Kissimmee is weird. If you’ve ever driven down US-192, you know exactly what I mean. One minute you're passing a giant orange-shaped souvenir shop, and the next, you’re staring at a massive, sprawling complex that looks more like a Mediterranean village than a central Florida hotel. That’s Fantasy World Resort Orlando. It’s tucked away just off the main drag, and honestly, if you aren't looking for it, you might just drive right past the entrance while trying to navigate the chaos of Orlando traffic.
Most people heading to Florida have a specific "vacation brain" setting. They think they have to choose between a cramped, overpriced room at a Disney-owned resort or a sketchy motel twenty miles away that smells like old carpet and desperation. There’s a middle ground. Fantasy World Resort Orlando is basically that middle ground. It’s a vacation villa complex that functions like a resort but feels like you actually own a piece of property in Florida—without the property taxes or the humidity-induced mold issues.
The "Townhome" Secret vs. Tiny Hotel Rooms
Let’s talk about space. It matters. You don't realize how much it matters until you're three days into a week-long trip, and your kids are throwing a tantrum because someone breathed on their "side" of the hotel bed. Fantasy World Resort Orlando doesn't do "rooms." They do two-story townhomes.
These aren't just suites. They are full-blown 1,000-square-foot residences. You get two bedrooms upstairs and a full kitchen downstairs. You've got a washer and dryer right there in the unit. Think about that for a second. You can actually pack half the clothes you usually would because you can run a load of laundry while you're sleeping. It’s a game changer for anyone who hates paying $35 for a "checked bag" fee on Spirit or Frontier.
The kitchens are fully equipped. I'm talking a full-sized fridge, stove, microwave, and dishwasher. Does anyone actually want to cook on vacation? Probably not. But having the option to make a quick breakfast or heat up leftover pizza from Giordano’s saves you a fortune. Disney food is expensive. A family of four can easily drop $80 on a mediocre lunch in the parks. If you eat breakfast at your villa at Fantasy World Resort Orlando, you’ve basically paid for your parking at the theme parks for the day.
What’s the Catch with the Location?
It’s close. But let’s be real—nothing in Orlando is "five minutes away" unless you're talking about the gas station across the street. Fantasy World Resort Orlando is about 3 to 4 miles from the Walt Disney World property line. Depending on which park you’re hitting, you’re looking at a 10 to 20-minute drive.
Is it on-site? No. Does it matter? Not as much as it used to. Ever since Disney got rid of the free Magical Express and started charging for parking at their own resorts (though they've flip-flopped on that recently), the "perks" of staying on-site have dwindled. Staying here gives you a buffer. You can escape the "Mouse House" energy. Sometimes you just need to sit in a living room that doesn't have Mickey silhouettes on the wallpaper and breathe.
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The resort sits on Seralago Boulevard. You're right behind the Old Town Kissimmee area. If you’ve never been to Old Town, it’s a trip. It’s got that vintage Florida vibe, car shows on the weekends, and a giant Slingshot ride that makes me nauseous just looking at it. Being this close to the 192 corridor means you have access to Target, Publix, and every chain restaurant known to man within a two-mile radius.
The Water Park Situation
Usually, "resort pool" is code for a rectangular hole in the ground surrounded by three plastic chairs and a lukewarm vending machine. Fantasy World Resort Orlando actually put some effort here. They have a full-on water park area.
- Two massive water slides.
- A lazy river (which is surprisingly decent).
- A kids' splash pad with all the interactive nozzles and buckets.
- A poolside bar because, well, parents.
The lazy river isn't Typhoon Lagoon level, obviously. But for a place where you're staying for a fraction of the price of a Disney Deluxe resort, it's incredible. You can spend an entire "off day" here without feeling like you're wasting your vacation. Most people forget to schedule an off day. They try to do five park days in a row and end up hating each other by Wednesday. Don't do that. Spend a Tuesday floating in the lazy river at Fantasy World Resort Orlando while the kids wear themselves out on the slides.
The Cost Benefit Analysis Nobody Does
Let’s get into the math. People hate math on vacation, but your bank account will thank you.
