Our family loves to visit the Water Parks. Our favourites Water Parks are the Disney ones, Disney Typhoon Lagoon, some times refered to as ”typoon lagoon” or ”typhone lagoon” being the best, closely followed by Disney Blizzard beach.  However the cost of the holiday can soon increase quickly when there are a number of parks to visit. Here are our top tips to assist keeping   the costs down whilst still having a fabulous time.

Parking is free at the water parks – saving you about $10 before you enter the park!

Disney Tickets – Depending on your plans its probably best not to buy a single day pass for the water parks. If you are visiting the other main parks, buy the main park tickets (ideally as a multi park package) and upgrade for around $50 to include a number of visits to either of the Disney Water Parks. The price for a 1 day ticket on its own is approaching $50 on the gate– so these multiple tickets offer fantastic value.

If you are not planning to visit any of the other main Disney Theme Parks why not opt for an annual water park pass. These cost around $99 so as long as your visit more than twice during your stay then this is the cheaper option by far.  That’s pretty easy to do if you are staying a fortnight. Compared to buying a single day pass you don’t feel obliged to stay all and try all the rides, just come and go as you please. On our last vacation we went 6 times so the savings soon add up.

Take towels with you for all the family – cheaper than renting and easy if you are staying a Florida villa in the Orlando area, if you are staying in a hotel this may not be possible.

Wear as little as possible when you go into the park e.g. your swim suit, water shoes and a wrap or shorts   - in this way you will only need to rent one small locker just for valuables and keys.

Buy an unlimited use drinks cup from the park on your first day – You pay once and then can get unlimited top ups throughout the day. Remember to take the cup back on subsequent visits and you just buy a cheaper sticker for that day and use the same cup.

Most parks allow you to take a cool box or bag in with water or light snacks. You may be cooler in the water however there is a lot of walking and climbing – it’s important to keep your energy high and hydrated. Again if you stay in a villa freeze some bottles of water and keep them in your cool bag, not only will you have iced water it will help keep your other food items cool.

Take suntan lotion and hats with you. There are many shops at the parks but the prices are higher than buying elsewhere outside the parks. Spray on lotion is much easier too.

Remember to take disposable waterproof camera with you - the parks do take photos of you on the main rides however the prices do add up.

Remember to leave some frozen water bottles in the car, they will be great for the trip home. 

There are thousands if you know where to look.

When I say cheap please don’t misunderstand me, in the very vast majority of cases Florida’s cheap villas are in fact luxury accommodation by anyone’s standards. They are built to a very high standard, physically large, on big plots, the majority with their own private swimming pool.

When you compare the cost of hiring a similar property elsewhere in the world, rental homes in Orlando and elsewhere in Florida are cheap. It is not out of the ordinary to find villas for £50/$75 per night, remember that is for the villa and not per person, truly making a villa a cheap option! An equivalent rental property in say Portugal or France or even elsewhere in the USA would be around double the price (and more) as a minimum. They provide excellent value for money particularly if you would have to hire more than one hotel room for your party.

To find cheap villas in Florida book direct with the owner through reputable vacation rental website. If you are looking for a truly cheap villa in Florida you do not have to compromise on quality, if you are prepared to book at the last minute even better late deals can be found.. Late deals are weeks which the villa owners have not sold and are keen to fill, you can bag yourself a bargain if you can hold your nerve!

This is self catering in true luxury style. The furnishings within the homes are normally to a very high standard and include many of the following as the norm;-

Air-conditioning

Pool / Spa

Large living rooms, large sofas and TV’s to match

Good size bedrooms often with over sized beds.

Villas typically range from 3 beds up to 6 bed villas , some have even 7 or 8!

Fully equipped kitchens - large ovens, American Fridge Freezers

Utility rooms with everything you could need including washing machines, driers and even an iron!

Dining Areas both inside and out-  Excellent for use for some home cooking making your stay more affordable.

Games room – many include Pool tables, Air hockey or Ping Pong

Gaming machines e.g. X-box PS3 etc

Baby facilities, many have cots and highchair etc. Often if they are not within the home already arrangements can be made to hire them via the management companies.

All bedding and towels

Internet access

Free telephone calls within the US

Cheap villa Orlando. The answer is definitely yes, not on quality, comfort or enjoyment, but on price only.