If traveling costs a fortune, the traveler should take steps to make the voyage budget-friendly. A smart traveler is not the one who touches the horizons after spending huge money but the one who knows how to save while exploring the unexplored.
Florida nestles one of the most popular cities in the world, Orlando- popular for its theme parks, especially Walt Disney World. For tourists looking forward to exploring Orlando and its popular theme parks, establishing a base in Kissimmee could become the wisest decision.
Kissimmee is Orlando’s friendly next-door neighbor and offers many advantages, especially when it comes to budget traveling. In terms of tourist expenses, Kissimmee ranks below Orlando. As per reports, Orlando is slightly above the national average, while Kissimmee is slightly below. Tourists can enjoy the voyage to the Magic World and its neighborhood and explore the state’s finest scenery without breaking the bank by staying at Kissimmee.
Here are the top reasons that make Kissimmee the better bang for your buck.
Great Accommodations At Lesser Price
Being accommodation savvy can help you save money and make the expedition economic.
Staying in Orlando with family could be a costly affair. The reason behind this is the high prices of accommodations in the city. On the contrary, Kissimmee offers a wide range of lodging to suit all budget ranges. Whether the tourist is looking for resorts, hotels, condos, or self-catering villas, Kissimmee has something for everyone. The best part is that travelers can find the most family-friendly options in proximity to Orlando’s top attractions.
Several chain hotels and resorts are under $ 100 per night in and around the city. Mostly they are located along Highway 192. However, as the travelers move towards the west that abodes Disney attractions, they can witness a surge in price that gets almost double at Orlando.
Travelers can check some of the best and most affordable properties along the western shore of Lake Rianhard, where rooms start at about $ 150 per night. It is a great location surrounded by pedestrian trails, water, and great dining options.
Reasonably Priced Food Options
Just like accommodations, eating at Orlando could be a costly affair too. Purchasing food at theme parks adds to the budget greatly. So, it is better to avoid it. Although there are multiple food joints, eateries, and plush hotels, all are expensive compared to restaurants and cafés at Kissimmee. So, if the tourist is staying at Kissimmee, he can enjoy the meals without digging a hole in the pocket.
At Kissimmee, travelers can find a variety of food options. There are multiple food options to explore, from Asian delicacies and Filipino food to vegetarian and gluten-free menus. Travelers can find great barbeque stations, coffee cafes, and restaurants offering an assortment of soups, salads, steaks, appetizers, seafood, and what not to whet the appetite. The best part is everything is cheaper than what travelers will find in Orlando. Since Orlando witnesses families with kids, all restaurants at Kissimmee are kids-friendly with a casual and laid-back environment.
If the traveler is staying in a rental room instead of a hotel, it can contribute to reducing the cost of food. Travelers can cook by themselves and enjoy their very own homemade meals.
Easy To Commute To Popular Attractions
Since Kissimmee is located in proximity to Orlando, around 22.3 miles apart, travelers can easily commute to the theme parks and other sightseeing options in and around the area. The distance from Kissimmee to major attractions are:
- Disney World - 13 miles
- Universal Studios - 17 miles
- Epcot - 15 miles
- SeaWorld - 11 miles
Tourists can reach downtown Orlando from Kissimmee by taxi, bus, or train. Rental cars are also available, but they are expensive compared to other ways of commuting.
If travelers plan to stay in Orlando, many hotels offer complimentary rides to less popular attractions. But choosing to stay in Orlando just to get free complimentary rides is not a smart decision. It would cost way more than staying at Kissimmee.
Tips For Budget-Friendly Stay At Orlando
Even though Kissimmee is inexpensive and offers multiple advantages over Orlando, some vacationers still yearn to stay in the Sunshine State and witness the beauty of a crowded and busier city. For such travelers, the points below will help make the stay pocket-friendly.
- Plan vacation at Orlando in the low season - Avoid visiting Orlando in the peak season (March to April, June to August, and Mid December to early January). It will ensure the shortest wait times and the best prices in the theme parks in Orlando.
- Book tickets in advance - Booking tickets ahead of time no matter what season you visit can help in many ways. Likewise, tourists can buy a Go City Orlando Explorer Pass and access other attractions at a discounted rate.
- Opt for a rental room - Renting a room instead of paying heftily in hotels is a wise decision, especially with large families or groups. It is way cheaper than spending on multiple hotel rooms.
- Save on food - Avoid buying food from theme parks. Instead, pack your own food, or stopping at a restaurant before or after the visit to the park is recommended to save some extra bucks.
- Skip the rental car - Save money on transportation costs by using complimentary shuttle services that most hotels offer. Access I-ride Trolley that offers unlimited rides for only $5 per day.
Visiting the theme parks in Orlando is on the bucket list of most families. Even though it costs huge, millions of families visit Orlando every year, making it the most visited theme park in the world. The attendance reached 4.1 million in 2020.
Consider Kissimmee a family-friendly and pocket-friendly base for exploring the region. Once the tourists are done with the theme parks, they can stroll through Kissimmee’s downtown, enjoy old-fashioned amusement parks, dine in great restaurants and get some pretty souvenirs from antique shops.