Marketing agencies have used promotional vacations with free accommodations to lure travelers to their resorts and properties for decades. What better way to cater to your target audience with test-drive of you property to help increase profits, repeat business and generate leads. Long ago, resorts found out quickly that it was easier to sell a customer a vacation package while they are actually experiencing it! Soon, companies like Preferred Guest Resorts (PGR)—a 30-year leader in the industry with strategic partnership—sprouted and offered special vacation packages. Preferred Guest Resorts defined itself by enhancing experiences, and forging direct partnerships with reliable resorts, condominiums, hotels, vacation homes, and strategic partners like Walt Disney World® Resort and Alamo®, to offer people greatly enhanced promotional vacation packages. Through PGR’s Best Vacations Ever, travelers get to enjoy a customized 3-7 night vacation in spectacular destinations like Orlando, Florida, with free accommodations—or a Bahamas cruise—additional or other privileged incentives like free Alamo® rental cars, attraction tickets, upgrades and much more, in exchange for participation in a fun, interactive, 90-minute presentation that shows you how to save hundreds of dollars off your future travel.

Resorts and marketing agencies have known and celebrated the numerous guest benefits of promotional vacation packages, like Best Vacations Ever, for years.

Benefits of PGR’s Promotional Best Vacations Ever Packages
•    Enjoy free accommodations in the heart of destinations like Orlando or Daytona Beach can save you hundreds of dollars off your travel budget in exchange for a 90-minute property introduction and how to save even more money on future travel.
•    Experience amazing properties firsthand for dramatically less than you’d spend on a retail vacation, especially when it comes to a family of four.
•    Customize a vacation package that meets your family’s needs.
•    Use saved lodging funds on airfare, room upgrades, extra activities and much more.
•    Improve your health with a vacation—it’s proven—with savings that open doors to plenty of rejuvenation, relaxation and health benefits.
•    See a variety of resort properties and find out how you can afford weeks like this every year or more often.
•    Experience the ultimate travel companion with Best Vacations Ever’s personal U.S.-based Travel Concierge staffed with travel agents who courteously customize trips, saving you the most money possible and providing continuous services.
•    Take advantage of extra perks and benefits to enhance your vacation like free rental cars or attractions tickets.

According to a recent news report “online complaining is the new trend.” It’s much faster and easier to be heard, and most often with false or defamatory statements.

So Why the Bad Wrap?
People like to say there’s a catch to promotional vacations, when, in fact, customers are advised from the beginning that free accommodations and perks may only be redeemed if they participate in the 90-minute presentation, with no pressure to buy anything. Preferred Guest Resorts discloses all information ahead of time via many communication channels, such as its:

  • bestvacationsever.com website
  • online FAQs
  • descriptive terms
  • information-packed welcome emails
  • customer service letter streams
  • reservation center travel agents

A recent news report said the new trend is “complaining online rather than going through the company and its internal resolution processes  rather than its internal resolution processes.” It’s easier and faster to be heard, and often bolder with false or defamatory statements. Everything on the Internet IS “true,” right? (Sigh…)

Further problems often come from using other promotional vacation companies that do not adhere to the laws or do not meet the same level of standards and enhanced vacation experiences as Preferred Guest Resorts that makes sure it offers guests their Best Vacations Ever.

Try Your Best Vacation Ever
The recession actually reignited a new interest in promotional vacations, timeshares, and fractional and interval ownerships, which have become economically trendy. The most important thing to do is go with a reliable, registered company like Preferred Guest Resorts, which offers unique travel services and provides companies with promotional and incentive travel packages, as well as customer rewards with exclusively tailored incentive packages for both small and Fortune 500 companies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

What are some of your best tips and advice for taking a  promotional vacation?

There are many  east and west coast beaches near  Orlando that are perfect for families and couples to visit while on a Best Vacations Ever promotional vacation to Central Florida.