A standard room at a Disney "Value" resort like All-Star Movies is about 260 square feet. You’re looking at $160 to $220 a night depending on the season. At Fantasy World Resort Orlando, you’re often getting 1,000 square feet for a similar price—sometimes less if you book during a shoulder season.
You’re getting four times the space. Plus a kitchen. Plus no "resort parking" fees in many cases (though always check the latest policy because Florida resorts love a sneaky fee). The "resort fee" at Fantasy World generally covers the water park, the shuttles to the parks, and the activities. Yes, they have a shuttle. It’s scheduled, so you have to be on time, but it beats paying $30 a day to park your rental car at Epcot.
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Dealing with the "Timeshare" Vibe
Okay, transparency time. Fantasy World Resort Orlando is technically a vacation ownership resort. That’s a fancy way of saying timeshare.
Does this mean you’ll be cornered by a guy in a polo shirt trying to sell you a 30-year contract while you’re trying to get a towel? Maybe. It happens at almost all the big Kissimmee resorts (looking at you, Westgate and Wyndham). The trick is a polite but firm "No, thank you." You don't have to attend a sales presentation to stay there. If they offer you "discounted tickets" in exchange for a "90-minute tour," remember that those 90 minutes usually turn into three hours of high-pressure sales. Your time is worth more than the $40 you'll save on a LegoLand ticket. Just skip the pitch and go to the pool.
The Nitty-Gritty Details
The units were renovated fairly recently. They went from that "90s floral explosion" look to a more modern, clean aesthetic. Think grey tones, laminate flooring (easier to clean the sand off), and stainless steel appliances.
- WiFi: It works. It’s not NASA-speed, but you can stream Netflix.
- Pet Policy: They actually have some pet-friendly units. This is rare for Orlando resorts. If you can’t bear to leave Fido at home, this is one of your better options near the parks.
- Activities: They do trivia, karaoke, and craft stuff by the pool. It’s a bit "summer camp," but kids eat it up.
- Fitness: There's a gym. It's fine. But honestly, if you're walking 10 miles a day at Magic Kingdom, do you really need a treadmill?
Is it Right for You?
If you are a "Disney Purist" who needs to be woken up by a character on the hotel phone and wants to ride the Monorail to bed, you will hate it here. You'll feel too far away. You'll miss the "theming."
However, if you are a family of five or six, or two couples traveling together, staying at Fantasy World Resort Orlando is a massive brain move. You get privacy. You get a door you can close between you and the kids. You get a cold beer from your own fridge that didn't cost $12.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To get the most out of a stay at Fantasy World Resort Orlando, you need to play the game correctly.
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Book the right unit. Ask for a unit away from the main road (US-192) if you're a light sleeper. The traffic noise in Florida is real, and the sirens can be a bit much at 2 AM. The units closer to the back of the property near the tennis courts tend to be quieter.
Hit the Grocery Store Early.
Don't wait until you're tired. There is a Publix and a Target nearby. Go there as soon as you check in. Stock up on water bottles, snacks, and breakfast items. The "convenience store" on-site is okay for an emergency bag of chips, but the prices are exactly what you'd expect from a resort store.
Check the Shuttle Schedule Immediately.
If you plan on using the resort shuttle to get to Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld, get the schedule at the front desk the moment you arrive. They are not "on demand." If you miss the 8:15 AM bus, you might be waiting a while for the next one. If the times don't work, just use Uber or Lyft; it’s usually around $15-$25 to get to the Disney transport center.
Bring your own coffee.
The villas have coffee makers, but the "starter pack" of coffee they give you is usually enough for one morning and tastes like burnt toast. Bring a bag of your favorite grounds and some filters. Sitting on the screened-in patio with a decent cup of coffee before the humidity hits 100% is the only way to prep for a day at the parks.
Monitor the Resort Fee.
Like most Orlando spots, there is a daily resort fee. It covers the water park and amenities. Make sure you factor this into your total budget. It’s usually around $25-$30 per night. Even with that fee, the value for a two-bedroom villa usually beats the pants off a single hotel room nearby.
Don't overcomplicate it. It's a solid, clean, spacious place to crash between bouts of standing in line for Flight of Passage. It’s not the Ritz-Carlton, but it’s definitely not a roadside dive either. It's just a smart way to do a very expensive city.