A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Sun Valley for Resorts, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Orlando or Sun Valley?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Orlando or Sun Valley? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Orlando

Orlando is a family-friendly, entertaining, and active city. It's also known for shopping, theater, and nightlife. See Orlando travel costs.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a adventurous, outdoorsy, and active town. Sun Valley is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Sun Valley travel costs.

Orlando and Sun Valley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Sun Valley?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Orlando. Although Orlando and Sun Valley are both popular with visitors, Orlando has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Orlando is more popular for its theatre productions, resorts, and shopping, while Sun Valley is known for its skiing, museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty. Orlando is more touristy than Sun Valley and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also home to Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Sun Valley is popular for its ski resorts as well as being the home of Ernest Hemingway.

How is Orlando different from Sun Valley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sun Valley and Orlando. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Skiing?

Sun Valley is renowned for skiing. However, Orlando is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Sun Valley should be on your list. There are plenty of slopes that are accessible by lift as well as backcountry terrain for those who are more adventurous. The ski areas include Bald Mountain, which is next to Ketchum, and Dollar Mountain, by Sun Valley. Bald Mountain is best for advanced skiers and Dollar Mountain has options for beginners and intermediates.

Orlando is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or Sun Valley?

Sun Valley is adequate for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Sun Valley specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Museums in the area include the Sun Valley Museum of Art and the Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Theater?

Orlando is a good destination for theatre. However, Sun Valley is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Orlando. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Sun Valley is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or Sun Valley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Orlando and Sun Valley.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sun Valley. Many restaurants pride themselves in using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You'll find everything from cafes and bakeries to sushi, pizza, and Mediterranean.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Orlando and Sun Valley.

If you're looking for night time activities Orlando has a few options to choose from. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sun Valley. It's a low key town with relaxing bars and breweries where you can enjoy a cold drink after a day on the slopes. It's not a party town that's high energy, but there are plenty of places where you can hang out in a mellow setting.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Resorts?

Orlando is terrific for its resorts. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Orlando for its luxury resorts. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Sun Valley is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The most popular place to stay is Sun Valley Lodge, but there are also other small lodges and hotels in the area.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Hiking?

Sun Valley is great for hiking. However, Orlando is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Sun Valley for the hiking trails. During the warmer months you'll enjoy miles of hiking trails in the area that take you by fields of wildflowers and to scenic mountain overlooks. White Cloud Trails is a relatively easy 4 mile trail that many visitors enjoy. Baker Lake and Taylor Canyon are also nice options.

Orlando is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Sun Valley?

Orlando is a great destination for shopping. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Orlando is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sun Valley. While most visitors spend their time adventuring outdoors, there are also plenty of shopping options in the area. Whether you need to pick up hiking or ski gear, or you want to browse some local boutiques, you'll find shops that meet your need.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley More Beautiful?

Sun Valley is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Sun Valley is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The resort town is surrounded by impressive mountains and pristine natural beauty.

Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Orlando or Sun Valley.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Orlando is a very family-friendly destination. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

Sun Valley is one of the most popular family destinations. During the winter months there's skiing, ice skating, and other winter activities. During the warmer months families will enjoy riding the Roundhouse Express Gondola, hiking through the mountains, or horseback riding.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Couples?

Sun Valley is renowned for romance. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Sun Valley makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities will love a romantic getaway to the area. There's also a charming downtown area that has great restaurants. In the surrounding countryside there's plenty of spectacular hikes that couples will enjoy as well.

Orlando makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sun Valley is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination for backpackers.

Sun Valley is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels in the area and plenty of activities that appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Students?

Orlando is a good destination for students. However, Sun Valley is not popular with students.

Orlando is popular with students. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Sun Valley is not popular with students.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sun Valley is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Sun Valley. There are free shuttle buses that run through Wood River Valley including connections between the Village and Dollar and Bald Mountains. It's also connected to Ketchum and Elkhorn Springs.

Public transit is generally limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Is Orlando or Sun Valley a more walkable city?

Sun Valley is renowned for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Sun Valley is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's easy to walk to almost anything you need if you stay at a conveniently located hotel.

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Sun Valley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sun Valley or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Sun Valley?

Both Orlando and Sun Valley have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sun Valley than in Orlando. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sun Valley.

Families should spend more time in Sun Valley than Orlando. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sun Valley, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sun Valley than Orlando. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sun Valley that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sun Valley than Orlando if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sun Valley.

One day in Orlando or Sun Valley?

With theater and nightlife around the entertaining city of Orlando, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Sun Valley, you'll find skiing and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the skiing. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Orlando or Sun Valley?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Orlando, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Sun Valley, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the skiing. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Orlando or Sun Valley?

Orlando, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sun Valley is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sun Valley has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Sun Valley?

Orlando is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sun Valley. In Sun Valley, you'll find shopping and skiing. One reason most visitors come is for the skiing. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Sun Valley, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Sun Valley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sun Valley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sun Valley and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando than you might in Sun Valley.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orlando Expensive? and Is Sun Valley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Sun Valley?

Orlando has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Sun Valley. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Sun Valley, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.