What To Do For Less,

Ok, so we all know we have just dropped a large amount just to get to Orlando (but it is definitely worth it), so let me share with you some free and cheaper things to do whilst you're out there.

There is so much more to Orlando than theme parks.

So number 1 on the list, has to be the most obvious. Disney Springs.

This is Disney’s own shopping district. Here you will find a huge choice in shops and restaurants. Although there are plenty of cheaper stores around, there is just something magical about the area. We often just go for a walk and enjoy the atmosphere.

Here you can pop in the Lego store and let the kids play, shhh don’t tell anyone but I used to take my daughter just so I could play with the Lego ha ha. Now at the centre of Disney Springs is, World of Disney. This is a HUGE Disney store. I know if you’re like me, you miss popping to the Disney store we used to have on the high street, then this will bring you a bit of comfort. The staff are fantastic, but then again they are Disney employees, so what would you expect. World of Disney is also where if you had a gift card as part of your package. Here you can also find loads of choices for your magic bands, if you want one that is.

There is soooo much to do here it will take you all day and if you wanted to, you could could continue into the night, there is just so much. One things I love to do is jump on one of the boats and visit a few of the higher end resorts on-site.

There is even a Disney Christmas store and it is absolutely brilliant. You can pick your Christmas ornaments all year round, but you can have them personalised, which is a lovely way to keep a memento of your holiday.

As I said there is soooo many shops and restaurants here it would be too hard to list them all. Disney Springs also has a bowling alley, cinema, cirque du soleil, and house of blues (live music). I've seen 3 different cirque du soleil shows here over the years and everyone has been AMAZING!!

And remember its FREE to park too.

Universal's CityWalk, is also a good spot to shop and eat. Parking is FREE after 6pm, but if you want to visit during the day you will have to pay as if you were visiting a Park. So that's $30!!! just to grab a bite to eat and do a bit if shopping. Which to me is a ridiculous price. So I tend to just pop there of an evening if not interested in visiting the parks.

Next up I should tell you about shopping in general.

There is tons of shopping to do whilst visting Orlando. From the Florida Mall, Mall of Millenia and outlets there is something for everyone. The outlets are fantastic, there is even a discounted Disney store called The Character Warehouse. There is one at each of the Orlando Premium Outlets.

Now the likes of Mall of Millenia and the Florida Mall are pretty pricey, as there are a lot of big name stores in there.

But if you are looking for some bargains, especially with how rubbish the exchange rate is currently at, then the Premium Outlets are where you need to be. They are home to some big names, Kate Spade, Nike, Sketchers, Ralph Lauren, Victoria Secret, the list just keeps going. There are some fabulous little strip malls around too, a few of them have ROSS stores and they are great for some bargains too. ROSS is probably the equivalent to our TK Max store, only better markdowns.

Old Town, Kissimmee.

Now this has to be one of my absolute favourite places in Orlando. It is probably the only place we visit every single time we are in Orlando. It just has so much to offer.

Old Town is, you guessed it an old town. There are old style stores such as the General Store, Black Market minerals (where you can mine your own stones), Ocean Wave Surf Store, Wound ‘n’ Around (50's and 60's apparell), and many more.

Old Town is also the home to restaurants, bars, an arcade, live music but for me the best part of Old Town, is Friday and Saturday Nights. Friday Nights is the Muscle Car cruise, and Saturday Nights is the Classic Car cruise. This is completely free for everyone to enjoy. On both nights the cars start arriving in the afternoon. All the cars are on display behind the stores. This is when you can talk to the car owners and take plenty of photos. Then once darkness falls all the cars drive out to take a cruise through the centre of Old town. The atmosphere is incredible. I have to say even if you’re not into the car scene, it's still a fantastic night out, and best of all its cost you nothing.

There is even a tattoo shop, and its actually highly rated if you want the permanent reminder. And if you’re feeling a bit homesick just pop into the English shop, if I remember correctly off the top of my head its called the London store. Just don’t look at the prices in there ha ha.

Why not take a trip to a local winery and vineyard.

Yes this is a free activity, Lakeridge winery and vineyard offer free tours with tastings. Each tour is about 45 minutes, including a 15-minute video presentation, the tours take you through the production area and provide a view of the 80-acre vineyards. They also host free summer and winter music series, as well as a free open house during the holidays. They’re in Clermont, about 35 minutes west of our tourism districts. So if you’re into your wine this is a must.

West Orange Trail, is great if you're looking too slow down, and have a change of scenery. Now it is not anything fancy, West Orange Trail is just a 20 mile paved trail area. Its just a quiet place from all the hustle and bustle that is everywhere else. What we love about it is, you can hire bicycles or roller blades and enjoy the quiet. As I said West Orange Trail is nothing fancy, it’s just a break from the rush.

However West Orange Trail is located in the area Winter Gardens. Here you will find quaint little shops and restaurants.

Orlando Fire Museum, is an easy favourite for families with kids that love firefighters and a great place to visit on our list. The museum is located near the Orlando Science centre (which is another fantastic day out, and really cheap) and is a restored red brick firehouse.

The museum itself is quite small but your little ones are will love the vintage firetrucks and all the memorabilia that they have. Not only is there a ton of information about the history of firefighting in Orlando but they have so many items that will amaze you that they were able to use them to fight fires!

A fabulous bonus is, all of the staff are retired firefighters so they will be able to answer all your questions.

I could go on forever, I like I said at the start there is just soooo much to Orlando. So what I will do is just make a list of all my other favourite places.

Lake Eola, they even have a farmers Market on Sundays. Harry P Leu Gardens, Central Orlando Zoo, Dezerland, Crystal River The Crayola Experience, Gatorland, Wonderworks, Boggy Creek Airboat Tours, Mead Botanical Gardens, Universal's City Walk, Winter Gardens Boat Tours, Icon Park, Wekiwa Springs, Titanic Museum, Epperson Lagoon, Lake Apopka. And that is still no where near everything, so if you do want to know more just drop me a message.

But if you do decide to leave Orlando area the must do's are Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral near Cocoa Beach. If you love rollercoaster then definitely need to do Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay. They are still some of the best coasters I have ever been on. Another really nice day out was to St. Augustine. St Augustine is believed to be the oldest city in all of the US. It was so strange my first visit and so many clients say the same thing. As it is so different to anything else you have experienced in Orlando. They have re-enactments of battle of bloody mose. Loads of live entertainments with concerts and festivals and there are some amazing little restaurants too.

One of my all times things to do is spend a few days down in Clearwater and St. Petersburg Beach. It is so calm and relaxing, it allows me to recharge my batteries. We love all the fresh sea-food and quaint shops. But those crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches are beautiful. I always tell my clients if you can make it there you will won't be disappointed. And if possible pop and hire a speed boat and spend a few hours out on the water and watch the dolphins swim so close to you, you can almost touch them.