Disney Area Vacation Rental Guide: Where to Stay, What to Know
Eighteen short chapters from the family that actually runs these homes — where to stay, how far everything is, where to shop and how booking works.
We have rented pet-friendly homes in Kissimmee since 2009 and answer these questions every week. This is the guide we wish every guest read before booking.
Written by Manny, owner-host since 2009 · Updated October 2, 2026
Vacation homes
25+
Distance to Disney
≈1–5 mi
Guest rating
4.8 / 5 · 96 stays
Renting since
2009
Where to stay near Disney
Guests always ask us: which side of Disney should we stay on? Our answer is two communities. Crestwynd Bay is a gated townhome community in the Celebration / Kissimmee 34747 area, about 1–2 miles from the Disney main gate off US-192 near I-4. Emerald Island Resort is a gated resort community off US-192 west, in the Formosa Gardens area, about 5 miles from Disney.
All 12 Crestwynd Bay homes are 3 bedroom townhomes. Emerald Island has 9 homes: 3 bedroom townhomes plus all our 4 bedroom homes. Every home is pet-friendly and includes the community's heated pool.
Owner tip
If Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are your priority, pick Crestwynd Bay. If Animal Kingdom is first on the list, Emerald Island is the shorter drive.
Crestwynd Bay vs Emerald Island Resort
Both communities are gated and both include a year-round heated community pool. The real difference is location and resort feel. This table is how we explain the choice to guests on the phone.
| Crestwynd Bay | Emerald Island Resort | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to Disney main gate | about 1–2 miles | about 5 miles |
| Closest park | Hollywood Studios (about 5 miles) | Animal Kingdom (about 4 miles) |
| Bedrooms available | 3 bedrooms | 3 and 4 bedrooms |
| Homes | 12 | 9 |
| Walkable shops | Walmart + gas station | Drive about 2 miles |
| Nearby evenings out | Celebration town center | Old Town Kissimmee, US-192 restaurants |
| Community amenities | Gated, heated pool | Gated, heated pool, tennis courts, resort amenities |
Disney distance guide
Here is every drive our guests ask about, from both communities. Figures are approximate, off-peak driving — traffic and which parking lot you are assigned can add a few minutes.
| Place | Crestwynd Bay | Emerald Island Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World main gate | ≈2 mi · 5 min | ≈5 mi · 10 min |
| Magic Kingdom | ≈8 mi · 15 min | ≈9 mi · 18 min |
| EPCOT | ≈6 mi · 12 min | ≈8 mi · 15 min |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | ≈5 mi · 10 min | ≈7 mi · 14 min |
| Disney's Animal Kingdom | ≈6 mi · 12 min | ≈4 mi · 9 min |
| Disney Springs | ≈6 mi · 12 min | ≈9 mi · 17 min |
| Universal Orlando Resort | ≈15 mi · 22 min | ≈18 mi · 26 min |
| SeaWorld Orlando | ≈11 mi · 17 min | ≈13 mi · 20 min |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | ≈23 mi · 30 min | ≈26 mi · 35 min |
| Walmart Supercenter | ≈0.5 mi · 2 min | ≈2 mi · 5 min |
| Celebration town center | ≈1 mi · 3 min | ≈6 mi · 12 min |
| Old Town Kissimmee | ≈5 mi · 10 min | ≈3 mi · 7 min |
| Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets | ≈3 mi · 7 min | ≈7 mi · 14 min |
Magic Kingdom guide
Magic Kingdom is about 8 miles from Crestwynd Bay and about 9 miles from Emerald Island Resort. You park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, then take the monorail or the ferry across to the park — build that transfer into your morning.
Our advice is to arrive before opening. The first two hours are the least crowded of the day. Evening fireworks mean a late return for most families, which is why a full kitchen helps so much: breakfast at home the next morning resets everyone before the next park.
EPCOT guide
EPCOT is about 6 miles from Crestwynd Bay and about 8 miles from Emerald Island Resort. Unlike Magic Kingdom, EPCOT has its own parking lot right at the main entrance, so arrival is simpler.
It is a good park for a late start — the World Showcase side comes alive in the afternoon and evening, and festivals run much of the year. A home nearby means you can leave mid-afternoon, rest, and go back for dinner.
Universal guide
Universal Orlando Resort is about 15 miles from Crestwynd Bay and about 18 miles from Emerald Island Resort — roughly 22 to 26 minutes in normal traffic. Universal has its own parking garage, and the resort and CityWalk are all in one area.
A Universal day is the longest drive of a park week, so plan it as a full day out rather than a split day. Both of our communities sit south-west of the resort, which keeps the drive a straight run on the main roads.
SeaWorld guide
SeaWorld Orlando is about 11 miles from Crestwynd Bay and about 13 miles from Emerald Island Resort. The headline shows are scheduled, so check the times when you arrive and plan the day around them.
For many families SeaWorld works as a half-day park — morning at the park, afternoon back at the community pool. That makes it a good middle-of-the-week day between bigger park days.
Restaurants nearby
Celebration town center is about a mile from Crestwynd Bay — sit-down restaurants around a small lake, good for a quieter evening. The US-192 corridor (Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy) runs along both communities and is lined with chain and family restaurants, so you will not drive far to find dinner.
