How to make a Florida day trip less expensive

If you are planning to spend the day in the theme parks in Orlando or Tampa, keep these tips in mind:

- Bring a small cooler bag filled with water and sandwiches. Bringing your own bottles of water will save you a lot while you tour the theme parks in the hot Florida sun. Water is something you can't do without in Florida. You just don't have to blow your budget on water. Bringing your own food also saves, especially when a simple burger costs more than $3 at most places. Most theme parks won't give you are hard time if you bring a cooler small enough to stow in a stroller or carriage. They might balk, however, if you try to bring in one of those mega-coolers.

-- Stay away from the gift shop. This is difficult to do when rides empty out into the gift shop filled with themed toys and gifts for children. But try to steer the kids away from the overpriced merchandise and on the rides. Spending 20 minutes in the gift shop not only will take you away from experiencing the theme park, but will empty your wallet.

-- Shop around at the hotels. You're in Florida for the theme parks and attractions, so you'll spend little time at the hotel. There are plenty of clean, inexpensive hotels around. Many offer free breakfasts. Remember to pack sandwich bags before leaving home -- there is nothing wrong with grabbing an extra couple of pieces of bread, peanut butter and jelly at the breakfast bar and packing it for lunch.

-- Don't fall for the timeshare tour. They're usually found in hotel lobbies and promise free tickets to theme parks and shows. I've never actually gone on one of these tours, but I have heard they are a big waste of time (unless you really are in the market for a timeshare.)

-- Don't sweat the small stuff. Remember you are on vacation. If you don't go on every ride in the Magic Kingdom or Universal Studios, it's not a travesty. The important thing is to build memories!