Each year millions of families arrive in Orlando, Florida, one of the United States top vacation destinations. It is so popular that you must make your reservations for months, and in some cases almost a year in advance if you are attempting to visit during Spring Break or the Christmas holiday. While attending a family reunion there last week, I found that it is possible to not only enjoy Orlando, Florida, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it. Here’s my secret to spending a week in Orlando including attendance at theme parks, dinner theaters and more, on less than $1,000. Since the average Disney vacation package is $1600.00 or more this is quite a savings.
1. Skip Disney. Ok, wait, before you go into shock let’s look at this. Many people go to Orlando for the specific purpose of going to the Disney themeparks including MGM, Epcot Center and others. If that is your plan, then be set to use these other tips to save some money. But if you really want to save the big bucks AND have fun, skip Disney entirely. In my case, with the youngest of our party being 2 and 1, a trip to Disney will be scheduled in the future and the teenagers didn’t want to be caught dead there. So, look at your audience and determine if you can leave Disney behind this time.
2.Purchase the Magic Your Way Ticket, if Disney is your goal. A”Magic Your Way” ticket gives each ticket holder admission to entry to one themepark each day of your visit. Visit one park one day, for two adults and two children is $262.00. For six days a family of four can visit each of the Disney themeparks a day for $796.00.
3.Visit Universal.For the cost of approximately $85.00 per person (adult tickets) you get a week long pass to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk. BIG SAVINGS. Universal is a wonderful alternative with theme park rides, games and food. For the little ones visit the Dr. Suess area, complete with splashpad and the Children’s area complete with ET ride, a live Barney performance, a play area and splash pad for toddlers to adults in Universal Studios. You can get wet, stay cool and many of the attractions and rides are in air conditioned comfort. Universal is not only for those under 5, but both parks offer thrilling roller coasters such as the “Hulk,” “Spiderman,” “Terminator,” “Double Dragon,” and more. Don’t forget to stop and see Fear Factor Live, where audience members get to test their fear factor by participating in this recreation of the popular television series. City Walk lights up at nigh and includes splash pads, dining at Hard Rock Cafe, Bob Marley’s and Pat O’Briens. After a “walk in the park” nothing hits home like a “hurricane.” There is a cinema and stores for shopping also. This is an one stop themepark experience for the whole family.
4.Purchase the Universal Meal Deal. For approximately $20.00 you get unlimited meals at four Universal themepark resturaunts, with pizza, salads, burgers, chicken, fries, onion rings and more. The meal is huge, and I shared every meal with my daughter. It also includes a desert. The average meal price is $7.99 so you do the math.
5. Pack snacks. You can bring in snacks and sandwiches. For example I packed granola bars, cheese crackers, pretzels and raisins, PB&J;, applesauce cups and more for the children. They also came in handy when we wanted a bite, but not a whole meal. You can even do this and not purchase the meal deal, but use the meal deal at least one day. Trust me packing the foods every night after a busy day at the park can get old, so take a break and enjoy your vacation too.
6. Skip the water parks. You don’t really need them. For example, my resort had 7 pools with children’s activities, hair braiding, wrapping and henna tatoos, as well as games, waterfall, slide and splash pads for the younger children. My parents resort had 5 pools and a lazy river. With all this water, why bother spending over $100.00 to get wet and cool off.
7. Watch out for Shuttle Service. If you hotel or resort offers free shuttle service then use it, as parking is approximately $11.00 a day. But you are allowed re-entry that same day at Universal, so you can come and go for the same price all day. If they do not offer free shuttle service, go ahead and drive. Your shuttle service will be approximately $25.00 each trip, and I would rather park and walk.
8. Do one “timeshare” presentation. Yes, I actually said that. Most time share presentations provide you with either a breakfast or lunch, even for the children. They then send the children to the kids zone, where they can play, color and play video games. The presentation does really only take about 90 minutes, because now sales people like to get you in and out, to see if the next person will buy if you won’t. As a result, your family had a free meal, you may find out great information on buying a time share or how to get better use from what you already own, usually you also get payment for your time and discounted tickets to an activitiy. We actually attended Medival Times Dinner Theater for free after cash and discounted tickets.
9. Use a resort over a hotel. Don’t have a timeshare? That’s ok, you can even go on ebay to rent one — or email me! Resorts also have prices online to allow people to rent them for a weekend or week, but it’s best if you get it from an owner. Buyer beware though, and make sure to do your research. But by using a resort you can take advantage of having in most cases, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry facilities, maid service to clean the room, a kitchen for cooking (saves money on eating out) and all the activities that the resort has to offer. For example we had game night, games you could borrow and take to your room, DVD’s to watch, a teen dance party, and age appropriate activities for the whole family including tennis, basketball, an fitness center, free wireless and more. With all these things to do, we could save money and have fun. We even win prizes, to use as souveniers.
10. Don’t buy souveniers at themeparks. Believe it or not Wal-Mart is the place to go. They have all the stuff from the themeparks and then some for a fraction of the price. My teenage daughter got her “Grumpy” dwarf T-shirt for $10.00. At the themepark it was $22.99. Also, at Universal, we played arcade games and for $6.00 walked away with two Shrek dolls for each of the toddlers, which in the store were $17.99 each.
11. Last but not least, use coupons and the Entertainment book. We went shopping at the Florida Mall and saved money on unique gifts and items, as well as on the food court. The Entertainment book provides great discounts on resturants, and then you can bring it back and sell it on Ebay again — I know, I did it. Many hotels and resorts also give you coupons for putt putt golf and nearby dining. I even took my coupon organizer to use at the grocery store when we stocked the kitchen with food. The Entertainment book also has offers on rental cars and airline travel.,
So, our family of 5 went to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and City Walk, stayed in a 4 star resort (Sheraton Vistana) and spent a grand total including flights, food, rental car, doing it all for under $1000.00. It can be done, and with these tips you can do it too. Have a great vacation!
