Get your family vacation off to a fun start with these best Orlando Travel Tips and Florida Family Vacation Ideas!
Are you ready to have some fun in Orlando? There is so much to see and do, from Theme Park action, to shopping, to eating at so many fun restaurants.
I want your trip to Orlando to be amazing. With the help of your frugal friends, I’ve put together these best Orlando Travel Tips and Florida Family Vacation Ideas to help you out!
Be sure to check out all these amazing tips before you go…
Orlando Travel Tips and Florida Family Vacation Ideas
Related: 25+Eat Out Cheap Ideas You Can Use Today! {How to Save Money Eating Out in Orlando}
So You’re Planning a Trip to Orlando?
To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Orlando Trip Fund’. Need to increase your travel fund stash? One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…
Top Survey Sites to Make Money Online
How to Visit Orlando for Free!
How to Get Free Travel Gift Cards
Now keep reading for all the very best Orlando travel tips and things to do shared by myself and your frugal friends…
Patti said: Orlando, we lived there from 1968 – 2004 so I can tell you LOTS about Orlando.
Best Kept Secret: Go to Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney for a few hours (even If you are not staying there). When the gate guard asks you why you’re there, say that you’re going to the gift shop, and then do make a stop there because the merchandise is made in Africa mostly, and is inexpensive and very cute (hand-carved animals, etc). Don’t say you’re going to a restaurant unless you really are, because they can check easily to see if you have a reservation since all dining requires a reservation.
Walk in the front door of the lodge, cross the gorgeous lodge, and go down the stairs and out the back door. It’s a beautiful grounds. Several swimming pools, a rec room, lots of walking area to see the animals that are at Animal Kingdom itself. This is where the animals go when they don’t feel like being in the middle of all the tourists (which is often) … and they hang out there more so than they do in the theme park itself.
The animals freely roam (within electric fencing that you won’t notice because they blend in with the vegetation – they look like Palmetto Fronds but they are actually electric fences). I’ve photographed zebras, gazelles, giraffes, wild beasts … all kinds of animals that I can’t even remember. Best Pics ever!
My Disney Tips: Let your Disney dreams go wild with these 60+ Disneyland Travel Tips and Disney World Tricks!
Orlando CityPASS – Up To 50% off Attractions!
Patti said: Downtown Disney is free. It’s all shops & dining. My fav place to eat there is Rainforest Cafe. We order from the appetizer menu as our meal and their appetizer pizza is large enough for me and hubby to share. (Growing boys … maybe a different story…). Usually hubby & I share an appetizer as a meal and enjoy the scenery, walk around a bit, then share an ice cream dessert at Ghirardelli Square. Be sure to go into the Ghirardelli chocolate shop – they are usually giving away a full-size sample of their chocolate. So that in itself could be your free dessert.
If you’re renting a car, don’t bother purchasing their E-pass with the rental car which they try to push on you. I think they charge you around $25 or $50 for the e-Pass (it’s what gets you through various toll booths). Rarely will you use that much in e-Pass tolls.
Score a Deal on your Orlando Car Rental! There are so many beautiful places to explore around Orlando and Tampa… and you’ll need a car to see a lot of them! There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use! Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…
18 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars
Patti said: Disney Hotels are running at lower than 85% occupancy rates so deal and bargain. See if the hotel you want to stay in has upgraded to free WiFi, mini-fridge and extra beds in their rooms. There is a huge renovation project underway right now in their mid-range priced hotels. They had a huge article in the paper about it recently. So bargain and deal.
The older hotels have great pricing (comparatively speaking) and free transportation to Disney itself. I’m talking about the Contemporary Hotel and some of the others that are on Disney property itself. You’re rarely in your hotel room anyway … and if you have a mini-fridge in your room, it saves $$ as you can fill it with water, snacks and such.
Most “non-tourist” beach is Cocoa Beach … not all that far from Orlando. Gorgeous beaches, Ron Jon Surf Shop is a Must Stop … cool merchandise and a gigantic store …… think Cabella’s or Bass Pro Shops on steroids, selling all kinds of beach-related stuff. It’s a great place to go when it’s raining or just too hot outside.
Frugal Orlando Travel Tip: Learn How to Travel for Free or Cheap to Orlando! {Budget Travel Hacks}
Patti said: Rain comes most afternoons in the summer, stays for less than an hour and goes away. Do Not leave wherever you are just because it’s raining. Pop into a restaurant, sit in your car and wait it out.
I-Drive (International Drive) is a tourist mecca. However… there are all kinds of designer shops in that area and are worth checking out. Sometimes you can find huge bargains… and if it’s raining, that’s the perfect place to be!
