Disney World Orlando tickets
Cut the cost of Florida's theme parks
Don't go Goofy over Florida's theme park prices. Whether Disney, Universal or SeaWorld, visits can cost £1,000s. We've 34 tips to help, such as discount sites to nab cheap Disney tickets, what to watch out for when booking and how to find hidden freebies.
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Plan your theme parks
With flights, theme park tickets, accommodation and extras, let's face it — a big trip to Disney World Florida is never going to be MoneySaving. But if you are planning to go, there's plenty you can do to make it more affordable.
Finding cheap tickets depends on how long you're going for, which parks you hit, and the ticket type. Florida's big three are Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Each have several parks and there are an endless combination of ticket types and add-ons, so...
- Pick your must-sees – and ditch the rest. Work out exactly what you want to see and how long you want there, as this determines which tickets you'll need. Unless you're a seasoned theme park-goer, it's ambitious to do more than one park a day. Plus the more kids in tow, the slower it usually is.
- Consider add-ons. Often when you buy tickets for a main park (eg, Disney), ticket add-ons can get you cheaper entry to a subsidiary park (eg, water parks). Factor this in when deciding where to go, and plan which parks you want to spend the most time in.
- Pick your must-sees – and ditch the rest. Work out exactly what you want to see and how long you want there, as this determines which tickets you'll need. Unless you're a seasoned theme park-goer, it's ambitious to do more than one park a day. Plus the more kids in tow, the slower it usually is.
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Avoid the 'perfect trip' trap
Don't forget, as well as being a wonderful place to celebrate, theme parks are also a celebration of commerciality. They're environments honed to make you spend more and more, using emotive language like 'precious moments' and 'magical memories'.
Too many plan a dream Disney holiday, then only afterwards consider how they'll pay for it – a recipe to end up disappointed or broke. Instead, ask "what can I afford to spend?" then work out how to have the best trip possible within that budget. A holiday lasts a week or so – don't ruin the rest of the year for it.
Use our free Budget Planner tool to help plan. If you're saving for the trip, the Boost Your Income guide's crammed with tips to make extra cash.
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Disney tickets: the need-to-knows
The big daddy of Florida's theme parks, Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. There are also two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon (only one water park is open at a time).
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Universal Studios tickets: the need-to-knows
Florida's Universal Orlando Resort has two main parks — Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure — as well as the Volcano Bay water park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is on track to open another theme park, Epic Universe, on 22 May 2025.
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SeaWorld tickets: the need-to-knows
SeaWorld Orlando, as the name suggests, is a marine-life-themed attraction in Orlando featuring dolphin, orca and sea-lion shows, as well as water rides. But the SeaWorld group runs three other parks as well: the Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove in Orlando, plus Busch Gardens, an African safari-themed attraction in Tampa Bay.
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Taking the kids? Families still need to book individual tickets
Although in the UK you can often save at theme parks by buying a family pass rather than several separate tickets, this isn't an option at the main parks in Florida. Instead, you'll have to buy adults and most kids their own individual ticket.
For the Disney World and Universal parks, you can buy discounted child tickets for three to nine-year-olds – but any children over 10 will need to pay full adult price. The SeaWorld UK website also offers discounted tickets for three to nine-year-olds, but on the US website there's a flat rate for all guests over the age of three.
Under-threes go free at all the parks (with proof of age), and don't need a ticket.
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Be careful when booking
Looking for tickets for attractions in another country in advance is always going to have its complications, so here are some crucial points to consider. You're unlikely to be protected, so spending less on tickets means you've less to lose if the worst happens, but only buy from a company you're happy with. It's also worth buying close to the date you want to go, in case of flight cancellation or illness, for example.
If the price difference is only a few pounds, it may be better to go with a more established name than one you've never heard of. Some other tips to help:
Pay by credit card for extra protection. Do this and if each individual ticket costs over £100, the law says the card company's jointly liable with the retailer if things go wrong, even when you buy things abroad — a great comfort. Of course, always pay the card off in full so there's no interest (see the Section 75 guide).
If your individual tickets each cost less than £100 – even if you bought several together and spent more than £100 in total – Section 75 is unlikely to apply. You may still be able to claim under chargeback though (see below).
Hidden protection if paying by debit card (or credit card if it's less than £100). You also have some protection when using a debit card (or a credit card if the individual ticket is less than £100) under the 'chargeback' rules. Think of this more as a customer service promise – it isn't written in law like Section 75 – though we have seen significant reclaim successes. See the Visa/Mastercard Chargeback guide for full details.
