Two hungry foodies vs $150 a day - Oct/Nov 2024 LIVE food report

[orlandoamber]

Hello and welcome to our second Orlando trip (and live food report) of 2024! I'm Amber and I travel with my husband, Will. We purchased Universal annual passes (which we activated in April), so despite the fact we're still rattling our way through renovating our new house, it would be rude not to get another cheeky trip in this year... hence the $150 a day trip was born!

We're flying economy light (hand luggage only, eek!) from LHR to MCO with Virgin Atlantic on 31st October, staying:

• 5 nights at Universal's Aventura Hotel
• 1 night at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park
• 5 nights at the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek

We're looking forward to trying out Aventura for the first time - we enjoyed their rooftop bar (Bar 17) earlier this year, so it will be nice to have this just an elevator from our room. We've not been to Winter Park before, and had an Expedia One Key voucher to use, so the Alfond Inn was practically free (should have been £250). We love the Bonnet Creek area and the idea of using both the Signia and Waldorf Astoria facilities, so I jumped on a very good deal with BA (with reduced resort fee) for that - I'm super excited about finishing the trip there.

Our loose plans include:

• Universal Studios, IOA and Volcano Bay
• Halloween Horror Nights (closing night)
• Winter Park, including the scenic boat tour
• Orlando Magic v New Orleans Pelicans
• Renting bikes in Celebration
• Eating around Disney Springs
• Lots of pool time at all of our resorts

I've allocated $150 per day to cover all transport (Ubers), food, drinks and activities we haven't pre-paid for (we've pre-paid for HHN and the Orlando Magic tickets, and obviously our UOAPs). We're in Orlando for 11 nights, but land early on the 31st October and depart very late on 11th November, so I've allocated a full $150 to both of those days. The total budget is therefore 12 days x $150 = $1800. Some days we will spend less than $150 and other days I'm sure we will spend more, but I'm quite looking forward to the challenge.

See you all back here bright and early on Halloween for travel day!

[ClaireNJ]

Originally Posted by orlandoamber

Hello and welcome to our second Orlando trip (and live food report) of 2024! I'm Amber and I travel with my husband, Will. We purchased Universal annual passes (which we activated in April), so despite the fact we're still rattling our way through renovating our new house, it would be rude not to get another cheeky trip in this year... hence the $150 a day trip was born!

We're flying economy light (hand luggage only, eek!) from LHR to MCO with Virgin Atlantic on 31st October, staying:

• 5 nights at Universal's Aventura Hotel
• 1 night at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park
• 5 nights at the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek

We're looking forward to trying out Aventura for the first time - we enjoyed their rooftop bar (Bar 17) earlier this year, so it will be nice to have this just an elevator from our room. We've not been to Winter Park before, and had an Expedia One Key voucher to use, so the Alfond Inn was practically free (should have been £250). We love the Bonnet Creek area and the idea of using both the Signia and Waldorf Astoria facilities, so I jumped on a very good deal with BA (with reduced resort fee) for that - I'm super excited about finishing the trip there.

Our loose plans include:

• Universal Studios, IOA and Volcano Bay
• Halloween Horror Nights (closing night)
• Winter Park, including the scenic boat tour
• Orlando Magic v New Orleans Pelicans
• Renting bikes in Celebration
• Eating around Disney Springs
• Lots of pool time at all of our resorts

I've allocated $150 per day to cover all transport (Ubers), food, drinks and activities we haven't pre-paid for (we've pre-paid for HHN and the Orlando Magic tickets, and obviously our UOAPs). We're in Orlando for 11 nights, but land early on the 31st October and depart very late on 11th November, so I've allocated a full $150 to both of those days. The total budget is therefore 12 days x $150 = $1800. Some days we will spend less than $150 and other days I'm sure we will spend more, but I'm quite looking forward to the challenge.

See you all back here bright and early on Halloween for travel day!

See more...

