Best Area to Stay in Orlando for UK Families: Kissimmee vs Davenport vs International Drive

For most UK families visiting Orlando for two weeks, the best area to stay is usually Kissimmee, especially around the US 192 corridor. It gives you easy access to Disney, a huge choice of villas, supermarkets, restaurants and better value than staying onsite.

Davenport can be better if you want a larger villa for less money, while International Drive works well for hotel-based trips, Universal-heavy holidays or families who want restaurants and attractions within walking distance.

This guide compares Kissimmee, Davenport, International Drive and Lake Buena Vista so you can choose the right Orlando base for your family.

Here's my honest breakdown of every area, what it actually costs, and exactly where I'd stay if I were booking for my family right now.

The Three Main Areas Explained in Plain English

Before comparing them, it helps to understand where each area actually sits. Orlando is a big city, and the theme parks are mostly south-west of it — not in Orlando proper at all.

Kissimmee (US 192 corridor) runs east to west just below Disney World. It's where most UK families end up staying, and for good reason — it's right on Disney's doorstep, packed with villas and vacation homes, and has everything you need on a 30-mile stretch of road. I first stayed here in 1991 and the area has grown massively since, but the core appeal is exactly the same.

Davenport (Hwy 27 / Champions Gate area) sits a bit further south-west. Villas here are often larger and cheaper than comparable properties in Kissimmee, but you're adding 10–20 minutes to your Disney commute. For families prioritising Universal Orlando or doing a mix of parks and beaches, this is a genuinely smart choice.

International Drive (I-Drive) is the tourist strip running north to south between Disney and Universal. It's more hotel-focused, brilliant for walking to restaurants and attractions, and the better choice if your family wants a lively, convenience-first base. Villas exist here too but they're rarer and pricier.

Kissimmee vs Davenport: Which Is Better for UK Families?

This is the real decision for most British families, because both areas are dominated by villa rentals — the accommodation type UK families love most. My full thoughts on whether a villa or hotel is right for you are in my villa vs hotel guide, but assuming you've already decided on a villa, here's how to choose between the two.

Kissimmee wins on convenience for Disney. If Disney World is your priority and you're doing it multiple days, being 5–15 minutes from the Disney parks rather than 25–30 makes a real difference. With young children, the ability to head back for a nap or an early finish is genuinely valuable. The US 192 road also has supermarkets, restaurants, shops and everything you need within minutes of your villa door.

Davenport wins on price and size. For the same budget, you'll typically get a larger villa in Davenport. If you're a bigger group — two families sharing, or a family of five or six — the extra bedrooms and pool space can be worth the slightly longer drive. The Champions Gate area in particular has some brilliant resort-style communities with clubhouses, lazy rivers and restaurants on site.

For most UK families doing a classic two-week Orlando trip, I'd lean towards Kissimmee. But if your group is large or your budget is tight, Davenport deserves serious consideration.

International Drive: Who Is It Actually For?

I-Drive gets a slightly unfair reputation as the "tourist trap" option. It is touristy — there's no getting around that — but for certain families it's genuinely the right choice.

You should consider I-Drive if your family is split between Universal and Disney, because it sits almost exactly halfway between both parks. It's also the right call if you want to be able to walk to dinner, visit ICON Park, or use the I-Ride Trolley to get around without a hire car. Families without a hire car, or those doing a shorter trip with a hotel rather than a villa, often find I-Drive easier to manage.

The downside is cost. Hotel rooms on I-Drive are typically more expensive than equivalent villa space in Kissimmee or Davenport, and eating out every night adds up quickly without a villa kitchen. If you're watching your budget — and most UK families absolutely should be, given the cost of getting to Florida in the first place — I-Drive can quietly drain your spending money. I cover exactly how to manage this in my guide to saving £2,000 on your Florida holiday.

Area Comparison: Costs, Drive Times and What You Actually Get

Villa costs are approximate weekly rates for a 3–4 bedroom private pool villa at time of writing. Prices vary significantly by season — peak summer and school holidays will be at the higher end.

