The Ultimate Guide to Margaritaville Resort Orlando: Everything You Need to Know for a Perfect Stay

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is an amazing 300-acre island themed high-end resort development that features 184 guest rooms & suites at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando hotel as well as the Margaritaville Cottages which are individually-owned homes that are rented like hotel rooms.  

The resort is themed with an island style and the amenities are exactly what you would expect for a property of this caliber.  There are three resort pools including the Fins Up Beach Club, the St. Somewhere Spa, numerous organized activities and extensive dining options.

Margaritaville enjoys an outstanding location in the town of Kissimmee, immediately off US Highway 192.  The resort  is just minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort and a very short distance to the Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and the Orlando / Orange County Convention Center. Within walking distance to the Margaritaville Resort Orlando is the Island H2O Water Park, the Promenade at Sunset Walk (shopping and dining) and the Rolling Oaks Commons Plaza (Target anchored shopping center).

If you thinking about staying the Margaritaville Resort Orlando or any others during your next trip, we would appreciate if you can use our links when making the reservation. Endless Summer is an affiliate with, Marriott, Hilton and Expedia, and we receive a small commission for each stay referred by our website. 

Frequently Asked Questions – Margaritaville Resort Orlando

What are the hotel rates at Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

Hotel rates at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando typically range from less than $200 per night to around $500 per night depending on the time of year and the room type.  CLICK HERE for a rates on specific dates.

The Margaritaville Cottages also vary by property size and time of year but rates range from around $200 per night for the one-bedroom cottages to just less than $1,000 per night for the eight-bedroom cottages.

Is the Margaritaville Resort Orlando close to The Walt Disney World Resort?

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is very close to The Walt Disney World Resort and less than 9 miles to both the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, 6.7 miles to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and 4.9 miles to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charge at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

The Resort Fees at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando is $40.00 per night which includes self-parking.  Valet parking is offered at an additional $35.00 per night.  

Resort fees for the Margaritaville Cottages range from $26.25 to $44.63 per night and daily cleaning is included in the rate.

Does the Margaritaville Resort Orlando have a resort pool?

Fins Up Beach Up is the main pool area at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. This pool area features two massive lagoon pools, private cabanas, a sandy beach and the Salty Rim Bar & Grill.   There is also the License to Chill Pool near buildings one to four.

Is admission to the Island H2O Live! Water Park included for guests staying at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

Although Island H2O Water Park is affiliated with the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, a separate admissions ticket will need to be purchased by hotel guests.  Learn more in the Island H2O section below.

What is the check-in and check-out time at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

The check in-time at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando is 4:00 pm and check out time is at 11:00 am.

Is there on-site dining at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

There are a number on on-site dining experiences at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando which range from grab-and-go to poolside as well as upscale dining.  Learn more in the Dining Options section below.

Does the Margaritaville Resort Orlando provide transportation to the theme parks?

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando provided complimentary shuttle service to the transportation center to the Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.  See the full schedule in the Transportation section below.

Can I personally own one of the cottages or villas at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

The cottages and villages at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando are privately owned so anyone interested in purchasing can do so.  Due to substantial demand a number of the original phases are sold out but there are resale opportunities as well as new phases coming on-line.  Learn more below.

What is the pet policy at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando?

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando allows up to 2 pets per room that are 30 pounds or less.  There is a $75 per night (up to $300 for the stay) charge at the hotel and $40 per night at the Cottages.  There is even the “Barkaritaville” Dog Park where you can let your pets roam.

About the Margaritaville Resort Orlando

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando originally opened in 2019 and sits on a 300-acre site that was previously occupied by the Splendid China theme park which closed in 2003. 

The resort consists of a 184-room Margaritaville Resort hotel, the Island H20 Live! water park, a 200,000 sf shopping center known at the Promenade at Sunset Walk and approximately 1,000 residential homes comprising vacation cottages, condominiums and time share units.

