Where are the closest vacation rentals to Universal Orlando? Vista Cay Resort is the closest vacation rental community to Universal Studios (just 4.7 miles). 

There are many vacation home communities in Central Florida but for the most part, they are all down by Disney, which is further in the south in Kissimmee and Davenport and much further from Universal Studios. As a result, if you are planning to visit Universal and rent a vacation home the closest and easiest to get to the community is Vista Cay which offers all the amenities of a resort, but all the amenities of home.  For reservations in Vista Cay Resort Orlando be sure to check out our homes. One of the most common questions asked is – vacation rentals close to Universal Studios where are they?

How far is Vista Cay from Universal Studios Orlando?

Vista Cay is just 4.7 miles from Universal. For a video of how to get to Universal watch this video below as gives you an idea of proximity and just how close Universal Studio is For vacation rentals close to Universal Studios, Vista Cay is the closest.  Epic Universe will be opening in the summer of 2025.

Vacation Rentals Near Universal Studios Orlando, FL: Vista Cay Orlando is the closest property you can rent. 

Are you struggling to find a vacation rental close to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida? Look no further.

There are actually very few vacation home communities in Orlando and Vista Cay is the only one near Universal Studios. All the other communities will be far away and South of Disney in Kissimmee and Davenport which are simply too far away and difficult to navigate given the traffic in that area. We do not recommend staying in Kissimmee or Davenport given the traffic on Highway 192 and 27, especially during rush hour in peak season.

However, Vista Cay in our opinion is a vastly superior location as it has easy access from the airport (the express road and I4 are very close), the area is more modern, updated, and sophisticated, and is just off International Drive considered the restaurant mecca in Central Florida. 

Vista Cay Resort is located in Orlando Florida just 4.6 miles from Universal Studios (Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure) and what is most amazing is Vista Cay Resort will be within walking distance to the massive third Universal theme park located literally across the street from Vista Cay and will be walking distance, namely Epic Universe.

Is there a free shuttle to Universal from Vista Cay?

Vista Cay does not offer free shuttles to Universal as the homes there are all privately owned. However, given the closeness to Universal, you can get there with just a cheap Uber ride or a five-minute drive in your car.

Where can I get Universal Studios tickets at Vista Cay?

You can buy tickets for Universal Orlando in the lobby of Vista Cay from the concierge. Generally, these tickets are close in price when compared to buying directly at the park, but you save the most money when buying multi-day passes. Another plus is there is no waiting in line to buy tickets when buying them directly at the park. Although Vista Cay has the closest vacation home rentals to Universal Studios in Orlando we also recommend checking online and buying tickets direct from the Universal Studios website..

Closest vacation rentals to Universal Studios Orlando

The closest vacation rental to Universal Orlando is Vista Cay Resort which is just 5.7 miles away. Many people do not realize that Orlando does not allow short-term rentals of entire homes or condos other than in Vist Cay. This is most likely when you do your search most of the homes will be down in Kissimmee and Davenport. We caution against renting short-term rentals other than those in Vista Cay as they will not be licensed and appropriately insured as they most likely will be in violation of city ordinances. 

What is the easiest way to get to Universal from Vista Cay?

The easiest way to get to Universal Studios from Vista Cay is by Uber. This will give you flexibility and will prevent you from having to park and pay parking fees. In addition, if you wish to have a drink while at the parks you will not have to drive back. Uber is relatively inexpensive (approx $15 each way), but remember parking at Universal will cost you $25-$30 per day.  The benefit of having vacation rentals close to universal is that transportation such as Uber or Lyft is inexpensive and convenient.

Why rent a vacation rental near Universal Studios?

There are numerous hotels around Universal, but the problem with a hotel is that your room is limited to two beds and a toilet. For about the same price you can rent a full vacation rental with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen making for a home away from home. 

Having your own fully equipped vacation home gives you a lot more space, allows you to have your groceries and cooking in your fully equipped kitchen, and saves money by not constantly eating out while having all the resort-style amenities of a hotel resort. 

Driving to Universal Studios

If you are still intent on driving to Universal Studios from Vista Cay the easiest route is to take Universal Blvd to International Drive to the universal entrance. Even quicker is to take the express road next to Vista Cay to I4 East and take the universal exit that takes you right into Universal. Weather way it’s a quick drive. The International Drive is probably more interesting and will give you a chance to check out those restaurants and shops you may want to visit during your stay. 

Parking at Universal

One of the problems with parking at Universal is not just the cost, but the distance. Universal does have people movers, but make sure you take a photo of where you parked as the parking lots are miles long. This often means you have to walk some distance until you get to the Universal theme park you are attending. One of the tricks is the drop-off area if you take a taxi or Uber is much closer to the entrance of the parks than if you had to park and walk. There is unlimited parking at Vista Cay.

If you drive to Universal Studios you have to park where you are directed. This can be quite far from the main entrance, but there are people movers. Just be sure to take a photo of the sign closest to your car so you know where you parked.  The best thing is if you get dropped by a cab or Uber at the drop-off point you will not have to worry about parking and walking so far. 

