Enjoy Your Christmas Vacation In Orlando, Florida

If there's one place on earth where almost everyone wants to go at one point in their lives whether they're newlyweds, college students, families with small children, or even retirees it's Orlando, Florida. 

Why? Because it's the home of Walt Disney World! It doesn't matter how young or old you are when you travel to Orlando and head to Disney World, you'll always feel like a kid. The excitement, adventure, and just plain fun atmosphere almost guarantee a perfect vacation in Orlando.

In fact, Walt Disney World first opened in 1971, and since that opening day, it has expanded to include an immense amount of features! It includes four theme parks, a sports complex, a race track, two water parks, six golf courses, twenty family or resort hotels, and many, many more restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options than you could ever experience in just one visit. 

Literally, Walt Disney World takes up over 20,000 acres of space in Orlando, making it the largest amusement park in the world. Think that still isn't enough? Believe it or not, Disney actually has its own adjacent community in the Orlando suburbs, called Celebration.

Since there are four separate theme parks in Orlando's Walt Disney World, it can sometimes get a little confusing as to what each part really represents. Here's a quick overview of each theme park inside the Disney World property:

1) The Magic Kingdom: This theme park has seven countries, and each focuses on a different and unique theme. Inside the Magic Kingdom, you'll travel to Main Street USA, Mickeys Toontown Fair, Liberty Square, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland each with their own set of themed rides to enjoy!

2) Epcot: The Epcot park was initially built as an homage to technological innovation, and as such, focuses more on exhibits rather than rides. There is also a large focus on learning what it means to live in harmony with international culture, and therefore many of the exhibits are very informative and culturally related.

3) Disney MGM-Studios: This Disney World part has five separate themed areas, each attempting to focus on a different part of the studio production process. These areas include Hollywood Boulevard, Mickey Avenue, Sunset Boulevard, the Animation Courtyard, and the Backlot!

4) Disneys Animal Kingdom: The park here is dedicated to animal conservation, and as such, has seven small lands that focus on different species from these areas sometimes real, and sometimes imaginary! The sections include Oasis, Camp Mickey & Minnie, Asia, DinoLand USA, Discovery Island, Africa, and Rafiki's Planet Watch.

A trip to Orlando, Florida would simply not be complete without at least a day in Walt Disney World, after all, it's the place where dreams are supposed to come true!

Car Rental Deals

 

The great majority of car rental companies compete with one another to provide better services at lower prices. 

Furthermore, automobile rental firms provide discounts to attract more consumers, and the intense rivalry has resulted in a slew of advantageous bargains for customers.

Their main aim is to keep the clients satisfied, so that they come back to them, whenever there is a need. There are a number of factors that need to be considered if one wishes to strike a sensible deal.

In such a case, the first thing to be done is to search for smaller rental companies. These companies try to grow their business by lowering prices in the initial growth stages.

Small companies provide cars for rent at cheaper costs and if one decides to rent a car from one of these companies, one needs to be careful about the agreement that is made, as one doesn't know of the secret clauses.

The service provided should be similar to the large car rental corporations. It is necessary to read the rent agreement carefully to find out any hidden costs.

If you were to book a complete holiday tour package, you could easily get rented cars at discounted prices. The discounts can be as low as thirty dollars a day.

Another way of availing of the discounts is to book a tour package some months in advance. In case, there is a better deal, one can change to another deal later on.

Most car renting companies provide heavy discounts to those who sign the rent agreement well in advance. 

It is necessary to return the car in the same condition, as this will prevent you from shelling out more money to cover the damage.

If you work in a large corporation, you can look for corporate discounts.

Checklist for Vacation Rentals in South Carolina

 

Renting a vacation house is an excellent opportunity to see South Carolina's grandeur. The mix of home comforts and a prime location draws thousands of travelers to this hotel option. While few would deny the advantages, it is vital to highlight that there are certain drawbacks. Using the checklist below, you may guarantee that your family has a memorable trip to South Carolina.

1. Destination South Carolina offers a number of fun areas to find a vacation home. The key is to make sure you choose a destination that fits your expectations. The barrier islands, like the Isle of Palms, have unmatched privacy but are limited in their extracurricular attractions. Myrtle Beach on the other hand has a wide array of amusement activities but is very densely populated. You should consider your vacation expectations before choosing a destination.

2. Budget A complete assessment of your vacation budget should be done before shopping for a vacation rental. Keep in mind that the rental rate does not include ancillary costs such as tax, travel fares, food, and beverage, or amusement prices. Depending on your situation, the vacation rental rate may only represent half of the total cost of your vacation.

3. Time of Year The season that you visit South Carolina will have a direct impact on the cost of your vacation. The most expensive time period falls between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You are more likely to find bargain prices if you can avoid this peak season.

