Orlando, FL. When spoken out loud, in most any situation, this one city name conjures up childhood dreams and memories, feelings of happiness and new adventures awaiting at every turn, and it even can bring a smile to one's face. Advertising has trained us to believe that Orlando is the place that dreams are made of. That a vacation to Orlando will rejuvenate you and it can bring families together in ways that no other place on Earth can. Orlando is most definitely an enchanting destination. However, the reality is that it can also be an expensive and physically/emotionally draining vacation. For many people, a trip to Orlando is a once in a lifetime occurrence. This fact alone makes it especially important that the experience is one that you will cherish for years to come. So, what is the best way to enjoy this American icon in a budget friendly manner that everyone can enjoy? The answer is simple....especially with a locals inside tips.
As a local, I have come to notice two very different stages of the tourist - the “newbies” and those that have been here for a few days. Whenever I have flown back to Orlando, the plane is always filled with several people about to begin their magical experience. It is not rare to hear children, as they sit in their plane seat filled with giddy joy, asking their parents where Disney World is and looking all around as they try to find the Magic Kingdom. The plane lands, adults and children alike that are bound for vacation exit the plane filled with a myriad of hopes and dreams that their vacation holds in store for them. It is easy to see the anticipation on their faces, like a child about to open a present. Each person has a vision of what is in store for them, what they want to do and see. This stage holds so much excitement and energy. The second phase, that is almost always noticeable, are those vacationers that have been around for a few days.
Usually they are a bit more than sun-kissed as they had forgotten to put sunscreen on. They are seen walking around with a bit less pep in their step and seem a bit tired. They are still enjoying their vacation, but many find out that Orlando can be a bit daunting. So many visitors try to fit it all in on one visit and drain themselves in the process of trying to do so. The honest truth - unless you have 3 or more weeks, and the money required too, it just can't be done in seven days while you still retain your budget, sanity, and physical health. So, if you are out to find a great way to enjoy planet Earth's number tourist destination, read on and hopefully you will find a few helpful vacation planning tips to make the most of your hard earned time and money. These few insider tips can help you, your family and friends all go home with more precious memories and fewer sore muscles.
The planning begins with deciding the type of Orlando area vacation that you are hoping to experience. This typically falls within one of three categories; 1) The Mickey Mouse Vacation, 2) Orlando Overview or 3) A Glimpse of Central Florida. The first option, The Mickey Mouse Vacation, is for those dedicated Disney fans who want to visit the place where it all began. Believe me, there are many people who come to Orlando strictly for the Disney Parks and Resorts. If you love all that is Disney and want the complete Disney experience, then you will need an entire week to simply skim the surface of this entertainment kingdom. The second type of traveller is looking for an Orlando Overview. These are the vacationers that want to experience a little bit of everything, from theme parks to shopping and dining, that has made Orlando into the tourism hot spot that it is today. The final type of vacation is one that includes a glimpse of the Central Florida region including a few parks, the Atlantic beaches, Kennedy Space Center and more. Deciding which of these types of experiences you are wanting to plan is the key to beginning the perfect visit to Orlando and(perhaps) the surrounding areas. So, let the fun begin!
Research
Before you finalize the details for your vacation, the first step is deciding what you want to do and when you want to travel. Some valuable resources include the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau, fodors.com, frommers.com, one of the many internet travel web sites, and yes - your local travel agent. Price your vacation in a couple of different ways to see where you will save the most, but also get the best experience. Usually by packaging your airfare, car rental or transfer, lodging, and entertainment into one price you can save money over booking each item individually.
