Where Is Orlando’s $786 Million Tourist Tax Going? Plus Toll Brothers in Clermont and Evermore’s 125-Foot Plan
Orange County just approved how it will spend $786 million in tourist tax money, and the biggest check is not going to a theme park. Here is the full list, what it means for homeowners, and the rest of this week’s Central Florida growth news.
Every hotel and vacation rental stay in Orange County adds to the tourist tax pot. This month, commissioners decided where $786 million of it goes.
Image: The Jared Jones Team
What to Know
This week in Orlando at a glance
Orange County approved a $786 million tourist tax plan for 13 projects in a 6-1 vote. The Dr. Phillips Center gets the largest share at $350 million, plus financing costs.
Visitors pay this tax, not homeowners, and state law bars it from paying for housing, public schools or routine road maintenance.
Toll Brothers announced a lakefront community in Clermont from the mid-$800,000s, and Evermore is seeking room to build up to 125 feet near Disney.
Orange County commissioners approved a $786 million tourist development tax plan covering 13 projects this month. The largest allocation is $350 million for the Dr. Phillips Center master plan. The money comes from the 6% tax visitors pay on hotel and vacation rental stays, so local homeowners do not pay it, and by law it can only fund tourism-related projects.
Where is Orange County’s $786 million tourist tax money going?
To 13 projects, led by $350 million for the Dr. Phillips Center. Museums, sports venues and eco-tourism grants make up most of the rest.
Every time someone stays in a hotel or vacation rental in Orange County, they pay a 6% tourist development tax. That adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Commissioners approved the latest spending list in a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad voting no. About 70 people spoke at the meeting. Hospitality union representatives asked the board to slow down, and convention center supporters argued the plan left too little for needed upgrades there.
The one big change came at the top. The Dr. Phillips Center had asked for $750 million and the mayor recommended $400 million. Commissioners cut that to $350 million and moved the savings to smaller projects in Ocoee and Winter Garden. About $50 million was trimmed from the original proposal overall so the plan would meet county reserve requirements.
| Project | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Dr. Phillips Center master plan | $350 million plus financing costs, bonded by the City of Orlando |
| ARC grant program | $75 million, FY29 to FY33 |
| Eatonville Museum of Culture and History | $60 million from FY27 |
| Florida Citrus Sports parking structure at Camping World Stadium | $52.5 million from FY28 |
| Natural Resource Tourism Infrastructure Grant | $50 million over 10 years |
| Eco-tourism Grant | $50 million over 10 years |
| UCF soccer stadium and track | $46 million from FY29 |
| Ocoee Forest Lake Golf Club and Conference Campus | $30 million from FY28 |
| I AM Children’s Museum, Winter Garden | $25 million from FY27 |
| Eatonville CRA Heritage Tourism District | $20 million from FY28 |
| Immerse Festival | $12.5 million, including an existing $4.75 million grant |
| Orange Audubon natural history museum, Apopka birding park | $12 million from FY27 |
| Arts and Cultural Affairs share increase | About $3 million a year from FY27 |
Jared’s read: the $60 million Eatonville museum stands out, since it is more than the Camping World Stadium parking package on a list built around tourism. He plans to visit when it opens. When this much money goes out at once, some disagreement is expected. For background on the biggest requests, see the Dr. Phillips Center’s $1.4 billion master plan, the I AM Children’s Museum coming to Winter Garden, UCF’s tourist tax request and the Camping World Stadium garage plan.
Does the tourist tax affect Orange County homeowners?
Not directly. Visitors pay it, not residents. Florida law limits tourist development tax money to tourism purposes, so it cannot pay for housing, public schools or routine road maintenance. That is why the list leans toward arts, museums, sports venues and eco-tourism. The stated goal is two-part: create jobs for locals and give visitors more to do. Some allocations start in fiscal year 2027 and others phase in through 2029 and beyond, and funding agreements go through county comptroller review before any money is released.
How is the Orlando housing market handling higher rates?
September was the first month to show the rate jump. Freddie Mac’s weekly 30-year average hit 7.28% on October 1, the highest reading since 2023.
Rates climbed through the second half of September, so the September numbers are only an early read on how buyers are reacting. Jared’s view is that October is where the real story will show up. One big difference from 2023: buyers in Florida have more homes to choose from now, which gives them more room to negotiate, especially in the condo and townhome segment.
For the deeper breakdown, read how 7% mortgage rates are reshaping the Orlando market and run your own numbers with the rent vs buy in Orlando break-even guide. If you are buying in a high-rate market, the Jared Jones Team can walk you through builder incentives and other ways to lower your payment.
More homes to choose from is the big difference between this rate spike and 2023.
Image: The Jared Jones Team
What is Toll Brothers building in Clermont?
Toll Brothers at Cypress Reserve, a lakefront community on Sumner Lake in Clermont, with pricing anticipated from the mid-$800,000s and sales expected to open in early 2027.
Toll Brothers announced the community on October 16. Site work is underway at 3715 Willow Flower Street. Plans call for one- and two-story homes on 65-foot-wide home sites, with 3 to 6 bedrooms, 2 to 5 baths and 3-car garages. A majority of sites offer the option of a private dock, per the builder. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground and a dog park.
Jared’s take: a mid-$800,000s starting price usually climbs once lot premiums and design studio choices are added, so plan on a final number above the base. The 65-foot lots are wide for a production luxury builder. If you want early access, call the Jared Jones Team to join the interest list and have your own representation from day one. For more on the area, see the Clermont housing market update and what it is like to live in Clermont.
Lakefront living with private dock options is the draw at Cypress Reserve. Illustrative image, not the actual community.
