Tips to Save Money in Orlando

Many families around the world dream of taking their children to Orlando, but unfortunately, it’s a luxury vacation that can often be way off budget – especially when you have several kids to pay for. Although the initial cost of the vacation may not be too steep, costs can start to add up when you begin to plan day trips over a couple of weeks. One of the main aspects that may be worrying you about booking a trip to Orlando is whether you can save money without compromising on the fun? The good news is, yes, you can! You don’t have to spend over-the-odds to have a great time in Orlando. There are a number of money hacks to keep in mind that will keep the costs down and still allow you to have the time of your life.

Here are just a few top tips on how to save money in Orlando.

1. Book a villa for larger groups

Although you may be enticed to stay in some of the park hotels for convenience, it wouldn’t be advised if you’re planning on traveling with a large group. Hotels in Orlando can be extremely expensive as you’ll be paying on a per-room basis, especially if you’re planning on residing in the center of theme parks. As an alternative, you should consider hiring a villa. Solterra resort is a complex offering generous 6-10-bedroom villas that can be hired for a fraction of the price of a hotel. What’s more – there’s plenty of space for the kids to let their hair down and simply enjoy playing, which is part and parcel of healthy development. Villas also have their own kitchen facilities, unlike hotels, which means you can cook meals without feeling forced to eat out every single evening of your vacation.

2. Never leave without snacks

When you can get to a supermarket, make sure you stock up on enough snacks for each day of your vacation. When you have small kids in tow, you may be all too familiar with hearing ‘I’m hungry,’ which can be stressful when you’re nowhere near any stores. Even when you do come across one, it is likely that you’ll be paying a hefty fee for even the smallest snack. Having to buy snacks every day in theme parks will start to eat into your vacation fund, so always be well-prepared by purchasing refreshments from the supermarket whenever you can.

Bringing along a reusable water bottle is great for carrying around with you at theme parks, too. You’ll find free facilities to top up your bottle with water, but it’s been said that it doesn’t always taste the best, so it may be an idea to take a small bottle of cordial with you for flavoring.

The good news? Most parks in Orlando, including Disney, allow you to bring in your own food and drinks.

3. Take shuttles to theme parks

If you do wish to stay in a hotel or resort, ask if there are free shuttle services available to transport you to and from the theme parks. For the most part, this is a standard service that is completely free of charge from most hotels and resort, but you’re likely to be asked to book your space on the bus at least 24 hours in advance due to high demand. Alternatively, there may be low-cost shuttle services nearby to your villa that would be a much cheaper option than booking a taxi. This is definitely a great way to save money and have a hassle-free trip in Orlando, as parking at the theme parks can cost $20 or more per day.

4. Buy theme park tickets before you travel

It would be wise to purchase your theme park tickets before you travel (Disney, Universal), as you’re likely to get a better deal than purchasing them in Orlando when you arrive. Many park tickets grant entry for a range of multiple days, so you’ll have a choice as to which option will be suitable for your trip. The more days you choose, the lower the prices will be per day.

Always ensure that you compare ticket packages carefully as they’re likely to combine different parks. However, also be realistic about what you can manage throughout your vacation, as you may find you’ll be spending cash on a package that you may not make the most of. There is so much more to Orlando than just theme parks, too, so always do your research to find out what may interest you before purchasing a ticket package.

5. Buy souvenirs at the outlet stores

It’s a given that the kids will wish to bring home souvenirs to remind them of their once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Orlando. However, theme park prices can be very steep. If you’re eager to venture a little further out of the parks and see more of Orlando, you’ll come across an array of outlet stores that sell similar novelty items for a fraction of the price. This is where you should buy all your souvenirs.

If you have a limited amount of time for your journey, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Orlando?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Orlando?, Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Orlando? and Is Orlando Worth Visiting?