Plan a trip when flights are cheapest. According to CheapFlights.com, the cheapest flights to Orlando are in May and early June, late August and from early September to around Thanksgiving. Ticket prices go up during school holidays because many families head to Orlando to visit Disney World during that time.
Visit in September for the lowest prices. AOL Travel points out that this is the slowest time for tourists in Orlando, but it’s also hurricane season, so you need to be careful when planning your trip. If flying in September, wait until the last minute to buy a ticket. That way you can keep track of the weather forecast and change plans if there’s a storm warning in place. Many airlines have "last-minute specials" flight discounts. These are usually tickets that didn't sell on time or tickets for late night or very early morning flights, which most people try to avoid.
Buy tickets to Disney World and other attractions online before you get to Orlando. You can get discounted Disney World tickets through the park's official website. If you plan on to visit several attractions, get the Special Edition Go Orlando Card, which allows you entry to up to 51 different attractions, including Legoland Florida, SeaWorld Orlando, Wet ‘n Wild water park and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Cards are available for three, five or seven days. As of the time of publication, the seven-day card sold for $296.10, and offered significant savings. For example, entrance to Legoland alone costs $90.
Book hotels well in advance, unless you’re traveling in September and need to make last-minute decisions. During the peak season, which is during school holidays in both summer and winter, hotels are more expensive and book faster. To get cheaper rates, stay at hotels not associated with theme parks and make your reservation at least a couple of months in advance. Hotels in the Kissimmee area are just a few minutes away from Disney World, but are much cheaper than hotels inside Disney parks. Coupon books available at fast-food outlets and restaurants in the area have year-round discounts on hotels, so if you're already in Orlando, you might still be able to find good prices.