Imagine a frosty beverage and a cushy lounge chair on a pristine beach as your toes dig in the warm sand….Yeah, that’s the ticket!  A nearby Orlando beach trip is the perfect day trip or extended-stay to high-energy, on-the-run days spent trolling Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Studios Orlando® and SeaWorld Orlando® and numerous attractions. The Florida peninsula’s east and west coast beaches are as diverse as the variety of Orlando attractions. Your Preferred Guest Resorts’ travel agent can advise you of Orlando’s nearby beaches and the beach-vacation options of a Best Vacations Ever promotional package, all with free accommodations at every stop. Combo packages include 4 days in Orlando

Follow a few simple steps to find cheap Orlando flights with a volume of online competitors wanting your business, or allow one of our travel agents do it for you when you book your Best Vacations Ever promotional vacation package.

With high fuel costs and extra fees for baggage etc., you might think flying to Orlando, Florida, will empty your wallet. But actually getting cheap flights to Orlando, the vacation capital of the world, couldn’t be any easier or more convenient, given online content is shaping the way people travel. “[Cheap] Flights to Orlando” is one of the highest-ranking key phrases online, soaring in some 250,000 global searches monthly. Better yet, competition is stiff with so many online vendors eager to secure your airfares, so grab your laptop or mobile device and start searching the volume of online flight-booking options available to you. The free accommodations with a Best Vacations Ever promotional vacation package through  Preferred Guest Resorts that actually pads your travel budget, cushioning your landing in Central Florida even easier,

Did you know that numerous studies show that planning a vacation can heighten anticipation and people enjoy it almost as much as the vacation itself?  Studies also prove that a vacation can reduce stress levels, helping you discover new things, strengthen relationships, refresh your attitude and relax. That’s why Best Vacations Ever encourages you to plan an affordable and amazing family vacation with free accommodations by calling 800-656-2780 for better health today!

Getting Physical
Europeans are already packed and on holiday. It’s a yearly must-do! Americans consider it a luxury, given work, traffic, costs of living and airfares that make a vacation seem impossible. But if you really want to stay healthy, vice president of innovation at Cedars Sanai Dr. Glenn Braunstein says,Take a vacation! Stress is bad for your mind and body” and it can have have the following harmful effects:

•    Cause irritability
•    Make one tired & unfocused
•    Hinder the body’s ability to fight infections
•    Lead to unhealthy behavior
•    Load up on fatty foods & smoke
•    Consume too much alcohol

Travel Planning Boosts Happiness
Scientists in the Netherlands found that people were just as happy planning as much as enjoying the actual vacation—the anticipation and planning also boosted happiness for up to 8 weeks. Locale and length are not important. Go to a far-away destination or enjoy a local-resort staycation. Research destinations and picture yourself enjoying all the exciting adventures or just lying on a pristine beach with the stress reducing, planning anticipation, health benefits, and travel savings of free accommodations with a Best Vacation Ever promotional vacation package.

Avoid Heart Problems
Doctors will tell you the harmful long-lasting effects stress, especially as it releases a dangerous hormone called cortisol. A study of 13,000 middle-aged men showed that men who skipped consecutive vacations were 30% more likely to suffer heart attacks than those who vacationed yearly—even missing one increased risk. A Framingham Heart Study found skipping vacations was just as bad for women, who are at risk of heart problems as early as age 21 now. A Wisconsin study showed women who took vacations twice per year were less likely to develop coronary heart disease, and become tense, depressed and tired—plus, the odds of marital dissatisfaction decreased.  

Plus, if you’re in some exotic destination, the odds are slim that you’ll end up sitting around in your hotel room. Being on vacation sparks interest and gets you out doing all kinds of physical activity that improve your health like walking, hiking, golfing, running, ziplining, climbing rock walls or falls,  bicycling, jogging, swimming, taking pictures, sightseeing, shelling, surfing, wading in the surf, snow skiing, partaking in watersports and so much more.

Even just relaxing on the beach is good for you (with SPF). Being outdoors exposes you to the Vitamin D of the sun’s rays, which health reports show helps prevent Cancer, Bone Disease and Depression, and Controls Insulin Levels, Balances Hormones and helps Promote Weight Loss.

