If you are planning your Disney and Universal vacation to Orlando, you will want to be sure that you go about it the right way. For example, if there are specific resorts that you want to visit, you have to be sure that you stay near to them to ensure you get the maximum out of your visit. Finding and choosing a resort is never as easy as you think it will be. There are lots of variables to take into account and to make your search successful. You have to think about what you need and want.

Why You Need to Stay Near Your Favorite Park

This may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Orlando, or it may be something that you have been planning for months. Whatever your vacation is to you, and whatever it means to you, it is important to stay near your favorite theme park. Parks get full very quickly, and if you are not located near to the park you want to visit, you may find that it will get sold out - before you have even got a chance to get in line. When you stay near (or next to) your favorite park, you get the chance to take in the build-up and anticipation you will feel leading up to your entry, and this is not something that money can buy. Now, you know why you need to stay near to your favorite park, you have to look at which resorts are best for you.

Westgate Vacation Villas Resort

Plenty of fun to be had in the on-site water park for children of all ages

If you are looking for a resort that offers lots for you and for your family, then stop the press because, in Orlando, vacation villas are what you should be looking for. Staying in a room may be OK for a short while. However, if you are traveling for a couple of weeks, you will find that you are soon restricted in the space that you have, and this will affect the enjoyment you get from your vacation. The Westgate Vacation Villas Resort offers fabulous villas that allow you to feel like you have not just a base but a home away from home. Being settled on your vacation is important because when you are settled, you have more energy and enthusiasm to travel and explore. In this resort, you will find a wide range of eateries and dining areas, as well as outdoor pools and water parks for kids.

Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration

Sitting on 20 acres, you will find plenty to do in this resort

This is one of the larger resorts on offer, both in terms of the number of rooms and also in acreage - as it sits on a very generous plot of over 20 acres. There are lots of things to do within the resort, and you will find that you can stay busy enough to forget about the parks (if you wish)! On-site, you will find tennis courts and outdoor swimming pools. If you have children, then there is a children's club (kids club) which may help them meet new friends and explore other areas of the resort - while leaving you to enjoy a cocktail or refreshing beverage at the poolside bar or around the pool! If you are after more, you will find that there are recreation boards around the resort that detail experiences and activities that you and your family can do throughout the day or week.

Galleria Palms Hotel

Offering clean and comfortable rooms in a central location

If you are looking for a place to get up and go exploring, then this is your place. Once you have had a comfortable night's sleep, it is time to have the daily buffet, and then head off on a shuttle bus to your favorite park or attraction. This location offers comfortably sized rooms which quite often feature queen-sized or king-sized beds (dependent on the room you choose. This is an affordable choice for your Kissimmee visit, and if you are looking at soaking up what the hotel offers, you can do this around the outdoor pool with a tea or coffee from the lobby. Just relaxing and enjoying being in a magical place is what you can do with ease at this hotel.

Celebration Suites – Old Town

Convenient accommodation that allows you to also explore Old Town

This resort is located just a few miles away from the popular attractions of Old Town and Walt Disney World. Guest rooms within this hotel are a good size, and they feature everything that you could need and want during your stay, including mini-fridges, microwaves, hairdryers, and of course, free Wi-Fi. If you would like to venture away from the hotel, then you can do so with ease because there is a free shuttle service on offer from the hotel that will take you to the best attractions around. If you are hiring a car, you will be please to know that there is lots of free parking available around the hotel. The hotel also has a fitness center available to guests, and if you have enough energy left at the end of the day, you may fancy a workout followed by a swim in the outdoor pool.

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

A large resort that is well-equipped for visitors with families

 This is a large yet secluded getaway that is simply perfect for all of the family to enjoy. This resort has certainly been created and built with families' relaxation and enjoyment in mind. For example, it has 5 pools on offer, 2 kids splash pads, and 2 lazy rivers running around the resort - and this is enough to keep you busy (without even leaving the resort). If you do not fancy having a day by the pool, then why not give yourself some me-time and head to the spa. Or, why not take the kids for a round of mini-golf. There is so much to see and do within this resort that you will most likely need a few days just to find your feet. When it comes to choosing a room for your stay, you have many options available to you. For example, if you are traveling with a family, you can choose to have a bunk-bed room or a deluxe room. If you are traveling and accessibility is an issue, then you can stay in one of the accessible rooms. Or, if you simply want to take in the views of the beautiful 10-acre lake - you can do this. All you have to do is stay in a lake view room.

Rosen Inn International Drive

An older hotel, but it is well located to parks and International Drive

If you are looking for simpler yet comfortable accommodation that is located close to the parks and attractions, then the Rosen Inn could be an option. Although this hotel and resort is not the biggest on offer, it does include everything you could need for a comfortable stay, including the queen- or king-sized beds (and rooms big enough to accommodate groups or families traveling). An outdoor pool and mini-market can also be found. The mini-market is ideal for those last-minute purchases.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee

Simple yet comfortable accommodation 

Stylish, comfortable rooms on offer that are ideal as a base when exploring Florida

If you are looking for a good base that is well located and within easy access to restaurants and eateries such as IHOP in Starbucks, then look no further. This good-sized hotel does not offer some of the facilities and amenities you may need when you are traveling with a family - such as a kids club and entertainment, but it does offer a lovely outdoor pool and a well-equipped indoor fitness center. Its location is a major advantage because it is just a stone's throw away from the best parks and attractions that Disney and Universal have to offer

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa

A well-equipped Resort that is ideal for family stays

If you are looking for a larger resort for your Orlando stay, then this may be a good location to choose. Within this resort, you will find entertainment for adults and children, and you will find suites that are comfortable, finished, and presented. As this is a larger resort, it is perfectly equipped and suited for those traveling with a family. The hotel runs a frequent shuttle service between the parks, which of course, means that they have no trouble getting around and seeing the sights and attractions. As this is a family-friendly resort, you can expect it to be on the livelier and busier side!

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.