Last minute extreme budget Orlando trip.

[lucigo]

We have decided today to drive down to Orlando (7 hrs away) on Thursday to spend my oldest's 22nd birthday with her. She just started college down there at UCF a month ago and hasn't really made any friends yet and I just can't stand the idea of her spending her birthday alone!

My husband is a teacher who hasn't gotten paid yet this school year so things are very slim...I need some cheap and free ideas on what to do for the weekend. We will stay at her apartment so don't need lodging, and we are Florida residents/retired military if that helps with finding discounts. Outside of Disney I have no idea what to do! LOL

We do have several 1-day Disney park tickets, I'm just not sure if I'm ready to upgrade them yet.

 

[Purseval]

Walking around Downtown Disney is free. If you have 1 day Disney park tickets you don't have to upgrade them, just spend 1 day at a Disney park and don't buy anything inside the gates.

Just out of curiosity, what part of northern FL is 7 hours away from Orlando? We live above Atlanta and can make it to Orlando in 7 hours.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

You could go to DTD, have dinner at Earl of Sandwich (somehow I feel like that's the most bang for the buck in terms of dinner, not sure if others agree) walk around, exploring, and then take the bus to the Poly and watch the fireworks from the beach.

Although if you have the tickets, why not use them? Do you have enough for everyone?

 

[lucigo]

Walking around Downtown Disney is free. If you have 1 day Disney park tickets you don't have to upgrade them, just spend 1 day at a Disney park and don't buy anything inside the gates.

Just out of curiosity, what part of northern FL is 7 hours away from Orlando? We live above Atlanta and can make it to Orlando in 7 hours.

We are just outside Pensacola, I think other than Key West its probably as far as you can live from Disney and still be a Florida resident! I have considered just using one of our passes, but I know we will want to go see the Christmas lights, so would like to at LEAST get a 4-day pass out of it, not sure if they are even offering them right now.

 

[smileycrissy]

I agree with going to DTD. You get the Disney dose without having to go into a park.

Or check out the Boardwalk. There a few restaurants there. And since she's turning 22, I would suggest Jellyrolls (its dueling pianos) for the evening. Its on the boardwalk and its soo much fun!! The cover charge is $10 each and the drinks range in prices but the entertainment is phenomal. You can check a fed you tube vides to get idea of what its like. I went with my DF for our anniversary and we had so much fun.

 

[happily single]

Downtown Disney. Right now Resturants.com has House of Blues gift certificates for only a few dollars. I think the only rule was that you could not use them for the Gosspel Brunch.

 

[lucigo]

I agree with going to DTD. You get the Disney dose without having to go into a park.

Or check out the Boardwalk. There a few restaurants there. And since she's turning 22, I would suggest Jellyrolls (its dueling pianos) for the evening. Its on the boardwalk and its soo much fun!! The cover charge is $10 each and the drinks range in prices but the entertainment is phenomal. You can check a fed you tube vides to get idea of what its like. I went with my DF for our anniversary and we had so much fun.

I will have my 19yo son and 7yo sons with me also, is Jellyrolls a bar?

 

[lucigo]

Downtown Disney. Right now Resturants.com has House of Blues gift certificates for only a few dollars. I think the only rule was that you could not use them for the Gosspel Brunch.

Ohh thats a good idea, I will look for the certificates, thanks!

 

[G's mommy]

I will have my 19yo son and 7yo sons with me also, is Jellyrolls a bar?

Jellyrolls is a piano bar,I believe it's for adults 21+ only.

 

[G's mommy]

oops double post

 

[disneyhand]

The Universal Studios Boardwalk area has a fun atmosphere, lot's of shops and restaurants etc. We loved eating at Margaritaville.

 

[goofydebi]

I'm in Pensacola and want to take a budget trip this year and thinking I am just going to go for the weekend and go to the Outlet Center (only for the disney outlet though) then downtown disney. I have also spent a day just looking at other resorts since we always stay in a value resort. If you're like me just being in the atmosphere of orlando makes me happy.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

What about the beach? With a wide range of ages, a picnic at Cocoa Beach might be a really nice family bonding time, and all it would cost you is gas (since I presume you'd be eating anyway if you stayed at home).

If you're coming back to WDW at Christmas, I might choose to do something totally different for this trip.

 

[stacy347]

Our trip this past May was very budget as well, but we found a lot of fun things to do that didn't add much to the cost.

Boardwalk ~ this is beautiful in the evening and the entertainment outside is a blast...the night we went there was a juggler and he was a riot!

