Orlando On A Shoestring by oceanholidays

ON A SHOESTRING Bought to you by Ocean Florida in partnership with Visit Orlando

Ocean Florida are the UK’s number 1 Independent Florida travel specialists. We’ve been providing fun-filled holidays to Florida for over a decade, and have decided to put our expertise to the best use to provide you with tips on how you can make your holiday of a lifetime to Orlando more affordable. If you’ve been saving for your dream holiday to Florida, you may have recently discovered that your holiday cash no longer stretches quite as far as it used too. Our guide is here to help provide you with ideas for cost effective days out, insider tips, and smart ways to save money on those all-important theme park visits.

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ENTER THE FUN ZONE When travelling to Orlando it is important to come with a plan. The city offers an incredible wealth of attractions for all of the family to enjoy. We recommend that you pre-plan the attractions you would most like to visit, create a to-do, or must-see list. This will make sure that you don’t miss a thing, and that your money stretches so you won’t waste a single second (or dollar!) on your Florida holiday.

PAGE 4 DISCOUNT CARDS PAGE 5-6 WHERE TO STAY PAGE 7-9 THEME PARKS PAGE 10 GET OUT AND ABOUT

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Discounts Galore There are plenty of discount cards worth investing in when planning an Orlando holiday. When you book with Ocean Florida, we’ll throw in many of these for free. Take a look at a few of our favourites below.

KIDS EAT FREE CARD

VIP SHOP & DINE 4 LESS

PLAY4LESS

Heading to Orlando with your children this year? Then don’t forget to take your Kids Eat Free Card. Free to all of our customers with children, these cards let you enjoy a meal out with the family on a budget, restaurants in Orlando include Hurricane Grill & Wings, Ponderosa Steakhouse - along with 130 other restaurants.

If you’re not travelling with kids, that doesn’t

Who says Orlando attractions need to

mean you can’t enjoy discounted dining when you book with Ocean Florida. The

cost an arm and a leg? Another freebie for Ocean Florida customers travelling

Shop & Dine 4 Less Card will save you money at over 130 restaurants across

with Kids is the Play4Less card. This card gives discounts at a range of

Orlando, including ones on I-Drive, Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs.

incredible, fun attractions across Orlando, including Boggy Creek,

You’ll get up to 25% off the food portion off your bill and each card is valid for up to four people.

Gatorland, and Wonderworks.

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WHERE TO STAY Select your accommodation wisely, and it may open up a world of money saving opportunities for you and your family. From accommodations with free breakfasts, ones close to supermarkets and rooms with kitchen facilities, we can help your money go further.

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Apartments Have you thought about staying in an Orlando apartment? This could be the perfect accommodation to help you cut down the expense of an Orlando holiday. If you’re a fan of hotels, you won’t need to sacrifice any of the facilities you love. Many Orlando apartments are on expansive resorts which offer swimming pools, gyms, restaurants, bars, play areas and even golf courses. The beauty of an apartment is that you’ll get a fully fitted kitchen, so you can stock up the fridge and enjoy a few evenings in with a home-cooked meal. You’ll also enjoy a dining and lounge area, so you can truly relax in a place like home. Simply put, apartments offer the best of both worlds and help keep the budget down. Take a look at our Orlando apartment deals.

PRIME VALUE APARTMENTS BLUE TREE RESORT AT LAKE BUENA VISTA

WESTGATE PALACE

GRANDE VILLAS RESORT

• 1 and 2 bedroom suites close to Disney

• Ideal location on International Drive

• 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites with kitchens

• Free wireless internet throughout resort

• 2 bedroom suites with full kitchens

• Various sports facilities

• Complimentary transport to theme parks

• Heated outdoor pool and spa tub

• Outdoor pool and spa tubs

MODERATE APARTMENTS

Apartments THE ENCLAVE HOTEL & SUITES

VISTA CAY RESORT

THE GROVE RESORT & SPA

Have you thought about staying in an Orlando apartment? This could be • Ideally located along • 2 & 3 bedroom condos • Brand new, all-suite theInternational perfect accommodation to help you cut down the expense of an Drive close to Universal resort close to Disney Orlando holiday. If you’re a fan of hotels, you won’t need to sacrifice any Orlando Resort • Outdoor pool and • Water park with lazy of games the facilities Orlando apartments are river on expansive room you love. Many • Large, free-form infinity & surf simulators withgyms, spa tubrestaurants,•bars, resorts offer pools, areas • Wi-Fi which throughout theswimming pool Adultsplay pool with and even golf courses. resort • Clubhouse with games whirlpool & cabanas room and movie theatre

The beauty of an apartment is that you’ll get a fully fitted kitchen, so you can stock up the fridge and enjoy a few evenings in with a home-cooked meal. You’ll also enjoy a dining and lounge area, so you can truly relax in a place like home. Simply put, apartments offer the best of both worlds and help keep the budget down. Take a look at our Orlando apartment deals. SEE MORE SEE MORE

DELUXE APARTMENTS LAKE BUENA VISTA RESORT VILLAGE AND SPA

FLORIDAYS RESORT ORLANDO

SHERATON VISTANA VILLAGES

• Pirates Plunge Themed Pool • 24-hour fitness centre • Wireless and wired internet access

• Mediterranean-style, all-suite resort • Free Wi-Fi for apartment guests • 2 seasonally heated outdoor pools

• Free high speed Wi-Fi in accommodation • Resort pool with pirate ship water play area • Range of activities for all ages

6 7

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THEME PARKS No holiday to Orlando would be complete without a trip to at least one of the big three. But that doesn’t meant it needs to cost a fortune. Follow our tips and tricks below, and you’ll be able to spread the cost and truly get more bang-for-your-buck!

