We’ve seen a lot of price increases around Disney World, many of them related to the ongoing problems with the supply chain. There have been price increases on food and drink items, as well as some merchandise items, like Spirit Jerseys.

One price increase that’s been seen by the entire country is the cost of gas. Previously, gas prices were on the rise throughout the United States, with Florida’s gas prices peaking in June at $4.891. However, we’re starting to see that trend shift now. Prices have been fluctuating in Florida as well, so let’s take a look at why driving to Disney World is a gamble right now.

May

We reported at the very beginning of May that Florida’s gas prices were lower than the national average (Florida’s average was $4.13 per gallon while the national average was $4.19 per gallon). But then, by May 8th, the average cost of gas in Florida had risen to $4.20 per gallon, according to Click Orlando.

Over the following week, Florida hit a new record — the average price of regular unleaded gasoline was $4.40, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Prices in Orlando in particular were contributing to raising the state’s average, as the cost in Orlando was around $4.42 per gallon. The average for the city actually increased by 12 cents between Wednesday, May 11th, and Thursday, May 12th. At that time, the national average for gas was also $4.42.

Subsequently, Florida gas prices continued to rise. On Monday, May 16th, the average cost of gas in Florida had remained at $4.49 per gallon, according to WESH 2. The price rose several cents over the following weekend, as it was $4.46 per gallon on Friday, May 13th. On Tuesday, May 17th, the average price of gas in Florida was $4.50, just two cents lower than the national average of $4.52 per gallon, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The price of gas in Orlando was then consistent with the state’s average at $4.50 per gallon.

As of Tuesday, May 24th, the average Florida gas price rose once again, increasing by six cents to $4.53, according to WESH 2. At the same time, the national average was $4.59. AAA reported that $4.53 was the highest average gas price ever recorded for Florida at that time.

June

After Memorial Day weekend, Orlando gas prices surged again, this time to an average of $4.74 per gallon as of Thursday, June 2nd, according to the Orlando Sentinel. This new average was almost 25 cents higher than the average Orlando gas prices in May. On a national scale, the average gas price rose to $4.72, with Florida’s average gas price reaching $4.71.

On June 3rd, Florida hit a gas price record…again. According to Spectrum News 13, on June 3rd Florida’s average gas price (as a state) climbed to $4.73 per gallon. That’s a 2-cent increase from the previous day, as shared by AAA. National gas prices also broke a record. As of June 3rd, the national average price of gas was $4.76 per gallon.

According to the AAA website, the average price of a gallon of gas in Orange County, Florida was (as of June 3rd) $4.75, while the average in Osceola County, Florida (both counties within which Disney World is located) was $4.747 (rounded up would be the same at $4.75).

As of June 6th, 2022, AAA reported that the average cost for a gallon of gas in Orange County, Florida was $4.758, while the average in Osceola County was $4.759. Overall, the average in Florida was $4.762, and the national average was $4.865.

On June 7th, AAA noted that the average cost for a gallon of gas was $4.755 in Orange County (a slight decrease), while the average was $4.760 in Osceola County (a slight increase). In terms of the state overall, things had gone UP. Florida’s average price for gas was $4.768, and the national average was $4.919.

And as of June 13th, the national average remained steady at $5.01 per gallon. Florida’s statewide average rose to $4.89 a gallon, up one cent from the previous day. Gas prices in Orange County, FL rose to $4.891 and Osceola County, FL was at $4.889. According to WESH 2 Orlando, the prices were expected to continue rising in the summer.

July

However, at this point, gas prices actually started to go DOWN. As of July 6th, WKMG said that Florida gas prices had dropped 10 cents over the previous week, continuing to fall from the record high set in June. The average price per gallon in the state was $4.515 as of July 6th, according to AAA. Orlando’s average was at $4.437, while the national gas price was at $4.779.

These prices fell further by July 11th, when both the national average and the average in Florida dropped 10 cents again. The national average was $4.678 and the Florida average dropped to $4.41. In a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, an industry analyst said that “motorists may see prices drop another 10-20 cents as the oil price cuts continue making their way to street level.”

On July 17th, AAA reported that the average price of gas in Florida dropped to $4.27, or the lowest price per gallon seen since May, and the national average also dropped to $4.52. At that point, gas prices ranged in Florida counties from a low of $4.04 all the way to $4.52.

As of July 21st, AAA reported that the average price of gas in Florida dropped again — it was down to $4.174. The national average also went down to $4.440. Gas prices in Florida ranged from $3.929 to $4.476 at that time.

The drop in gas prices was due in part to the falling crude oil prices. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a release that “If these futures price drops hold, drivers could see Florida gas prices drift back below $4.10 per gallon.” But, the fuel market is volatile right now he noted, so it’s not a definite.

That prediction was correct, since, as of July 25th, AAA reported the average as $4.084. The national average also went down, coming in at $4.355. Gas prices have only continued to decrease, and according to the Orlando Sentinel are down an average of 17 cents across the state of Florida.