You can rent bikes along the West-Orange Trail from any bike shop. Lots of beautiful rails-to-trails area and restaurants along the trail worth stopping for a quick snack or a sit-down meal … outside … and you can park your bike right beside you!
Florida is Hot and Muggy. Wear a hat and sunscreen. If you’re wearing flip flops, Be sure to put sunscreen on your feet. (we can always tell a tourist, they are in flip flops, no hat, no water bottles). Stay hydrated.”
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks! With all the time spent outside in the sun and at the Theme Parks… you just might be needing a caffeine fix and a snack! There are so many Starbucks locations all around Orlando, so check this out…
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
Jamie said: “Stay off site & go to the Disney Hotel Restaurants. The prices aren’t crazy, yet you can still tour the grounds & enjoy the perks of the Disney meals. We love to go to the Animal Kingdom for their breakfast buffet then check out the animals outback afterwards. Have fun!”
Erin said: “My kids loved Wonderworks!”
Cheryl said: “The Universal City Walk on a Saturday night is a blast!”
Pam said: “I’ve grown up in Orlando and still live here. There is SO much to do and see. All 4 Disney Parks are a must, as well as Universal Studios, Sea World/Discovery Cove and Aquatica, as well as the smaller places like Wet n’ Wild and Titanic, the Experience.”
Kathy said: “Discovery Cove was one of the best things we did in Orlando!”
My SeaWorld Tips: Make the most of your time and be sure to catch the SeaWorld Top Attractions with this Top 10 List!
Sonya said: “Our kids love Gatorland.”
Cindi said: “Legoland opened last year.”
My Medieval Times Tips: Take a break from the ordinary and head Inside Medieval Times! (tips and tricks)
Sabrina said: “I live here! It depends on what you’re into. Downtown Winter Park is a classy area for movies under the stars and a relaxing stroll. Downtown Disney (not Disney attractions) for an entertaining walk about and good food… it has classy restaurants, free entertainment, an arcade, theater, and more.
Mall of Millenia area on Conroy hosts Blue Martini and Cheesecake Factory as well as other dining choices and shopping. City Walk is great and they have live band karaoke there. Lake Eola is phenomenal to walk around and has a Sunday farmer’s market. There’s constantly a parade, fest, walk for a cure, or block party going on downtown. The Amway Arena hosts the Magic as well as concerts. List could go on… but that should get the imagination going.”
Lynn said: “I suggest Wekiwa Springs State Park, a short drive north of Orlando. A spring-fed “pool” for swimming, a river to canoe on (and canoes to rent!). We saw alligators our last trip; a trip before we saw beavers and even wild monkeys! A break from the theme parks, and you get a taste of “real” Florida.”
Charene said: “A great authentic Brazilian restaurant… Fogo de Chao… t
Janet said: “Save your souvenir shopping for one day. Try a drugstore or Downtown Disney and stay out of the park gift shops. It’s a money saver.”
Frugal Orlando Travel Tip: Don’t forget to cash in your Swagbucks for Free Gas Cards, Free Hotels, and Free Airfare, too!
What To Pack for Orlando:
Best Baby Travel Gear
Traveling with Baby? Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials! I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!
Suitcases
Now that you’ve read through all of these incredible Orlando Travel Tips… are you ready to get packing for Florida? Make sure you’ve got some good sturdy luggage with wheels to take along! Fun and unique prints on luggage are always great, because it always seems like every suitcase at the airport or hotel is black, right? Someone will be a lot less likely to walk off with your luggage when it’s got a unique color or print!
Large Travel Purse
Every great trip starts with a large purse, right? I have one large purse I save just for trips, and it’s perfect for storing my Kindle, Maps, Snacks, and even my Camera! I never leave on a trip without it, and am always grateful for that extra space!
Travel Pillow
Make sleeping on those long flights a whole lot easier when you pack a comfy travel pillow!
Don’t board your plane without these 11 Carry On Must Haves! They’re a lifesaver on long flights!
If you plan to spend some time at the beach, don’t be caught without these 12 Beach Bag Essentials
Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!
Now that you’ve had fun reading these Orlando travel tips and Florida family vacation ideas, start dreaming of more vacations in the Southeast with these frugal travel tips below…
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So… have YOU every been to Orlando before?
What are some of your favorite Orlando travel tips for places to see, things to do, beaches to visit, etc?
Leave a comment & share!
Amanda says
The locals’ best kept secret is Kelly Park (aka Rock Springs). It’s a GREAT place to go and spend an afternoon, especially if you want somewhere non-touristy. The last time I was there, it was only about $5 to get in, and that was per car, not per person.
The water is CRYSTAL clear; you can jump in at the beginning of the river and float down for a while. It’s always fun to stop and look at the fish and turtles swimming along the river. Even saw an otter once.