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Tickets Buy your tickets before you go, by adding them to your booking for no extra deposit. Securing your favourite Orlando attraction tickets in advance allows you to ensure that you don’t fall victim to any price changes. When booking tickets in advance you also don’t have to pay the full balance until 12 weeks before your departure. Perfect for those who want to spread the cost over a longer time period.

Take a Snack or Two Before you head to any theme park, stopping off at a supermarket is a must. Most of the parks will let you take small snacks in that don’t require reheating. Think crisps, cereal bars and fruit – you won’t be permitted to take in a full picnic, so leave the hamper at home! You should also buy a bottle of water, which you can refill as many times as you like throughout the park – staying hydrated is a must!

Theme Park Dining Packages If you’d like to experience the theme parks in all their glory, ensure that you add a dining package to your booking. This is one of Orlando's best kept secrets! It allows you to spread the cost of the holiday and ensure that some of your meals are covered, long before you travel. SeaWorld Orlando, offers an incredible ‘All-Day Dining Deal’ which allows you to pay once and dine throughout the day in various restaurants across the park.

Apps & Wi-Fi The big parks will have their very own apps to help plan your visits. These apps will be full of invaluable tips and added extras that will make your time in the parks even more special. You’ll also find free Wi-Fi in the parks, so you can share your snaps on social media without worrying about running up massive data charges.

Walt Disney World Resort If you’re planning a trip to Disney, we highly recommend booking your tickets in advance so that you can spread the cost. However, if you only want a sprinkle of magic on your Florida holiday, there are ways you can achieve this without having to fork out for a ticket. Disney BoardWalk is a charming and lively place to visit with a bustling promenade of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Enjoy a delicious meal or a hot chocolate followed by a stroll and entertainment from talented street performers, to enjoy some Disney magic for less. Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney is an exciting shopping and entertainment area packed full of restaurants and boutiques. Enjoy a leisurely wander, a bite to eat and a browse of the shops in an enchanting Disney setting. You don’t need to have tickets to the Disney Theme parks to gain access to Disney Springs - it’s free for everyone to enjoy!

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment If you’re planning on visiting SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens, we would recommend checking out the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package ticket. The ticket price includes entry to all three attractions including free transport to Busch Gardens, as well as an unforgettable day at Discovery Cove.

Universal Orlando Resort At the world famous Universal Orlando Resort, there are three amazing theme parks to explore. Step into the shoes of your favourite stars backstage for the day and immerse yourself in what the parks have to offer, without a blockbuster budget! The Universal 2-Park Explorer ticket is now the same price as the 3-Park ticket, so you’re getting an extra park for you money! If you’re feeling a little worn out from all the walking, Universal offers a free water taxi service between theme parks and Universal hotels, meaning you don’t need to worry about paying for transport. Boat services run every 15 minutes and use a dock in CityWalk as a hub.

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Get Out and About It’s sensible to plan a few pocket-friendly days into your itinerary to make sure you spread the spend and the action. Orlando has so much to offer away from the parks which can provide excellent days out for the family, and will show you another side of the city.

Lake Eola Park

Located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park offers a serene alternative to the cities exhilarating theme parks. With plenty of green space, paddle boats, regular events - including a weekly market - it’s definitely worth planning a day of family fun. Make a packed lunch in your apartment kitchen, and you might even end up having a cash free day!

Head Downtown

This is cultural hub of Orlando. If you’re looking for museums and galleries, alfresco dining and a world away from the theme parks, head downtown where a slower pace of life is king. A few favourite spots are Mennello Museum of American Folk Art and the Orlando Science Centre.

Orlando Magic

Experience an all-American day out with a trip to watch the resident basketball team in action. Tickets start from just $15, so this could be a nice addition to your Orlando holiday that won’t break the bank. Check online for games and book tickets before you travel.

Outlet Shopping

If you are going to shop – make sure you do it an outlet. Set aside a day for shopping, to ensure you’re not tempted to pick things up throughout the holiday. With restaurants and bars and play areas, you can turn shopping into a full day experience that the whole family will enjoy.

TOP TIP Park up the car for a day and explore Downtown Orlando using the areas free transport system, Lymmo. You can explore the best of the area for a day without having to top up the tank.

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Brought to you Ocean Florida in partnership with Visit Orlando