Family-Size Condos Located Minutes from Orlando Theme Parks

The Villas of Somerset embody the concept of "a home away from home"—each of these two- and three-bedroom condos has a kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, and living and dining areas. That makes them convenient for families who are visiting the theme parks nearby, including Disney World (about 15 minutes away), Universal Studios, and SeaWorld (both about 20 minutes away). As a Disney-authorized independent retailer, the concierge can sell tickets to the theme parks as well as discounted admission to other area attractions and dinner shows.

Head to the Villas' clubhouse, which stays open 24 hours a day, and you can pick up park tickets at a discounted price. From there, you can easily get to the amusement parks via the adjacent Osceola Parkway, a toll road that has controlled access to maintain minimal traffic en route to Disney. The clubhouse also has its own convenience store, as well as a community gym, pool, and spa.

Kissimmee, Florida: Gateway to Disney World and Downtown Orlando

Located on the banks of Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee sits about 22 miles from downtown Orlando and just 16 miles from Walt Disney World. The world’s most-visited entertainment resort, Disney World spans roughly 30,000 acres, encompassing four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, and the Downtown Disney area. Here, you can ride Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom in the morning, then sample Moroccan cuisine over at Epcot’s World Showcase pavilions in the afternoon before the nightly IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth light show. The success of the park has brought an influx of other theme parks to Orlando, including Universal Studios and SeaWorld.

Those hoping to shake up the typical theme-park-dominated itinerary can head into downtown Orlando's vibrant arts district. The neighborhood boasts venues such as the CityArts Factory, a multifaceted patchwork of gallery spaces, and SAK Comedy Lab, which holds improv shows five nights a week.

About a 10-minute drive north, you’ll find several cultural institutions surrounding Orlando Loch Haven Park, including the Orlando Museum of Art, with a collection featuring pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg, Ansel Adams, and Andy Warhol. The park is also home to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the Orlando Science Center. Visit the science center to take a rover across a simulation of Mars’s red surface, or race model cars down a 70-foot pinewood-derby track.

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