It will take about 35 to 40 minutes to get to Margaritaville Resort from the Orlando International Airport and less than 25 to 30 minutes to get to the Orlando / Orange County Convention Center. 

The Orlando area theme parks are also a short distance to the hotel and per Google Maps, travel time is as follows (non-peak hours):

• The Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World: 9 miles / 20 to 25 minutes
• EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort: 8.7 miles / 20 minutes
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios : 6.7 miles / 15 minutes
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom :  4.9 miles / 10 to 15 minutes
• Disney Springs at Walt Disney World (Orange Parking): 10 miles / 15 to 20 minutes
• Universal Orlando Resort : 18.7 miles / Approximately 25 to 30 minutes
• SeaWorld Orlando: 12.5 miles / Approximately 20 to 25
• Downtown Orlando: 24.8 miles / 35 to 40 minutes

Amenities at The Margaritaville Resort Orlando

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is a full-service, fairly upscale resort with a beach / Caribbean vibe so it has a host of features and amenities.

Fins Up Beach Club

Open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the Fins Up Beach Club is the perfect place to relax.  This pool area is massive and there are two very large heated lagoon pools, extensive poolside seating, a white sandy beach, jacuzzi tub and private cabanas.

The private cabanas includes lounge chairs, beach chairs, a small refrigerator with water & soda, a personal television and food & beverage service.  At the time of our stay, private cabanas were $100 per day on Monday to Thursday, $150 per day on Friday to Sunday and $200 on holidays.

In addition to the pool, Fins Up Beach Club features the Salty Rim Bar & Grill which has live music on a daily basis (of course they play Jimmy Buffet songs) as well as the Sundries Sea Shack where guests can purchase sunscreen, pool floats and more. Every day there are organized activities at the beach club, some of which include arts and crafts, games, trivia and dive in movies. 

License to Chill Pool

The License to Chill Pool is a lot more laid back than the beach club so if you want to sit and read your book on a pleasant sunny day, this is the spot to do so.

Open from 8:00 AM to dusk and located behind buildings one through four, this pool area does not have a food and beverage venue but if you are looking for peace & quiet, than this pool is for you.

St. Somewhere Spa

If relaxing poolside is just not enough then visit the St. Somewhere Spa which is just behind the Fins Up Beach Club.  This spa features a variety of treatments including massages, facials, salon services and vitamin therapies.

Fins Up! Fitness Center

Even on vacation you may not want to miss your workout so make sure you visit the Fins up! Fitness Center which has state-of-the-art equipment including cardiovascular machines as well as strength training equipment.

Additional Amenities Include

• Sand Volleyball Court
• Shuffleboard Court
• Margaritaville Store
• Coconut Telegraph Business Center
• Children’s Playground
• The Fin City Arcade
• Surrey Bike Rentals
• The Margaritaville Store

Transportation to the Orlando Theme Parks

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando provides free shuttle service to the four Walt Disney World theme parks, the Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. Due to capacity restrictions, reservations for the shuttle service are required and can be made as early as one day in advance at the Concierge desk or on-line at the resort’s web site.

Shuttle services times vary throughout the year due as theme park hours change but following is the schedule as of May 2021

Departure Times

• Walt Disney World Transportation & Ticket Center (Magic Kingdom & Epcot): 9:00 AM and 11:20 AM.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom:  9:00 AM
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 11:20 AM
• The Universal Orlando Resort: 10:30 AM
• SeaWorld Orlando: 10:30 AM

Return Times

• Walt Disney World Transportation & Ticket Center (Magic Kingdom & Epcot): 5:55 PM and 8:00 PM at Bus Parking Lane 14
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom:  5:40 PM at Bus Parking Lane 10
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 5:40 PM at Bus Parking Lane 58
• The Universal Orlando Resort: 6:15 PM at Charter Bus Parking Lane 55
• SeaWorld Orlando: 6:00 PM at Charter Bus Parking Green Canopy

Dining Options at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando

There are a number of different dining options at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando which range from grab-and-go to quick service and upscale dining.

