Tired, hot, thirsty children – sound familiar to any parents tackling theme parks in Orlando’s humid heat? If so, these tips could save you a fortune and keep the little ones happy
Any parent who has holidayed in Orlando, Florida will know – the heat is not for the faint-hearted, especially for the little ones in your family.
Humidity and temperatures as high as 40 degrees in summer mean mums and dads find a massive chunk of their holiday spending money being spent on drinks and iced treats, and over a two-week holiday, this can certainly add up.
I have two tips that can save you a fortune. If you head to Universal Orlando Resort, you can benefit from a refillable cup that will set you back around $27.99 per person. What I realised quickly is that these cups are huge—and a whole family doesn’t need their own one. We bought two for a family of five, saving nearly $100.
Also, if you plan to visit the parks for more than one day, you can reactivate the card in the morning for a much cheaper cost for a full day’s worth of drinks.
You can refill your cup in numerous locations around the park at Freestyle machines offering a huge selection of soft drinks. The chip beneath the cup reactivates every 10 minutes, so by the time the whole family has had their fill and cooled down, you’re nearly ready to fill again if you need to.
It also makes perfect parenting sense when it comes to making the most of your theme park day. Lockers are small for rides and having just two makes it far easier to get on and off rides without five giant cups to contend with, and you can reduce waste by not throwing away lots before the next ride or show.
Remember, too, that the Freestyle machines offer free water, so if you bring along your own bottle for the day, you can fill up and hydrate as often as you need to.
We also found a hidden gem on our travels that will help you tick lots of boxes on your dream trip, from picture-perfect snaps to cooling down and resting tired legs.
For families looking for a pitstop with picturesque views and a free drink with a twist, head to Springfield’s Duff Brewery. Located at the back of the park between Men in Black and the Animal actors show, this Simpsons-themed land has a treat in store for weary, tired families – and it’s free!
Head to the left of the bar, and you’ll spot, behind the bar pillar, a huge water cooler filled with fresh, ice-cold water and slices of lemon and lime. This simple drink is a welcomed sight halfway around the park and perfect for kids who are tired of sweet, fizzy drinks.
It’s also a treat for us parents. Grab a cold Duff beer (you are in Springfield, after all) and head to the back of the bar. Head down just a few steps and you’ll find yourself transported to a much more relaxed area. Quiet tables, plenty of seating and no hustle and bustle, its ideal for resting tired feet and hitting that reset button.
The best part, though, is the uninterrupted views over the lagoon. From here, you can see all around the park, from across Transformers to over by Kings Cross, where holidaymakers make their way into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. It’s magical, the perfect picture spot for those family frames back home, and a budget-friendly way to cool down.