Disney Springs is about 6–9 miles away for a bigger night out and parking there is free. Near Emerald Island, Old Town Kissimmee has restaurants and a fairground feel.
Owner tip
Our guests tell us the real savings come from cooking two of three meals at the house. Every kitchen is fully equipped, so breakfast and one more meal at home is easy money.
Grocery stores nearby
Crestwynd Bay has a Walmart Supercenter within walking distance, on Vineland Rd at US-192. For a full grocery shop, there is a Publix in Celebration and a Publix at Formosa Gardens Village on US-192 near Emerald Island.
Grocery delivery works at both communities. Give the gate your delivery name when ordering and the driver can reach the door — a good way to have the fridge stocked before you arrive.
Walmart nearby
The Walmart Supercenter is about half a mile from Crestwynd Bay — a 2-minute drive or a short walk — and about 2 miles from Emerald Island Resort. It is open late.
It is where our guests pick up pool toys, sunscreen, ponchos and breakfast supplies on day one. If you forgot it at home, this store almost certainly has it.
Pet-friendly things to do
Every one of our homes allows up to 2 well-behaved dogs — the pet fee is $25 per night or $100 per month. Both communities are gated, so morning walks are quiet and safe.
The lakeside paths and the town center in Celebration are walkable with dogs, and Disney Springs allows leashed dogs in its outdoor areas. The Disney theme parks themselves do not allow pets, but Best Friends Pet Care at Walt Disney World Resort offers day care — reserve ahead of your park day.
Family activities beyond the parks
Not every day needs a ticket. These are the places our families come back talking about — all an easy drive from both communities.
Old Town Kissimmee
Shops, rides and restaurants on US-192, minutes from Emerald Island.
Fun Spot Kissimmee
Go-karts and arcade rides on US-192 — an easy evening out.
Gatorland
The classic Florida gator park, south of the airport area.
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Lakefront playground and walking paths on Lake Tohopekaliga.
Airboat tours
Airboat rides on the Kissimmee lakes — book ahead in season.
LEGOLAND Florida
About 22 miles away in Winter Haven — a full day trip.
Old Town Kissimmee
Old Town is a strip of shops, rides and restaurants on US-192, about 3 miles from Emerald Island Resort. Entry is free and you pay per ride, so it works for an evening stroll with or without spending much.
On weekend evenings there is a classic car cruise — the kind of low-key Americana the kids end up remembering. It is a ten-minute drive from the Emerald Island homes.
Celebration
Celebration is the planned town next door to Crestwynd Bay — about a mile away. The town center wraps around a small lake with sit-down restaurants, boutiques and seasonal events through the year.
We send guests there for a slow evening: dinner by the water, a walk around the lake, and a ten-minute drive back to the gated community.
Shopping
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets are about 3 miles from Crestwynd Bay — the closest big outlet run. Disney Springs covers the brand-name end and is free to park at.
The Loop in Kissimmee is the big-box option along John Young Parkway, and Celebration has small boutiques around the town center for gifts. Emerald Island guests reach most of these down US-192.
Airport transportation
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 23 miles from Crestwynd Bay and about 26 miles from Emerald Island Resort — roughly 30 to 35 minutes in normal traffic.
Your options are a rental car, rideshare or a private shuttle. We recommend a rental car — parking is free at every home and you will want the car all week. Note that Disney no longer runs a free airport shuttle, so plan your own transport. Check-in is 4:00 PM.
Car rental
All the major rental companies operate at MCO, on airport property. You will want a car here — there is no walkable route to the parks from any vacation home community in Kissimmee.
Parking is free at every one of our homes. Local toll roads use SunPass; your rental company will offer a toll program, or you can pay tolls through their plate-billing option. Either works.
Monthly stays
A week is the standard trip, but we welcome weekly and monthly stays in every home. Monthly guests get the full house — kitchen, washer and dryer, free Wi-Fi — in a quiet gated community rather than a hotel corridor.
The pet fee for monthly stays is $100 per month. Remote workers and winter guests make up a growing share of our calendar, and the 20% deposit and at least 5 days before arrival balance terms are the same as any stay.
Quick answers about the Disney area
- Which community is closer to Disney?
- Crestwynd Bay is the closer of our two communities, about 1–2 miles from the Disney main gate. Emerald Island Resort is about 5 miles away.
- Do I need a car?
- Yes. There is no walkable route to the parks, so you need a car or rideshare. Parking is free at every home, and Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 23–26 miles away.
- Where is the nearest grocery store?
- Crestwynd Bay homes are within walking distance of a Walmart Supercenter. There is also a Publix in Celebration and a Publix at Formosa Gardens Village on US-192 near Emerald Island Resort.
- Are the homes pet-friendly?
- Yes, every home is pet-friendly. Up to 2 well-behaved dogs are welcome; the pet fee is $25 per night or $100 per month.
- Can I stay for a month or longer?
- Yes. Weekly and monthly stays are welcome in all our furnished Kissimmee homes — see the monthly rentals page for details. Monthly rentals
- How do I book?
- Book direct through our secure online calendar — a 20% deposit reserves the home and the balance is due at least 5 days before arrival. You can also call (407) 557-8999.
Ready to book your MyOrlandoStay vacation?
Check real-time availability and reserve your preferred home today.