Euphoria Fish House

If you enjoy seafood or fine steaks, the Euphoria Fish House should be on top of your list which visiting the Margaritaville Resort Orlando.  This upscale dining restaurant is open for both breakfast and dinner service and has something for everyone’s palette, even the kids.  

In addition to it’s fine culinary experience, the Euphoria Fish House offers live entertainment Tuesday to Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

On Vacation

On Vacation is a specialty venue that is only open on Friday and Saturday evenings an serves specialty cocktails which top local comedians from Bonkerz Comedy provide the laughs.

Provisions

Grab-and-go at Provisions which is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and is located right in the lobby of the resort.  From sandwiches, wraps, salads and cold beverages, Provisions is the place for a quick bite or drink.  And there is both indoor and outdoor seating.

Salty Rim Bar & Grill

If you looking for a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” than look no further than the Salty Rim Bar & Grill.  This poolside dining restaurant & bar is located at the Fins Up Beach Club.

The hours for the Salty Rim are Monday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (the kitchen closes at 5:00 PM), Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (the kitchen closes at 5:00 PM) and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (the kitchen closes at 7:00 PM).

In addition to the food and beverage options shown above, the Margaritaville Resort Orlando offers in-room dining.

Promenade at Sunset Walk

Just outside the Margaritaville Resort is the Promenade at Sunset Walk which features a number of different dining options including:

• Bahama Buck’s
• Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi
• BurgerFi
• Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza
• Cold Stone Creamery
• El Jefe Tequilas
• Estefan Kitchen Orlando
• Flower Cafe
• Ford’s Garage
• Lizzie’s Memphis Style BBQ
• Paradise Spirits
• Rock & Brews Restaurant
• Studio Movie Grill
• The Wharf at Sunset Walk
• Yeoman’s Cask & Lion

The Rooms at the Margaritaville Orlando Resort

There are a number of differing rooms types at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. Each room comes with free Wifi, private balconies, a mini-refrigerator, AM/FM clock radio, ceiling fain, coffee/tea maker, flat panel television, telephone, in-room safe, iron / ironing board and a hair dryer.  Rooms are accessible by a themed bracelet with an electronic room key.

Details on the hotel rooms at the Margaritaville Resort are as follows:

• One King Pool View Room: 470 square feet, sleeps two
• Two Queen Pool View Room: 470 square feet, sleeps four
• One Bedroom King Pool View Suite: 940 square feet, sleeps four
• One Bedroom Two Queen Pool View Suite: 940 square feet, sleeps six
• Deluxe One Bedroom King Pool View Suite: 1,210 square feet, sleeps four
• The Presidential Suite: 2,426 square feet, sleeps four; full kitchen
• One King Pool View Accessible Room: 470 square feet, sleeps four
• Two Queen Pool View Accessible: 470 square feet, sleeps two
• One Bedroom King Pool View Suite Accessible: 940 square feet, sleeps four
• One Bedroom Two Queen Pool View Suite Accessible: 940 square feet, sleeps six

Hotel rooms have an occupancy limit of up to 3 people in a King room and 4 guests in a room with two Queen beds.  The Cottages have an occupancy limited of two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests.

Like most hotels in the greater Orlando area, rates at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando are highly seasonal and we have found that rates and availability do vary quite considerably throughout the year.  

As indicated above, nightly hotel rates vary by the time of year but typically range from less than $200 per night to around $500 per night depending on the room type.  CLICK HERE for a rates on specific dates.

The Margaritaville Cottages also vary by property size and time of year but rates range from around $200 per night for the one-bedroom cottages to just less than $1,000 per night for the eight-bedroom cottages.

The resort fees are $40.00 per night which includes self-parking. Resort fees for the Margaritaville Cottages range from $26.25 to $44.63 per night and daily cleaning is included in the rate.

