News Summary
Orlando is projected to be the leading travel destination for Memorial Day 2025, attracting 45.1 million travelers. The city offers affordable accommodations and family-friendly attractions, surpassing other destinations like Honolulu and Austin. With the upcoming opening of the Epic Universe theme park, Orlando’s popularity continues to rise as travelers seek economical options amidst increasing travel costs. Rental car demand is also anticipated to be high due to favorable gas prices, making Orlando the most chosen getaway for the holiday weekend.
Orlando is set to emerge as the top travel destination for Memorial Day 2025, surpassing all other cities in popularity, according to recent forecasts. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that a record 45.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their homes during the holiday weekend from May 22 to May 26. This number reflects an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to the previous year.
Orlando’s appeal stems from its expansive summer travel offerings, combining affordability with family-friendly entertainment options. The city boasts a variety of world-renowned attractions, including Disney and Universal theme parks, alongside numerous budget-friendly lodging choices, with rates starting as low as $42 per night for 3-star hotels. Additionally, Orlando provides a wealth of free or low-cost attractions, such as boat tours, local arts scenes, and expansive parks, which enhance its appeal for families and budget-conscious travelers.
Notably, Orlando’s popularity has led to a decline in interest for other competing destinations like Honolulu, Hawaii, and Austin, Texas. Travelers are increasingly seeking the quicker access and better value that Orlando offers, cementing its status as the leading choice for Memorial Day travel this year. According to AAA’s analysis, Orlando ranked first on its list of the top 10 most popular Memorial Day weekend destinations based on booking data.
As part of this growing trend, Orlando is preparing for the opening of the new Epic Universe theme park at Universal Orlando, slated to launch just before Memorial Day. This anticipated opening is expected to draw significant crowds, further solidifying Orlando’s place at the forefront of holiday travel destinations.
The changing dynamics of travel behaviors and preferences come into sharper focus when examining the broader landscape of summer travel. A study conducted by WalletHub analyzed over 100 major metro areas and highlighted Atlanta and Washington D.C. as the second and third most affordable options for summer travel, respectively. As rising costs for airfare, accommodations, and dining become more pronounced, many travelers are adjusting their plans to seek out more economical options. On average, domestic flight prices have increased by 2% from last year, now averaging around $850 for round-trip tickets.
Furthermore, gas prices have become more favorable for road trips, currently sitting at approximately $3.14 per gallon, a decrease from $3.59 during the previous Memorial Day, which is encouraging 39.4 million travelers to opt for driving to their destinations. As a result, Orlando is expecting exceptionally high demand for rental cars during the holiday weekend.Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- USA Today
- Wikipedia: Memorial Day
- Skift
- Google Search: Memorial Day 2025 travel
- AOL News
- Google Scholar: Memorial Day travel trends 2025
- Orlando Date Night Guide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orlando
- Travel and Tour World
- Google News: Memorial Day 2025 destinations
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
