What to Consider Before Booking Your Florida Adventure
Planning a trip to Florida is exciting, but there are some key factors to think about before hitting that “book now” button. Whether you’re dreaming of Disney magic, Universal thrills, or relaxing beach days, here’s what to consider before you commit.
Budgeting For Your Florida Trip
Your budget will shape every aspect of your trip, so it’s the best place to start.
Flights: Direct flights are convenient but can be pricier. Check nearby airports to depart from to potentially secure a better deal. Consider having a stop off. Consider flying to a nearby airport in Florida. While Orlando International Airport is the closet airport to Disney and Universal, Melbourne International Airport and Tampa Airport are both less than a 90 minute drive to Disney and are known to offer cheaper flights.
Accommodation: Decide if you want to stay in a resort, hotel or vacation home. Resorts often come with perks, but off-site stays can be more affordable.
Tickets: Theme park admission is a big expense. Look for multi-day, bundle deals or promotions to save money.
Car Hire: Are you planning to drive while in Florida. It’s not possible to walk from one place to another, so factor in the cost of Ubers/Lyfts if not. Research if your accommodation provides a shuttle service and also see what public transport is available where you are staying. If you are planning to drive, be aware of parking charges at Disney and Universal. Parking starts from $25 a day at Disney and $30 at Universal.
Top Tip: If you’re hiring a car, ask about toll pass options to make your journey smoother. Also consider a hotel with free parking if not staying on site.
Extras: Factor in spending money for food, parking fees/taxis and souvenirs when calculating your total cost.
Top Tip: Booking during off-peak seasons can save you money on flights, accommodation, and theme park tickets.
Accommodation Options
Your choice of accommodation can make or break your trip.
On-Site Resorts: Perfect for Disney and Universal fans who want to stay close to the parks. Perks include early park entry, free shuttles and themed experiences.
Off-Site Accommodation: This is a great option if you are planning to have varied days, need more space for larger families or want to reduce the cost of your accommodation.
Top Tip: Book early to secure the best rates, especially if traveling during peak seasons.
Location
Location is key when visiting Orlando, where you base yourself depends on what you want to do.
Are you looking to stay onsite or offsite? This may depend on budget but also preference. If you plan to spend most or all of your trip in Disney World then consider staying in Lake Buena Vista or Kissimmee if staying offsite. If you plan to spend most or all of your trip in Universal then consider staying on International Drive if not staying onsite.
Plans and Priorities
Planning a trip to Florida can be overwhelming, before booking think about what your group/family want to do on this trip.
Theme Parks: Are you planning to visit Disney, Universal, or both?
Relaxation: If you need downtime, factor in rest days. You may want to consider a hotel with great pool facilities or if you have tickets to Disney and/or Universal then you can utilise their water parks on your rest days.
Other Day Attractions: Consider adding day trips to the Kennedy Space Center, Discovery Cove, Seaworld, Busch Gardens or Florida’s stunning beaches.
Shopping: Orlando is a shopper’s paradise! Offering outlets, huge superstores and many souvenir stores if you want a break from the fast paced Theme Parks.
Timing
Florida’s weather and crowd levels vary throughout the year.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds with shorter wait times at parks and cheaper flights
Peak Seasons: Summer holidays, Christmas, and Spring Break (typically occurs from early March to mid-April) can be crowded and expensive.
Hurricane Season: Runs from June to November. While storms rarely disrupt trips, it’s worth being aware.
Top Tip: Check for special events like Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary-Halloween-Party at Magic Kingdom, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal or Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival, which might influence your timing. Park opening hours may vary on event days.
Research and Deals
Taking time to research before booking can save you money and stress. Ensure you have considered everything before committing to bookings. If you are still figuring things out like flights, consider booking tickets or accommodation with a free cancellation option.
Look for package deals that include flights, accommodation, and tickets.
Official Documents and Insurance
Ensure your passport is up to date for the duration of your trip. America does not require your passport to have at least 6 months of validity left like the EU does, but if you are getting a connecting flight consider that countries entry rules before booking!
An ESTA is a mandatory travel authorisation for travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries visiting the United States for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days. Before booking a trip, ensure your ESTA application is approved. An ESTA is linked to your passport, so if you apply for a new passport your ESTA expires along with that passport. The fee for an ESTA application is $21 per person.
Before traveling, make sure everyone in your party is properly insured for emergencies.
Flexibility
Before booking, ask yourself:
Are your travel dates flexible? A day or two’s difference could mean big savings.
Could you extend your trip? Adding an extra day or two can make for a more relaxed experience.
Now that you’ve got the lowdown, it’s time to start planning! Whether it’s Disney magic, Universal thrills, or a mix of both, careful planning will make your Florida adventure unforgettable.
If you are want to know more about how much it costs to visit Florida, make sure to check out our blog post where we share exactly how much we as a family of 5 spent going to Florida here.