Orlando for Endless Summer - Vacations in the Sun that Won't Bust Your Budget

Ahh, summer. The simple pleasures of sunshine and green trees. The freedom of light clothing and bare feet. If you're yearning for that feeling of summer during the long, cold days of winter, and you don't want to empty your wallet, Orlando is the perfect destination for you.

A great way to save money on your vacation is to stay at an Orlando suite hotel, one that includes a kitchen or kitchenette, or stay in a vacation home. A trip to a nearby grocery store, and you can eat on the cheap, saving your money for fun at the theme parks. Bring a backpack and you can pack your own sandwiches and snacks and take them with you on your Orlando adventures. Walt Disney World theme parks, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld all have lockers for rent where you can store your backpack, if you don't want to carry it around. Florida insider tip: Freeze bottles of water overnight for a refreshing cold beverage during the day.

Hotels that include breakfast can save both money and time. While many offer a complimentary continental breakfast, some include a full hot breakfast.

Resorts that offer free activities are another way to save money. Most Orlando resorts offer outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and playgrounds for guests to enjoy. Some resorts and hotels feature tennis courts, fitness centers, volleyball, basketball courts, game rooms and shuffleboard. There are also resorts that offer programs for kids for a small fee, and a few that offer adult programs. Some even show free movies for guests. After a day or two at the theme parks, everyone is ready to relax or play closer to home.

If you're driving to Orlando, you'll be happy to know that most Orlando hotels offer free parking for guests. Driving or flying, you can also save money by staying at a property that offers free shuttles to the theme parks you plan to visit. Theme park admission tickets don't include parking, and the parks charge a daily parking fee.

Even on vacation, lots of us want to stay connected, and paying for daily internet access can get expensive. Save money by choosing a hotel that offers complimentary internet access. Many now offer in-room high-speed Internet access, and some hotels provide a computer station in the lobby or business center where guests without laptops can check their email.

There are plenty of activities in the area that don't involve theme parks or expensive admission fees. Great beaches can be found about an hour's drive from Orlando. On the east coast (Atlantic Ocean), the famed Daytona Beach, Lighthouse Point Park, New Smyrna Beach, and Cocoa Beach are easily accessible. On the west coast (Gulf of Mexico), the beaches offer warm, calm seas, and the spectacular sunsets are free. The most popular beaches, in St. Petersburg Beach and Clearwater Beach are just a couple of hours away. Most beaches offer parking for free or for a nominal charge.

Old Town Kissimmee is a popular choice for families, with amusement park rides and 74 shops along brick-lined streets. The classic car shows every Friday and Saturday feature hundreds of vintage automobiles.

Blue Spring State Park is a designated manatee refuge and the winter home of large numbers of West Indian manatees that come upstream from the St. Johns River to bask in the warm waters of the springs (mid-November through March). The river is popular for canoeing, boating, and fishing, and visitors can also enjoy nature and hiking trails.

If your idea of a great vacation includes power shopping, you can save money at one of Orlando's outlet malls: Prime Factory Outlet World, Prime Designer Outlet Centre, Orlando Premium Outlets, and Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet. With hundreds of outlet stores to choose from, you're sure to find something to love (at a discount).

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