Cheap Family Vacation from Cleveland to Orlando

When it comes to family vacations, there’s nowhere on Earth quite like Orlando. With exciting attractions like Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld, it’s the premier destination for families from all over the world. But how much will a three day stay cost you – and what if you’re on a budget?
There’s over 1,000 miles between Cleveland and Orlando, but fortunately it’s a very straightforward drive, with I-77 taking you about two thirds of the way and I-95 and then I-4 leading you to Orlando. You can stop for lunch around Charleston, WV, but if you want to save a little money, be sure to bring snacks, pack your own lunches or grab some inexpensive fast food along the way.
It’s not a distance you’ll be able to cover in a single day (especially with kids!) so you’ll want to make an overnight stop. Charlotte, NC, is about halfway there, but if you want to save a little more on the hotel, try to go a few extra miles and make it past the city. Plan to stop around Savannah GA for lunch on the second day.
To save you time, we’ve compiled some Super Saver, Value and Premium food options for you. Click here to see our suggestions.
Hotels, food and, of course, entertainment can be expensive in Orlando, with a visit to Disney World potentially costing more than $1,000. However, there are other options that can provide a lot of fun for the family, without breaking the bank. For example, Disney Springs allows visitors to enjoy the magic of Disney for free; there’s entertainment you can pay for, but you can plan your visit and stick within your budget.
Similarly, if SeaWorld is a little beyond your budget, you can visit Gatorland to learn more about Florida’s famous amphibians and reptiles. Alternatively, visit Blue Spring State Park (about 30 miles north of Orlando) to see these beasts in their natural habitat. There’s also a bunch of activities to entertain the whole family, making it a great choice for an outdoor adventure.
Lastly, like Disney World, Universal Studios can put a large hole in your budget, but there are still plenty of alternatives. For example, the Crayola Experience allows kids to get creative with plenty of activities to keep them occupied all day. If you’d prefer to do something more relaxing (and don’t mind an hour’s drive), check out the famous Cocoa Beach. It’s just $15 for parking, making it one of the most inexpensive options on your vacation.
You can find our entertainment selections by clicking here. Our table makes it easy to find the Super Saver, Value and Premium packages that best suits your family’s budget.
If there’s one good thing about driving home after your vacation, it’s that you know which way to go! More than this, you have a pretty good idea of how much it will cost too, as you’re basically making the trip down to Orlando in reverse.
Make an early start, hop back on the road and head east along I-4 toward Daytona Beach. You can then join I-95 and start driving north. After lunch in Savannah, GA, pick up I-26 N before switching to I-77 N at Columbia, SC and then stopping overnight in Charleston, WV.
You can stay in the same hotel and either eat at the same restaurant or go eat someplace dierent. After a good night’s rest, jump back onto I-77 N and you should be home by mid-evening. Depending on your budget – not to mention how much energy you have left – you can then either cook dinner at home or stop on your way into Cleveland.
Looking for ideas on what to eat on the way home? Click here to take a shortcut and check out our popular picks.
Where | Super Saver | Value Plan | Premium Package | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 Travel to Orlando | Cleveland, OH | Home $0 | Wendy’s $30 | Tony’s Family Restaurant $50 |
Day 2 Travel to Orlando | Charlotte, NC | Hotel $0 | Chick - Fil - A $25 | Sunflower Family Restaurant $50 |
Orlando Option A | Orlando, FL | Hotel $0 | McDonald’s $35 | Perkins $70 |
Orlando Option B | Orlando, FL | Hotel $0 | iHOP $40 | Keke’s Breakfast Café $75 |
Orlando Option C | Orlando, FL | Hotel $0 | Burger King $30 | iCafe de Paris $90 |
Day 6 Travel Home | Orlando, FL | Hotel $0 | Sonic $25 | Denny’s $75 |
Day 7 Travel Home | Charlotte, NC | Hotel $0 | Hardee’s $35 | Café 100 $50 |
Pro Tip: Almost every hotel includes a complimentary breakfast, allowing you to save money by eating at the hotel. If you’d like to eat out, most fast food restaurants have a Value Meal menu while others, such as Denny’s and iHop, have family meal packs that can save you $10-$20. Don’t forget to pack snacks for the car ride.
You can certainly enjoy a stress-free breakfast at the hotel, but the selection is often a little limited. Alternatively, consider a cash loan to treat your family and get each day o to a great start. See what loan options are available for you at this participating website.