UK sellers may offer some extra protection. There's a chance that buying from a UK rather than US seller might offer a little more protection, even if they're NOT registered with ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents). That's because if they went bust, there's a chance ABTA could step in to ensure tickets are replaced, though this isn't guaranteed.
Some travel insurance policies will cover tickets. Most travel insurance policies don't cover lost theme park tickets, but some will cover any unused tickets if your holiday's cancelled or cut short. Double-check your policy before you go, and see Cheap Travel Insurance for the latest best buys.
The Consumer Contracts Regulations don't protect you. Sadly, the Consumer Contracts Regulations – which often protect online purchases – won't help here, as items that have to be used within a specific period such as tickets aren't covered. This means you wouldn't be able to use the regulations to get money back if you had to cancel.
Pay the right way. Buying tickets in US dollars from a website counts as an overseas transaction. This means most credit and debit cards will automatically add a hidden 3% fee to the exchange rate. But there are a few specialist cards which don't do this, making it much cheaper. See the Travel Credit Cards guide for more.
Should I convert prices to pounds? If a US site offers to convert prices to pounds for you itself, beware as you may get a poor exchange rate (though things are closer than they used to be). Check it using the TravelMoneyMax currency converter, which uses typical bureaux de change rates. If the site doesn't beat those, avoid it.
Wait for a better exchange rate? Unpredictable exchange rate changes mean UK ticket prices fluctuate. Yet there's no way to know whether waiting will make them cheaper or pricier, known as currency speculation. Find current rates using the TravelMoneyMax tool.
Not all prices include taxes. In the US companies don't have to include taxes in advertised prices by law, unlike the UK. So check the rate you're seeing includes them before you buy. Generally, most UK-based sites include taxes.
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Check specialist agents for cheapest tickets – incl MSE code to get £10 per person off
A number of specialist ticket agencies bulk-buy from the parks and then resell, sometimes at a discount to customers (not always, check first). By contrast, many travel agents add their own costs.
These days resellers send mobile tickets, so there are no postage fees to factor in.Use the theme parks' own ticket prices as a benchmark, then see if the top discount resellers below beat 'em. To do this, check a park's official site for the latest price for your ticket, including taxes and charges. This gives you a firm figure to try to beat.
However, discount ticket agents' margins are small, so prices generally don't vary much, and you'll only save a bit on the direct-from-Disney price – currently £559 for a seven or 14-day 'Magic' ticket. It's worth checking a few though, as prices change daily and they often have limited-time flash sales.
If you want to visit several parks, it's worth checking out combo tickets sold by the retailers below, which let you visit, say, Disney World and Universal Studios across 14 days. Do your sums, as they can save on standalone tickets.Remember to check whether card payment costs extra – all the below include taxes in prices. And if you use a US site and pay in dollars, don't forget to ensure you've specialist overseas plastic to pay with.
WARNING! Before buying ANY tickets, read the booking tips above and for extra safety, pay on a credit card.
Official UK Disney seller American Attractions. American Attractions – a UK-based official Disney ticket seller tends to be among the cheapest resellers.
American Attractions also sells a wide range of tickets for other Florida theme parks, including combo tickets, eg, Disney and Universal. It has a decent 4.6 stars on reviews website Trustpilot.
Orlando Attraction Tickets – not an official Disney seller (though reviews are good). UK seller Orlando Attraction Tickets has some very strong prices.
It's worth noting Orlando Attraction Tickets ISN'T an official Disney seller, so there are fewer guarantees (though feedback is very good on Trustpilot). It also offers a selection of combo tickets.
Travel Republic – UK broker with competitive prices. You might have heard of Travel Republic for its hotel and flight deals, but it also sells tickets for worldwide attractions, including Disney. When we checked, it was one of the cheapest Disney ticket resellers. It has decent Trust Pilot feedback.
£10 per ticket off Disney with Attraction Tickets. UK-based Attraction Tickets* is an official Disney ticket seller. We've blagged an extra £10 off Disney tickets if you use code MSEDISNEY10 on the checkout page. The site wasn't the cheapest when we checked, though the code makes it competitive.
UK-based FloridaTix – not the cheapest, but worth a check. UK-based attraction ticket broker FloridaTix* specialises in tickets for attractions around Florida (it's the sister site of AttractionTix, offering tickets for global attractions), including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. It's an official Disney ticket seller.
When we checked, its were not the cheapest, but it's worth a check for belt 'n' braces.
