Home to the land of Mickey Mouse and Disney World, renowned golf courses, fine dining, and shopping, Orlando attracts a wide variety of travelers from across the country and around the world — making sky-high tourism numbers par for the course. Annual visitors reached over 59 million in 2021, accounting for nearly 48% of total visitors to the entire state of Florida.
With so much to see and explore, there’s no doubt this Central Florida destination is a national tourism hub that’s helped fuel a booming vacation rental industry.
To help you understand the potential of an Orlando vacation rental investment, we created a free, downloadable vacation rental market analysis. Inside you’ll find:
The findings in this analysis are based on Evolve’s Orlando market averages in the last year and provide a general baseline for performance potential. They’re designed to help inform smart buying decisions when investing in Orlando.
Download Our Complete Orlando Vacation Rental Investment Market Analysis
With its year-round temperate climate (it is the Sunshine State, after all) and staggering array of activities and attractions, the Orlando area is a popular destination for travelers throughout the year. And as a top contender on WalletHub’s Best Cities for Recreation list, it offers consistent booking opportunities and minimal slow periods for vacation property owners.
Of course, amusement parks like Disney’s Magic Kingdom are a big draw for families. Given they’re equipped to welcome tens of millions of guests annually, there’s high demand for affordable, spacious, and convenient accommodations in the area, be it in Orlando itself or in nearby Davenport and Kissimmee. Think about it: ticket prices are steep enough, and since an expensive resort stay can be cost-prohibitive for many families, vacation rentals have gained popularity as budget-friendly alternatives.
Speaking of affordability, homebuyers can expect relatively economical prices for property in the area, with average list prices around $358,000 for both Orlando and Kissimmee. In Davenport, that average drops to an even more manageable $161,000.
This up-front investment can pay off quickly once you start welcoming guests. According to our data, Orlando vacation rentals stay booked consistently throughout the year, peaking in spring and summer months — with another smaller surge in December. This means a booked-up calendar can easily translate to more money in your pocket.
As tourists steadily flock to Orlando’s one-of-a-kind entertainment opportunities, owners and investors in the area have the potential to earn a sizable income with vacation rental. To maximize your earnings and gauge how valuable your home could be in the market, there are some notable factors to consider.
Our real estate experts say the most bookable Orlando homes have the space to accommodate larger groups, so bigger is better. Per our report, five- and six-bedroom homes are the top revenue-generators, with five-bedrooms earning the most annual earnings — and bookings — on average.
But if that feels a little too big for your investment goals, don’t fret: homes with three and four bedrooms are booked just as much — if not more — than their larger counterparts. They also account for more of the available inventory in the area, which can provide more options when buying a vacation rental near Disney.
Our experts suggest focusing on properties within five to 10 miles of Disney World, which is optimal for traveling to and from the area’s biggest draw. Since families are still looking to enjoy their vacation home base without missing out on Disney magic, vacation rental-friendly communities with sought-after amenities are worth looking into, too.
The Orlando area is one of the most saturated vacation rental markets in the world — not just the country — so the more you can cater to families with children or large multi-generation reunions, the better shot you’ll have at winning bookings over your competition. Maximize your property’s space (and your profits) by offering family-friendly amenities like bunk beds, sleeper sofas, and cribs — a key factor in top-grossing homes in the area.
It’s also important to remember Florida is consistently hot, so keeping everyone cool by refreshing your backyard space (think shaded areas and a pool) is another necessity. Inside, include central air conditioning, board games, smart TVs, streaming services like Disney+, and strong internet connection to make play (and remote work) more comfortable.
Of course, traveling with kids or in larger groups can be a lot, so make things easy for your guests by offering self check-in, providing a welcome book with recommendations for nearby restaurants and activities, and stocking your home with dishware, kitchen appliances, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. According to our in-house experts, adding these amenities can increase revenue and benefit your bottom line.
While the Orlando market is highly competitive, you can thrive in this recreational paradise by buying a vacation rental near Disney that suits your financial goals and the interests of guests.
To see what your investment future might have in store, download our free Orlando Vacation Rental Investment Market Analysis today. Inside you’ll find:
Remember, it doesn’t take a magic wand to successfully enter this market. Discover the details that matter and use them to build a smarter, more lucrative Orlando vacation rental investment.