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 Hol