Good all-rounder with positive feedback – Orlando Attractions. US-based site Orlando Attractions is an authorised Disney seller with competitive prices. Payment can be made in pounds or dollars – choose dollars and pay with a top overseas card.
The code works on seven and 14 day Walt Disney World Florida tickets, as well as combo tickets (which let you add various parks, eg, Universal or Seaworld). Though the code won't work on special events such as Halloween and Christmas Party tickets.
You can use the code on multiple orders, and the discount will be shown when you scroll to the bottom of the page. The deal is ongoing. -
Compare prices on the same day
Parks can change prices frequently and discounters follow to undercut, creating an ever-changing landscape of competing rates.
To give yourself the best chance of getting a good rate, ensure you compare on the same day.
For up-to-the-minute prices, go to the end of the booking process just before payment, as advertised prices can lag behind the latest changes.
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Visiting lots of parks? Consider a FlexiTicket (though it doesn't include Disney)
If you've planned trips to many of Florida's non-Disney theme parks, you may want to consider booking a FlexiTicket.
A FlexiTicket includes access to six parks:
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal's Island of Adventure
- Universal's Volcano Bay
- SeaWorld
- Aquatica
- Busch Gardens
These tickets give you unlimited access to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay for 14 consecutive days. Plus you'll get a single day at each of Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. These tickets are often cheaper via the specialist ticket agents above, so check those first for the latest prices.
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Are fast passes worth it?
Fast passes let you zip past the normal queues – though you’ll have to pay. These upgrades are more worth it at busy times such as school holidays or if you’re only staying one day and want to blitz the parks.
Do note you’ll still need to buy separate theme park entry. While they’re not moneysaving, if you’re planning on grabbing fast passes anyway, here are a few tips to max them.
Disney Lightening Lane passes. At Disney World, rides have a normal queue and a speedier ‘Lightening Lane’ queue. With a Lightening Lane Multi Pass, you can book up to three rides before your arrival, including Jungle Cruise and Space Mountain, plus more once you’re in the park. It gives a specific return time when you can jump the queue.
Pass prices vary according to date and the park you start at, but expect to pay $19 - $29 per person per day. You can buy the pass on the My Disney Experience app. (There’s an extra charge for certain premium rides such as Tron Lightcycle.)
One point worth noting: while a day’s pass covers you for all Disney parks, the price you pay is based on the park you start at. Some parks are cheaper, eg, begin at Animal Kingdom and it’s usually about $17, compared to $27ish at Magic Kingdom. That said, you need to check into your starting park before you can book rides at other ones, but if you’re park-hopping, it’s worth bearing in mind.
To really make the most of the passes, check out videos by dedicated Youtubers such as Mammoth Club and Ear Scouts.
- Universal Studios Express pass
Starting at £78/day, Universal Express passes let you skip the lines at the most popular rides once per attraction. Alternatively, the Universal Express Unlimited Pass lets you do it as many times as you want (from £104). Prices vary according to date. You get a digital pass to download as a PDF.
Yet there’s a trick to slash the cost. Stays at selected Universal Hotels include Universal Express Unlimited passes for two days (your check-in and check-out day). The hotels this works at are Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.
So do the maths and work out the cost of the passes, then compare this to the hotel price. As an example, when we searched for December 2024, a two-day Universal Express Unlimited Pass for four was £970. However, a night at Loews Royal Pacific Resort for four was £377. Thus in some cases it can even be worth booking a night if your not staying there. (Do enter the correct number of people staying when booking the hotel or you won’t get fast passes for everyone.)
- Seaworld Quick Queue pass
Anecdotally, we’ve heard that the lines at Seaworld aren’t as bad as the parks above, so fast passes are less worth it. If you're still keen to beat waits, Seaworld’s Quick Queue passes start at $14.99 per person per day for unlimited queue-jumping privileges.
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Don't splash out on water – you can get it FREE throughout Disney World
You're allowed to take your own drinks into the park – a wise idea given the often scorching Florida sun. But if you do run out, don't splash out out on pricey bottled water or soft drinks. We've heard of some paying $3.50 for bottled water or $4 for a soft drink.
To quench your thirst, you can simply ask for a cup of iced water at any of Disney World's dozens of Quick Service Dining locations. It's completely free of charge, and you don't have to buy anything.
In Universal, you can also get water from any of the self-serve soft drink machines.
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Charm Mickey, Minnie and the other characters for hidden freebies
With so many instantly recognisable characters roaming Disney World, it can be tempting to simply rack up as many selfies and autographs as possible.
