Tips for families visiting Orlando for the first time

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In many ways, Orlando and families are perfect together. With its terrific theme parks, fantastic weather and family-friendly atmosphere, it is a great place for a vacation. But if you and your family are visiting there for the first time, there are some important things you should really know. Here are some helpful tips for families visiting Orlando for the first time:

Have Matching T-Shirts Made
When you order custom T-shirts for your family, you will save yourself a lot of headaches. As you make your way through the large crowds at places such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, matching custom T-shirts will help you keep track of your entire family. While custom t-shirts can be designed and ordered online, consider buying blank shirts from ShirtSpace.com in bulk and customizing them yourself at home. That way each member of the family can have their own preferred character or nickname on their specific shirt.

Avoid Peak Crowds
It can be difficult to avoid peak crowds in Orlando, especially if you are visiting during your children’s Christmas vacation from school. But you should do your best to avoid holidays. You should also try to avoid visiting in the middle of summer, as not only is the city crowded then, but it can also get quite hot. If you have some flexibility, January is usually the best time to visit.

Plan Some Downtime
With so much to do in Orlando, it can be tempting to try to do it all. But you should avoid this temptation, as you will just exhaust yourself to your own detriment. Instead, plan some downtime at your hotel or resort. Taking an afternoon off to lounge by the pool can be the perfect way to recharge your batteries for the rest of your vacation.

Bring Plenty of Extra Batteries and/or Power Packs
Speaking of batteries, do not forget to bring plenty of extra ones (and/or power packs) for all your phones and other powered devices. While there is no shortage of free WiFi in Orlando — including at the major theme parks — you will find that this will drain your batteries quickly. So, come prepared, as the last thing you want to do on your Orlando vacation is to hunt down a power outlet or make a trip to Publix for
batteries.

Consider Staying Onsite
While off-site hotel accommodations can be cheaper than those offered at theme parks, you should really consider all benefits gained from staying onsite, like at Walt Disney World Resort. These include:

~Early admission to parks
~Extended hours at the parks
~Complimentary transportation around the parks
~Front-of-line access
~Discounts

Plan Out Your Days
Visiting one of Orlando’s theme parks can be overwhelming, as there is so much to do there. To avoid this, plan out your days before you go. You can do this by asking every family member to come up with the one attraction or area of the park they really want to visit. Then, get your fill of these attractions first before meandering through the rest of the park.

Bring a Stroller
If you are visiting Orlando with young children, consider bringing a stroller even if your kids are past the age where they need one. This is because with all the walking you will be doing at the theme parks, your children are apt to get very tired. You can also rent a stroller in town before you hit the parks.

By following the tips listed here, you will maximize your family’s enjoyment of all that Orlando has to offer!