| Going on vacation can be very costly if you | | | | The Gaylord Hotel is a great place to visit. Parking is |
| don’t do your research before you go. | | | | not always free but if you have a group of people it |
| There’s the transportation, the lodging, where to | | | | definitely pays for it self. Designed after the famous |
| eat, and what to do. Today we’ll discuss free | | | | Gaylord Hotel in Nashville but with a Floridian flare. |
| things to do when visiting Orlando. | | | | It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors inside |
| If you are staying close to Disney World but not in a | | | | year round. The entire center area of the hotel is |
| Disney hotel, you can still enjoy the Disney amenities | | | | covered by a giant glass ceiling. There are lots of |
| for yourself for free. You can park at any of the | | | | tress, waterfalls, and a ship that sits on the water |
| Disney hotels and use the free transportation to | | | | and doubles as a restaurant. You can easily walk |
| travel to and from the individual resorts. The themed | | | | around for 2 to 3 hours with out getting bored. |
| resorts like the Royal Pacific, The Wilderness Lodge, | | | | If you like to shop, there’s the Mall at Millennia, |
| and the Grand Floridian are enjoyable to walk through. | | | | The Florida Mall, and The Fashion Square Mall all close |
| You can take the monorail to and from the Grand | | | | by. It’s only free if you don’t buy anything. |
| Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. The hotels also have | | | | Park Avenue in Winter Park is just north of down |
| different decorations depending on the time of year. | | | | town Orlando and is a beautiful place to slow down |
| Down Town Disney is free and offers a lot to enjoy. | | | | and enjoy the atmosphere. Visit the unique shopping |
| There are the Disney stores, other fun shops and | | | | and high end stores as you take in beauty of the |
| the river area. You can take a boat ride through the | | | | tree lined streets. It’s free to look. |
| river and see the beautifully landscaped Disney hotels | | | | Harry P.Leu Gardens isn’t free but I thought I |
| as you pass. The boat from Down Town Disney to | | | | would let you know about it. It is only around $4 a |
| Port Orleans takes an average of 30 minutes and is | | | | person and is worth the small investment. Located |
| free top ride. Port Orleans is also very beautiful and | | | | just north of down town Orlando off of Virginia |
| looks like houses from the late 1800’s in Gone | | | | Drive, it takes you right out of the city while still |
| With The Wind. | | | | being in the city. Walk the path of beautiful native |
| Old Town in Kissimmee is only 10 minutes from | | | | Florida landscape and stop to smell the roses in one |
| Disney and is a lot of fun. They have lots of stores, | | | | of Central Florida’s largest Rose gardens. Take |
| rides like bumper cars, go carts, and thrill rides. It is | | | | the tour of Leu Gardens house that is included in |
| free to park and walk around. There is Crusin on | | | | admission. |
| Saturday nights. They average 400 entries of classic | | | | There are lots of state parks in Florida and many are |
| hot rod and crusin cars. Grab a spot on Main Street | | | | free, the ones that aren’t don’t cost very |
| and watch the cars cruise by. | | | | much though. Visit Big Tree Park in Longwood which |
| Celebration is right next to old town and is not just a | | | | is 15 minutes north of downtown Orlando if you |
| town but an experience. Enter the most perfect | | | | want to see the oldest Cypress Tree on record at |
| place on Earth. The houses are well manicured and all | | | | over 2,000 years old. |
| sit perfectly inline going down the street. Walk | | | | Lake Eola in down town Orlando is a great place to |
| around the down town area and enjoy the stores, | | | | walk as you can walk around the entire lake in less |
| music, and the movies if you have time. It’s free | | | | than an hour. Take in the natural beauty of the |
| to park and walk around. | | | | historic trees along with the skyscrapers that circle |
| If you are staying close to Universal Studios and | | | | the lake. |
| Orlando, there are lots of free things to do here as | | | | Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs Uptown Park is a |
| well. Universal City Walk is always free to walk | | | | free enjoyable experience. It is located about 20 |
| around and parking is free after 6pm. There are | | | | minutes north of down town Orlando but is worth |
| plenty of shops to keep you busy for a couple of | | | | the visit. It is a well decorated park that circles |
| hours. Visit the Hard Rock Hotel, The Pacific Island | | | | Cranes Roost Lake. Walk across the long boardwalk |
| Resort, and The Portofino Hotel while you are there. | | | | that crosses the lake while you listen to |
| They are all well designed and are a great way to | | | | contemporary music playing in the back ground. |
| have casual conversation with your friends. Universal | | | | There are many other free things to do in Orlando |
| also has a free boat service that will take you from | | | | just get creative. You might have the experience of |
| City Walk to the different hotels. | | | | a life time. |