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Happiness can come from living on the fly, and although much of the world believes in planning things out thoroughly and well in advance, there is a segment who often waits until the last minute, knowing that the surprises in life are what make it sweeter. Take your upcoming journey to Orlando, for example. There are many, many things you can do at the last minute, many benefits you can enjoy, and many comforts you can experience when you choose Tropical Villas Orlando for your vacation accommodations, and these tips for planning that last minute vacation in the “theme park capital of the world” (otherwise known as Orlando) will ensure that you experience all of the above and so much more!
Want the Best Deals?
No planning needed when you are seeking the best deals; just choose to visit during the off season, which in Orlando is March through May. After Spring Break has ended and before the end of the school year, the world goes back to real life and the crowds lessen, prices are lower, and the heat of summer has yet to begin, ensuring your adventure will be a comfortable as well. And perhaps most surprising of all, even the theme parks will offer fantastic deals that will help make your Orlando journey more affordable and we’ve talked about some of the best deals below.
Disney Done Less Expensive
Of course, a visit to Disney is never going to be cheap, but when slow season rolls around you can count on special deals that will encourage you to skip out on your responsibilities, take the kids out of school, and yes, you will be going to Disney. Offering discounts that are specifically geared towards families, you can make your kid’s dreams come true, get them an extra week out of school, and explore all the magic that makes Disney the top amusement park in the world. And even though the tickets are lower priced, you will also notice that the park is less crowded, enabling you and your family the opportunity to ride more rides and spend less time in lines.
Universal Studios on a Budget
First, if you are planning a May 2025 visit, be sure to do it early if you want the reduced price tickets to Universal Studios, because May 27 is when the newest adventure is scheduled to open, Epic Universe, and you know any reductions in price will disappear for the summer. September, however, is another month when prices drop, crowds are smaller, and your adventures will be just as exciting while saving your vacation budget. If you aren’t that concerned about saving money, Epic Universe is sure to be an exciting world to explore, but it may also be excessively crowded the first year and waiting at least until May of 2026 to visit it, giving it time for the newness to wear off.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Off Season Sales
While not technically considered sales, tickets do cost less in the early spring and pretty much all during the fall, so if your child’s school offers a fall break (more and more are these days) this would be the perfect time to drop everything and fly south to SeaWorld. The park has changed its directive in the last few years, turning towards conservation, protection, and education and away from the sensationalism that it has been known for and we think that it is more interesting and fun in its new transformation than ever before. Also offering crazy rides, delicious restaurants, and during the off season, far less crowds than normal, your last minute plans to visit SeaWorld could be your best ever!
Events Throughout the Year
Since you haven’t made your plans as to when exactly you will be visiting Orlando, this part of the guide will list the top events of each season, allowing you to have the best information at your fingertips.
Winter Events & Festivals in Orlando
The holidays are celebrated in a big way in Orlando and your winter visit may coincide with Christmas and New Years. Every theme park in the region will offer holiday themed activities, so even at the last minute you will be able to celebrate in the most magical ways, but the parks don’t own the celebrations.
Orlando Holiday Mark, December
In December of 2024, Deezerland Park was the site of the Orlando Holiday market offering over 150 craftsmen and artisans selling their wares, making your holiday shopping so much more fun and easy. Putting travelers in the festive mood, even as temperatures will be balmy and there will be no snow on the ground, this event has been a huge success and we look forward to many more years of shopping experiences with the Orlando Holiday Market.
ICE! November through January
Another local favorite has been around for years, the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center offers a chilly entertainment option called ICE! Technically this cool adventure begins in the Fall, but as it is more of a holiday event, we think it fits quite nicely in the winter category. Offering ice tubes, a presentation of Elf, “Here we go a caroling” Glow show and so much more festive and frosty fun, you may find yourself wanting to plan a return last minute NEXT year!
Spring Events & Festivals in the Orlando Area
We’re still avoiding the theme parks for this section on events and festivals but be assured there is always something be celebrated at those parks, no matter what the season.
Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival, April in Winter Park
For our spring events, you may want to check out a wonderful art event, the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival held in nearby Winter Park the last weekend of April. Offering art & cultural events, interactive kids’ activities, and delicious food and drink it is a popular spring event that shouldn’t be missed.
