Florida Vacations are expensive! but this may surprise you: one of the biggest expenses in the parks- especially in summer- is water.
Water is available all over the place, but at a price. Water bottles can cost over $2.50 at the theme parks. For a family of four going to the parks for five days, that’s at least $50 right there- IF everyone only gets one bottle per day! And in the summer heat, it’s unlikely that one bottle will stave off dehydration. And being overheated and dehydrated would definitely be a big bummer for your Florida vacation!
Because of this, bringing just one bottle of water per person is extremely cost effective; it’s free, water fountains are often kept cold, and if you don’t like water- Florida’s tends to have a high sulfur content, and can taste a little funny- water flavoring packets, such as lemonade or raspberry, are very cheap in surrounding grocery stores and sometimes can be found in nearby gas stations.
Many people say that you shouldn’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water- and they’re right. This is because when you’re thirsty, your body is signaling that you aren’t drinking enough! Sugary, alcoholic, caffeinated, and carbonated drinks can help to dehydrate as well; so don’t limit your fluid intake to just sodas and juices. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are a good second choice, but if you aren’t used to drinking them they can sometimes cause digestive problems.
Rubbermaid and Brita sell filtered water bottles, which could definitely come in handy. And if you can’t seem to find water fountains cold enough, you can ask for a small cup of water with ice at any theme park dining counter- for free. Or, if you happen to have a freezer in your room, filling up half the bottle, freezing it, and filling it up the rest of the way as you leave for a day in the sun is a very effective way to keep drinks cold for hours. Another tip is to order water instead of sodas at sit-down restaurants- it keeps you hydrated and full of energy and it’s easy on the wallet.