Get your family vacation off to a fun start with this ultimate guide of the best Orlando Travel Tips!
Are you ready to have some fun in Orlando? There is so much to see and do! If you’re looking for the best Orlando Travel Tips, you just hit the jackpot!
In addition to action-packed theme parks like Disney, Universal Studios, and Seaworld, you’ll LOVE this guide with top tips on the best hidden gems from the locals!
Whether you’re planning a trip to Orlando Fl, or you already live in the area and are just looking for the top things to do in Orlando, I want your days to be AMAZING! I love Orlando, and I know you will, too! That’s why I’ve put together these best Orlando Florida Travel Tips.
Plus… you’ll love all of the inexpensive activities you can do on a budget. So are you ready to start planning some serious FUN?
Here’s everything you need to know before you go…
Orlando Travel Tips
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 Florida?
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 Get Cheap Airfare to Orlando Florida…
How to Get Free Travel Gift Cards
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Now keep reading for all the very best insider Orlando travel tips and things to do shared by myself and your frugal friends…
{Visit the Lake Eola Fountain in downtown Orlando – pictured above}
Plan a Visit at Christmas time! Are you dreaming of a warm-weather winter vacation? Consider planning a trip to Orlando around Christmas! The city transforms into a swoon-worthy, festive tropical paradise! Enjoy a magical day at Disney World {they deck out for the holidays}, enjoy the Days of Christmas and Festival of Trees at Disney Springs, spend a day at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration {with over 3,000,000 lights and a fun parade}, check out Legoland’s Christmas Bricktacular Celebration, Take in the Twinkling Lights on Jeater Bend in the town of Celebration, Visit the ICE festival at Marriott’s Gaylord Palms Resort {here you’ll find snow tubing, Secret Santa scavenger hunts, and the Polar Express}, or catch one of the many Christmas Orlando Boat Parades!
{Visit Disney Springs for the Days of Christmas and Festival of Trees – pictured above and below}
Patti said: Orlando, we’ve lived there since 1968, 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). Located at: 2901 Osceola Parkway Blvd, Orlando, FL.
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.
{pictured above – the giraffes at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge}
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!
Many of the hotel rooms overlook the savanna where you can see the wild animals just roam throughout the savanna all day long. It’s stunning. The hotel has several pools and hot tubs, play areas, an arcade, and many areas from which to view the wildlife.
Inside the hotel, you can make rubbings from the graphics embedded in the specified area in the lobby. Or an employee from Africa will play games with you, using toys and items typically used by the children of Africa.
African drums are played by a few employees, and there’s so much to see and do that you really don’t even need to leave the hotel unless you want to experience other areas of Disney. Several restaurants are on the property, most featuring a combination of African food as well as American food.
You can spend an entire day just doing “free stuff” (except for the food, of course) and get a lot of exercise in as well.
You can also catch a Free shuttle bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Disney Springs, which is always a parking challenge so it’s cool to get the free shuttle. Then you can catch the free shuttle back later to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
{American Beautyberry bush pictured above – native to the South}
Walk, Bike, or Roller Blade the Orlando Rails to Trails! After spending a day traveling to Orlando, you may just be ready to stretch those legs! Take some time one day to explore the extensive rails to trails system in Orlando… where you can rent a bike, go for a jog, rent rollerblades, or just enjoy a leisurely walk. The lush scenery is gorgeous, and the trails go on for miles and miles! You can start your adventure at 501 Crown Point Cross RD Winter Garden, FL.
Patti said: “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!”
{West Orange Trail is pictured above and below… trails are open from sunrise to sunset, and extend over 20 miles}
Play in the Surf and Sand at Daytona Beach! When planning out your Orlando vacation, make sure to carve out a day to head to the beach! Just about 1 hours northeast you’ll find Daytona beach! It’s absolutely gorgeous, and a great place to spend a day! With stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water, you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical paradise! I loved it there.
More Orlando Travel Tips:
Spend a Day at Disney World! It’s time to let your Disney dreams go wild with these 62 frugal Disney World Tricks!
Buy a My Orlando CityPass: You can save money on Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and LegoLand tickets when you pick up a discounted Orlando CityPass!
Orlando CityPASS – Up To 50% off Attractions!
Visit Disney Springs for FREE! {located at: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL}
{Disney Springs Ferry Boat Rides – pictured above}
Patti said: Disney Springs is free. It’s all shops & dining, and great for a quick bite, a snack, or sit down dining. My favorite 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. Usually hubby & I share an appetizer as a meal and enjoy the scenery and walk around a bit.
{pictured above – the Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs}
Then we like to 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. I love doing free stuff.
You can spend all day just walking around, going in and out of shops, eateries, watching children play, enjoying the views. So much to see and do and it can ALL be free until you decide to have ice cream – LOL. They also have Rental condos, Ferry boats, Amphibious cars, and a tethered Hot air balloon ride!
{Take an exciting 8 minute ride on the Disney Springs Aerophile tethered Hot Air Balloon – pictured above}
{Visit the Lego Store at Disney Springs, and see Nessie the Loch Ness Monster, constructed out of Legos – pictured above}
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
Erin said: “My kids loved Wonderworks!”
Cheryl said: “The Universal City Walk on a Saturday night is a blast!”
{Take a 25-minute ride on a Vintage Amphicar Tour at Disney Springs – pictured above}
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!
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
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.”
{Take the kids for a ride on the Marketplace Carousel at Disney Springs – pictured above}
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.
How to Get Free Cheesecake Factory Gift Cards for your trip to Orlando!
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:
Now that you’ve read through these fun Orlando Travel Tips, here’s everything you need to know about packing 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 don’t miss out! Get even more fun Frugal Girls Travel Tips, Recipes + more right here…
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.