4. Rental References In the era of online information, most people are utilizing the internet for reserving their South Carolina Vacation Rentals. While this is a time-efficient way to search properties, you need to conduct in-depth research on the property you are considering. Ask the owner for three or more references from previous rental tenants. Call the references and ask them questions about the cleanliness and upkeep of the property. You may also want to ask about the accessibility of area attractions. Calling rental references is a great way to ensure your dream vacation rental lives up to its billing.

5. Rental Terms One of the easiest ways to exceed your vacation budget is to overlook the terms and conditions of your rental agreement. Be sure to incorporate expected costs such as lodging tax, linen charges, cleaning costs, and club memberships. Most of these items are clearly outlined in your rental agreement. You should also be comfortable with the terms of payment. Most vacation rentals require 50% of the rental rate, along with a security deposit. The balance is typically due about 14 days prior to the rental date. Overlooking these deadlines could result in losing your reservation and deposit.

6. Amenities- Although there is a distinct advantage to using a vacation rental when it comes to home-like provisions, you should be aware of everything that is advertised to be included in your rental. Televisions, stereos, cooking utensils, towels, and bed linens are all important things to check for. Not having access to these supplies could lead to costly trips to the local Walmart.

7. Weather Take a minute to study the average temperature and climate conditions for the time of year you are renting. While it is safe to assume that South Carolina is warm in the summer, seasons such as spring and fall can provide more uncertainty in temperature. Also, take note of the precipitation forecast. Rain and wind can lead to cooler temperatures and the need for appropriate apparel.

8. Vacation Insurance Most vacation rental owners have very strict refund policies. Unfortunately, they rarely refund your money. You can assume that full payment is expected as long as the property is standing and in livable condition. This comes into play for instances of hurricanes and natural disasters. Basically, unless there is unforeseeable damage to the house, you are obligated to complete your contract. Thus, it could pay dividends to investigate the cost of vacation insurance. This type of policy protects your losses in the event of a family emergency, weather conditions, or any other variable that prevents you from reaching your destination.

Living in Florida for New Residents

If you're new to Florida, you've definitely noticed how diverse the culture is in the Sunshine State. The cost of living, schools, and people will range from the Panhandle's Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama links to Latino influences in the far south. The good news is that you are not alone in adjusting to life in Florida. 

Most of the people who reside there have moved from another state, so you are surrounded by millions of individuals who understand what it is like to be a newcomer. Aside from contacting the Chamber of Commerce in every municipality you wind up in for all of their new resident information, you should expect the following to be uniform across much of Florida.

Big tax breaks on property and personal income tax are some of the big bonuses to living in Florida. Be sure to file for the Homestead Exception to see if you qualify for further cuts. Unlike getting a driver’s license, filing for the Homestead Exception, registering to vote, or filling out a declaration of domicile, which will establish your residency in Florida. A driver’s license will only establish your intent to reside in Florida.

Various permits, forms, and licenses are also necessary for boats, the use of beaches and coastal areas, docks, burning, vehicles, and fishing. These will often vary according to the county. StateofFlorida.com offers information specific to each of these needs and breaks them down into categories. It also has links to Florida State agencies to help relocate individuals or businesses.

Getting the right insurance for your Tampa Bay Florida real estate property and belongings while you live in Florida is a necessity. The recent rash of hurricanes has inspired the Office of Insurance Regulation to reorganize itself to serve this important aspect of Florida living. Crosscheck some of their links to make sure that your insurance covers all of the possibilities.

Be sure to call or visit the website of the Florida Department of Education to find out how local schools rate in your area. In fact, selecting your property according to school districts may be a good idea if you have, or expect to start, a family in Florida. Each school also has a report on it done by the School Advisory Council Report which rates schools on performance, attendance, and various features.

Afternoon thunderstorms are a part of life almost every day for Floridians during the summertime. This is just one of the features of Florida’s weather that relocators should know about. Being prepared for Florida’s weather will make the transition of relocating much easier. Be sure to ask your neighbors how they prepare for hurricanes and heavy rain. Make sure that you have supplies on hand throughout the year. Also, ask your local authorities about what you should have on hand, what to expect, and who to contact for help.

Expect to see a lot more of your friends and families now that you live in Florida. Visiting you will become a vacation for many of them. It may save you money, in the long run, to buy year passes to some of the attractions in or around your town or city. It also wouldn’t hurt to collect some brochures from the local Chamber of Commerce, so you have a mini-library of resources at your fingertips for day trips and exciting attractions. 

Remember that Florida relies on tourism as one of its biggest economies. Your loved ones will still consider Florida one of the top vacation spots long after you have become accustomed to living in the Sunshine State. Be sure to keep any welcome packages you receive from your real estate agent or homeowner’s association at finger’s reach for yourself, and for visitors.

 

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