Improving Productivity
Remove yourself from the stressors that can have harmful effects like work burnout. Work places encourage vacations because they want relaxed, refreshed, more productive workers. So disconnect from the office, turn off electronics and “unplug.” Another study shows stress is reduced up to 5 weeks after the vacation return. Booking your trip and airfare in advance helps you avoid any stressful last-minute travel planning. Call 800-656-2780 to book an incredible, health-improving and affordable promotional Best Vacations Ever package with free accommodations that saves you hundreds of dollars off your travel budget for much more fun and a lot less stress.

How has a vacation helped you reduce stress and improve your health?

A few helpful tip can help you  capture  amazing travel photos with just about any camera while traveling on your Preferred Guest Resorts’ Best Vacations Ever.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and every traveler wants to take beautiful photographs while on vacation so they document and share their visual story. The biggest mistake vacationers (and people) make is thinking a fancy new camera is the answer, when actually technique is more important than equipment. If you learn its capabilities, practice and learn how to avoid a few pitfalls, you can take beautiful photographs with almost any camera. Preferred Guest Resorts has culminated a top 10 list of tips and techniques from several of the world’s best travel photographers so you can take better photographs while on your Best Vacations Ever journey to picturesque family destinations:

  1. Read the camera’s manual, and learn all its controls and features so you’re prepared. TIP: More advanced information in expanded versions is often downloadable on retailer websites.
  2. Learn what “resolution” is and set your camera for the highest resolution possible. It makes digital altering/editing later much easier, especially if you want to make a vacation storybook. Get multiple large-file holding memory cards because high-rez photos create larger files and take up more room. TIP: Travelers take many more photographs than they expect, so you could be in a destination where it is too hard to buy one or have to pay higher tourist costs.
  3. Practice good focus methods—it’s the number one thing to ruin a photo. Learn how to use your automatic focus, which usually requires a half shutter press. Use the “macro” mode for very close-up shots. Auto focus often works better than manual. Pros often ignore auto focus and use metering to take better photos. TIP: If your auto photos turn out of focus, definitely try manual. You can capture some great close-up on manual at the theme parks and beaches.
  4. Learn how your camera works in varying light; Inside, outside and different times of the day when you get to your Preferred Guest Resorts’ vacation destination. Photos turn out very different in the varying forms of light. Also learn when to use your flash. TIP: Use your flash carefully; don’t use it when you don’t have to.
  5. Avoid red-eye by having people avoid looking directly into the camera or using a “bounce light.” Aiming your flash above the subjects’ heads, especially with surrounding light walls, will help avoid red-eye, too. TIP: Look around for color; red will draw into a person’s eye. There is a lot of color at theme parks for great images.

    Avoiding directly looking into the camera helps prevent red-eye and also creates more dramatic candid photos.

  6. Learn how to set your white balance—the most underused feature—that compensates for different kinds of lighting and how to set it for conditions like cloudy days, shade or bright sun in your vacation destination.
  7. Learn what ISO speed is, and set it to the lowest setting for posed or slow-moving photographs. TIP: This setting is perfect for group or tripod shots while on vacation.
  8. Before shooting, stand very still, frame and focus the photo creatively in your mind; then in your viewfinder. TIP: Avoid distractions and cluttered backgrounds in the photo when needed, although clutter can add texture and detailing to a photo, especially if you’re at a colorful attraction, theme park or exotic beaches while traveling on your Preferred Guest Resorts’ Best Vacation Ever.
  9. Try interesting angles that show minimum shadow and maximum color. Take a risk, and use the Photographers Rule of Thirds, where primary points sit along third lines. Horizon or other lines should not cut the picture in half. TIP: Divide your frame into thirds, and don’t put your subject in the middle of the frame, a helpful tip for any travel photo you take.
  10. Use lines, shapes, color and light to give depth and interest to an image, and add a dramatic, artistic effect to photographs, especially while in picturesque Preferred Guest Resorts’ vacation destinations.

