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Are you considering booking a Florida vacation and wondering if Orlando is safe for visitors?

As someone that is obsessed with Florida travel, you’ve come to the best place for travel tips and destination guides.  And with that being said, Orlando and the surrounding areas are some of my favorite places to visit in Florida. 

With an estimated 60 million visitors each year, the “theme park of the world” is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States.

It’s well-known for thousands of family-friendly attractions including the famous Walt Disney World.

But just how safe is it?

Read below to learn more about the city’s safety ratings and important safety basics you should know prior to planning your vacation.

Is Orlando Safe For Visitors?

For the most part, yes, Orlando is a safe city and a safe place for tourists.

As with most larger cities in the U.S., there are neighborhoods that you should avoid at night.  There are a few you should avoid altogether!

Orlando is also prone to parking ticket scams, pickpocketing, and other petty crimes that you should be aware of.

The neighborhoods that experience violent crime are usually west of downtown Orlando and include Pine Hills, Malibu Groves, Carver Shores, Signal Hill, Lake Sunset, Roosevelt Park, and Washington Shores.

You should avoid booking hotels or Airbnb’s anywhere in or around these neighborhoods.

Stick to the resorts on International Drive or Celebration, or those close to tourist attractions or theme parks.  You may pay more, but it’s worth it for peace of mind.

Aside from human-on-human crime, there are a couple more factors to be mindful of regarding safety if you’re visiting Orlando, Florida.

Weather In Orlando

The first factor is weather. Orlando is prone to hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and even tornadoes.

Lightning storms pose a significant threat especially during the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

If a thunder and lighting storm is detected, stay indoors and away from large bodies of water or metal structures.

During the summer months, Orlando gets extremely hot, and can experience heat waves.

If you’re spending time outdoors or at the theme parks, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek air conditioning often.

Is Orlando Safe For Families?

Overall, yes.  Orlando offers something for both adults and kids.

Orlando has great schools, a vibrant downtown area with tons of attractions, and is in close proximity to Disney World and other great family-friendly parks.

Some of the best neighborhoods in the city to live and raise children include Baldwin Park, Celebration, College Park, Oviedo, and Winter Garden.

Aside from the theme parks themselves, many of the neighborhoods mentioned above boast safe living conditions and fun activities.

Many of them include hiking and biking trails, nature conservatories, neighborhood swimming pools, and great choices for public or private schools.

For travelers, Orlando is a fantastic vacation destination with plenty of kid-friendly hotels within driving distance of the parks.

In fact, it’s ranked as the second-best city in the U.S. for family vacations by The Family Vacation Guide.

There are also plenty of apartment-style Airbnb and VRBO properties in the neighborhoods above as well as near International Drive.

Some fun activities that kids love (other than the parks) include LEGOLAND, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, the Central Florida Zoo, and Gatorland, among others.

Is Orlando Safe For Solo Travelers?

Yes, just as it is a safe destination for families, Orlando is also a safe destination for solo travelers!

Many solo travelers also visit Disney World and Universal Studios by themselves and have an unforgettable time.

The city is well-lit and has plenty of police presence due to the volume of visitors it receives.

Many of the other attractions throughout the city are also solo traveler friendly.

Some of the most popular things to do as a solo traveler include shopping at Disney Springs, riding The Wheel at ICON Park, watching a Cirque du Soleil show, and visiting Universal Orlando.

Is Orlando Safe At Night?

Generally, yes.  However, this depends on what neighborhood you are in and where you plan to walk around.

Staying close to Disney Springs, the Universal City Walk, and the main attractions on and near International Drive is a safe bet.

If you want to go out and experience Orlando’s nightlife, there are plenty of clubs and bars downtown that are located in safe areas too.

The city might be known for its family-friendly vibe, but the night scene is a real treat for those wanting to explore an upscale cocktail bar or dance club.

Just be mindful of the threat of spiking and physical assaults.  While very rare, it’s best to remain vigilant and keep your drink close to you at all times.

Tourists are rarely victims of violent crimes, especially in the well-known tourist areas, but if you want to take extra precautions, leave expensive or irreplaceable values at home (passports, watches, jewelry, designer bags), and always remain aware of your surroundings.

The most important thing about keeping safe in downtown Orlando is to stay in open areas where there are lots of people and stay in well-lit areas.  It’s always best to visit downtown with a friend or group of friends if possible, too.   

What Part Of Orlando Is The Riskiest Or The Most Dangerous?

Some crime websites rank Orlando as one of the 100 most dangerous cities in America.

This can often be misleading as the city in its entirety is not a dangerous place, rather it’s home to some less than stellar neighborhoods.

One of the most dangerous neighborhoods is Mercy Drive.  For decades, it has been a place of violent crime and drugs.

Police presence is high there, but shootings and robberies are still very common.

Other dangerous neighborhoods in Orlando include Pine Grove, Malibu Grove, Roosevelt Park, Johnson Village, Lake Mann Gardens, New Malibu, Washington Shores, and Windhover.

