Need Help from local in Orlando Florida ?

Hello, My wife and i rarely get to go anywhere really far away but this fall were going to take an anniverserary trip down to Orlando and then were taking a short cruize from port caneveral to the bahamas. We are doing the Wyndham time share thing to save money =). We visited Orlando back about 6 years ago and it was a trip of a lifetime. We love the theme parks. Cash is a huge concern, We already plan on taking a cooler , drinks and eating in the room as much as possible. I am told locals have access to alot of good discounts especially on park admision tickets. If anyone could help us out by giving us advice or pointers on saving money i would really appreciate it. We are hoping to save as much money as possible since money is tight.

I have heard that Wal-mart sells discount theme park tickets.

When I was in orlando this past January, I found that the cheapest tickets for Seaworld could be bought online--adult tickets for child price.

Florida residents get great ticket discounts, however, you have to have atleast one florida resident with you to pick up the tickets (for universal) and for Disney I believe they require a florida ID from everyone. The best deals are gotten online beforehand. Also, compare AAA.com with the park websites - occasionally they have better deals.

Seaworld lets you bring in a cooler (great money saver) and don't forget the hospitality (aka FREE beer tent)... there

I really found the food at Disney somewhat reasonable - the space themed fast food place by fantasy land - you can actually share a burger from there - it comes use of their condiment bar that you could almost make a meal out of itself if your creative.

I found this site helpful

http://www.magicalgetaway.com/univer...versal+studios

Thanks everyone for the great info. I am going to use every trick i can to save money =) I tried to call the # listed in the link above and its a time share thing. I might do another time share thing but i am going to use it as a last resort. The tickets are the biggest expense so i am going to see what kinds of deals i can find online , If i find anything good i will post the url here so others can use it =)

Keep the great info coming =)

If you are doing Disney, know that they will NOT tell you their specials. You have to ask for them specifically. Florida resident, AAA, military, maybe AARP. Don't be afraid to ask.

disney parks give free ice water. just ask. I'm not scared of tap water. I grew up on it. lol

Best deal I could find on disney tickets was through mousesavers.com. sign up for the newsletter (1 per month) and she has a link in it for discount tickets. the price you are quoted includes tax, most other quotes do not. just look for archived newsletters.

Great info, Mousesaver has alot of things i can use, =) The site will take me a while to explore everything but i know it will help anyone going to disney

Originally Posted by Jboy74 Great info, Mousesaver has alot of things i can use, =) The site will take me a while to explore everything but i know it will help anyone going to disney

http://www.magicalgetaway.com/disney...acations+cheap

Thanks everyone we are leaving in 3 weeks , I have been watching mousesaver and the other sites mentioned but i was wondering does anyone else have any ideas for us? If you do please let us know.

Have you checked out the Disney Group here?:
http://forums.online-sweepstakes.com...d.php?t=681248

Sounds like we'll just miss you; we're arriving on the Sept. 20. It is true with Disney, ask or you may not receive. I would call them, and tell them you are coming for your anniversary, what would be the cheapest tix--that you are staying off property, blah blah blah.

They will chat with you. I have gone several times, and this last time, I was able to get an extra deal that I would not have received had I not called and talked with a live person.

I also called Universal and chatted with a live person--I didn't actually buy a ticket or a package because I'm not sure if we're even going to be able to fit it in--but I was able to get a better deal that way, too.

Sally where can i find the phone # to call disney? Universal? It sounds like a very good idea and since my wife is pregnant and not able to ride many rides they might help us out =)

Originally Posted by Jboy74 Sally where can i find the phone # to call disney? Universal? It sounds like a very good idea and since my wife is pregnant and not able to ride many rides they might help us out =)

Just go to their websites. Everyone I have talked to on the phone at both places have been very nice and helpful.

Disney used to have a toll free number that they didn't advertise, now they don't.

Disney doesnt really "discount" their tickets. Mousesavers.com is where you will find the best information about getting the best ticket prices.

Disney DOES, however offer specials in other ways. Low season prices on on-site hotels are cheaper (again mousesavers.com lists them).

Sometimes they throw in the meal plan if you buy the whole package.

Also, Disney tix just went UP again a couple of weeks ago.....

You have to do the math....DIsney is NOT a place where you can have a "cheap" vacation.

FOr example a 3 day ticket (single park, NO park-hopping) for 2 is 424.00. IF you want to add the park hopper feature, then its 524.00 for 2.

BUT a 6 day ticket (for 2) is 550.00, 3 more days, for 25 bucks!! What does this tell you? Tells you DIsney rewards you for staying longer..... More nights in their hotels, more meals in their parks, more junk purchases in their gift shops...

So if you are on a tight budget, the trick is to beat them at their own game... IF you have a car, stay off-site, but as close to the entrance as possible, (time share?).

Eat breakfast in your room.

Bring snacks.

But use mousesavers.com. LOTS of great info there.

Hope this helps.