Details on the Margaritaville Cottages are as follows:

The Margaritaville Cottages range in size from one to eight bedrooms and feature full kitchens with kitchen supplies, washer / dryer, wifi internet, cable television(s), in-room safe, coffee/tea maker, bathroom amenities, hair dryer(s), iron/ironing board and alarm clocks(s).

Some cottages feature the “Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker” as well as balconies and private pools.

• One Bedroom Cottage: 660 square feet, One bathroom, sleeps four
• Two Bedroom Cottage: 976 to 1,186 square feet, two or two and one-half bathrooms, sleeps six
• Three Bedroom Cottage: 1,356 to 1,818 square feet, two or three and one-half bathrooms, sleeps eight
• Four Bedroom Cottage: 1,829 to 2,048 square feet, four bathrooms, sleeps ten
• Five Bedroom Cottage: 1,848 to 2,511 square feet, seven & one-half or nine & one-half bathrooms, sleeps twelve
• Six Bedroom Cottage: 3,557 square feet, six bathrooms, sleeps fourteen guests
• Seven Bedroom Cottage: 4,131 to 4,218 square feet, seven or eight and one-half bathrooms, sleeps eighteen guests
• Eight Bedroom Cottage: 4,090 to 4,689 square feet, two or three and one-half bathrooms, sleeps eighteen guests

Like the rooms at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, rates for the Margaritaville Cottages are highly seasonal and we have found that rates and availability do vary quite considerably throughout the year.  

However, based on a search of availability during various dates in 2024, we have found that rates range from around $250 per night for the one-bedroom cottages to just under $1,000 per night for the eight-bedroom cottages.

Own a Home at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is the perfect spot for your Florida vacation home or real estate investment.  Owners not only have the ability to use their home for a certain amount of time but also get income from having their property in a vacation rental program.

Margaritaville Cottages and Villas

Margaritaville Cottages are the very popular and in high demand as rental investments.  These homes vary in price based on the size of the property as well as its location.  During 2020 and 2021 resales been ranging from around $300,000 to more than $1 million.

Owners can rent the units themselves but rental guests will not be allowed access to the resort amenities.  There are two approved property management companies which provide rental management services and offer full resort access to rental guests.

Association fees are $370.26 per month for cottages without a pool and $500.26 per month for cottages with private pools.  This fee include cable television, high speed internet, daily trash pick-up, 24-hour manned security, exterior landscape maintenance, pest control and termite protection.

There are also new Margaritaville Villas Orlando being offered which range from two to four-bedroom models ranging in size from 1,394 to 1,724 square feet.   Villa owners will enjoy the same benefits and amenities that resort guests and cottages owner enjoy.

 Are you ready to purchase a vacation home at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando now? Click here to reach out to our preferred Florida real estate company.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Sunset Walk

In addition to the new homes under construction within Margaritaville is the adjacent Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Sunset Walk.  This new condo hotel development by Encore Capital Management is now being offered for sale to the public and will feature studios, one- and two-bedroom condominium units.

• Studios:  From $230,000 and from 484 square feet in size
• One-Bedrooms:  From 295,000 and from 674 square feet in size
• Two-Bedrooms:  From $435,000 and from $1,041 square feet in size.

The one- and two-bedroom units will have full kitchens, washer / dryer and balconies and each unit in the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Sunset Walk will feature come fully furnished including kitchenware (where applicate) and linens.

Amenities include The Oasis Beach Club (which includes a resort pool, cabanas, water fun zone), a stat-of-the-art fitness center and indoor & outdoor restaurant / lounge.

Conferences at Events at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is an excellent option for you next conference or event.   The resort features more than 40,000 square feet of flexible indoor & outdoor convention and event space which includes:

• Compass Rose Ballroom:  7,014 square foot ballroom with a reception capacity of 700 guests.
• Seagrass Dining Room: 2,415 square feet with a reception capacity of 220 guests.
• Nautical Wheeler Terrace: 4,000 square foot outdoor venue with a reception capacity of 400 guests.
• Event Lawn: 15,145 square foot outdoor venue that has a reception capacity of 1,500 guests.

