Trying to get the most out of an Orlando theme-park holiday is like trying to wring water out of a beach towel that has been dropped in the ocean! There is always more to do, and always more to see, but you simply won’t have the time to do it all – this is a fact you need to come to terms with before you even board the plane!
Your theme-park break is going to be exhausting too, so it’s important to make sure you stock up on sleep and cut out the pre-travel stress as much as possible before you head away to the Sunshine State. It comes down to the little things really, such as how you get to the airport. When you think about it, if you decide to go for a coach to the terminal door, you could be sat there on your journey for several hours more than it would take you to drive yourself, and it’s for this reason that I decided to do just that, and booked Gatwick parking with Holiday Extras. I found this got me where I needed to be much quicker, and I have since booked the same service at several other nationwide airports too. I can’t recommend this idea enough, and it will save you money too.
On the subject of saving money, anything you can keep in your pocket during the planning stages, can be easily changed to dollars and will hugely benefit you during your time away. It’s always worthwhile being a little patient with your flight search, because this is often a waiting game, and once you find a few cheap flights to Orlando, you have to whittle your search down and book on the spot, to secure your bargain. You may have to be flexible with your flight arrangements, and you might have to go indirect if you want to save big, but it is possible to avoid going for the biggest airline at the most expensive price.
So, we’ve covered how to optimise your travel plans, but what can you do whilst you’re there, to make sure you get everything you need out of your break?
Plan!
I say this countless times, but you need to know where you’re going, on what day when it comes to theme-park Orlando holidays. It’s no good waiting until midday to decide where you’re going, because half your day is gone. You need to be up with the lark and raring to go, so do a rough guide/itinerary before you head away. Go to a website such as The Dibb for up to date information on ride closures and special events.
Go prepared
You can’t be walking around in uncomfortable shoes, so go with comfort in mind and you won’t be slowed down.
Fast Pass
The largest rides are always going to have longer queues. If there is a particular ride you want to go on, either head there when the parades are on, because the queues will be less, or take advantage of the Fast Pass system that is in place on the larger attractions.
Be route clever
Grab yourself a park map on the way in and be clever with your route. Either explore one ‘land’, before moving onto the next, or work around the park in circles – don’t be tempted to just wander, because you’ll miss lots whilst you’re aimlessly heading off on a tangent.
This probably sounds a bit like hard work, but if you want to truly experience the magic and wonder of Orlando’s theme-parks, you need to think, plan, and forget your tiredness!
