SAVE MONEY ON ORLANDO HOTELS
1. VISIT ORLANDO IN THE SHOULDER-SEASON-
Orlando doesn't really have an "off-season", but some times
are always busier than others. Try to avoid the hot summer
months, holidays, spring breaks, President's Day weekend
and mid-October.
2. WATCH FOR HIDDEN AND UNEXPECTED FEES:
Many Orlando hotels charge for local calls and all charge for
internet access. Never call long-distance direct from any hotel
room and be aware of Disney resort hotel's charge of .75 for
all local and toll-free(calling-card) calls. Most hotels charge
$9.95 per day for use of internet access. Also, watch out for
hidden fees such as one hotel's advertised "free in-room
computer." Yes, use of the computer is free, but the internet
charge is very expensive. Some of the larger hotels charge a
daily "resort" fee beginning at $5 per person, per day.
3. KNOW WHAT ROOM AMENITIES TO EXPECT:
Orlando hotels seem to missing a few common room
amenities we’ve learned to expect. Most Disney resort hotels
do not have refrigerators, though they can be requested for
an additional fee. Many other hotels do not have coffee
makers. To save money, bring along a cooler and a teapot.
4. USE FREE HOTEL SHUTTLES TO SAVE ON RENTAL
CAR CHARGES AND THEME PARK PARKING OF $8 PER
DAY: It is possible to visit Orlando without a rental car. Many
Orlando hotels provide free shuttle service from the airport
and almost all hotels provide free shuttles to the theme
parks.
5. BE AWARE OF ROLLAWAY/COT/CRIB FEES: Before
you request an extra rollaway, cot or crib check if there's an
extra charge. Many Orlando hotels offer rollaways and cribs
free, based on availability, while others levy a charge
beginning at $10 per night.
6. DECIDE IF PRICE OR TIME IS MOST IMPORTANT TO
YOU: There's a trade-off between time and money if you stay
at a hotel inside the Walt Disney Resort. Once you drive
inside the gates, the price of everything goes up...way up.
The best solution is to find a hotel right outside the gates
that's convenient to restaurants and stores. The additional
drive time to the theme parks won’t be more than ten minutes.
7. BEWARE OF ULTRA-CHEAP ORLANDO HOTELS:
Orlando hotel prices range from $45 and up. A small
difference in price can make a big difference in the comfort
and cleanliness of the hotel room, especially in the $45-$79
price range. It’s worth the money to pay a little more. Another
option is to check hotel websites like Hilton.com for specials. I
found a special offer on their website for a free Sunday night
with a minimum three night stay. We paid $180 total for three
nights at the comfortable and convenient DoubleTree Club
Hotel located at the entrance to the Disney World Resort. At
$60 a night, this was less than the rate advertised by several
run down hotels located along I-4.
8. ASK FOR FREE ORLANDO COUPON BOOKS AT THE
HOTEL FRONT DESK AND USE THEM: Orlando coupon
books offer a variety of money-saving opportunities from 2-
for-1 show tickets and dinners to worthwhile discounts on
food and drinks.
9. EAT MEALS OFF-SITE: All Orlando hotel restaurants,
cafes and snack bars are over-priced. Save money by
staying outside the Walt Disney World Resort and walking (if
you don't have a car) to nearby family restaurants. Stock up
on snacks and drinks at a grocery store so your family won't
be tempted by $2 packs of potato chips.
10. COMPARE PRICES ON THE INTERNET BEFORE
YOU BOOK AND ASK ABOUT FEES FOR 3RD AND 4TH
GUESTS: Room prices for Orlando hotels are all over the
place for any given night. Check several internet sites before
booking. After finding the best price, be sure to read the
site’s cancellation policies. Sometimes it’s better to pay more
and received a flexible cancellation policy. Most Orlando
hotels have a cancellation policy of 24 hours, but some can
be as great as 72 hours. Rates quoted are usually for two
adults, additional guests are somestimes charged an
additional fee per guest, per night. Some hotels charge for
3rd and 4th guests in a room, regardless of age. Remember-
what may sound like a bargain, may actually turn out to be an
expensive hotel room. Know your facts before you go so you
won't be surprised.