But take the time to chat to a character – rather than just nabbing a photo or signature and moving on – and you could be rewarded with free stickers, badges and even vouchers to redeem in Disney stores.
Former MSE Nick managed to charm his way into a free souvenir:
At the Alice in Wonderland Meet and Greet spot, I got chatting to Alice and the Mad Hatter about tea and ended up re-enacting the Mad Hatters tea party with them. They loved this so much I was given a free voucher to buy a badge pin in one of the various stores around the parks – naturally I picked up an Alice in Wonderland pin!
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Don't pay loads to rent a buggy – it's cheaper to buy one or bring your own
Hiring a pushchair from Walt Disney World Resort starts at $15 per day, which can soon add up over the course of a week or a fortnight pushing your kids around the park.
One way to beat this is to buy one instead – you can find them from $20 in Walmart. If you buy one, use it then leave it behind (or preferably, donate it) you'll still have saved over the course of the holiday. If you can take it home with you, so much the better.
But if you can, it's usually best to bring your own. Most airlines will let you bring a buggy and a car seat for free as well as your usual baggage (although in some cases, bringing both could mean you forfeit some of your allowance).
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Staying in a Disney World resort? Venture out for cheap eats
Staying in a Disney hotel isn't cheap at the best of the times – and eating all your meals in the resort will leave you with a hefty food bill too.
If you've a rental car, your best bet is usually to go offsite and pick up supplies in local supermarkets. Bringing a packed lunch rather than eating in the theme parks can save you a packet – and don't forget to stock up on snacks, as even small eats in the parks can be pricey.
Similarly, dining out will be far cheaper if you can drive to a restaurant in Orlando rather than staying close to the parks.
If you do end up eating at the resort, stick to Quick Service Restaurants rather than the pricier Table Service options. And weigh up whether or not to invest in a Dining Plan.
And if you want a Character Dining experience, where you eat alongside Cinderella or Winnie the Pooh and pals, opt for a breakfast or lunch sitting, which tend to be cheaper than dinner.
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Stay in touch with a walkie-talkie
If you're the type of family who'll split up at a park but still need to keep in touch, this is a way of doing so without worrying about hideous mobile costs when calling overseas (also see Cheap Mobile Roaming).
Don't think kids' toys – in the States, it's easy to find walkie-talkies which will allow you to check in over a distance of up to 3km.
Importantly, US and UK walkie-talkies use different frequencies, so you can't legally use a walkie-talkie built for the UK in the US, and vice versa. You may be able to find them cheaply while you're out there – it's worth checking out Walmart for cheap options.
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Take advantage of cheap public transport
Yes, in America the car is king... but if you're sticking to the beaten track, there are other options.
The I-Ride Trolley bus is a super-cheap way of getting around International Drive, where many of Orlando's theme parks are found. It runs about every 20 mins, 8am to 10.30pm, and a single adult fare is $2. Day passes are available for $6, while a 14-day pass is $20.
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Beware buying tickets on eBay
There are often cut-price Florida theme park tickets on eBay*, but be aware that buying them may mean you're breaching the official terms and conditions – Disney says individuals AREN'T allowed to resell tickets.
Also, some parks (including Disney) use a fingerprinting security system on their tickets preventing others from using them. So unless you're certain a ticket is completely unused, watch out – your cheap ticket may turn out to be a turkey when you get there which could cost you more in the long run.
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Don't miss out on lesser-known Disney World freebies
Those in the know can bag a number of freebies once they're in the park – it's just a case of knowing where to go. Here are a few of Former MSE Nick T's tips:
- Go on a free food tour (including samples). Some restaurants (including Boma and Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge) offer free tours, and often include samples from the menus.
- Cool down with free soft drinks. You can sample sodas from around the world at Club Cool in Epcot.
- Disney characters often have freebies to dish out. Just (politely) ask if they have any available – examples include free stickers or Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom trading cards.
- Find free chocolate. You can usually get free samples at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs.
- Grab a free souvenir. Remember that autographs from Disney characters, as well as items like collectible menus and Disney driving licenses, are always free to keep.
- Go on a free food tour (including samples). Some restaurants (including Boma and Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge) offer free tours, and often include samples from the menus.
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Haggle down already-cheap package deals
Finding cheap theme park tickets can really help to make a Florida trip more affordable, but don't waste the saving by paying over the odds for the rest of your getaway. As Florida's a popular destination with Brits, it's well worth checking to see if you can get a package – where the tour operator provides flights, connections and accommodation for one price – for less than the DIY route.
