I Took A Budget-Friendly Trip To Orlando, And Here's How It Turned Out

I would have been just a snack to those crocs.

When you hear about Orlando, Florida, your mind probably immediately goes to the Magic Kingdom (as well as a bunch of other world-renowned theme parks). And yes, you've more than likely heard the odd viral story or two about how much the cost of the city's attractions can add up.

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Well, luckily for you, I recently visited the gorgeous city myself to find the best activities that won't break the bank (after all, there's way more to see than just the theme parks). I spent four days in Orlando with $0, $50, $100, and $150 to spend, so if you want to find the best activities for your price point, congrats — you're in the right place.

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Thanks to VisitOrlando and Holiday Pirates, I got the chance to see a side of the city that I never expected to see.

Before I share the 13 amazing activities I experienced, though, let's talk about travelling to the city. Here are my tips for flying there:

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If (like me) the thought of booking a long-haul flight stresses you out, I reccomend trying a trip planner. HolidayPirates booked the whole trip for me in one go, which took the stress of looking for flights out of my hands (phew).

Note: You may find some flights from the UK are not direct and you may stop over to nearby cities such as Miami, but it could save you some dollar!

And here are my tips for getting around once you've landed:

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Having a rental car is a must if you're visiting the city, as most of the destinations I went to were at least 15 miles apart from each other. Getting a car offers you flexibility on where and what time you travel, as well. Taxis/Ubers are available too, but they can start to get expensive — and as I've mentioned before, we're trying to keep the costs low here.

And finally, here's my advice for picking a place to stay:

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Remember those long drives I was talkign about? Yeah, that's why I recommend choosing a half-board hotel while you're in the city. The hotel I stayed in was the Drury Hotel, which was in a great location and a short drive away from all the activities. They offer half-board (breakfast and dinner) packages, which will make your morning and evenings that much easier.

Note: The price at the time of my stay was around the $200 mark, but can differ depending on the season. 

Day 1 - $0.00

All the activities I did on this day didn't cost me a dime — apart from the food and drink, that is.

1. Sculpture Garden – Lake Nona (free entry)

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Lake Nona is a trendy region within Orlando, and it's got a 50,000-square-foot sculpture garden that's completely free to visit! When you first arrive, you’ll notice the big sculptures from a distance with smaller pieces scattered throughout. 

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The palm trees offer shade when you’re walking around, and the astroturf makes it a lovely place to explore and admire all the garden’s pieces. If you really want to relax while you’re walking around, there’s a bar located in the Wave Hotel which is right next door. Its gorgeous garden has chillout areas for you and your friends to relax and take in the art surrounding you.

2. Boxi Park (free entry)

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If you’re feeling hungry and want options (as well as somewhere cool to hang out while you eat), then Boxi Park is just the place. It's also in Lake Nona and is made of stylised shipping containers; it's home to multiple food and drink vendors. 

Tip: If you’re travelling with you’re four-legged friend, it’s a dog-friendly place, so feel free to bring them along.

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There’s also space for live bands and entertainers to perform while you eat. I loved that was that there were so many different food vendors offering everything from sushi to burgers and tacos. I personally had the Lobster roll and it was delicious. If you wanted something to cool you down, they have multiple bars, daiquiri specialists, and even ice cream and dessert vendors in the venue too. Boxi Park is definitely a snazzy place to check out and with such a good vibe, you’ll definitely want to hang around a little longer whilst you’re there. 

3. Walk around Disney Springs (free entry)

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Now, if you’re a fan of Disney but don’t want to fork out a fortune to go to the parks, then Disney Springs is the place for you. Imagine a massive Disney-themed outdoor shopping mall, with everything from branded shops that we love and know (Uniqlo, LEGO, M&M), to food, drink, and merchandise stores that are all Disney-themed. You get the point.

Tip: Some shops have long queues, so be prepared to stand out in the sun whilst you’re waiting in line. 

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They even have a cinema showing the latest Disney movies. What shocked me is that this place is free to visit, including parking. So if you want to sort-of feel like you’ve made it to a Disney theme park (and have all the merch to show that you’ve “done” Disney), then Disney Springs is a must-visit. Just walking around is fun, and trust me, you will be tempted to buy merchandise and a little gift for people here and there. 

Day 2 – $50 Budget

If you did get half-board with your hotel, this whole day should be fairly cheap.

4. Gatorland – $50

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Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park that's home to over 2,500, well, gators. It's a family-run business that first opened in 1940 BD (Before Disney). Here, you'll get the chance to get up close and personal with some alligators and see how they’re being preserved. You can do a range of things from seeing some of the rarest alligators to feeding baby alligators -- you can even feed the oldest and largest alligators in the park.

Pro tip: If you get there early, you’ll have more of the park to yourself and have more time to watch all their shows. 

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Thrillseekers will be able to access the newest feature of the park; a zipline, which has you soaring over gator-infested swamp pens. And if you’re more about education, they offer tour guides throughout the whole park. This is a must-visit, even if you’re not a fan of alligators.

