Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Orlando, Florida. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Orlando, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your Orlando trip.
Don’t Expect to Find a Beach
A lot of my European friends have mentioned this one. Florida is a state with many beaches, but Orlando is pretty much land-locked. The only water around Orlando is swampy retention ponds and lakes. The beaches closest to Orlando are at least one to two hours drive from Orlando. One of the best beaches in Florida is Clearwater Beach; it’s a two-hour drive from Orlando. If you want to visit the beach during your Orlando trip, you’ll need to set aside a full day and rent a car to get there.
Don’t Mess Around Near the Water
As I mentioned, the water around Orlando is swampy. It’s also prime alligator habitat, so don’t mess around near the water. They are not domesticated and they will eat you or your pets. There are stories every year about alligators coming out of the ponds at golf courses and parks. Don’t feed them and don’t go near the water. Don’t let your kids play near the water.
Don’t Assume Orlando is Just Disney
Yes, Orlando is famous because of Disney. But there are so many things to do in Orlando that aren’t Disney-related. You can easily fill a week or more just visiting the Disney and Universal theme parks, but if you need a break from theme parks, there are more options. There are water parks, nature preserves, day trips to the beach, zoos, and more.
Don’t Skip Disney
That said, if you’re coming to Orlando, you have to experience the magic of Disney at least once. Disney really is for all ages. Even if you aren’t visiting Orlando with kids, you’ll find something on the Disney properties to entertain you. Epcot has some really great international restaurants, and the Downtown Disney District is full of entertainment options, including nightclubs, shows, and restaurants.
The Don’ts of Visiting Disney World
Don’t Expect Disney-Level Service Everywhere in Orlando
Disney Magic is all about customer service and making sure everyone who sets foot on Disney property has a magical day. It’s really pretty incredible how they do this. But once you leave Disney and set out into Orlando, don’t expect that same level of service. Outside of Disney, Orlando is like any other overly-touristed town where the locals are used to churning tourists in and out of their establishments.
Don’t Stress Out While Driving
You will need a car to get around Orlando, and it can be stressful. You’ve got locals who are in a hurry and tired of tourists, and you’ve got tourists who have no idea where they are going. Always give yourself some extra time to get where you need to go as traffic jams can and do pop up throughout the day. Also, don’t text and drive!
Don’t Blow Through the Tolls
Florida has toll roads, and you do have to pay the tolls. Even if you are from out of state, or out of the country, they will find you. They will bill the rental car company, and the rental car company will pass that bill along to you, with an added “service fee” on top of the toll fees. Most rental car companies give you the option to rent a Sun Pass to pay the tolls; this is the easiest option.
Don’t Forget About Free Transportation
There are also free transportation options in Orlando. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you won’t need to drive to any of the Disney parks; they have free shuttles that run continuously. They aren’t necessarily fast, as they make a lot of stops, but they are convenient.
Don’t Forget to Check Your Airport Code
There are several airports in the Orlando area, and you don’t want to find out that you’re at the wrong airport when your flight is about to leave. This also means you have a few different options when buying a flight to Orlando. Don’t forget to check some of the nearby airports, as you could end up saving a lot of money.
Some of the airports around Orlando include:
- MCO – Orlando International
- SFB – Orlando Sanford International
- MLC – Orlando Melbourne International
- DAB – Daytona Beach International
- TPA – Tampa International
- PIE – St. Pete / Clearwater International
Don’t Forget to Search for Deals on Your Orlando Vacation
Now, you won’t find many deals or discounts for Disney World, but you can find some good deals on other attractions and accommodations in Orlando. You can save money by booking early and searcing online for options. A lot of hotels also have coupons for local attractions. Ask the front desk, or browse through the rack of brochures to find coupons and discounts.
Don’t Rule Out Staying on Disney Property
Yes, you will probably spend more on a Disney hotel than you would at an off-site hotel. But there are other factors to consider beyond the room rate. Staying at a Disney hotel is super convenient; you have free transportation to the parks, you get early entry to the parks and early Fast-Pass access. Staying at a Disney hotel makes it easy to go back to the room for a mid-day break. Rather than driving to your hotel and back to Disney again, you just hop on a shuttle. In fact, staying on Disney property may save you the expense of renting a car, as many hotel packages also include airport pickup.
Don’t Try to Do Everything
If you try to do everything there is to do in Orlando, you will be exhausted. Remember, this is supposed to be a vacation. You don’t want to be stressed out and rushing around the entire time. Plan a down day to enjoy your hotel pool or go relax on the beach. Prioritize what you really want to see and save the rest for your next Orlando trip.
Don’t Forget to Pack Good Walking Shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking when you visit the parks in Orlando. You can end up walking five to ten miles in a day without even realizing it! Everyone in the family needs to have good, comfortable walking shoes. Flip-flops or new shoes probably aren’t going to cut it. A blister or sore feet can really ruin the rest of your day.
Don’t Forget the Sunblock, Bug Spray, and a Rain Poncho
The sun in Orlando can be pretty intense. You’ll be outdoors the majority of the time in Orlando, and even in the winter, you can still get a pretty bad sunburn. The hot, humid weather of Florida is also very conducive to bugs; be prepared for mosquitos, especially if you are doing any swamp tours or nature hikes. You’ll also want a rain poncho as Florida tends to get a little bit of rain every day. It doesn’t last long, but you’ll be glad to have a poncho when those afternoon thunderstorms hit.
Don’t Forget to Hydrate
Along with the strong sun, you really need to make sure you stay hydrated when you are visiting Orlando. The heat and humidity can really zap the moisture right out of you; you’ll probably be sweating quite a bit, so make sure you are also drinking a lot of water. Most of the parks offer free ice water, so bring your refillable bottle!
Don’t Think Every Season is the Same
While there’s not really a “low” season in Orlando, there are better times to visit than others. The week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest time to visit Orlando. Followed by Spring Break and Summer Break as the next busiest times. Obviously, anytime school is in session, you’ll have fewer crowds to contend with in Orlando. You’re also more likely to save money on flights and accommodations during those times. October and March are our best times to visit Orlando.
Don’t Dwell on the Prices
An Orlando vacation is not cheap. Do your research and budget accordingly. If you dwell on the prices throughout your trip, it can really ruin your Orlando vacation. If you’ve planned ahead and know what to expect, you can enjoy your Orlando trip without letting the high prices stress you out.
Orlando is really an American icon and someplace that everyone should visit at least once. We’ve taken an Orlando family vacation several times, and there’s always something new to see, in addition to our old favorites. Just remember what NOT to do on a visit to Orlando! Looking for more tips on family travel in the United States? Check out these blog posts: