How to keep your costs down when on Holiday in Orlando

We all like to get away from the real world and take a holiday perhaps once or twice a year.   

It’s a chance to get away from the mundane day to day routines and go away and relax, hopefully in the sunshine!  Because of its weather, Florida is a destination that is enjoyed all year round by many UK holiday makers with plenty of fun to be had all year round. 

But it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

You can keep your costs down by watching your budget.  The first thing to do is consider the cost of your accommodation.  How many people are going on your trip?  If you have quite a large party then maybe you should consider staying in a privately owned holiday Villa near Disney.  The Villas can often accommodate 8 -14 people and are very reasonably priced.  You will probably save considerably on hotel rooms!

You can also find some very reasonable flights to the USA, so shop around on the Internet before you book something.

If you stay in a Villa you can also keep your costs of meals down as well.  Everyone knows that eating in hotels is expensive and villas usually have a good selection of restaurants nearby with many providing takeaway meals (or meals “to go” as they call them in Florida). Buying meals from supermarkets and cooking them in your private kitchen  will also save you considerable amounts of money compared to eating out in a restaurant every night.

There are discount coupon books available at many of the shopping plazas in the Disney area, so it is worth looking out for these. The discounts apply to restaurants and dinner shows as well as some of the attractions and offer ‘Buy one get one free’ or ‘Kids eat free’ for various venues.

Of course, having a fun day doesn’t necessarily mean spending money.  As well as trips to the nearby beaches, look out for the State Parks that offer nature trails, and fishing and boating lakes at minimal cost. You may also want to visit one of the local ‘Historic Districts’ that offer something different in terms of shopping and entertainment.  The villa communities often have play areas for children and possibly tennis or volleyball courts for use of guests.  You can also consider a trip to the beach for a day relaxing in the sun and swimming in the beautiful waters that surround Florida. You may see dolphins and turtles close to shore, as well as pelicans and shoals of fish.  If you plan to fish either inland or at the coast, don’t forget to check whether you will need a licence for either fresh or salt water or both.  Staff at local Walmart supermarkets can advise you and you can also pick up any equipment you will need at very reasonable costs.

Car hire is recommended when staying in a villa as life in Florida is geared around the use of a car with plentiful free parking. Public transport is not really geared to tourists as many package holidays include car hire, sometimes for just part of your stay so this is worth checking out. The cost of fuel in Florida is low, particularly when compared to the UK making car hire a good deal overall.

These are just a few tips that can help you save a bit of money without sacrificing a good time whilst on holiday in Florida and Orlando. If you decide to hire a villa, consider  contacting  the owner as they may have local knowledge of cost saving tips.