Florida resident? Disney World now offers monthly payments for annual passes

While this blog is really about free and low-cost places to visit, I had to add this. Walt Disney World is now offering a monthly payment plan for Florida residents' annual passes. I have lots of tips on how to save money while visiting the Disney theme parks, and one of those ways is to buy an annual pass. With the monthly payment plan, families don't have to put out the entire purchase of the pass all at one time.

Tip: Have one member of the family get an annual pass that includes free parking, while the others get a seasonal pass at a lower cost. The blackout dates won't be a big deal because no Floridian should go to Disney during the summer, two weeks at Christmas or spring break anyway. Cast members only check one pass for free parking.

BP Oil Spill affecting tourism in Florida

An earlier post references the ultimate free Florida day trip -- a trip to the beach. But now the BP oil spill is affecting the Florida beaches. And it's not over yet.

When will it stop? And will the beaches ever recover?

Environmental Learning Center, Vero Beach

Another great idea for FREE family entertainment. The Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach is a 64-acre campus that teaches about Florida's habitat.

The island campus is located just west of Disney's Vero Beach Resort at the base of the Wabasso Bridge.

Ospreys nest on the campus and telescopes are set up offering a close-up view of the birds in their nests with their young.

Hands-on activities include a touch tank, dry lab and manatee puppet demonstrating how manatees eat.

The 64-acre campus also includes boardwalks for mini-hikes through marsh, hammocks and mangrove forests. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours quietly while learning about Florida's environment. Get out of the heat by visiting the gift shop. There's also a lending library of nature and environment books for adults and children.

The ELC also offers free guided nature walks and canoe and pontoon tours (for a nominal fee). Groups can arrange for an overnight sleepover at the ELC.

Admission to the Environmental Learning Center is free to everyone.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. In the winter months, this is extended to 4 p.m.

Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach

(772) 589-5050
http://www.discoverelc.org/

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Indian Shores

Here is a great daytripping idea! The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores, FL. It's educational for kids and adults and a fun, free way to spend a couple of hours. Admission is free to everyone.

Located in Indian Shores, between St. Petersburg and Clearwater on the Gulf Coast, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is the largest wild bird hospital and sanctuary in the United States.

Residents and sanctuary volunteers bring injured wild birds to the center to be nursed back to health and be released back into the wild. Those birds that come in too injured to be rehabilitated get to stay in a permanent pen at the sanctuary.

Visitors aren't allowed to go inside the bird hospital. But they can stroll around the permanent pens and rehabilitating staging areas filled with brown and white pelicans, owls, hawks, terns and gulls. Some wild birds make their homes here as well and walk around the sanctuary to chirp to the other birds and mingle with the visitors. Be sure to look up because many of these birds make nests in the trees and roost in the branches. There also is an air-conditioned education building where visitors can watch a video about the sanctuary.

There are containers asking for donations to help pay for feeding and caring for the birds. But visitors don't feel obligated or guilty about not giving a donation.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

18328 Gulf Boulelvard

Indian Shores, FL

http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com/

The beach -- Florida's original free daytrip

This is a given, which is why I'm making this my first post on cheap Florida daytrips. The beach is the ultimate free day. The best part is that there is a beach within driving distance of virtually every place in Florida.

Surfers prefer the Atlantic coastline, while those on the Gulf side (when there isn't a gigantic oil spill to avoid) love the warm, waveless waters that almost feels like you are stepping into a bathtub.

Tips: Visit a less touristy beach such as those found along the Treasure Coast in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce for quiet solitude. Wabasso Beach in Indian River County is a public Atlantic Coast beach with a lifeguard located right next door to the more pricey Vero Beach Disney Resort. Only difference is the price -- free. And free parking that is usually plentiful. On the other side of the coast, beaches in Indian Shores don't seem crowded. There is public parking along Clearwater and Indian Shores beaches, but space is limited, so prepare to drive around looking for an empty spot during the hot summer months.

Pack a lunch and cooler with drinks. Bring some boogie boards that Wal-Mart sells for under $20. (Boogie boards are optional. I've never bought one and always had fun on the beach.) And you have an inexpensive day out with the family.

Just don't forget the sunblock.