Where | Super Saver | Value Plan | Premium Package | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 Travel to Orlando | Charleston, WV | Dairy Queen $30 | Cracker Barrel $55 | Applebee’s $75 |
Day 2 Travel to Orlando | Savannah, GA | Burger King $25 | Ni Hao Chinese Restaurant $45 | Olive Garden $55 |
Day 3 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Blaze Pizza (Disney Springs) $40 | Joe’s Crab Shack (Near Sea Life) $80 | DisneyWorld $250 |
Day 4 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Lelo’s BBQ (Blue Spring State Park) $30 | Pearl’s Good Eats (Gatorland) $40 | SeaWorld $150 |
Day 5 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Tiny Turtle (Cocoa Beach) $50 | Café Crayola (Crayola Experience) $40 | Universal $250 |
Day 6 Travel Home | Savannah, GA | Arby’s $25 | Baldino’s Giant Jersey Subs $50 | Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen $70 |
Day 7 Travel Home | Charleston, WV | Sbarro $35 | China Buet $45 | Chili’s $60 |
Pro Tip: Grabbing drive-through while driving to and from Orlando can save you time. Also, if you’re visiting Disney or Universal, you can eat for less by eating just outside the park. Sea Life Aquarium doesn’t have any restaurants inside, so make sure you plan to eat either before or after your visit. If you’re visiting Downtown
Disney, Blue Spring State Park or Cocoa Beach, you can save even more money by buying snacks and grocery items at a store and packing your own lunch or eating at a nearby restaurant. The cost of eating out can soon add up, even when you budget for the Super Saver options. If you’re looking for a little more money, this participating website may be able to help!
Where | Super Saver | Value Plan | Premium Package | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 Travel to Orlando | Charlotte, NC | Culver’s $30 | iHop $50 | Skyland Family Restaurant $85 |
Day 2 Travel to Orlando | Orlando, FL | Subway $30 | Friendly’s $60 | Melting Pot $160 |
Day 3 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Bartaco $45 | Neopolitan Pizza $55 | Rainforest Café $135 |
Day 4 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Q’Kenan $45 | Bob Evans $60 | BJ’s $90 |
Day 5 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Hot Krust Panini Kitchen $45 | Beth’s Burger Bar $50 | Bahama Breeze $115 |
Day 6 Travel Home | Charlotte, NC | Sonic $40 | Pinky’s Westside Grill $65 | Cheesecake Factory $100 |
Day 7 Travel Home | Cleveland, OH | Home $0 | Swenson’s $30 | The Courtyard Café $75 |
Pro Tip: Some hotels have a restaurant that can oer good food at reasonable prices – even if you’re not staying there – potentially saving you both time and money.
It’s easy to work up a big appetite when you’ve been busy having fun all day. The cost of dinner can eat a big hole in your budget, but a loan from this participating website may be able to help.
Where | Super Saver | Value Plan | Premium Package | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Travel | Charlotte, NC | Motel 6 $60 | MainStay Suites $80 | Drury Inn $105 |
Orlando | Orlando, FL | Best Western Orlando Gateway $60 | Embassy Suites $95 | Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort $165 |
Pro Tip: Stay in one room with two beds and book online through travel sites for additional savings. Also consider staying further from Atlanta to save more money.
It’s important for everyone to be well rested, and it’s sometimes worth spending a little more to get a good night’s sleep. If you’re worried the cost could leave you out in the cold, check out the loan options from this participating website.
Where | Super Saver | Value Plan | Premium Package** | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 3 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Downtown Disney FREE | Sea Life Aquarium $120 | DisneyWorld $825 |
Day 4 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Blue Spring State Park $7 | Gatorland $110 | SeaWorld $260 |
Day 5 Orlando | Orlando, FL | Cocoa Beach $15 | Crayola Experience $106 | Universal $680 |
Pro Tip: Save money by booking your tickets in advance online. Many attractions will have special deals. You may also be able to save money by parking o-site and walking a short distance. Due to the humidity, it frequently rains in the afternoon during the summer, so be sure to bring an umbrella!
** Premium Package pricing for Universal includes Express passes and prime parking. Prices for DisneyWorld include Park Hopper and regular parking.
Entertainment can be the most expensive part of your trip and it’s no fun worrying about money. A stress free loan from this participating website could help make your trip more enjoyable.
Super Saver | Value Plan | Premium Package** | |
---|---|---|---|
Gas | $190 | $190 | $190 |
Breakfast | $0 | $220 | $460 |
Lunch | $235 | $370 | $910 |
Hotels | $360* | $540* | $1,740 |
Entertainment | $22 | $336 | $1,765 |
Dinner | $235 | $370 | $760 |
TOTAL | $1,042 | $2,026 | $5,825 |
* Cost of one hotel room per night
** Cost of two hotel rooms per night
While you can enjoy a family vacation in Orlando for about $1,000, you might want to spend a little more to make the most of your trip. Fortunately, a cash loan from this participating website may be able to help!
Don't be stressed about money while you are on vacation. Compare options for loans or memberships that will allow you to make memories.