Image: The Jared Jones Team
Why does Evermore want buildings up to 125 feet?
To make room for rooftop restaurants and viewing areas in future buildings. Orange County’s Development Review Committee recommended approval on October 7, and the request heads to county commissioners next.
Evermore Orlando Resort is the large lagoon resort community next to Walt Disney World. Its Grand Cypress planned development would set height zones of 40, 60, 75 and 125 feet, with the tallest areas near Winter Garden Vineland Road and the central Evermore development. The committee kept the 125-foot maximum and dropped a proposed story cap, since county code regulates height in feet. The request also adds a right-in, right-out entrance on Winter Garden Vineland Road and more ground signs.
The height is the only new ask. In 2025, the county already approved Grand Cypress to grow from 1,668 rental units to 6,378 and from 100,000 to 500,000 square feet of retail, commercial and entertainment space. Jared expects most public questions to be about how visible taller buildings would be. Would you rather see another rooftop fireworks view, or keep it low-rise?
Evermore’s lagoon sits at the center of the Grand Cypress property, where future buildings could reach 125 feet.
Image: The Jared Jones Team
What else happened in Central Florida this week?
Simpson Road North is finished, 241 days early
Osceola County cut the ribbon on October 12 on the $73.2 million Simpson Road North project. Simpson Road is now four lanes from U.S. 192 to Boggy Creek Road, with new signals and a shared-use path on both sides. It was the last and longest segment of the corridor, and it wrapped 241 days ahead of schedule. Osceola commuters, let us know if you notice the difference.
Tangelo Park Community Action Center opens
Orange County opened the Tangelo Park Community Action Center at 5160 Pueblo Street on October 14. The nearly 10,000-square-foot center has a computer lab, an indoor basketball court, an outdoor pool and a multipurpose room for more than 300 people. It is the county’s ninth community action center, near the I-Drive and Universal area.
The new Tangelo Park Community Action Center adds a pool, gym, computer lab and event space. Illustrative image.
Image: The Jared Jones Team
Mosquito spraying in Apopka and Pine Hills
After locally acquired dengue cases, Orange County Mosquito Control scheduled aerial spraying over parts of Apopka and Pine Hills. Dates have shifted with the weather, so check the county’s latest notice for the current schedule.
LYNX weighs December service changes
The LYNX board is discussing December service changes. Nothing is final until the board votes, and if approved, changes could start as early as mid-December. Jared expects a pullback rather than new routes.
Margaritaville at Sea moves its headquarters downtown
Margaritaville at Sea opened its new global headquarters on the 11th floor of the Gateway Center in Orlando’s North Quarter. The 22,000-square-foot office holds 128 employees, and the themed conference rooms match the ships.
Margaritaville at Sea now runs its cruise line from downtown Orlando.
Image: The Jared Jones Team
The Takeaway
The tourist tax plan shapes what gets built for visitors for years. The comptroller has said no more tourist tax funding will be available for other projects until 2033. It does not change your property tax bill, but it does shape the venues, museums and jobs around you. On the housing side, higher rates are back, but buyers have more choices than in 2023, and new communities like Cypress Reserve keep coming to the west side of the metro. If you are weighing a move, the Jared Jones Team can help you compare areas and builders.
FAQ
How much tourist tax money did Orange County approve?
Orange County commissioners approved a $786 million tourist development tax plan covering 13 projects in a 6-1 vote in October 2026, after about $50 million was trimmed from the original proposal.
Which project gets the most tourist tax money?
The Dr. Phillips Center master plan, at $350 million plus financing costs, bonded by the City of Orlando. The center asked for $750 million, and the recommended $400 million was reduced to $350 million by commissioners.
Do Orange County homeowners pay the tourist tax?
No. The 6% tourist development tax is paid by visitors staying in hotels and vacation rentals. State law limits the money to tourism purposes, so it cannot be used for housing, public schools or routine road maintenance.
When will Toll Brothers at Cypress Reserve open in Clermont?
Toll Brothers expects to open sales in early 2027. Pricing is anticipated from the mid-$800,000s for homes on 65-foot home sites along Sumner Lake, many with private dock options.
How tall could new Evermore buildings be?
Up to 125 feet in designated areas of the Grand Cypress property, if county commissioners approve. Other zones are capped at 40, 60 or 75 feet. The Development Review Committee recommended approval on October 7, 2026.
Links and Sources
The Jared Jones Team guides
- Dr. Phillips Center’s $1.4 billion master plan
- I AM Children’s Museum is coming to Winter Garden
- 7% mortgage rates and the Orlando housing market
- Rent vs buy in Orlando in 2026
- Clermont housing market update
- Living in Clermont, Florida in 2026
Videos
- Watch the full week in review on YouTube
- Jared’s October 2026 market video on 7% rates
- Jared’s Clermont housing market video
Sources
- Central Florida Public Media, Orange commission approves TDT list with $350 million for Dr. Phillips
- ClickOrlando (WKMG), Orange County tourist tax plan for 13 projects
- Orlando Weekly, Orange County OKs $786M tourist tax spending plan
- Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey archive
- Toll Brothers, Cypress Reserve announcement
- GrowthSpotter, Evermore developer refines plans for expansion
- Osceola County, Simpson Road North completion
- Orange County, Tangelo Park Community Action Center
- Orange County, mosquito control in Apopka and Pine Hills
- GrowthSpotter, Margaritaville at Sea headquarters
Thinking about buying or selling in Central Florida?
Get a straight read on the areas, builders and incentives that fit your plans. Call or text 407-706-5000 or email info@jaredjones.com.