Anyone who knows a little about Orlando will tell you one thing – it’s huge. Disney World alone is massive, and International Drive seems to go on forever. Put simply, getting around Orlando can be time-consuming to say the least.

A good option is to hire a car for the duration of your stay. This not only gives you freedom, but also cuts out the need for hotel shuttle buses, and it frees you up to enter and leave the parks when you want to, without having to stick to a bus timetable. Orland is not all about theme parks. There are many great places to visit that are within easy driving distance of the city. Wekiwa Springs State Park is a favourite. It has lots of walking and cycling trails, or you could kayak on the river or go horse riding. Obviously hiring a car is an added holiday expense, but it well worth it.

If you can find ways to save a little money before you leave on your vacation then you can put those savings to good use. At the initial holiday booking stage, spending a bit of time searching for one of many flight deals to Orlando will reap rewards. Even a moderate saving on a ticket, times a family of say four, will really add up. Another good way to save money, as well as cut out stress and airport panic, is to drive yourself to the terminal door and park up for the duration of your stay. For example, if you’re flying out of Gatwick, booking Gatwick parking with HolidayExtras.co.uk saves money so check out what’s available to your local airport.

Before you fly check out this cool flight tracker, you can get all the information you need and save on stress before your flight. Saving money on the logistics of your holiday is the best way to keep dollars in your pocket, and once you arrive in Orlando, those dollars will be much needed!

Hiring a car isn’t the most expensive thing you can do in the Sunshine State, but it is the one thing that will give you freedom with a capital F. It’s not just about driving to and from the theme-parks, although that is a major bonus because shuttle buses, as we mentioned before, can be packed, slow, and very hot! Sitting in an air conditioned car, when you’re able to come and go as you please, is always much more preferable! What if you fancy heading over to the beach one day? If you don’t have a car, you will have to seek out a trip, and these can be costly when there is a family to pay for.

Remember to use a reputable company when booking your car hire; many Orlando holidays will come with car hire included if you use a travel agent or large website company. Remember to take your driving licence, paper and card copy, and carry these with you at all times. Check out the insurance options available with your car hire, and make sure this is adequate. Again, carry all paperwork with you. Check the road rules for driving in USA, remembering some rules are specific to the state you are traveling in.

It might seem an extra hassle to drive when you’re on holiday, but in terms of getting the most out of your Orlando break, driving is a huge benefit.

Image by Ricymar Photography under Creative Commons license.