1. VISIT ORLANDO IN THE SHOULDER-SEASON-
Orlando doesn't really have an "off-season", but some times
are always busier than others. Try to avoid the hot summer
months, holidays, spring breaks, President's Day weekend
and mid-October.
2. WATCH FOR HIDDEN AND UNEXPECTED FEES:
Many Orlando hotels charge for local calls and all charge for
internet access. Never call long-distance direct from any hotel
room and be aware of Disney resort hotel's charge of .75 for
all local and toll-free(calling-card) calls. Most hotels charge
$9.95 per day for use of internet access. Also, watch out for
hidden fees such as one hotel's advertised "free in-room
computer." Yes, use of the computer is free, but the internet
charge is very expensive. Some of the larger hotels charge a
daily "resort" fee beginning at $5 per person, per day.
3. KNOW WHAT ROOM AMENITIES TO EXPECT:
Orlando hotels seem to missing a few common room
amenities we’ve learned to expect. Most Disney resort hotels
do not have refrigerators, though they can be requested for
an additional fee. Many other hotels do not have coffee
makers. To save money, bring along a cooler and a teapot.
4. USE FREE HOTEL SHUTTLES TO SAVE ON RENTAL
CAR CHARGES AND THEME PARK PARKING OF $8 PER
DAY: It is possible to visit Orlando without a rental car. Many
Orlando hotels provide free shuttle service from the airport
and almost all hotels provide free shuttles to the theme
parks.
5. BE AWARE OF ROLLAWAY/COT/CRIB FEES: Before
you request an extra rollaway, cot or crib check if there's an
extra charge. Many Orlando hotels offer rollaways and cribs
free, based on availability, while others levy a charge
beginning at $10 per night.
6. DECIDE IF PRICE OR TIME IS MOST IMPORTANT TO
YOU: There's a trade-off between time and money if you stay
at a hotel inside the Walt Disney Resort. Once you drive
inside the gates, the price of everything goes up...way up.
The best solution is to find a hotel right outside the gates
that's convenient to restaurants and stores. The additional
drive time to the theme parks won’t be more than ten minutes.
7. BEWARE OF ULTRA-CHEAP ORLANDO HOTELS:
Orlando hotel prices range from $45 and up. A small
difference in price can make a big difference in the comfort
and cleanliness of the hotel room, especially in the $45-$79
price range. It’s worth the money to pay a little more. Another
option is to check hotel websites like Hilton.com for specials. I
found a special offer on their website for a free Sunday night
with a minimum three night stay. We paid $180 total for three
nights at the comfortable and convenient DoubleTree Club
Hotel located at the entrance to the Disney World Resort. At
$60 a night, this was less than the rate advertised by several
run down hotels located along I-4.
8. ASK FOR FREE ORLANDO COUPON BOOKS AT THE
HOTEL FRONT DESK AND USE THEM: Orlando coupon
books offer a variety of money-saving opportunities from 2-
for-1 show tickets and dinners to worthwhile discounts on
food and drinks.
9. EAT MEALS OFF-SITE: All Orlando hotel restaurants,
cafes and snack bars are over-priced. Save money by
staying outside the Walt Disney World Resort and walking (if
you don't have a car) to nearby family restaurants. Stock up
on snacks and drinks at a grocery store so your family won't
be tempted by $2 packs of potato chips.
10. COMPARE PRICES ON THE INTERNET BEFORE
YOU BOOK AND ASK ABOUT FEES FOR 3RD AND 4TH
GUESTS: Room prices for Orlando hotels are all over the
place for any given night. Check several internet sites before
booking. After finding the best price, be sure to read the
site’s cancellation policies. Sometimes it’s better to pay more
and received a flexible cancellation policy. Most Orlando
hotels have a cancellation policy of 24 hours, but some can
be as great as 72 hours. Rates quoted are usually for two
adults, additional guests are somestimes charged an
additional fee per guest, per night. Some hotels charge for
3rd and 4th guests in a room, regardless of age. Remember-
what may sound like a bargain, may actually turn out to be an
expensive hotel room. Know your facts before you go so you
won't be surprised.
FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
SAVE MONEY ON ORLANDO HOTELS
SAVE MONEY ON ORLANDO HOTELS
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