    Depth, texture, color and contrast can create dramatically beautiful photographs while on your Best Vacations Ever with Preferred Guest Resorts.

If a picture tells a thousand words, fill your memory cards and share your expansive journey with more beautiful travel photographs than ever before. Remember, the more practice and the more images you take, the greater your eye becomes behind the lens. Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation packages can send you to amazingly affordable destinations and your Best Vacations Ever, so call 800-656-2780 today to book a vacation you’ll never forget, especially with brilliant photographs.

What are some of your tips and tricks for taking better photographs while traveling?

Enjoy significant savings this summer with 5 easy tips!

Vacations are expensive, especially during peak summer travel season! From airfare to accommodations and cars, the numbers really tally up and fast. A survey conducted by American Express showed the average person plans to spend $1,180 on a summer vacation—$1,180 per person. That means a family of four could be shelling out $4,720 bucks for a vacation getaway. Due to the economy, promotional vacations and timeshares are increasing in popularity and are a great way to experience incredible destinations at substantial savings. A Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation package can help ease the burden on your travel budget by offering inexpensive options to incredible destinations with complimentary hotel accommodations, a segment of your vacation travel that can get very costly along with airfare rates. The exponential savings of a Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation package is priceless, and our travel agents are fueled up to help you find the cheapest airfare options possible.  But what can you do in general to save money on airfare this summer? Darcie Connell, the founder and CEO of the travel site trekity.com, a travel-information packed site that blasts daily e-newsletters for women who love to travel and a forbes.com contributor, recently pulled a few tricks out of her sleeve. Here are  5 extremely valuable tips that can help you save money on airfare this summer:

1. Use Airline Consolidators

Connell says, “Airline ticket resellers work with major travel companies to sell tickets at reduced prices.” Consolidators are wholesalers (that buy in bulk. Existing relationships allow  travel agents to purchase tickets from these consolidators who pass on the savings to consumers. The problem is that some agents don’t pass on the savings and actually mark up the prices before they get to the client. “The best rates are usually found for international travel, as well as U.S. domestic business and first-class flights,” says Connell. When you choose to take one of our promotional vacations, a Preferred Guest Resorts’ agent will also work with you to help you find the best possible fares, presenting you with a listing of multiple available options.

2. Book In Advance

Preferred Guest Resorts always says to book in advance for the best rates! It’s common sense when traveling, especially for vacationing families or groups with four or more people. Connell concurs, stating, “When it comes to finding inexpensive flights, the general rule is the more available seats [on the plane], the cheaper the airline tickets.” Booking well in advance means many empty seats to fill and lower prices. Connell recommends making arrangements a minimum of 21 weeks prior to your departure date and says, “After that, airlines increase fares incrementally up until the departure date. So the closer [you get] to your departure date, the higher the price.” Preferred Guest Resorts has reported research that shows travelers can also find some of the best rates at least 8 weeks out, but not beyond that mark. After that mark, you’re throwing caution and money to the wind. Some airlines do offer last-minute discounts to fill empty seats, starting as far out as 14 days and right up to the days before, as well as day-off standby fillers. But waiting until the last minute is a serious risk, especially during peak season, and often a big disappointment for families of four that ends yup costing your way much more in the long run. Trust your Preferred Guest Resorts’ travel agent to help you find the lowest possible rates by starting to look for and book airfare rates well in advance of your Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation.

3. Clear Your “Cache”

No, we did not misspell “cash,” though it is pronounced the same way. Most people aren’t

Save lots of cash when you clear your cache!

even familiar with the term cache. Technologically speaking, many people start searching for flights and find an amazing price online during their first visit to a carrier site. But when they try to find that price later to show their husband, wife or travel partner, the price is actually higher than it was before. It becomes frustrating as airfares seem to change with no rhyme or reason. Connell says that this is where your web history and “cache” (recorded web history and searches) come into play. Smart booking sites record or track your browsing and searches, and some use this information to raise prices when they see you’re interested in a flight and make a return visit. She says the trick to beating this is to clear your web browsing data (known as cache) after your first search or before your next and each subsequent search, so there’s a greater chance that you’ll find the original price as a “first-time” visitor again. If you choose to take a Preferred Guest Resorts‘ promotional vacation package, your PGR travel agent knows how to work around such technology tactics and find you the lowest possible fares and options for your vacation.

