There is a lot to see, explore and do in Orlando, Florida, and there is more on offer than just the theme parks.
From visits to the Kennedy space center to visits to Seaworld or even Daytona Beach, you will find that days will be fun-filled and action-packed.
You will find that the ultimate vacation will look different for everyone, and what it looks like for you is important.
Visualizing what you want your vacation to look like will help you to shape your whole trip.
So, before you make any commitments, you need to visualize what you want to do.
Why Visit Orlando
When you first start talking about Orlando, you may instantly think about Disney and Universal. However, there is so much more to Orlando.
Whether you want a beach vacation or you want a fun-filled vacation that explores the sights and surroundings, you can find it in Orlando.
Orlando is a multicultural location that embraces everyone and everything, and when you visit, you will see how fabulous this is to be in and be part of.
If you are questioning why to visit Orlando, then simply think about all of the good memories you will make and share with those you are traveling with.
Where to Stay
When you visit Orlando, you will want to be well-located, and you will want to be within easy reach of the surrounding sites and attractions.
When it comes to choosing a resort, you will want to consider carefully where you stay.
For example, a four-star resort is going to offer you more than a 3-star resort will. This extra star will give you access to extra facilities and amenities, and these will impact your whole trip – hopefully making it more fun and enjoyable for everyone that is traveling.
Just because you stay in Orlando, it does not mean that you have to stay in one of the theme parks.
Sometimes if you stay in a theme park, you are quite restricted in where you can go and what you can see.
If you stay off-site but within easy reach of the theme parks, you may find that you have more flexibility for the whole of your vacation.
For example, if you stay in the Westgate Lakes Resort Orlando, you will be within easy reach of everything in Orlando, but you will also be able to get to the parks and attractions quickly and easily.
When you are visiting Orlando, you want to make sure that where you stay is as good as it can be.
What Attractions and Sights to Visit
There is a lot to see in and around Orlando, from Gatorland to the Orlando science center/museum – meaning that there is something for everyone regardless of interest and taste.
As there are lots of things to see and do, you have to be careful with your time.
Time passes by quickly when you are on vacation, and to make the most of your time, you will want to plan an itinerary that allows you to absorb all that Orlando offers.
When you are creating an itinerary, you need to prioritize the attractions and sights that you want to see.
When you do this, you can then ensure that you cover all the items on your list and don’t miss anything that you or your family want to do.
What is Your Budget?
Talking about a budget is difficult, but it is important to establish a budget so that you know what you will get for your money.
When you are creating a budget for your Orlando vacation, you will need to create an overall budget, and you will also need to break down this further into additional areas of spending, such as food, travel, and spending on extras such as snacks and souvenirs.
A healthy budget for daily spending (excluding accommodation) should be anything from $100-$200 dollars per person.
This will give you enough money for tips, travel, and entry into parks and sights that you have on your list.
When you are creating a budget, you must think about how much you want and need to get for your budget.
If you do not know what you want to get for your budget, you will surely end up spending more than you have to and more than you need to.
The Duration of Your Vacation
How long is your vacation going to last, and how are you going to fit into your Orlando vacation.
If you are going for only a week (6 nights and seven days), you may find that your time is too stretched. However, you might find that your budget does not stretch as far as it needs to for a three-week vacation.
The duration of your vacation has to give you enough time to explore the parks and the sights, but it also has to give you enough time to have some downtime and relaxation.
A vacation to Orlando can be full-on, and if you are not careful, you can end up burning out (and ruining your vacation).
To ensure that this does not happen, you must learn to break up your vacation and give yourself time to rest and relax.
This is where a good resort comes into play. A resort that offers a nice pool and eateries on-site will allow you to relax for a day and not have to worry about leaving the resort for anything.
Time of Year You Will Be Traveling
Orlando is an all-year-round resort, but this does not mean that you cannot secure better deals in the off-seasons.
Think carefully about the time you will travel, because in the summer seasons, the weather can be extremely hot, and this can make traveling and exploring sights and surroundings incredibly different.
Also, think about traveling in the wetter seasons, as Orlando can be prone to Hurricanes, which can also have an effect on your vacation.
So, will you want to travel when it is more expensive in the summertime to get guaranteed sunshine?
Or, would you prefer to save some money and travel in the quieter winter periods?
You will get more for your money if you travel out of season, so really think about how important this is going to be to you and to your budget.
Saving on Airfare
Getting to Orlando can be expensive, especially if you do not compare your airfare. When it comes to getting the best price for your airfare, you need to be as flexible as possible.
This may mean traveling at a flexible time, or it may mean traveling on a different day.
When you are looking at getting the best price on your airfare, you need to also make use of a flight comparison website.
When you do this, you can then see directly how much cost and what you are getting for your price flights.
You may also find that you can save on airfare by booking your vacation in advance.
For example, if you start planning a few months in advance of your vacation, you can see what dates are best and which airlines are best.
When you save money on your airfare, you then have the opportunity to put your savings towards other aspects and elements of your vacation. This will then ensure you have the most enjoyable vacation.
Discounts and Promotions
You can save a lot of money on your vacation by finding promotions and discounts. You can find these on lots of products and elements of your vacation – from airfares through to accommodation, food, and drink.
These can quite often save you a decent amount of time, from 10% upwards.
To ensure that you get the best discounts and promotions, you need to sign up for brand emails and newsletters, and you need to sign up to discount comparisons and search engines.
By doing this, you ensure that you receive notification of discounts and offers as soon as they are available.
Booking Attractions in Advance
Attractions and sights can cost a lot of money to enter – especially if you leave organizing them until the last minute.
When you pre-book attractions in advance, you can save money. If you try and enter attractions on the day you wish to visit, you could end up paying 20-30% more.
You may also find that you cannot visit on the time or date that you want to.
Booking in advance gives you peace of mind and it gives you security, and this is what you need and want for your Orlando vacation.
When you have this, you can then start creating an itinerary that works for you and those you are traveling with.
Being organized and being prepared for Orlando is going to help you make the most of your time.
From start to finish, you want to enjoy every moment of your vacation, so don’t leave anything to chance as this will be stressful.