Package holidays generally come with added ATOL or ABTA consumer protection. This means that if the travel company fulfilling your booking goes bust, you'll be refunded if you're yet to travel, or found alternative accommodation and flights home if you're abroad.
Always ask a broker before you book: "Is this holiday ATOL-protected?" and "What happens if my flight is cancelled?" Also, watch out for holidays booked through airline companies – not all are ATOL-protected. With all holidays, if you're covered, you'll get an 'ATOL certificate'.
But when it comes to booking, timing is crucial. The later you book, the cheaper, but this means limited choice. If you can't book late, book as early as possible – savings are possible, if it's early enough.
Don't forget about the powerhouse weapon that everyone has the ability to use – the art of haggling. It is possible to knock £100s off, especially because of the fierce competition between travel agents. See the full step-by-step guide in Cheap Package Holidays.
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Use comparison sites to bag cheap Florida flights
If you've decided on the DIY route, it's worth remembering that generally the earlier you book flights, the better. The closer it gets to the departure date, airlines hike prices to take advantage of the business folk they can rely on to pay top dollar at the last minute.
Our top pick sites to compare are Kayak*, Momondo* and Google Flights. See Cheap Flights for the full step-by-step cheap flight-finding technique.
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Pay less for the same hotel room
Never assume one price fits all for a hotel or room. The same hotels and B&Bs are often available at different prices from different places, meaning it's possible to save £100s if you know where to look.
Start by putting details into a comparison site and sorting hotels by price to instantly see who's offering stays for less. You can also bag a luxury bargain uncovering secret hotels. For a full how-to and more tips, see Cheap Hotels.
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Booking car hire early tends to save big
If you've got kids in tow, or you're staying far from the parks, it's likely you'll want to hire a car during your trip. Yet never leave this until you get to Florida, as the earlier you book, the more you'll usually save.
To instantly compare prices for a vast range of companies, try Skyscanner*, Kayak*, TravelSupermarket* and Carrentals*.
Once you've found the right deal, don't just go with the excess insurance it offers – these are often hugely inflated. Comparison site Moneymaxim* lists and compares lots of insurance excess providers to help you find it for less. For more info plus safety tips, read the full Cheap Car Hire guide.
Watch out for hidden driving costs
It's not just the hire car itself that can eat into your spending money. Factor in parking costs too – for example, a day's parking at Walt Disney World Resort is $30.
Plus don't assume you'll get a sat-nav thrown in with the hire car – requesting a navigation system can add £10 a day to hire prices.
If you're hiring for a long stay and already have a sat-nav, it may be cheaper to buy US map software before you go, and take the console with you. Or download an app to turn your phone into a free worldwide sat-nav.
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Get a free button to guarantee VIP treatment if it's your birthday (or another special occasion)
If you're celebrating a birthday at 'The Happiest Place on Earth' (aka Disney World), head over to City Hall in the Magic Kingdom to pick up a free birthday button. (If you're at one of the other Disney parks, you can go to a Guest Services centre.)
This will guarantee you special treatment from Disney characters and lots of birthday greetings. Plus we've heard of some MoneySavers sporting the buttons while eating out in a restaurant being offered free dessert or cake.
Don't wear the button with the expectation of being showered with freebies – but combine it with a winning smile and it can't hurt your chances.
This doesn't just work on your birthday, either. Anniversary and 'Just Married' buttons are also available, as well as generic 'I'm Celebrating' badges for other special occasions.
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Loophole gets up to 70% off posh US hotels
Giant US site Priceline* flogs posh hotel rooms at colossal discounts, and it's especially strong for US hotels.
On Martin's own trip to the States, he got a nice hotel for 63% of the comparison sites' cheapest price, though not as good as one MoneySaver, who got the Times Square Sheraton for £55 a night rather than the listed £200.
It's all about Priceline's 'name your own' price function, where you pick a city area and star level, name your price and see if any hotels accept it. Of course the aim's to find the minimum acceptable price, so start low, then keep raising your bid till it's accepted, but you can ONLY bid once a day.
There are techniques to get more bids per day, either by bidding with a partner or adding more areas of a city. See Priceline Hotel Bidding for the full technique.
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Escape the theme parks and check out FREE nearby attractions – state parks, galleries, vineyards & more
For a taste of Disney magic without the resort price tag, head to Disney Springs for shops, atmosphere and live entertainment – it's in the Walt Disney World Resort, but you don't need a park ticket. It's also home to the Lego Imagination Centre.
