If you ask most kids what their dream holiday would be, the answer would probably be Florida, with its assortment of world-renowned theme and water parks, famous attractions, and the balmy sub-tropical climate, perfect for those coveted beach days that are few and far between in the Northern regions of America. However, although Florida may be your kid’s dream holiday, the state is often a parent’s nightmare, with the high costs of accommodation, food, and travel making it one of the most expensive destinations in the US.

Find ticket deals

The tickets to some of Florida’s biggest theme parks such as Disneyworld, Seaworld, and Universal Studios are highly sought-after by children and parents alike, and no trip to the Sunshine State is the same without them. However, buying tickets at the gate can be expensive, with ticket prices generally costing around $100 a day, per person. These costs can be extremely draining to large families, especially if you are intending to travel to theme parks on multiple days of your trip. However, it is possible to save on the cost if you look online for Orlando tickets, with many companies offering discounts and deals if you purchase multi-day tickets, or for use at multiple parks.

Stay outside the resorts

Although your kids may be dreaming of sleeping in a themed bedroom, with the largest attractions only meters away, if you are not expecting to make use of any of the benefits of staying on resort, such as shuttle buses, you should look at finding accommodation elsewhere. Areas such as Kissimmee are mere minutes from both Disneyworld and Universal Studios, and many will still have most of the facilities that you desire, such as swimming pools and entertainment for the children. Check out the Hyatt Place across from Universal Orlando Resort. This comfortable hotel offers a shuttle to the park and other great features. 

Not only this, but staying outside the resorts can give you better access to the variety of other attractions that Florida has to offer, such as its sandy beaches or the Everglades National Park. This gives you an opportunity to visit locations away from the crowds.

Book internal flights at the right time

If you are planning to travel to the large cities in Florida, such as Miami or Orlando, by flight from another state in the US, it is still important that you book your internal flights at the right time. Although flights are generally cheaper the farther away from your date of travel that you book, there are many last-minute deals to be taken advantage of if you are willing to be flexible. Flexibility is also important when it comes to booking flights in that being available to fly on a range of dates will give you the best opportunity to book flights within your price range.

Travel off-season

Due to Florida being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country due to its proximity to Orlando, the Everglades and the Florida Keys, and Miami, this can make its hotspots incredibly crowded in the school holidays and the summer. Although families will have to travel during school holidays, you should aim to visit the state in early summer, such as June, or during one of the other holiday seasons. If you are travelling to the Everglades, however, their peak season is during the winter months, and so you should consider travelling during the summer, when attractions such as boat rides and tours will be cheaper and less crowded.

Published: 2019-09-24 09:17:19