How to Get Into Orlando Attractions for Free or a Discount

Orlando has become a hot spot for tourism with its popular attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. While some things in Orlando are free, other attractions cost big money and can punch a hole in your vacation budget. With attraction options like dinner shows, helicopter rides, museums and theme parks, the competition for your tourism dollar is stiff. If you know where to look, however, you can save bundles of money on your next Orlando getaway.

Tips For You

1. Order a planning kit from the Orlando Visitors Bureau online by filling out and submitting a short form. The Orlando Vacation Planning Kit includes attraction brochures, a calendar of events, accommodation recommendations and a Magicard that can save you up to $500 on Orlando area attractions.
2. Purchase an Orlando Entertainment Book. Although you have to pay for it, the Entertainment Book offers special deals like buy-one-get-one-free offers that are well worth the cost if you plan to take your family to several Orlando attractions.
3. 3heck online websites of the Orlando attractions you plan to visit during your stay. Many attractions offer specials when booking in advance or online. Not only can you print your tickets conveniently from your printer, you can also skip the ticket lines when you arrive.
4. Check the tourist brochure racks of your hotel lobby. These racks are loaded with attraction ideas and discounts to Orlando's popular and local "hole-in-the-wall" attractions like jazz and comedy clubs.
5. Plan your vacation during off-peak times. Orlando attractions such as Disney and Universal Studios offer significant discounts on admission during slow vacation periods like May and September. Check attraction websites for promotions and specials.

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How to Get Discount Tickets to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida

The price of the tickets to many attractions in popular tourist destinations, such as Orlando, Florida, can be quite high. However, if you know what attractions you are interested in before you go, you can do some research and find deals where you can get a discount on these attractions. If you will be going to SeaWorld on your Orlando vacation, there are several ways to get a discount and avoid paying full price for your tickets.



Tips For You

1. Use a coupon code when you purchase your SeaWorld tickets online before your trip. These codes can be found at sites, such as MouseSavers.com and RetailMeNot.com. The codes change, so check often.
2. Show your ticket at the SeaWorld ticket window to receive a second visit for free during the next seven days. This offer cuts the price of your ticket in half if you are intending to go more than once during the week.
3. Show your rewards card from Southwest Airlines. This card qualifies you for a discount on tickets purchased at the SeaWorld gate. The rewards card is free to anyone and allows you to get a discount on up to four tickets.
4. Use your American Automobile Association membership to get discounts on your tickets. You can get these discounts online, from your local AAA office, AAA offices in Orlando or at the gate.
5. Show your military ID to receive free tickets to SeaWorld. A valid military ID grants access to up to three of your dependents as well as yourself.
6. Visit the SeaWorld website to find promotions for buying your tickets ahead of time. The promotions may change, so check back frequently.
7. Purchase multi-park tickets to receive a discount. If you will also be going to Busch Gardens, Aquatica or Discovery Cove, you can buy a two-day ticket to both parks at a discounted rate.
8. Show a valid Florida resident ID to receive a discount on your tickets. If you are a Florida resident and purchase your tickets online with a credit card that has a billing address in Florida, you will receive a discount. You must show a valid Florida ID when you use the tickets, however. Florida residents can also purchase the "Florida Fun" card which offers discounts on SeaWorld tickets.
9. Purchase an Orlando FlexTicket. These tickets include admission to SeaWorld, as well as numerous other parks. If you will be visiting for an extended amount of time and would like to visit many of the parks listed on this ticket, it will provide you with a lower cost admission per park. These tickets give you unlimited admission to all of the parks listed for 14 days.

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Golf Courses Within 15 Miles of Orlando, Florida

Sunny days and mild winter temperatures make golf an exceedingly popular pastime in Central Florida all times of the year, so much so that links legends like Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam call the area home. Dozens of golf courses dot the region's landscape, and a few within 15 miles of downtown Orlando have been known to attract PGA pros -- making the city one of the top destinations in the country for dedicated duffers.