According to a report from AAA obtained via Click Orlando, the average price per gallon of gas in Florida fell below $4 for the first time since March 2022.

August

Now, heading into August, gas prices have continued to fall. Early in August, the national average for the price of a gallon of gas was $4.163, and the average in Florida was well below $4 at $3.884.

As of August 8th, 2022, those numbers dropped again. Florida’s average was then $3.776, while the national average was at $4.059. That was the lowest average price that Florida had seen in several months. By August 11th, 2022, prices fell once again. According to AAA, the average gas price in Florida was $3.701, while the national average sat at $3.990.

In Osceola County, Florida, the average cost was $3.645, while the average in Orange County, Florida was $3.653.

As of August 15th, gas prices continued to fall. The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida was then $3.641, which was the lowest that Florida has seen since March 2nd, 2022 (Fox35Orlando). The national average for a gallon of gas was $3.956.

By August 20th, gas prices fell once again. Florida’s average price for a gallon of gas dropped to $3.546, while the average for the United States as a whole was $3.908.

On August 22nd, gas prices in Florida fell yet again to an average of $3.528 per gallon. One AAA spokesperson told ClickOrlando that gas prices may be leveling out now: “Gas prices are still falling, but not quite as fast as they did in recent weeks. The state average was previously declining at a rate of 15-17 cents per week. Last week, however, the state average dropped 11 cents. This could be a sign that pump prices could soon begin to level out.” The national average on August 22nd was $3.901 per gallon.

Gas prices continued to fall as August progressed, and in fact, they fell for 70 days in a row, since the record high of $5.02 per gallon (the national average on June 14th). That’s the longest streak of falling prices since 2005 (CNN Business). As of August 23rd, the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida is $3.529, and the average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. is $3.892

Unfortunately, this is where we have to break the streak of falling gas prices (at least for Florida). As of August 29th, the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida increased to $3.609, although the average in the U.S. is continuing to decrease at $3.850.

A AAA spokesman told ClickOrlando, “Gas prices are rising in response to a recent oil price hike, due to reports that Saudi Arabia could lower fuel output in [an] effort to raise prices. The U.S. price of oil rose a total of 5% over the course of the past three weeks. This is not a significant oil price hike, so gas prices may not go much higher, but that could change if there are additional gains in the fuel market this week.”

September

Moving into September, we’re seeing a lot fewer people take road trips and vacations, which may partially account for the lower gas prices. At the beginning of September, gasoline in Florida cost an average of $3.524 per gallon, and nationwide the average was $3.786 per gallon.

According to CNBC, “Labor Day marks the end of the summer driving season.” They also reported that “Tom Kloza, head of global energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service, expects prices could go down but not all that much, and they could even turn higher again toward the end of the year.” Particularly if we see more hurricanes, gas prices could increase soon.

On September 12th, gas prices were still falling. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida was $3.439 while the national average was $3.716. However, more recently as of September 19th, Florida’s average state price is $3.41 a gallon and the national average is $3.68, according to Spectrum News. In fact, Florida’s average price per gallon is now the lowest we’ve seen since February of this year!

Prices have been falling for almost 3 months now, with just a few instances of small increases. This change can be attributed to a few different factors. First, many people may have cut back on driving when gas prices were high, which reduced demand. In addition, recession fears may also be contributing to lower demand for gas as even more people pull back on road trips.

CNN has also noted “the unprecedented release of emergency oil by the Biden administration from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” which could have had an impact as well.

Although gas prices are certainly still lower than earlier this summer, the averages are still a bit higher than the prices were 1 year ago. CNN Business reported this summer that prices now are about 73 cents higher than they were a year ago. Spectrum News also reports that “falling prices for gas, airline tickets and clothes are giving consumers a bit of relief, although inflation is still close to a four-decade high.”

Although supply and demand were unbalanced this summer as travelers hit the roads in numbers we hadn’t seen since before the pandemic, we’re finally seeing gas prices fall once again. It may help that Florida is permitting a special winter blend of gas that could be easing some of the supply and demand issues.

Gas prices have fluctuated a lot over the past few months as a result of the ever-changing supply chain. Prices may be lower or higher on any given week depending on numerous external factors, and it’s difficult to predict what prices may look like during your Disney World vacation, should you choose to drive.

We’ll be watching to see what gas prices look like in Florida moving forward, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest!

If you’re planning a trip, looking at these prices, and hoping to find a way to save money, we’ve got you covered there too. Click here to see our page full of details about Disney World discounts and deals.

And check out some of our top tips for saving money in Disney World by clicking here. There are some sneaky ways to save a few bucks on your trip, but every little discount can eventually add up to some serious dollars saved! 💵  Stay tuned for more money-saving tips and tricks from us here at DFB.

See what Disney executives said about how inflation is impacting the theme parks

Do you have any vacations planned for this summer? Let us know in the comments!