Orlando International Fringe Festival, May
The Orlando International Fringe Festival, taking place in mid-May and offers an “immersive cultural experience that also includes a free music festival in addition to all the theater performances that will take place during the two weeks of this creative event. Just be warned that this event is more geared towards adults, but there is a Kids’ Fringe Festival that you may want to explore with the littles.
Summer Events & Festivals in the Orlando Area
The temperatures can get a little toasty in the summer months, but there are still fun events you can enjoy inside, away from the heat and humidity and a couple of our favorites are listed below.
Summer Magick Festival, June
including the Summer Magick Festival, held in the middle of June, technically about a week before summer begins, but are you really going to hold that against us after experiencing the warmth of Orlando in June? This unique festival celebrates earth-based spirituality with workshops, discussions, musical performances and a magical ambience that will ensure that you never forget your time participating in this wonderful event.
Independence Day, July
July 4th is celebrated with fireworks, food trucks, music, and an apple pie bakeoff in Avalon Park, offering the most all-American celebration you can imagine and providing travelers with happy activities that are destined to be tomorrow’s cherished memories. This event is an outside one, of course, there would never be fireworks under a roof, so just be sure to drink lots of water and wear cool clothing.
Tay Tay Dance Party, August
The Tay Tay Dance Party, held in mid-August, will make you happy that summer has arrived. The Tay Tay Dance Party is a dance party that pays homage to the queen herself, Ms. Taylor Swift. She doesn’t make an appearance, a DJ spins her songs accompanied by a laser light show, but it will feel as if T. Swizzle has never left the building when you dance the night away at this very popular event!
Fall Events and Festivals in the Orlando Area
As we start to head into another off season, September is another month when prices are low, crowds are less, and the deals are everywhere. Fall is also when the events and festivals listed below begin to appear on our horizon.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World, September
You’ve watched the show for years, now it is time to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World come to the stage in Orlando. Offering many of the contestants that appeared on the show RuPaul’s Drag Race, this is the perfect opportunity to see if these stunning women really are as gorgeous as they appear to be on television. (Spoiler alert: They ARE!)
Romantasy Book Con & Midnight Masquerade, October
We wait all year for this fantastic con to come back to town, and the Romantasy Book Con & Midnight Masquerade never fails to please! Offering three days of books, the authors who write the books, the people who sell the books, games, cocktail hours, and the most romantic Midnight Masquerade costume ball you have ever attended, Magic comes to Orlando and for once the magic doesn’t involve a famous mouse or a basketball game!
A Taste of Orlando
The thing about last-minute plans is that you may worry you won’t find things to do that don’t require advance planning or that the restaurants you can get reservations in at the last minute won’t be the good ones. This is Orlando, dear friends, and everything is possible, including finding a good table at the last minute in the restaurants listed below!
Reyes Mezcaleria, 821 N Orange Avenue
The international selection of restaurants in Orlando may boggle your mind, but we have to tell you that we have a soft spot in our hearts for the Mexican ones, including Reyes Mezcaleria. Offering an extensive menu of Mexican favorites and some new dishes that you may obsess over and over 150 Agave selections, if there aren’t any tables available at first, waiting at the bar will ensure that you won’t even care about the wait!
Dixie Belle’s Café, 7125 S Orange Avenue
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Dixie Belle’s Café serves up the morning meal Southern style and if you leave here still feeling hungry we applaud your appetite! The meals they serve are huge and loaded with carbs that make you just feel better and the kids menu at this family owned restaurant proves that they really do know what the littles love to eat.
No Sacrifices When You Rent a Tropical Villas Orlando Florida Retreat at the Last Minute
By now it is quite apparent how much fun you will have during your last-minute adventures in Orlando, but you may be wondering just how much longer your luck will continue. Everyone knows that renting your vacation accommodations is the only way to go; or is it? With a company as large as, we can assure you that there will always be a dream vacation property waiting to make your vacation dreams come true. No sacrifices are necessary in style, size, quality, or even price as you may discover that you will find some last-minute deals on the coziest and most charming sanctuaries in town. And because our rentals are located in the best resort communities in the state, exciting community amenities will be added to the list of private amenities found in each and every escape we offer! Swimming pools may be private, community, or both, and game rooms, fitness rooms, and theater rooms often follow suit!
Reserve Your Favorite Sanctuary Now
Every day will be an adventure in comfort in our Orlando retreats and whether you have been planning every minute of this vacation for months in advance or everything just fell into place at the last minute, choosing Tropical Villas Orlando will be the best decision you will ever make. Reserve your favorite today!
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