In addition to those larger venues listed above, the Margaritaville Resort features five smaller rooms ranging in size from 588 to 1,573 square feet that would be perfect for business meetings and smaller gatherings.

The Local Area

Although the Margaritaville Resort Orlando is known for its proximity Walt Disney World, there are so many other things to see and do in the immediate area.  Some of these include:

Island H2O Water Park

Just outside the front gate of the Margaritaville Resort Orlando is the Island H20 Live! water park.  This amazing park features more than 20 water experiences including multi-story water slides, a lazy river, a specialty designed kids area and a wave pool.  There are private cabanas for adults as well as plenty of food & beverage options.

During the summer months, park around are from around 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM with weekends nights until 9:00 PM. 

The Promenade at Sunset Walk

Just walk out from the Margaritaville Resort and you will be at the Promenade at Sunset Walk which is an outdoor entertainment district that features an excellent mist of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.  

Some of the venues include:

• Rock & Brews restaurant
• Estefan Kitchen Orlando
• Bahama Buck’s
• BurgerFi
• Ford’s Garage
• Game Time
• It’s Sugar
• Studio Movie Grill
• The Wharf

In addition to the shopping and dining establishments, the Promenade at Sunset Walk hosts a number of events including an Artisan & Farmer’s Market, car & truck shows and live music along the Promenade Plaza.

Rolling Oaks Commons Plaza  

Just next to the Promenade at Sunset Walk is Rolling Oaks Commons which is a major shopping center anchored by a Target store (for groceries and more).  Other retailers include Dollar Tree Ross, TJ Maxx, Ulta Beauty and Five Below.

Disney Springs

This massive shopping, dining and entertainment venue just should not be missed during your next visit to Orlando.  Located in the heart of The Walt Disney World Resort just 10 miles away from Margaritaville, Disney Springs features over 150 shops, eateries and attractions includes the world’s largest Disney Store, Cirque du Soleil (Drawn to Life) and the AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theaters. 

What We Liked about The Margaritaville Resort Orlando

There are a number of things to like about the Margaritaville Resort Orlando.  Following are some of the highlights:

• Excellent amenities and dining options all on-site
• Great island vibe and theming
• Very large room sizes
• Ownership opportunities with the cottages and villas
• Convenient to The Walt Disney World Resort
• Additional shopping, dining and the Island H20 Live! water park all area within walking distance

What We Didn’t Like at The Margaritaville Resort Orlando:

There are a few things about the Margaritaville Resort we do not like which include:

• Traffic, Traffic, Traffic (there is heavy traffic along US Highway 192, World Drive and Interstate 4 which adds considerably to travel time).
• $36 per day resort fee (just add it into the rate so there are no surprises)
• Exterior corridor hotel (we are not a fan of this design)
• Pretty far from the Orlando International Airport

One thing to note during our stay was that the front desk gave us the wrong room number at check-in and we almost walked into another guest’s room.  It was an honest mistake but thought it should be mentioned.

What We Think The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is Perfect For:

The Margaritaville Resort Orlando is really an amazing property and we find that it is perfect for:

• Large families needing multiple bedrooms (suites and cottages)
• Longer term vacations (cottages)
• Weekend trips for relaxing (wonderful pool area, dining and on-site spa)
• Family reunions, events and gatherings

Our Thoughts

This was our first time at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando but it will not be our last.  The immediate area has seen a number of new hotels, shopping venues and vacation housing developments open over the past 5 years so the area is bustling.

The resort is definitely the perfect place to relax and for all practical purposes, you will not need to leave the immediate area (unless of course you want to).  There is plenty to do, great dining and an amazing water park just outside the front door. 

However, if you are planning on spending all day at Walt Disney World or any other of the Orlando area theme parks, we feel that there are better options that would be less expensive in price and more convenient to the theme park gates.