Downtown Disney ~ get your free Ghirardelli chocolate samples and sometimes you'll get some free entertainment here, too. The night we went, there were stilt walkers, a hula hoop contest and a concert by a school group (they were great!)

Resort exploring ~ we especially loved Animal Kingdom Lodge and we spent an entire evening here looking at the animals and talking to the CMs from Africa. If you go here, be sure to pop into Mara for a tray of Zebra Domes...yum!!

That is really sweet of you to make sure your DD isn't alone on her 21st birthday ~ hope you all have a great visit!

 

[jenseib]

If you have enough 1 day tickets for everyone, I would let DD pick the park she wants to vist and go for the day. I like the beach idea too. I would definately check out AKL. Do it late afternnon and then use the nightvision binoculars to see the animals at night as well.
You could also head over to Fort Wilderness one evening and to the campfire and watch the movie.

 

[lucigo]

The Universal Studios Boardwalk area has a fun atmosphere, lot's of shops and restaurants etc. We loved eating at Margaritaville.

We are going to check into this, have been to DTD many times but never to US Boardwalk, thanks for the idea!

I'm in Pensacola and want to take a budget trip this year and thinking I am just going to go for the weekend and go to the Outlet Center (only for the disney outlet though) then downtown disney. I have also spent a day just looking at other resorts since we always stay in a value resort. If you're like me just being in the atmosphere of orlando makes me happy.

We will hit the outlets too, and probably the mall (Cheesecake factory) and IKEA. We may end up eating at Boma or Ohana for her birthday dinner - going to let her decide!

What about the beach? With a wide range of ages, a picnic at Cocoa Beach might be a really nice family bonding time, and all it would cost you is gas (since I presume you'd be eating anyway if you stayed at home).

If you're coming back to WDW at Christmas, I might choose to do something totally different for this trip.

We are from Pensacola, so we have a beach here, actually much nicer than Cocoa Beach IMO. LOL But thanks, its a good idea! I would LOVE to go over and jump on a cruise ship!

Our trip this past May was very budget as well, but we found a lot of fun things to do that didn't add much to the cost.

Boardwalk ~ this is beautiful in the evening and the entertainment outside is a blast...the night we went there was a juggler and he was a riot!

Downtown Disney ~ get your free Ghirardelli chocolate samples and sometimes you'll get some free entertainment here, too. The night we went, there were stilt walkers, a hula hoop contest and a concert by a school group (they were great!)

Resort exploring ~ we especially loved Animal Kingdom Lodge and we spent an entire evening here looking at the animals and talking to the CMs from Africa. If you go here, be sure to pop into Mara for a tray of Zebra Domes...yum!!

That is really sweet of you to make sure your DD isn't alone on her 21st birthday ~ hope you all have a great visit!

All great ideas, and Zebra Domes are her FAVORITE! We haven't ever done the Luau, is it worth the time/money?

If you have enough 1 day tickets for everyone, I would let DD pick the park she wants to vist and go for the day. I like the beach idea too. I would definately check out AKL. Do it late afternnon and then use the nightvision binoculars to see the animals at night as well.
You could also head over to Fort Wilderness one evening and to the campfire and watch the movie.

We have visited AKL, but not Fort Wilderness, will have to pull out the Passporter and take a look, could be fun! Thanks!

 

[dfchelbay]

I would go to downtown Disney and do a little walking around and window shopping. Maybe from there, you can take a Disney bus to the TTC and hop on the monorail and get off at each hotel and see the halloween decorations they may have. Go to the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian and back to the TTC. Then, hop on the Epcot monorail and take it for a spin.

You can always get off the monorail at the Magic Kingdom and ride the boat to Wilderness Lodge and walk around or take the boat to Fort Wilderness Campground. You can walk around there, look at the horses WDW uses in the parades and on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. If you're at Fort Wilderness just before dark you can go to the Chip and Dale Campfire Sing-a-Long, then watch the outdoor movie. You'll also be amazed at all the decorating the campers do on their sites for Halloween. It's great to just walk around and look at their decorations.

The best thing about all the things mentioned above is that they are all free, and you can get a little Disney mini-fix.

 

[disneysmiles]

Definately go to the front desk at your favorite Deluxe themed resort. Ask for the a list of activities. We did night vision at AKL it was so cool. You def don't need to be staying there either. Or you can check out the animal overlooks and talk to the guides there. They are sooo friendly.

 

[twirler324]

Great post- thanks for sharing these tips!!