The Big Challenge

• If you want to go where all the pros play, Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge is Orlando's premier course. The Challenger/Champion course has been one of the most popular stops on the PGA tour since the 1970s and is host to the Arnold Palmer Invitational each spring. The 270-acre course runs along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes, meaning water hazards are ever-present challenges. The water and bold sand bunkers make this among the most challenging courses in Central Florida. You must either be a member or stay at the club's resort to play, but it's well worth the expense to play a round on these storied links.

Golf's Attraction

• The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club may be nestled amongst Disney resorts and theme parks, but this is no kiddie course. The Rees-Jones-designed links wind through wetlands and stands of pine and cypress trees, making it one of the most scenic courses in the area. Water hazards and old-school sand traps offer plenty of challenges to all skill levels. You don't have to be a hotel guest to play the 7,108-yard course, and you can enjoy lunch and drinks at the Clubhouse Grille after your round.

Neighborhood Links

• Nestled in a quaint neighborhood in northern Orlando, Dubsdread is the oldest public golf course in the greater Orlando area. These links were designed in 1923 and renovated in 2006, and have seen the likes of PGA pros Sam Snead and Ben Hogan swing their clubs here. Dubsdread is a lighter challenge than other area courses, making it perfect for novices and casual duffers. The driving range is open until 10 p.m., and an on-site restaurant serves food and drinks.

Dream Greens

• Sitting just 1 mile from the Orange County Convention Center, Shingle Creek Golf Club attracts business travelers and locals alike. The large greens are considered some of the best in Orlando. Add plentiful water hazards -- the namesake creek runs the length of the club -- and this is a challenging set of links for any skill level. Balancing out the difficulty, an abundance of straight fairways keeps it from being a pro-only set of links. Brad Brewer, named a top-100 instructor by Golf Magazine, runs the on-site Brad Brewer Golf Academy to help improve your game.

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What to Do in Orlando, Florida

Orlando is the land of the theme park and the home of the most famous mouse in the world, however you're not limited to theme activities when you visit "the city beautiful." Whether you want Disney, a thrilling adventure, a relaxing oasis, a cultural jaunt or anything in between, Orlando, Fla., has something that caters to the every whim of discerning travelers.

Disney Dominates

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  As one of the top tourist destinations globally, Walt Disney World is a must-visit spot. With four main parks, two water parks, an entertainment complex, golf courses and countless hotels, you could spend weeks here and never get bored. In addition to the normal park festivities, there are several special events throughout the year including Food and Wine and Flower and Garden Festivals at Epcot, and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom. Also stop by to see the Disney-created town of Celebration where you will find a charming downtown with a crystal blue lake front and many shops and restaurants to explore.

Where Cartoons and Super Heroes Meet

• Spiderman, Popeye, Harry Potter, the Cat in the Hat and many others come together to form an epic adventure experience at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Spend your days dueling baddies and helping X-Men save the world and your nights at one of the many nightlife attractions, like Hard Rock Live or Red Coconut Club at City Walk. It's a hotspot for locals and tourists alike where you can let loose and be a kid again.
• Birdies, Bogeys and Bunkers Oh My

• If you love the slice of the ball and the feel of a freshly cut green under your feet, Orlando is a premier destination for you. Professionals, the weekend golfer and everyone in between throw their clubs in the trunk and head out for paradise in 18 holes. Check out the Grand Cypress Golf Club designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus or the newly built Shingle Creek Golf Club. If you really want to blow your budget and experience golf at its finest, visit Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, just know you can't get a tee time unless you're a member or staying at the lodge. With almost 200 courses to choose from in the Orlando area, there is something for everyone.

Everything's Waiting for You Downtown

• The Orlando downtown may be small, but that's part of the charm. No need for a car here because everything is within walking distance. Watch the Orlando Magic take on basketball's superstars or rock out at a concert at the Amway Arena. Just a block away you'll run into Church Street Station, a bevy of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, including Chillers, Big Belly and the rooftop Latitudes, with three floors of dancing and good times. The party continues on Wall Street where you'll find a blocked off street lined with bars and clubs featuring live bands at the end every weekend night. For a more relaxed time during the day, Lake Eola is the perfect spot for a picnic, a jog or a ride in a swan boat, and there's a farmers market every Sunday with vendors selling fresh produce, gourmet food, crafts and more.

