Florida villa cost cutting when you arrive - Part 2
Following on from our previous popular article “Florida villa - cost cutting before you go” we have to put together some further suggestions to make those £’s and $ go further whilst on holiday (vacation) depending what side of the Atlantic you are from.
1. At the car rental company pre pay for a Sunpass or Epass for the toll roads. If your planning to do some travelling around Florida maybe to see Kennedy Space Centre, not only will this save you money but also time in the queues. Not to mention struggling to find your change when you are fighting with your seatbelt!
2. Buy a pre-paid phone card - these can be bought easily (Walmart) for all your calls and are much cheaper than mobiles. Remember many UK mobiles will not work in the US unless they are tri- band.
3. Take advantage of the many discount coupons. Whether it is for food or attractions, discount coupons will save you money. Look online, in local newspapers or the masses of tourist booklets you will find everywhere, just check the terms and conditions carefully.
4. Eat early - many restaurants offer “happy hours” with drinks of beers and wines being offered 2 for the price of 1. Not forgetting the free refill’s of sodas.
5. Try to avoid dining in the theme parks as they tend to be expensive, consider the meal plans but only if you are staying all day.
6. Florida is hot! and you will need plenty of fluid; instead of buying drinks all the time when you arrive in Florida get some small water bottles. Freeze the water bottles in your villa fridge overnight. As you walk around the parks the next day the ice melts in that lovely sun and provides you with an ice cold drink, that’s not only free but healthier than all those soda’s. Freeze enough water and leave it in the car in a cool-box, you will really appreciate it when you get back to your car. Buy some big bottles of water from the supermarket, freeze again overnight and off you go again.
7. Don’t rent a Satellite Navigation system from the car hire companies, with prices dropping so much its cheaper to buy one from somewhere like Walmart or Best Buy. Better still some villa owners are providing them on a free loan basis with the rental of their villa, given that rental companies can charge up-to $12 a day that will save you $168 in a fortnight.
8. For those of you with little ones bring your own pushchair or stroller, this could save $7 to $10 a day at some of the attractions. Depending on your stay it might be even worth buying a basic pushchair rather than renting one every time you hit the parks.
9. Spend a day away from the paying attractions, use your villa swimming pool or take a trip to the beach instead. With 1,100 miles of beaches whether you’re interested in sunbathing, birds, shelling, surfing, treasure hunting, people watching, snorkelling, history or romance, Florida has a beach to suit you and are free!
10. Having saved all that money indulge yourself a little; consider the valet parking option at theme parks! This may cost literally a few dollars extra however the time and energy saved in walking a long way from the entrance can work out cheaper. You won’t need a drink or to visit the restaurants as soon as you get in the park. This is particularly beneficial at Universal Studio’s and there is nothing nicer that the car being brought to you when you have those aching feet!
Tags: Money Saving Ideas, Save money on Holiday, Save Money Vacation, Self Catering Florida