Things to do going back and forth from Universal Studios

Vista Cay has many amenities, but if you do opt to drive to Universal Orlando we suggest you take the route down International Drive as you can see all the restaurants, shops, and attractions and get ideas for what you may want to do on another day or on your way back from the park. 

What types of vacation rentals are there near Universal Studios? 

As we mentioned previously Vista Cay Resort vacation rentals are the only vacation rentals near Universal Orlando. There are three types of rental

Townhomes: 

Vista Cay offers a variety of townhome rentals near Universal which offer 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The townhomes are three levels with two staircases and typically around 1800 square feet heated with a 1 car private garage. They can accommodate one car in the driveway and one car in the garage. The townhomes offer more space, but with the downside of having stairs the top floors tend to be a lot warmer than the other two floors in the summer. 

Condos:

If you are looking to rent a vacation condo near Universal Vista Cay is the only choice with the majority of Vista Cay being condos offering both two and three bedrooms all with two bathrooms. The condo’s square footage varies from approximately 1100 SF to 2100 SF under air. The advantage of the condos is they can be accessed by both elevators and stairs and are 1 level. Many of the condos offer lake views and some have both lake views and pool views, 

Budget Apartments

You can rent a budget apartment near Universal Studios in Vista Cay generally for about the same price as a hotel room, with the advantage being our vacation rental apartments come fully equipped with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Luxury Villas

Some of the villas for rent near Universal Studios in Vista Cay are of the highest luxury with some having been remodeled extensively. Of course, the price on some of these will be higher than those that are not as highly remodeled but shop around so you can find the best value for money for a luxury vacation rental near Universal Studios Orlando. 

Top Vacation Rental Communities Near Universal Studios Orlando

Orlando is home to very few vacation homes near Universal Studios. Did you know the city of Orlando and Orange County (in which Orlando is located) have very strict limitations on vacation rentals? There are tens of thousands of vacation rentals south of Disney (in Kissimmee and Davenport) but these are huge distances from Universal Studios and experience substantial traffic congestion. 

As a result, the only real choice for a proper vacation rental near Universal Orlando is Vista Cay Resort. 

About Vista Cay Resort Orlando

Vista Cay is a resort-style community of vacation homes consisting of Condos and Townhomes. Vista Cay is one of the few communities in Orlando that allow short-term rentals and is the closest community to Universal Orlando and is literally across the street walking distance from the new Universal theme park Epic Universe. 

Vista Cay Resort has two major pool complexes both with multiple pools, splash pools, pool bars, hot tubs, and splash zones

The main clubhouse also offers a fitness center gift shop and concierge service.

One of the great features of Vista Cay Orlando is it is within walking distance of many restaurants and shops. There is a Publix (a major grocery store) in front of the complex. There are a variety of food outlets including Chinese, Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Cupcakes, and Diner concepts all within walking distance to name a few. 

Vista Cay is the closest vacation rental community to Universal and the convention center in Orlando. This makes it unique and separates it from the mass of vacation home accommodation south of Disney which is located too far away and leaves guests having to battle super congested traffic. 

Vista Cay is located just off the Orlando expressway and Interstate I4 making it super convenient to access but hidden away enough to be a peaceful resort-style setting. 

How to find the best vacation rentals near Universal Studios in Orlando 

Probably the easiest way to find a vacation home rental near Universal Studios in Orlando is to make sure of the following:

1. Use a professional management company (like us) 
2. Check the reviews CLICK HERE
3. Make sure the management company you use is located on-site
4. Check the location of the vacation home in proximity to Universal (Vista Cay Orlando is the closest) 
5. Book directly with the management company. We recommend not booking directly with an owner as they are usually located out of state and also don’t book with some third-party channel such as Airbnb or VRBO and definitely not Booking dot com as you are not dealing directly with a professional management source. This way if you have any requests when you are at the vacation home, you are dealing with a person who is an expert and located on site. This will save you both time and money while making for a much better experience. 

Budget-Friendly Vacation Rentals Near Universal Studios Orlando

Are you looking for a budget-friendly vacation rental near Universal Studios in Orlando? Vista Cay Resort offers the best solution as you can rent a fully equipped vacation rental with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchens, and large living and hiding spaces for about the price of a hotel room. Not only will this be way more spacious than a cramped tiny hotel room, but they also offer all the amenities you would find at home such as fully equipped kitchens.

Vista Cay offers resort-style amenities better than many area hotels and makes a lot more sense for those on a budget. Another major advantage of the fully ripped kitchens is it allows you to save a fortune on food and drink eating out as you can stock your fridge at the major grocery store (Publix) which is within walking distance. 

The other major advantage for those on a budget is the location. YOu can literally walk to Epic Universe the new Universal theme park across the street or take an inexpensive Uber ride to Universal Orlando which is just 4.6 miles away if you don’t want to rent a car.

Packing food & water for the day at Universal

The advantage of having a home at Vista Cay is preparing meals and storage. You can bring your own sandwiches and some bottled water which you can prepare in your home which will save you money. 

What are the operating hours at Universal Orlando?

The operating hours change regularly at Universal so be sure to check before you go.

If you are looking to buy a vacation home near Universal Studios in Orlando visit our Real estate page.