All of these neighborhoods experience high levels of property crime, shoot outs, assault, theft, vandalism, and even murder.

It’s best to steer clear of these areas during your vacation and stick to the more obvious choices for lodging and exploring.

Photo credit: Wikimedia

What Part Of Orlando Is The Safest?

Orlando wasn’t named the number one most visited city in the U.S. for nothing.

The city boasts 233 sunny days each year, is home to some of the world’s most top-rated restaurants, and the world’s best theme and adventure parks.

As you read above, there are some hazardous neighborhoods that you will want to avoid during your time in Orlando.

However, there are plenty of safe neighborhoods in Orlando you can enjoy solo or with a family.

The most well-known affluent suburb is without a doubt Celebration. 

Mediterranean, Victorian, and Colonial homes line the street, and the vibes are reminiscent of Hollywood itself.

Winter Park is another amazing community that is popular among snowbirds and tourists. 

Here, you can find numerous boutique shops, cafes, and James Beard Award-winning restaurants.

You can also find a handful of museums here including the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Morse Museum of American Art.

Kissimmee is in the greater Orlando area, about 30 minutes south of Orlando.  This city is also great to visit as it is safe, has fewer crowds than Orlando, and has plenty of theme parks and things to do, including Fun Spot American and Old Town.   

Other safe areas of Orlando include Thornton Park, College Park (close to downtown), the trendy neighborhood of Baldwin Park, and Park Lake Highland for famous local spots.

Is Orlando’s Crime Rate High?

If you look at the statistics, Orlando has a higher crime rate than the national average.

With a violent crime rate of 8.28 per 1,000 residents, it’s ranked as the 8th most dangerous city in Florida.

In spite of this, it’s important to keep in mind that the majority of the violent crimes are committed in the same few neighborhoods and rarely in the tourist areas or downtown.

Aside from occasional pick pocketing, ticket scams, or a car break in, the most highly trafficked areas generally experience low crime rates.

Orlando Safety Tips

1. Stay near popular attractions. Many resorts and hotels close to the parks have extra security in addition to being in safe areas.

There are dozens to choose from, however, so do your research and book lodging closest to the attractions you want to experience.

2. Prepare for the weather. Orlando can get hot and humid, especially during the summer months.It’s important to stay hydrated and seek shade when needed.

If you visit Orlando during the hurricane season, monitor the weather leading up to your vacation to check for storms or heavy rainfall.

3. Be aware of your surroundings. As with any big city, it’s important to remain vigilant and be aware of what is going on around you.

While the tourist areas are generally safe, it’s best not to flash around expensive items.  Don’t walk with your earbuds in and stay off your cell phone.

What Should I Avoid In Orlando?

While there are plenty of fun things you can do while in Orlando, there are a few things that you should absolutely avoid doing.

1. Bringing weapons or drugs of any kind into any attractions or theme parks.

2. Buying tickets from strangers.  Ticket scams are semi-common in Orlando, so always make sure you buy them off of official sites and reputable third party vendors.

3. Not selecting your lodging widely.  There are plenty of amazing properties in Orlando, so do your research ahead of time to make sure it’s in the right neighborhood and close to the attractions you want to see.

Is Orlando Or Miami Safer?

As two of the most popular cities to vacation in Florida, many people wonder if Orlando is safer than Miami.

Statistically, it is.  On a scale of 1 to 100 (100 being the most dangerous), the U.S. is rated 35.4. Miami is rated 62.7, and Orlando is rated 81.

The odds of falling victim to crime in Orlando is 1 in 121, compared to 1 in 167 in Miami.

What Is The Safest Part Of Orlando?

The city of Orlando is more than 100 square miles with many surrounding communities and small towns.

There are endless neighborhoods to enjoy incredible resorts, restaurants, night life, and exhilarating attractions.

Naturally, the safest part of Orlando is between the Walt Disney World Resort and downtown Orlando.

If you plan to spend most or all of your time at the parks, then this might be the option for you.

Most resorts provide complimentary transportation to and from the parks which is an additional safety perk.

Is NYC Safer Than Orlando?

This might surprise you, but Orlando actually has a crime rate that is 50 percent greater than that of the nation’s largest city.

In fact, when it comes to the likelihood of experiencing crimes of robbery, burglary, vehicle theft, and aggravated assault, Orlando far outranks NYC.

In terms of weather, NYC and Orlando have similar patterns.  Both are prone to hurricanes and extreme temperatures, although NYC experiences most of its extreme weather during the winter rather than the summer.

Final Thoughts- Is Orlando Safe?

Overall, Orlando is a safe place to visit, so rest assured that you can explore the city of Orlando without worrying about any potential danger.

With its abundant attractions, beautiful weather, and friendly locals, Orlando is a great place to visit for any traveler.

So feel free to enjoy all of the city’s many offerings without wondering- is Orlando safe? Because it is!