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For an adorable family vacation, FTF's cheapskate specialist figures out how to "do" Disneyworld without spending any more than you have to for a WDW hotel, theme park passes and hot dogs.

Walt Disney World will most likely leave you breathless: its gigantic size, the magic, the shining eyes of children and yes, the prices. Yet it is possible to enjoy many of Disney’s wonders without paying for the privilege. Actually, during our last visit, our favorite experiences were on the house.

Old Town
5770 West U.S. Highway 192
Kissimmee, Florida 34746
407/396-4888
At Old Town, there's lots of fun things to see and do for the whole family and all ages. Old Town includes many amusement rides for which tickets are sold separately for each ride. There are also stores open 365 days a year. On Friday and Saturday nights, there is a free rock-n-roll concert and a fabulous parade of 300 vintage cars. Admission: free, but there are plenty of places to spend money.

Lake Eola Park
195 North Rosalind Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32801
407/246-2827
Want to get away for a while from this wonderfully exhausting place? Your family will love Lake Eola Park, an oasis of peace and tranquility amidst Orlando's man-made, commercial jungle. Have a picnic, ride a paddleboat, watch the kids play in the playground, feed the swans, or simply enjoy Florida sunshine amid beautiful flowerbeds while admiring the Orlando skyline. At night, the lake and its constantly-shooting water displays are illuminated for a beautiful view of the park. Admission: free.

Big Tree Park
761 General Hutchinson Pkwy
Longwood, Florida 32750
407/322-6567
Stop by the Big Tree Park to pay your respects to a 3,500-year-old bald cypress tree nicknamed "The Senator" to honor the senator who donated the land. This colossal beauty is the biggest cypress tree in the US, its girth being 425 inches, and height 118 feet. Part of Spring Hammock Nature Reserve, Big Tree Park is the most beautiful place to enjoy Florida's luscious flora. Admission: free. Open from 8am till sunset.

Downtown Disney
1780 East Buena Vista
Orlando, Florida 32830
407/828-3800
This is the best free place to hang out in Orlando! Our favorite free things here are Legoland, the Rainforest Cafe and the fountains. Legoland is just spectacular, with its sculptures and numerous picture-taking opportunities. Kids get to play with unlimited Lego blocks at the Lego Imagination Center. And you get to rest your feet for a while, take in the atmosphere and watch the world go by.