5. Sticky Rice

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Sticky Rice is located in the downtown area, with plenty of other food spots around. This Laos cuisine is a favourite with the locals. If you want something spicy and tasty, this is a nice place for lunch. 

6. Tibet-Butler Preserve (free)

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If you enjoy an outdoor hike, the Tibet-Butler Preserve (which is completely free) is an oasis for wildlife and nature seekers. This preserve is home to bobcats, foxes tortoises, old eagles, and snakes. There are educational areas in the entrance buildings too, so you can learn a bit more about the park. And, if you’re lucky, you will see some live animals walking around. This is a chilled walk with a lot of different things to see in terms of wildlife, so if you enjoy a hike and being out in wildlife, then this is for you.

Pro tip:  Some of the trails can get very muddy, wet, and wild, so if you have trekking shoes, bring them with you. 

7. Old Town (free entry)

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Want to get a feel of what Orlando is really like? I strongly suggest heading to the Old Town, where you can find a funfair with rides and loads of family-friendly attractions. The whole area has this cool retro look, with plenty of stalls where you can eat, drink, and shop for souvenirs.

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If you fancy just a stroll, the whole area is a chilled place to be and has free parking. There are always events on in the Old Town too, so be sure to check their schedule when planning your trip. 

Pro tip: You can get a day pass for all the rides and attractions within Old Town.

Day 3 – $100

If you're willing to spend a little more money on activities, I've got you -- it's still nowhere near as expensive as the parks!

8. West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades ($10 per hour)

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If you fancy more of an active excursion, then the West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades route is a fantastic way to explore Orlando. This scenic route has plenty of spots for you to stop and take in the views and architecture. 

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You get given a map, but you're free to roam wherever you want to -- and it’s only $10 an hour to rent a bike. In the space of four hours, you’ll be able to explore some of the quainter sides of Orlando.

Pro tip: As Orlando is very hot, I suggest wearing light activewear so you can enjoy the bike ride without feeling suuuper hot and sweaty.

9. Plant Street Market ($25)

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If you happen to take the bike trail, then you’re in luck -- Plant Street Market is right along the route. This indoor market has a range of places to eat and drink, ranging from barbecued meat, tacos, and pizzas, to beer and wine. It's got an air-conditioned hall for you to cool off in, too -- you might end up chilling here for a while.

10. Harry P. Leu Gardens ($15)

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If you’d like to discover the natural beauty of Orlando, then I recommend you take a stroll through Harry P. Lu Gardens. This is a 50-acre land full of lush plants, trees, and rose gardens. It’s home to one of the biggest trees I have ever seen, too (it's over 100 years old!). They’ve also included a dinosaur trail to spice things up, making it different from your typical flower garden. There is a big body of water located within the gardens, and it's a really good spot to take some candid photos.

Tip: Parking here is free so you’ll be able to stay for as long as you like exploring the garden.

Day 4 ($150 Budget)

You saved a bit for the past couple of days -- let's enjoy ourselves!

11. Disney's Fantasia Mini Golf Course ($15)

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If you fancy getting into the Disney spirit without having to go to the parks, you can visit Disney’s Fantasia Mini Golf Course. Here, you can experience a bit of that Disney magic on a fun, 18-hole golf course. 

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It’s split into two courses: one crazy golf side, and another traditional course built on a miniature scale. 

Pro tip: If you stop to read the stories at each hole, they’ll give you a clue as to how to beat the course.

12. Icon Park ($90)

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Icon Park is one of those places that has absolutely everything you need for a day out. We’re talking different rides and attractions, loads of restaurants, and tonnes of amazing places to shop.

The first thing you notice when you walk in is the massive Ferris wheel which oversees the entire park. Once you’re done here, you'll have plenty of other things to do nearby, ranging from the Museum of Illusions to Madame Tussaud’s, Sea Life, and plenty more.

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It’s not going to be as busy as some of the bigger parks, so you get a chance to do everything you want to, and you can easily spend half a day there.

Quick tip: If you get the day pass, you’ll be able to do all the attractions there -- it is really worth it.

13. Downtown Orlando (free to enter)

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Head here in the evening for some good food and plenty of bars to quench your thirst. The downtown area has a mix of historic style and modern architecture, with fun stores integrated within its structures. 

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If you want to absorb some of the Orlando culture, then downtown is the place to be -- there are so many places you can visit by foot. 

Tip: If you drive to the downtown area, parking for a few hours is still fairly cheap.

So, here are my final thoughts:

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In my short time in Orlando, I managed to experience so much in such a short space of time and truly didn’t feel the need to head to any of the major theme parks there. While I was there, I discovered an amazing side to Orlando, full of culture and fun. 

If you’re able to book a half-board hotel, like Drury Plaza, breakfast and dinner become less of a chore and you’ll be able to explore more of Orlando with much less pressure. 

My last tip: if you go around early May or October, then Orlando is a much less crowded city to visit, so you'll have more space and opportunities to explore without having to feel rushed or cramped.

While you're here...

If you're inspired to visit Orlando, head to the travel deals platform HolidayPirates to find the best value offers on flights, hotels, experiences and more.