The Wild, the Zany, and Everything Else

• If you're looking for something a little different than the big-name fantasy parks, Orlando delivers. Sea World tops the list, where you can see Shamu fly through the air and soak visitors who get too close. If you're in need of a religious moment, the Holy Land Experience makes the Bible come alive with live religiously themed shows. And you couldn't come to Orlando without spending some time with the local wildlife at Gatorland. On hot days, be one of the many to flock to water parks like Wet 'n Wild, or stay dry at Fun Spot where you can launch yourself over 250 ft. in the air on the Sky Coaster. International Drive, or I-Drive, is home to an abundance of attractions, like Wonderworks, the upside-down building full of interactive games and activities. Stop into the Pointe Orlando outdoor shopping center for restaurants like Tommy Bahama. Follow the flashing lights and you are sure to find entertainment for all.

From Broadway to Butterflies

• Culture is never far away with so many museums and theaters to choose from. The Orlando Science Center hosts interactive activities like Dino Digs where you can unearth your own fossils. Bob Carr Theater provides a constant schedule of the hottest broadway shows, and Orlando Shakespeare Theater is not just for Romeo and Juliet. There are a plethora of children's plays and contemporary productions as well. Harry P. Leu Gardens awakens your senses at any time of year with blooming roses, fluttering butterflies and countless other local flora varieties, and the Orlando Museum of Art exhibits everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary pieces including works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O'Keeffe.

The Three Rs of Orlando

• Relaxation, Resorts and Retail round out a true Orlando experience. For shopping, tourists flock to one of the many outlet malls. If you're looking for ritzy with your retail, head to the Mall at Millenia to empty your wallet at stores like Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. After a long day of spending, it's time to relax at one of the many resorts and spas. Numerous hotels have great on-site spas, including Poseidon Spa at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Downtown, or really splurge and head to the Ritz Carlton for a cabana and spa package. Many of the hotels in the area are attractions themselves with multiple swimming pools and on-site activities and entertainment. The J.W. Marriott has a tropical lazy river and lots of things to do for the kids.

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The Best Days to Visit Universal's Islands of Adventure Orlando Theme Park

If you want to maximize your time exploring Harry Potter's world or watching Spider-Man defeat the Green Goblin at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure, it helps to plan your journey in advance. Experts say you can skip some of the biggest crowds by visiting on certain days and weeks, and also by getting there early

No Matter What, Buy in Advance

• Forget the lines inside the park -- during busier times you may have to wait as long as an hour just to buy tickets to gain admission. An easy way to avoid this annoyance is buying your tickets in advance on the Universal Orlando website or by calling the ticket line at 407-224-7840. As an added bonus, you get a discount off the gate price on any multi-day tickets purchases online. You can buy your tickets literally minutes in advance of your visit, and can pick up your ducats at the will-call kiosks near the gates.

Best Days of the Week

• Frommer's recommends treating either Universal Orlando park the same: your best bet to avoid the larger crowds is by touring on a Thursday or Friday. Crowds are heaviest on weekends, with a "somewhat fast" pace Monday through Wednesday, Frommer's says. That's because many Orlando visitors began their exploration of the Universal and Disney parks on the weekend, finishing their vacation in the middle of the week.

Slower Seasons and Weeks

• Just as certain days are better, certain weeks are too. Most find that the week after Labor Day, just as summer vacation ends and school begins anew, is one of the best times for minimal crowds. Most weeks of October are good times to visit, as are the weeks after Thanksgiving until mid-December. You'll absolutely want to avoid weeks during spring break (generally mid-March to mid-April), where all Orlando theme parks tend to see the greatest influx of patrons.

Managing Your Day in the Park

• Plan your day using some practical tips to aid in your enjoyment of Islands of Adventure. For one, get there early. Arrive an hour in advance to park and walk to the entrance gate so you'll be one of the first in the park (if you haven't paid extra for a front-of-line access ticket.) Don't plan to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter until later in the day for two reasons: Universal hotel guests get early access to it, and most visitors rush to this back-of-the-park feature first. Instead, ride the popular attractions at the front of the park before the lines grow long in the afternoon. These include the Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges.

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