Which place is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Orlando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Orlando or Wisconsin Dells? 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 is a entertaining, active, and family-friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, theater, and nightlife. See Orlando travel costs.
Wisconsin Dells is a fun-filled, lighthearted, and high energy city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Wisconsin Dells travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Orlando. Although Orlando and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations, Orlando has more sights and attractions for tourists. Orlando is very popular for its theatre productions, food, resorts, and shopping, while Wisconsin Dells attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and hiking. Orlando is famous for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also well known for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Wisconsin Dells is famous for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wisconsin Dells and Orlando. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Wisconsin Dells is adequate for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.
While most people don't head to Wisconsin Dells specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.
Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.
Orlando is a popular place for its theatre productions. However, Wisconsin Dells 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.
Wisconsin Dells is not a theatre destination.
Orlando is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.
Wisconsin Dells is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.
Wisconsin Dells is great for nightlife. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.
Many people head to Wisconsin Dells for the nightlife scene. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Orlando. 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.
Orlando is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.
For the ultimate resort vacation, Orlando is a great choice. 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.
Wisconsin Dells has a few great resort options. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular place for hiking. However, Orlando is not a hiking destination.
Wisconsin Dells is a good destination for hiking. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.
Orlando is not a hiking destination.
Orlando is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.
Orlando is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.
Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Orlando or Wisconsin Dells.
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.
Wisconsin Dells is one of the most popular family destinations. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
With fun activities for couples, both Orlando and Wisconsin Dells make for a nice place to visit.
Orlando is a nice destination for couples. 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.
Wisconsin Dells makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.
Orlando is a popular place for students. However, Wisconsin Dells 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.
Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Orlando is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
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.
Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.
Wisconsin Dells is adequate for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.
Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.
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 Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Orlando or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.
Families should spend more time in Orlando than Wisconsin Dells. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Orlando, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Orlando than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Orlando that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
The entertaining destination of Orlando offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In Wisconsin Dells, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
The city of Orlando offers food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
In Wisconsin Dells, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wisconsin Dells has to offer.
Orlando is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Wisconsin Dells is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wisconsin Dells. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Wisconsin Dells. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Orlando is $368, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $174. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Orlando and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Orlando or Wisconsin Dells? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells and Orlando change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orlando Expensive? and Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.
Orlando has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Wisconsin Dells, 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Wisconsin Dells. The summer months attract visitors to Orlando because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.
In the summer, Orlando is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orlando in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 74°F (24°C).
Orlando receives a lot of rain in the summer. Orlando usually gets more rain in July than Wisconsin Dells. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Wisconsin Dells and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Orlando this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Orlando is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 75°F (24°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite rainy in Orlando. In October, Orlando usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Wisconsin Dells and Orlando during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. Orlando is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).
Orlando usually gets more rain in January than Wisconsin Dells. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Wisconsin Dells.
In the spring, Orlando is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orlando in April average around 72°F (22°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 49°F (10°C).
In April, Orlando usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wisconsin Dells. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Orlando | Wisconsin Dells | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (16°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
Apr | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |