Orlando on a Shoestring
As with most tourist meccas, Orlando offers plenty of easy ways to pay top dollar for things that won't really enhance your experience. But if you know a few tips and secrets there are lots of ways to save money and still have a whale of a time.
Book flights to Orlando [http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/orlb/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-orlando.html] and give your kids the holiday of a lifetime without having to re-mortgage the house! Here's how...
When to Visit
There is no way to avoid crowds in Orlando, but certain times of the year are a little less crowded than others. After late August and the start of school in most places, Disney World has a history of offering discount packages to keep the place full of visitors. Summer is the most popular and therefore worst time to visit the theme parks. If you can avoid times when schools are out, you'll see much shorter queues.
Getting Around
There are three airports; Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Sanford. Some travellers find it easier or cheaper to use Tampa's airport, too. You'll need an Orlando car rental to visit the major attractions and it definitely pays to shop around for the best deal on a hire car. Competition is fierce so it's possible to get some really good deals. Beware of the booth; Greater Orlando is Florida's toll road capital so have your change ready!
Accommodation
Spend a lot of time on the internet researching rooms, villas and condos or townhouses. You can save a lot of money by renting a villa. If you search early and vigilantly, you can find some great bargains as there are so many homes available. Most houses include the luxury of a private swimming pool, full kitchen, dining room and at least 3 bedrooms. Approximate prices for a villa for a week are from $700 to $1000. Disney has recognised the need for lower room rates and offers on-site rooms at discounted prices after school starts each August. For example a four-star hotel for under $100 per night, like the Monumental Hotel on International Drive.
Eating Out
If you are staying in a villa or self-catering you'll have the advantage of having a kitchen to prepare your own meals. If you buy groceries at the beginning of your holiday, you can enjoy most meals at home for a fraction of the cost you'll pay at many local restaurants, especially considering the cost of food in the theme parks. Lunch is usually less expensive than dinner at restaurants so if you do decide to eat out, this would be the best course to go for. Try Sweet Tomatoes, a lovely vegetarian buffet style cafe, CiCi's for fantastic pizzas that kids will love or Cafe Tu Tu Tango which serves delicious tapas and a mixture of Latin, Asian and Spanish cuisines.
With the inflated theme park prices it's definitely worth packing lots of fluids and snacks to take with you, especially in the really hot months when kids need to drink a lot. Most major U.S. restaurant chains have at least a few locations in the Orlando area and are the budget choice for eating out.
What to do
Make a list of activities you want to do while there. Discuss with your family what attractions you'd like to visit while in the area, such as the Disney theme parks, SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, water parks, etc. If you have time, consider making a day trip to the beach or the Kennedy Space Centre which both about an hour's drive away.
Be sure to visit Downtown Disney if you have children. The kids can have lots of fun and most of the attractions there are free to visit. They have fountains the kids can run through to cool off, and there is a Lego store with free Lego stations to play and build toys. The magic store has continual shows and your child can even help the magician. Kids can walk through the stores filled with merchandise featuring all their favourite characters.
More Orlando Tips...
Get a GO Orlando Card. This is a card you buy prior to your trip and then activate on first use. You can buy one to seven day cards which give free admission at dozens of local attractions. Design your itinerary before you consider a Go Orlando card, to determine if the investment will save you money.
Prepare yourself for the cost of entry ot the theme parks. At $75 per person per day to enter the theme park, it is well worth taking some time to plan the ones you really most want to visit and the rides you want to go on.
Save Time for Central Florida. Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Centre is a unique and fantastic experience not to be missed. Allow a whole day to see it. Orlando's trendy, upscale Winter Park area is also a nice alternative to a day at the theme parks, too.
Try to Blend In. Don't leave luggage in your car so it can be seen through the windows and keep your money tucked away safely in a money belt.
Watch Your Speed on Interstate 4. This is the main highway that connects Tampa, Disney, Orlando and Daytona and is well-patrolled, especially in the area near Disney. Warnings are few and tickets are very expensive.
Book flights to Orlando [http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/orlb/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-orlando.html] and give your kids the holiday of a lifetime without having to re-mortgage the house! Here's how...
When to Visit
There is no way to avoid crowds in Orlando, but certain times of the year are a little less crowded than others. After late August and the start of school in most places, Disney World has a history of offering discount packages to keep the place full of visitors. Summer is the most popular and therefore worst time to visit the theme parks. If you can avoid times when schools are out, you'll see much shorter queues.
Getting Around
There are three airports; Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Sanford. Some travellers find it easier or cheaper to use Tampa's airport, too. You'll need an Orlando car rental to visit the major attractions and it definitely pays to shop around for the best deal on a hire car. Competition is fierce so it's possible to get some really good deals. Beware of the booth; Greater Orlando is Florida's toll road capital so have your change ready!
Accommodation
Spend a lot of time on the internet researching rooms, villas and condos or townhouses. You can save a lot of money by renting a villa. If you search early and vigilantly, you can find some great bargains as there are so many homes available. Most houses include the luxury of a private swimming pool, full kitchen, dining room and at least 3 bedrooms. Approximate prices for a villa for a week are from $700 to $1000. Disney has recognised the need for lower room rates and offers on-site rooms at discounted prices after school starts each August. For example a four-star hotel for under $100 per night, like the Monumental Hotel on International Drive.
Eating Out
If you are staying in a villa or self-catering you'll have the advantage of having a kitchen to prepare your own meals. If you buy groceries at the beginning of your holiday, you can enjoy most meals at home for a fraction of the cost you'll pay at many local restaurants, especially considering the cost of food in the theme parks. Lunch is usually less expensive than dinner at restaurants so if you do decide to eat out, this would be the best course to go for. Try Sweet Tomatoes, a lovely vegetarian buffet style cafe, CiCi's for fantastic pizzas that kids will love or Cafe Tu Tu Tango which serves delicious tapas and a mixture of Latin, Asian and Spanish cuisines.
With the inflated theme park prices it's definitely worth packing lots of fluids and snacks to take with you, especially in the really hot months when kids need to drink a lot. Most major U.S. restaurant chains have at least a few locations in the Orlando area and are the budget choice for eating out.
What to do
Make a list of activities you want to do while there. Discuss with your family what attractions you'd like to visit while in the area, such as the Disney theme parks, SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, water parks, etc. If you have time, consider making a day trip to the beach or the Kennedy Space Centre which both about an hour's drive away.
Be sure to visit Downtown Disney if you have children. The kids can have lots of fun and most of the attractions there are free to visit. They have fountains the kids can run through to cool off, and there is a Lego store with free Lego stations to play and build toys. The magic store has continual shows and your child can even help the magician. Kids can walk through the stores filled with merchandise featuring all their favourite characters.
More Orlando Tips...
Get a GO Orlando Card. This is a card you buy prior to your trip and then activate on first use. You can buy one to seven day cards which give free admission at dozens of local attractions. Design your itinerary before you consider a Go Orlando card, to determine if the investment will save you money.
Prepare yourself for the cost of entry ot the theme parks. At $75 per person per day to enter the theme park, it is well worth taking some time to plan the ones you really most want to visit and the rides you want to go on.
Save Time for Central Florida. Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Centre is a unique and fantastic experience not to be missed. Allow a whole day to see it. Orlando's trendy, upscale Winter Park area is also a nice alternative to a day at the theme parks, too.
Try to Blend In. Don't leave luggage in your car so it can be seen through the windows and keep your money tucked away safely in a money belt.
Watch Your Speed on Interstate 4. This is the main highway that connects Tampa, Disney, Orlando and Daytona and is well-patrolled, especially in the area near Disney. Warnings are few and tickets are very expensive.
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