WOW another trip all looks fantastic to me was just going to suggest the boat tour, but I’ve seen you’re doing that
I reckon $150 is doable & you could definitely have some nice reasonable meals
Cheesecake Factory for one
HHN on the final night you’re hardcore
🎃👻🎃👻🎃

[Sparksy72]

Amber what a fab trip you have planned!😊 I’m looking forward to seeing how you get along with your budget as it seems really reasonable. Did I see you mention that there might also be a visit to Bull and Bear. 🐻 Not long now! 💖 xx

[Buggles94]

Not long now Amber! Will definitely be following along. Will be lovely to hear more about Winter Park and the food offerings in Universal Gill and Michelle have definitely made Bull and Bear a must do if you are in the area - it looks amazing!

[orlandoamber]

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

WOW another trip all looks fantastic to me was just going to suggest the boat tour, but I’ve seen you’re doing that
I reckon $150 is doable & you could definitely have some nice reasonable meals
Cheesecake Factory for one
HHN on the final night you’re hardcore
🎃👻🎃👻🎃

See more...

The boat tour seems reasonably priced, I think it’s $20pp, so can definitely fit into my budget. Really looking forward to that and seeing Winter Park! The hotel we’ve booked there looks lovely so fingers crossed it lives up to expectations. 🤞🏼

Originally Posted by Sparksy72

Amber what a fab trip you have planned!😊 I’m looking forward to seeing how you get along with your budget as it seems really reasonable. Did I see you mention that there might also be a visit to Bull and Bear. 🐻 Not long now! 💖 xx

See more...

Thanks, Michelle! I think we probably usually do about $150 a day on food, but trying to include cocktails, Ubers and activities might stretch it a bit. 😅 Bull & Bear is definitely on my mind… I’ve booked it with the intention of going as long as we haven’t blown the budget by that point! Xx

Originally Posted by Buggles94

Not long now Amber! Will definitely be following along. Will be lovely to hear more about Winter Park and the food offerings in Universal Gill and Michelle have definitely made Bull and Bear a must do if you are in the area - it looks amazing!

See more...

We went to Bull & Bear in November 2022 and literally waddled out of there after eating way too much! 😂 I’m hoping we have enough budget remaining to make it there by the second part of the trip - it would be rude to have it on my doorstep and not go, wouldn’t it?! 😁

[dixonsontour]

Have a great time.

[mexico07]

Looking forward to following along have a fantastic time xxx

[Goldia]

Ooh I was wondering when you were off again and it's very soon! Just one more week to wait. I hope you have a fab time and I can't wait to follow along. I'm hoping you'll be able to make use of some of the Disney Springs happy hours as I'm hoping to get some ideas.

[Claudette]

Look forward to reading along. Do you think you will go to La Luce in your own hotel? I am staying at the Waldorf again in the new year and want to try it out, will probably skip Bull & Bear though.

[orlandoamber]

Originally Posted by dixonsontour

Have a great time.

See more...

Thank you!

Originally Posted by mexico07

Looking forward to following along have a fantastic time xxx

See more...

Thank you so much! xxx

Originally Posted by Goldia

Ooh I was wondering when you were off again and it's very soon! Just one more week to wait. I hope you have a fab time and I can't wait to follow along. I'm hoping you'll be able to make use of some of the Disney Springs happy hours as I'm hoping to get some ideas.

See more...

It has come around so quickly! I'm definitely planning to go to the Jaleo 'Sangria Hour' which is their (extended) happy hour - the prices look very reasonable.

Originally Posted by Claudette

Look forward to reading along. Do you think you will go to La Luce in your own hotel? I am staying at the Waldorf again in the new year and want to try it out, will probably skip Bull & Bear though.

See more...

It's definitely an option - we don't have too many firm plans as I'm hoping to spend a little less during the first half of the trip and then possibly splurge a little when I'm in the presence of all the lovely Bonnet Creek and Disney Springs restaurants... I'm also struggling to fit everything in - I'm so used to 14 nights (or longer) that 11 nights feels a bit short.