1.    The Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center

This Central Florida gem features several acres of indoor gardens, all under a glass roof. You can spend hours taking in the fresh tropical smells and listening to the relaxing waterfalls. The gardens and the winding walking paths are multi-story, and the space includes a small indoor lake with a ship-turned-restaurant, lots of waterfalls and breathtaking overlooks. One section of the gardens, called Gator Springs, has reptiles and alligators on display, and you can watch specialists from nearby Gatorland feed the animals three nights a week. Admission is free, and parking costs about $10. Not at all bad for a few hours of wholesome family fun.

2.    The Windsor Palms Resort

My vacation home, the Orlando Retreat, is located in this five-star resort. As a guest, you are granted free use of the resort facilities. Families can easily spend two days enjoying all the free amenities, which include:

• 58-Seat Movie Theater
• Fully-Equipped Fitness Center
• Billiards and Pool Tables
• Basketball, Volleyball and Tennis Courts
• Picnic Area with BBQ Grills
• Internet Café
• Sony Wii Room
• Olympic-Sized Swimming Pool

3.    The 192 Flea Market

While it might cost you something to get out of the market with the new treasures you find, it doesn’t cost anything to browse, and you can find some great bargains inside. Each year, my family loves to make several trips to the 192 Flea Market, and I’m not sure if it’s the deals or the curiosity that keeps us coming back. You never know what you’re going to find, and if you have need of anything sold on late night TV infomercials, you are sure to find it for a deal here. It’s actually a lot of fun, and remember, please don’t pay sticker price. All of the vendors are ready to cut a deal. Everyone should visit this unusual market at least once. You may find yourself going back.

4.    Portofino Bay Hotel

Every five minutes, a boat leaves CityWalk bound for the Portofino. This hotel offers a taste of Italy that can only be rivaled by a trip to Venice. The 10-minute boat ride is a blast, and the kids are sure to enjoy the trip. Once you’ve arrived, explore the hotel and see the sights of Italy. Have your passport stamped during your travels, and don’t forget to stop for lunch at one of several great Italian restaurants.

5.    The Beach

From Orlando, you can drive one hour to the east and you’ll be soaking up the rays on Cocoa Beach. Drive 90 minutes to the west and you’ll find yourself on the white sand beaches of Clearwater. Either way, you’re sure to have a great time for little to no cost. If you’re staying at my house, we have the beach toys and towels. All you need is suntan lotion.

6.    Chelsea Premium Outlets

You can find more than 150 shops in this large, open-air shopping center, including everything from familiar brands like Gap, Nike and Ralph Lauren to upscale boutiques such as Coach, Barney’s and Ferragamo. You can get all your beach essentials at PacSun, Crocs and Sunglass Hut. Choose from more than a dozen places for lunch or a quick snack. Chelsea also features Disney Character Premiere, where licensed Disney goods including costumes to jewelry, from Barbie dolls to Beach towels, from coffee mugs to clothes can be purchased at a discount. If you’re looking for souvenirs and want to save, Chelsea Premium Outlets are a fantastic resource.

7.    Downtown Disney

This area really does feature something for everyone, from kid-friendly Disney Princess makeover stations to some of the hottest clubs and dining experiences around. The sprawling entertainment complex has more than 100 stores, restaurants and theaters. While you are there, be sure to visit the enormous replica of the Loch Ness monster, which is made entirely of Lego blocks and lives in the small lake next to Lego Imagination Center. It costs nothing to play, and you’ll have access to one of the largest collections of Lego blocks around. Let your children spend hours building whatever their imagination will allow.

8.    Universal CityWalk

This entertainment hotspot is great for families or couples. And while there are some fine dining establishments that can raise the price of a trip to CityWalk, there’s also more economical choices. The Meal and Movie Deal gets dinner at a popular restaurant and tickets to a first-run movie at the Universal Cineplex all for just $21.95. Still less expensive — or even free — is the enjoyable option of strolling through the shops and stopping to watch the people go by.

9.   Look for the Strange Stuff

Orlando is full of interesting things that might not take all day to visit but are still worth a look. Gatorland, a reptile preserve south of Orlando where you walk through a gator’s jaws to enter, a McDonald’s restaurant along International Drive that looks like a giant box of fries, and 8-foot-tall M&Ms with faces – this is the stuff of memorable family photos. If you already have a pass to your local science museum, you’ll likely get free admission into the Orlando Science Center. You can walk through the human digestive system, beginning under an arch of lips and teeth, and end – well, it’s not quite what you’d think. Before you head to Orlando, visit your local library and check out a copy of Weird Florida by Charlie Carlson. In this book you’ll find all sorts of strange and interesting things either in Orlando or just a short drive away.

10.   Putt-Putt Golf

This one isn’t free but it is really close. It’s hard to travel a single block on Route 192 without seeing a miniature golf course. It took me many years of visiting Disney before I finally stopped at one of these places. Now it’s on our must-do list every year. We have made so many good memories, because it brings the entire family together to do something we’d never have time to do at home. The few dollars is a mere investment into good times with your family & friends.

I hope we can help you build some of these great memories for yourself, if you are looking for a place to stay please check out our vacation house.

Having been to Orlando many times I quickly got tired of paying gate price for all the attractions tickets and I vowed never sit though a time share presentation again.  I tried several ticket brokers and found them to be pushy and even dishonest at times, that is until I meet Billy of Billy Boys Discount Tickets.

Billy took the time to answer my questions, and he even found a cheaper rate, after I’d paid. He promptly refunded the diffrence without my even asking. They are located right across from the Medieval Times Dinner Theater on highway 192.  I can’t recommend these guys enough, they save me money on every trip. You can in person or online directly from Billy’s website. Either way, once you meet Billy and his staff you will never pay gate price again.

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