Born and raised in Florida this list in comprised of all my favorite cheap places to go and cheap things to do with my family.
Some places and ideas listed are just one or two hours of fun and some are all day fun!
(All prices,dates and times should be verified before visiting. Please verify with venue websites where applicable)
In front of the Gaylord Palms Orlando
Gaylord Palms Resort
6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center
In the Everglades at Gaylord Palms Resort
In the Everglades at Gaylord Palms Resort
This Hotel is amazing! Over the years they have added a huge Water Park open to hotel guests only. Bummer for those of us who don't want to drop $200.00 or more a night to stay there. Even so, there are a bunch of other FREE things to do at this hotel! Visit the Sawgrass Place where there are snakes and baby alligators. In the Gator Springs there are juvenile gators and turtles to watch. At the Key West there are daily fish feedings. See the Flagler College Bell Tower and read it's History. At the Catilla de San Marcos you can view a small scale replicas of original built in 1672. While there be sure to see the Treasures of the Atocha which were lost in 1622 and discovered in 1985. In the everglades you will enjoy Florida in a more natural state. In Key West you can see the S.S. Gaylord, a 60-foot schooner and a 161,000 gallon Lagoon filled with snapper, stingrays tarpon and more!
Hours of Operation:
Open Year round
Key West Fish feedings at 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday
See an alligator hatch-ling up close on Monday, Wednesday and Friday right after the Key West fish feedings.
Alligator Feedings 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.
Cost:
Parking is $10 to $20 can be validated if you dine at a restaurant but eating here can be pricey.
Touring the hotel and watching the feedings is FREE!
Give Kids the World Gingerbread House
Give Kids the World- Volunteering
210 South Bass Road Kissimmee, FL 34746
Give Kids The World depends on volunteers, known as Angels, to fulfill hundreds of volunteer shifts every day. Whether you're in the Central Florida area, interested in a volunteer vacation, or are a former wish family wanting to give back, then you are invited to be a part of the GKTW family! Kids have to be at least 12 and a Parental Agreement needs to be signed for ages 12-17. There are so many places to volunteer. I hope you are able to give some time here.
Chasing Chickens at Green Meadows Farm
Green Meadows Farm
1368 South Poinciana Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34746
Bella the milk cow and Elmer the water buffalo live at Green Meadows Farm along with a small village of 300 tame animals, including pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and other barnyard animals. Orlando's family-oriented petting farm lets youngsters ride ponies, milk cows, feed sheep and pot belly pigs, take a hay ride, and ride a train.
Hours of Operation:
Open 364 days a year from 9:30 AM- 4:00 PM
Cost:
General Admission (Age 13 - Adult) $23
Florida Resident $21
Age 3-12 $20
Age 2 $5
With the Radisson Parrot
Radisson Celebration
2900 Parkway Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34747
We have stayed at this hotel a handful of times. The hotel is close to Celebration and Downtown Disney. Our kids love the pool slide and the waterfall. There are two pools. One has salt water in it. They show pool side movies on the weekends too! The rooms are decent and you can usually score cheap rates on many booking sites.