Travel Tips

What else do you need to know to make your vacation even more extraordinary? Here are a few tips:

Gratuities
It's customary to recognize good service at hotels with a gratuity to those who provide it. A 15% tip is a customary tip for hospitality rendered personal services. Other standard gratuities include:

$.50 to $1 per bag for luggage assistance
$3 to $5 per week for maid service
$1 to the doorman or valet parker

Best Booking Practices
When booking vacation travel these tips should be taken in consideration for either hotel and vacation rental:

Phone the hotel immediately after your reservation, no matter how you book it. Verify your confirmation number. If you want to be extra-careful, set up a Google Alert for your hotel. It will tell you when something changes with the property.
Call the hotel or vacation rental company directly at least a week before your arrival - just to be sure everything is in place
Booking vacation rental – before booking verify with Better Business Bureau of Central Florida, they will be able to advise if the company is a member and if there are any complaints and resolutions
Contact the Chamber of Commerce to check if company is a member and in good standing
Contact the Central Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association and check if company is a member and in good standing
Pay by credit card since it gives traveler extra protection on being able to dispute transactions, etc.
Avoid sending personal checks or cashier checks to companies directly
Purchase travel insurance

Holidays
You'll discover that banks and government offices (including post offices) are closed on these holidays:

New Year's Day (January 1st)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (the third Monday of January)
President's Day (the third Monday of February)
Memorial Day (the last Monday of May)
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day (the first Monday of September)
Columbus Day (the second Monday in October)
Veteran's Day (November 11th)
Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday of November)
Christmas Day (December 25th)

Hunting, Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing Licenses
Want to go hunting or fishing in the Kissimmee area? The first thing you'll need is a license. Fishing and hunting licenses are available at most bait shops and sporting goods stores.

You can also purchase a license at the Osceola County Tax Collector's Office (2501 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34744). The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or by calling the Tax Collector's Office at 1-888-347-4356 with a credit card.

Marriage Licenses
Want to get married while you're in Kissimmee? You'll need to get a marriage license first. You can do just that at the Marriage & Passport Office located at 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741. You can also call them for more information at 407-343-3530.

Post Offices
Want to send a few postcards to friends back at home? Chances are your hotel offers stamps and a mailbox. But if you need additional services, visit one of these Post Office locations:

Kissimmee Main Office, 2600 Michigan Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34744, 407-846-7550
Kissimmee Oak Street Station, 1415 W. Oak Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741, 407-846-7945
3050 Polynesian Isle Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34746, 407-396-7001
4701 Old Canoe Creek Rd., St. cloud, FL 34769, 407-892-3779
1712 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., St. Cloud, FL 34771, 407-892-9683

Rules of the Road
If you're planning on driving to or around Kissimmee, there are some basic laws you should keep in mind:

Drivers must carry a valid driver's license and proof of liability insurance.
All passengers must wear a seat belt, both in the front and back seats.
Children ages five and under must be in a federally approved restraint device/child seat in the back seat.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal.
Legal age to consume alcoholic beverages is 21.
Car headlights must be turned on after dusk and in the rain (day or night).