Orlando in the summer holidays? This hack makes it affordable
A trip to Orlando, the ultimate family holiday, doesn't always come cheap. However, book last minute to visit during the school summer break and it's still possible to grab a bargain if you avoid staying in one of the theme parks' own hotels. It's Florida's hurricane season, so you should bring a lightweight rain poncho, but the landlocked city is rarely badly hit so you're more likely to suffer the odd heavy shower on otherwise hot, sunny days with temperatures in the early 30s.
• Read our full guide to Orlando
You'll stay at the Avanti International Resort on International Drive, which is a ten-minute drive to Universal Studios Florida and 15 minutes to Walt Disney World Resort. Seven nights' room-only, including flights from Gatwick with Norse Atlantic UK, costs £551pp for four with Thomas Cook, departing on July 30. A small under-seat bag and 10kg cabin bag is included, but you can add a 15kg hold bag for an extra £93 return. An Uber from the airport takes less than half an hour and costs about £30, or take the Lynx 42 bus, which runs every 20 minutes and stops right outside the hotel (£1; golynx.com).
The 652-room hotel is spread around a large palm-tree-lined outdoor pool complex, with fountains, waterfalls, a cocktail bar and a sandy beach area. Inside there's an arcade room, a lobby coffee shop serving Starbucks and an all-day café offering pizzas, in-room snacks and a children's menu. Rooms have a modern, minimal feel with chocolate brown wood and cream walls. There's a mini fridge for stashing snacks and drinks, and several supermarkets within a ten-minute drive, including a giant Walmart that stocks a huge range of Disney merchandise ideal for cut-price souvenirs.
• 16 of the best hotels in Orlando
You'll also save money getting to the theme parks. The hotel has a regular free shuttle to Disney and Universal but booking is essential and opens 24 hours in advance. It's tough — and pricey — to do both in a week so you'd be best to opt for one or the other. Disney World covers 43 square miles, has four separate theme parks and two waterparks, and launches its new nightly parade this July (ages 3-9 £467, over-10s £484 for 14-day tickets; disneyholidays.co.uk); Universal Studios has one waterpark and three theme parks, including the new Epic Universe that opened in May (ages 3-9 £435, over-10s £444 for 15-day tickets; universalorlando.com).
There's plenty to do near the hotel if you skip the big-name parks or just fancy a day off. Madame Tussauds (£22; madametussauds.com), Sea Life Orlando Aquarium (£22; visitsealife.com) and the 400ft-tall ferris wheel at Icon Park (£22; theorlandoeye.com) are all within 15 minutes' walk. So too are the Pointe Orlando outdoor mall, with its restaurants, cinema and VR centre, and the world's largest McDonald's, which has a two-storey play centre.
• How to save money (and time) at Disney World
Within half an hour's drive, you could also be spotting alligators on an airboat ride through Orlando's swamps (£41; spiritoftheswamp.com) or visiting the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve for gentle hiking trails, bobcat and bald eagle sightings and tranquil lakefront scenery (free; orangecountyfl.net).
This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue
• Return Gatwick-Orlando flights, departing on July 30• Seven nights' room-only at Avanti International Resort (thomascook.com)
Feeling flush? If you're inspired but you've got more cash to splash, you could try…
Double your money and you can stay in Universal's new Terra Luna Resort, which includes free transport to Universal's parks and an hour's early admission with a valid ticket. There's a large pool area, a coffee shop, a restaurant and poolside grill, a games room, a fire pit and outdoor films screened at night. Pizzas can be delivered straight to your room if you're exhausted from the rollercoasters. Rooms are space-themed, with blue galaxy-style murals and curved windows, and have two double beds for a family of four. Room keys allow all purchases across Universal Studios to be charged straight back to your room.Details Seven nights' room-only from £996pp for four, including flights (tui.co.uk)
More of a Disney disciple? Close to the action inside Disney's wildlife-themed Animal Kingdom — the largest of the four theme parks comprising Walt Disney World, and indeed the largest in the world — is the All-Star Music Resort. From giant jukeboxes to piano-shaped pools, this 1,700-room hotel certainly lives up to its name, and supplies a colourful marketplace-style food court to make dining flexible for families. Free shuttle buses take you around, including to the Disney Springs shopping and dining complex, while a 14-day pass is also included.Details Seven nights' room-only from £1,510pp for four, including flights and transfers (kenwoodtravel.co.uk)
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