to evaluate the most cost effective time to book a room in International Drive during the year.
Luxury Hotel Options in International Drive, FL
4 Star Average Prices: £111.01
For a little more pampering, look to I-Drive's luxury hotels. These establishments go the extra mile to make sure guests feel right at home with high-end decor and facilities.
Westgate Palace Resort is as fancy as its name suggests. Guests don't have mere rooms; they stay in two-bedroom villas. Each comes with the comforts of home, including full-sized kitchens, washing machines, and dryers. For the ultimate indulgence, enjoy the extra space of a deluxe villa. The Westgate Palace is just off I-Drive, and guests enjoy the convenience of free transport to theme parks and outlet stores. The hotel's partnership with Tickets2You helps guests save on theme park admissions. There's so much to do onsite too, with a basketball court, playground, games room, and several pools for your enjoyment.
Hilton Orlando delivers the kind of superior stay you'd expect from the revered Hilton hotel chain. It's connected to the Orange County Convention Center and a short drive from SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and the Walt Disney Resort. Hilton facilities were designed with family fun in mind. You can relax on the nine-hole putting green or with a spa treatment. Your kids will love the waterslide and lazy river. There are also two pools and private cabanas for quiet time. A variety of luxurious guest rooms, suites, and accessible rooms caters to all kinds of travelers.
Affordable Hotel Options in International Drive, FL
3 Star Average Prices: £83.36
Expensive theme park tickets and family meals can really eat a hole in your budget. Thankfully, there are a few inexpensive hotels in International Drive that will let you spend more on fun.
Allure Resort Orlando is ideally located in the heart of International Drive, across from the Orlando Eye. Its rooms are basic but comfortable, with attractive features like cable TV sets, microwaves, fridges, and coffee makers. The well-kept grounds feature a pool bar, onsite restaurant, and play area for the kids. Walking to Universal Studios, Point Orlando, and the Convention Center takes only minutes, but you can save your legs and catch the hotel's shuttle.
Best Western International Drive is another affordable choice boasting excellent facilities, including a heated outdoor swimming pool and fitness center. Its rooms are simple but spacious, with flat screen satellite TV sets, microwave ovens, and refrigerators. Best Western's free hot breakfast buffet, featuring waffles, pastries, and fresh fruit, is the ideal way to start your day. Catch the shuttle to nearby theme parks, including SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World. Best Western International Drive is a Disney Official Ticket Hotel, so you can get your Disney World “Magic Your Way” tickets from the concierge desk.
2 Star Average Prices: £61.03
Best Discounts in International Drive, FL
No one wants to pay more for their vacation than they have to. International Drive has several hotels offering guest discounts. Look for deals like these to make sure your vacation budget goes even further.
The Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection is an elegant I-Drive boutique hotel. Rooms can be expensive, but members of AAA and CAA auto clubs, qualified government and military personnel, and seniors aged 62 and over all enjoy special rates. These discounts can make this sophisticated hotel a real bargain. Rooms are opulently appointed with pillowtop beds and marble bathrooms. The Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection also boasts four onsite restaurants serving everything from classic American fare to Spanish tapas. Guests enjoy fresh fruit and bottled water in the fitness center. After a workout, soothe your muscles in the heated pool or whirlpool.
The Ramada Orlando Near Convention Center rewards you for your loyalty. Stay two or more nights, and you'll get a $10 discount on each night. AARP members also receive at least 10 percent off the standard room rates. The Ramada Orlando Near Convention Center is also an excellent option for sports groups, wedding parties, and gatherings of friends, family members, or business colleagues, as the hotel extends big discounts for multiple room bookings. This stylish hotel also generously offers free breakfasts each morning, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and a free shuttle bus to the theme parks.
Best Value Options in International Drive, FL
The best value options in International Drive aren't too expensive, but are still nice. They include the features you love and don't mind paying for, while ideally offering a little something extra.
Extended Stay America Convention Center in Orlando is ideal for travelers wanting a taste of home. It's designed with longer stays in mind, with full kitchens, dishes, and cutlery in each room and a coin laundry on site for catching up on your washing. If you don't want to cook in your room, throw some steaks on the outdoor grills. After taking care of chores, you can swim laps in the pool or enjoy a workout in the fitness room. Enjoy a free grab-and-go breakfast before jumping on the complimentary shuttle for sightseeing.
Avanti International Resort is a better value option for families, as there's more to keep children entertained on site. There's an enormous swimming pool, with fountains for the kids and a Jacuzzi for grown-ups. Children also love the games room, located next to the pool, with Guitar Hero, air hockey, racing games, and other interactive fun. The resort is close to many restaurants, but when you want to stay in, you'll appreciate the onsite Café and Marketplace. You can also grab light meals from the poolside bar or order room service until the café closes.
Top International Drive, FL Destinations
With so much to see and do, you'll never be bored in International Drive. Its theme parks are its greatest attraction, and with good reason. I-Drive is home to some of the world's most famous theme parks, including SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark, and Universal's Island of Adventure. The theme parks of Walt Disney World Resort are also just a short drive away. You can easily spend a whole day or more at each of these parks, riding the rides, meeting the park mascots, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Don't overlook International Drive's other attractions, though. When you need to catch your breath, these destinations make for a welcome change of pace. Admire aquatic animals from around the world at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. It's home to more than 5000 different sea creatures, including the giant Pacific octopus, clownfish, sea turtles, stingrays, jellyfish, and fearsome sharks.
For up-close encounters with some famous faces, you can't miss Madame Tussaud's Orlando, the local arm of the world's most famous series of wax museums. Stars of the stage, screen, sporting world, and political arenas are all represented in this fascinating museum. Rub shoulders with the figures and be sure to snap some selfies with your favorites.
From the moment you spot the distinctive upside building, you'll know visiting WonderWorks will be an exciting experience. This unusual attraction bills itself as an amusement park for the mind. It features more than 100 interactive exhibits that teach you about science as you play. Just for fun, WonderWorks also has laser tag, indoor ropes, and a thrilling 4D XD simulator ride. Stay late and enjoy the funny, family-friendly magic dinner show.
Grab your kids or your best friends and prepare for one of the most exhilarating vacations you'll ever take. A whole world of fun and adventure is waiting for you to explore it at International Drive.
FAQs about hotels in International Drive