IS ORLANDO EXPENSIVE?

Is Orlando expensive? How much do I need to save to be able to book a trip to Disney World? How much am I going to spend?

The simple answer, Orlando is expensive if you want the full ‘Orlando Experience’. Here is a breakdown of costs and typical prices, so you can plan your trip and make the most out of your time and money!

Tips:

• Remember, you can save money by eating in – many hotel rooms come with a kitchen so stock up in Walmart and cook yourself.
• Orlando isn’t just for kids! Plan your perfect girls trip to Orlando or get romantic in the parks with your partner.

Some people may opt for a villa, some may choose a Disney resort or one of the chain resorts in the area whilst others may search for a boutique hotel. There are lots of cool hotels in Orlando and here are a few options for all budgets – including prices!

• Villa – If you are looking to rent a villa during your stay, you can make some big savings by booking in advance. Because there are cheap places to live in Florida, make sure to compare prices and look a little further away from the parks to get the best deals. Homeaway.com is a good option for first-time renters, you can find condo’s to rent for as little as $50 or even villas with a private pool from $100. Here is a guide to the best villas in Orlando. 
• 5-star luxury – Couples looking to splash the cash on an exclusive resort should check out Villas of Grand Cypress with rooms starting at $225 a night. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is also a great choice but quite a bit pricier at $490 a night.
• Resorts –  In a popular area in the Celebration neighbourhood, you can book rooms at Magic Village Resort Orlando Near Disney for around $200 a night or Universal’s Lowes Sapphire Falls Resort for a similar price; plus the latter allows for earlier entry into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you are looking for the Disney experience then you can book the for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for $165 for a standard room or  if you want to splurge, look at the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for rooms around $400+.
• Moderately priced Luxury – If you are looking for luxury but don’t want to spend a fortune, Orlando have some great options for all types of visitors; particularly rooms around or under $100. The Comfort Suites Maingate East starts at $110, The Point Hotel and Suites cost $101 and the Holiday Inn on International Drive can be as little as $90.
• Cheap and cheerful – With the cost of theme parks and food, it may be worth saving on accommodation whilst in Orlando. Comfort Inn & Suites Convention Center, Baymont Inn & Suites Orlando Universal Blvd and Ramada Kissimmee Gateway all cost $60 or under. 

Orlando is a great holiday destination for fussy eaters and/or families. There is a wide variety of restaurants but also many supermarkets – many resorts include a kitchen or at least a kitchenette for you to prepare food at home.

Some good restaurant choices (and of course, the price!):

• Fine Dining – Victoria and Albert’s is praised for being a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ kind of experience. Reserve a table well in advance and expect to pay upwards of $250 per person.
• Fun Dining – Orlando certainly isn’t short of its themed restaurants; head to B-Line Diner to choose your own backdrop, with breakfasts starting at $10. You can also step in T-REX in Disney Springs for around $20 or pay a little more for lunch in one of the many themed restaurants within the parks themselves – The Leaky Cauldron is a firm favourite of mine.
• Pricey but worth it – The Bull & Bear Steakhouse at Waldorf Astoria offers delicious food from around $30 or check out the Ethos Vegan Kitchen for Vegan options under $10.
• Cheap eats – Q’Kenan serves up South American dishes for under $10, The Gnarly Barley does the same but with massive, yummy sandwiches and the Blaze Pizza offers completely personalised pizzas for just $10 AND it is Disney Springs!
• Dessert lovers – There is always a place for dessert on my budget plans. The Chocolate Emporium  at Universal is amazing but a little expensive with Sundaes starting at $10+. For fruity pops, head to The Pop Parlour at $3.50 a pop or for as little as $2, head to P is for the Pie Bake Shop for AMAZING pies.
• Eating in the parks – There are lots of options in the parks including some great Quick Service options in Magic Kingdom and beyond, with meals costing between $10 – $20.

Orlando isn’t a walkable place to stay. To be honest, if you are staying for more than a handful of days, the best advise I can give you is to rent a car.

• Car Rental – Prices vary but you can get a comfortable car for around $45 a day. Note that it costs $20 to park at any Disney theme park or Universal Studios for a day.
• Taxi’s – A taxi from Disney Springs to Universal Studios costs just under $40 and takes around 30 minutes; around $2.50 per mile. We use TaxiFareFinder to get a fairly accurate estimation.
• Shuttle Buses – Most resorts will offer some type of shuttle bus to and from the theme parks. Take advantage of these, they are normally free. You can find a list of these hotels here.
• Public buses – Buses are available around Orlando and cost $2 per ride. A 7 day pass is available for $16.

Yeah this is the expensive part…brace yourself.

Remember, you can save money by enjoying the free things to do at Disney World.

Planning a trip to Disney World? Here are some extra costs to consider for your next trip:

• How much does a Disney Cruise Cost?
• Disney World ticket discounts
• How much does a Disney World Vacation cost? 
• Theme Park 247 – For tips, guides and information on all the Orlando theme parks and beyond.

We love Orlando but it can be expensive – we hope this has helped you plan your trip! If it has, let us know below 🙂

Also, if you are planning a trip, check out our mini guide to Orlando and read our tips for surviving the parks and our guide to International Drive.