Outside the resorts, you can explore Old Town Kissimmee, enjoy the Winter Park Farmers' Market on Saturdays, or defy gravity at Spook Hill.
There is also a range of parks and art galleries nearby, including the Rollins Fine Arts Museum and the CityArts Factory.
Or for a grown-up day out, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards offers free tours – it will even throw in a complimentary wine tasting.
Many of Florida's state parks are also free or just a few dollars to get in to, and let you see more of Florida's natural geography. Parks near Orlando boast hiking trails, fishing and wildlife – if you head to one of the lakes you might even glimpse Florida's second-most famous resident after Mickey... the American alligator.
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Don't wait till you get there to plan what you want to see
Work out where you're going before you get there and you'll make far better use of your entry fee than if you have to spend the first hour squinting at a map.
You won't be able to see and do everything theme parks have to offer, so a little time spent planning is well worth it:
Arrive early to beat the queues. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding the rush-hour park traffic. Get an early night if you can, set your alarm and get in before the busiest tourist footfall arrives.
Work out the real travel time. Distances given from accommodation to parks can be misleading. Use Google Maps to work out the real distance before you go.
Take it easy. Try to cram too much in while you're there and you'll end up exhausted and broke. Remember, the point of going is to have fun!
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Grab local coupons for extra discounts
Watch out for these when you get to Florida, where you can often find discounts for local restaurants, shops and attractions. Check local free sheets and visitor information centres, or ask at your hotel – and don't forget to check your receipts when you buy anything in Orlando, as they may list codes for further discounts.
International Drive Orlando has discount coupons you can print before you go, and it's always worth checking for extra deals on Google if you know you'll be going to a particular place.
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Go off-resort to find the same activities for less
Resorts offer a range of sport and leisure activities as well as the usual rides and attractions – including golf, kayaking and bike rentals.
Yet you're usually able to find exactly the same activity for far cheaper offsite, as long as you're able to travel a short distance. Prices vary so always compare to make sure you've got the best deal.
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Instantly find the best travel cash rate for dollars
NEVER leave buying travel cash till the airport. They know you're a captive customer, so give hideous deals (even pre-ordering and picking up at the airport boosts it).
Instead, use our TravelMoneyMax holiday money comparison tool to instantly find the best rates, plus key warnings and a handy quick currency converter.
The tool lists all the big currencies, and also lets you see who's cheapest for exchanging any unused dollars back to pounds when you get back (if you've any left!).
A specialist travel credit or debit card is one of the cheapest way to spend as it gives near-perfect exchange rates worldwide. See the Top Cards for Spending Abroad guide for top-pick travel cards, the cards to avoid, and how to check what your card's charging you.
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Swipe five-star villas for two-star hotel prices
If you don't fancy battling for a sun-lounger each morning, villas offer space for large groups of friends, or families with kids who need to let off steam. The bonus with these is that, as a rule of thumb, the larger the group, the bigger the per-person saving, so they're great if there's a party of you visiting Florida.
For full dos and don'ts, plus how to check it's not a fake villa, see Cheap Holiday Rentals. One MoneySaver reports:
Make sure you haggle and definitely don't take the first price they tell you. Most property owners will knock money off.
We use Vrbo and saved $1,000 on a three-week rental in the US. The year before last, we got a much bigger place than we expected just by pushing them.
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Warning! Don't forget your ESTA
Everyone from the UK going to the USA, even those just passing through, must fill out the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in advance or they'll be turned back.
It costs $21 per person to apply via the official ESTA site, so ignore other sites that imply there's a larger fee. The website only takes five minutes to fill in, and the visa will last two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Read the step-by-step ESTA Guide for full info.
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Don't forget worldwide family travel cover
When you're caught up in planning a big trip to Disney it's easy to forget about travel insurance, yet it can be invaluable if something unexpected happens while you're out there. One forumite reports:
A medical bill in the US can be huge! A friend was hospitalised twice in four weeks here and her medical bill for the hospital alone was $158,000+. PLEASE – don't be an ignorant traveller – find out prior to travelling and not the "hard way".
See the Cheap Travel Insurance guide for best buys.
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Get inspiration from other Disney-goers
The Overseas Holidays and Travel Planning forum board is a great resource for finding tried and tested travel tips, and sharing excitement with others in the run-up to the big trip.
Whether you've questions on Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort, or want to know more about Florida's medical system, it's well worth a visit.
Plus if you've any tips to pass on, share them in the Cheap Florida Theme Parks forum discussion.
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