What UK Families Specifically Need to Think About

A lot of Orlando location advice online is written for American families driving from nearby states for a few days. UK families arriving after an 8–10 hour flight with tired children and a hire car full of luggage have slightly different needs.

First, you will need a hire car for any of these areas. There is no practical public transport between Orlando's theme parks and the villa areas. Hiring a car is non-negotiable for UK families staying in villas — I explain the full process and how to avoid the hidden costs in my Florida car hire guide for UK families.

Second, think about your arrival day. You'll land at Orlando International Airport (MCO), collect your hire car and drive to your accommodation. From MCO, Kissimmee is about 25–35 minutes, Davenport is 35–50 minutes, and I-Drive is 25–30 minutes. After a transatlantic flight with kids, every extra minute in the car matters more than you think.

Third, check the school holiday calendar before deciding where to stay. In peak summer and October half term, everywhere fills up and prices spike. Booking early — ideally 9–12 months ahead for popular villa communities — gives you the best choice of properties and the most competitive prices. For a full picture of costs and timing, my Florida holiday cost guide for 2026 is worth a read before you commit to anything.

My Honest Verdict

If I were booking a Florida family holiday today, I'd stay on the Kissimmee US 192 corridor — and I say that having first stayed there in 1991 as an eleven-year-old and having gone back repeatedly ever since. It genuinely is the sweet spot for most UK families. You're close to Disney, you've got everything you need within a few minutes' drive, and the villa choice is enormous. For a family of four or five doing the classic two-week Orlando trip, it's hard to beat.

Davenport is a brilliant alternative if you're a larger group or working with a tighter budget — the villas are bigger for less money and the Champions Gate resort communities are excellent. I'd choose Davenport over I-Drive for a villa-based holiday almost every time. I-Drive is best saved for families doing a shorter trip in a hotel, or those who specifically want to be equidistant between Universal and Disney without a car for every journey.

Whichever area you choose, the most important thing is to book early. Florida villa inventory for UK school holidays — particularly summer and October half term — moves fast. Get your accommodation sorted, then build your park tickets and itinerary around it. If you're still figuring out the full picture of what a Florida holiday will actually cost, my full breakdown of Florida holiday costs from the UK is the next place I'd start.

Is Kissimmee or International Drive better for families?

For most UK families doing multiple Disney days, Kissimmee is better — it's closer to Disney World, villa-focused, and generally better value. International Drive suits families wanting a hotel-based stay within walking distance of restaurants and attractions, or those who are equally splitting time between Disney and Universal.

How far is Kissimmee from Disney World?

The Kissimmee US 192 corridor sits directly adjacent to Disney World's southern boundary. Depending on where on the 192 your villa is, you're typically 5–20 minutes from the Disney park entrances — sometimes less. It's the closest affordable area to Disney for villa-staying families.

Is Davenport far from the theme parks?

Davenport is further out than Kissimmee — roughly 20–35 minutes from Disney and 30–45 minutes from Universal, depending on exact location. It's not a deal-breaker, especially if you're driving yourself, but it does add up over a two-week trip with multiple park days. The trade-off is larger villas at lower prices.

Do I need a hire car if I stay on International Drive?

You can get by without one on I-Drive more easily than anywhere else in Orlando — the I-Ride Trolley connects most of the strip, and Uber is readily available. However, for day trips to Disney, Universal and especially for grocery runs and beach days, a hire car makes life significantly easier. Most UK families staying in Orlando will find a hire car essential.

Which area of Orlando is best for first-time UK visitors?

For first-timers from the UK, I'd always point towards the Kissimmee US 192 area. It's close to Disney, the roads are straightforward once you've adjusted to driving on the right, there are supermarkets and restaurants everywhere, and the villa availability is the best of any area. It's also the area most recommended on UK Florida forums like theDIBB for exactly these reasons.