How Much Spending Money Do You Need for Orlando?

Home to sprawling shopping malls, internationally renowned cuisine, and world-class theme parks and water parks, there’s always something to splash out on in the Sunshine State. However, with decades of experience in all things Florida, we can help you spend as much or as little as needed.  

This guide will break down exactly how much a trip to Orlando costs, from everyday essentials to those little extras that you deserve… 

How Much Are Orlando Theme Park Tickets? 

Orlando's theme parks are where the magic happens, but the real trick is picking the right ticket type to make the most of this big investment.  
 
Disney, Universal, and other attractions offer different ticket options, with prices varying depending on when you visit, how many days you go for and which parks you want to experience. Single-day tickets can cost upwards of $100 (£73). However, Walt Disney World offers huge savings with their 7 and 14-day Magic Tickets - available exclusively to guests from the UK and Ireland - with prices dropping as low as $54 (£39) per day. Universal Orlando also offers similar ticket price savings with their Universal Orlando Explorer Ticket giving you access to all four parks for just $43 (£32) per day. 

 How Much Should You Budget for Food in Orlando? 

Orlando is a foodie capital. Whether you simply want three meals a day or a culinary adventure, dining can be as expensive or as cheap as you want to make it. So, let’s dive in… 

• Quick meals/snacks – If you’re after just a quick bite to eat, this should cost approximately $15-$25 (£11-18) per quick-service meal or large theme park snack. 
• Sit down/Character Dining – For a standard table-service meal in the theme parks, you’re looking at spending between $40-$70 (£30-50). Fine dining will push the price up a little depending on how extravagant you want to go. 
• With our complimentary VIP Shop & Dine4Less Card, you can save up to 25% off your entire food bill for up to four people at select dining venues in Orlando. Enjoy unlimited usage for up to 90 days, with endless opportunities to save. Learn more at our dedicated page for the VIP Shop & Dine4Less Card. 
• Grocery stores/breakfast – One of the easiest ways to make your spending money stretch further in Orlando is to stock up on breakfast essentials, snacks, and drinks at a local grocery store rather than eating out for every meal. Picking up items such as cereal, fruit, pastries, and bottled drinks can help you avoid those costly grab-and-go purchases. With a little savvy shopping, you could budget around $30-$50 (£22-36) a day. 

How Much Should You Budget for Transport in Orlando? 

Transport costs vary and are very dependent on where your base is and how you plan to get around: 

• If you're hiring a car, you'll need to factor in fuel and set aside around $10-20 (£7-14) per day. 
• Parking at theme parks can be around $30-$35 (£22-25) per day. 
• Uber and Lyft journeys can cost around $15-$35 (£11-25) per trip, depending on the distance, traffic, and time of day. 

Staying close to the parks and attractions can help keep transport costs down, especially if there are free shuttles included in your stay. Planning your days in advance can also help you avoid unnecessary journeys and keep more of your spending money available for the fun stuff. 

Should You Take Dollars to Orlando or Use a Card? 

While bank cards and Apple Pay are widely accepted, and often preferred, it’s always handy to have some dollars on you as backup. 

Dollars can also be useful for things like tipping and small purchases. When using your card abroad, it’s always best to check for exchange fees, but a handy hint is to always select dollars when paying by pay card so that your bank performs a fair conversion rate.  

In short, leeping a small amount of cash in your wallet can give you peace of mind, while the majority of your spending can stay safely on your card. 

How Much Money Do You Need for Shopping in Orlando? 

Theme park shops, fashion outlets and those big US malls make it very easy to splash your cash around every corner. If - unlike us - you have the willpower to resist, you may not need to dedicate much of your spending money to shopping. But if you want to bring pieces of Orlando home with you, it’s worth setting aside a separate shopping budget before you travel. As a general guide, $20-$50 (£14-36) could cover a few smaller souvenirs, while $50-$100 (£36-73) plus will give you more room for clothing, gifts and theme park merchandise. If outlet shopping is high on your holiday wish list, you may want to budget considerably more. 

Final Thoughts 

Whilst an Orlando holiday today can stretch the wallet, there are lots of ways to make savings along the way. For example, multi-day park tickets, mixing theme park days with relaxing pool days, picking up breakfast and snacks from the local supermarket, and setting a budget for souvenirs can ensure your purse strings stay loose and your suitcase doesn’t burst.  
 
Plus, we offer a host of exclusive offers that help you dream bigger. Our complimentary Ocean Explorer package provides up to four free Orlando experiences for everyone in your group. Perfect for wildlife lovers, holiday shoppers and taking everyone out for dinner, the included activities are seasonal, and you can save up to around $500 per family of four.  



Ready to make your dream a reality? Book your Orlando holiday with one of our Florida specialists today.