4. Be Flexible With Dates & Times

“This is the number one way to save when it comes to booking flights,” Connell says, “we’re talking hundreds of dollars.” According to an in-depth analysis of its database, Fare Compare reported that the cheapest days to fly domestically are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, when airlines post discounts but of course, there are exceptions. According to the results, Wednesday is the least expensive day, and Friday and Sunday are the most expensive days to buy airfare. The analysis also reports a big difference on days for international flights, which are still pending. The same report also says that the cheapest time to fly is typically the first flight out in the morning—yes, meaning around 4 a.m.—and even cheaper are those limited red-eye flights. It also states that the next best times to fly are during/after lunch and flights at the dinner.

Another Fare Compare study showed that best time to buy airline tickets and shop for travel (domestically) is Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern time: “Yes, shopping on Tuesday is the best time to buy airline tickets, but be careful as most of these discounted airfares are pulled on Thursdays, so your probably paying too much if buying on the weekend,” reports Fare Compare.

Connell says now that booking agents now offer a “flexible date,” finding the cheapest flight is easy. It’s especially easy when you take the reports, stats and tips into consideration to find the least expensive flights.  If you choose to take a Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation, your travel agent will qualify you for times and dates that fit your family’s intended travel and, if asked, assist you with finding flights based on supplied information as well as best travel dates and options for the lowest fares available. “A simple trick that travel agents use is to search for flights three days before and after an intended departure. This can easily slice a few hundred dollars off international flights!,” she says. “Just remember: If you’re checking throughout the week, clear your browsing history for accurate search results.”

5. Research Carrier Hubs

“Every airline has a “hub”—sometimes more than one—where the majority of their flights arrive and depart, explains Connell. “For example, British Airways uses London Heathrow Airport and JetBlue Airways uses John F. Kennedy International Airport.” So, how does a hub help you? In general flights that are hub to hub are inexpensive because there are more flights/planes to choose from. Connell suggests, “If your final destination isn’t a major hub, check prices to the hub first, and then look for an additional flight from the hub to your final destination. Yes, you’ll have a layover, but you could save a lot of money in the process.” Your Preferred Guest Resorts’ travel agent can also look up this information for you when finding you the lowest airfares and flight options.

Preferred Guest Resorts‘ travel agents can also help you find the best airfare rates while booking you an incredible promotional vacation.

You can fly anywhere you want this summer and can save a lot of money while getting a jump on your summer travel plans. If you’re interested in more information about a Preferred Guest Resorts‘ promotional vacation and how we can help you cut down your travel expenses significantly, call one of our travel agents today at 1-800-656-2780.

 

 

A few tips can help you and your your family have the most fun at the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

The lights, the cameras, the action are all awaiting you at Universal Orlando® Resort in Orlando, Florida. A trip to this cinematic- based thrill park should take center stage as you plan and book your Orlando vacation. Preferred Guest Resorts works with you to create the Best Vacation Ever for you and your family during your trip to Central Florida, with premium accommodations through preferred partnerships like Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotels, resorts and vacation timeshare rentals that are located right in the heart of the action. With easy proximity to all of Orlando’s top attractions and theme parks, a visit to Universal Orlando® Resort is a must-do on every family vacation itinerary. You can find roller coasters anywhere in the U.S., but the Old Hollywood ambiance and dedication to the most famous movies, like the Harry Potter series and The Simpsons have made this park a unique, unmatched experience that includes super thrill rides and creative, high-tech thematic shows that use modern movie-making technology that rival many of the other attractions in the country.

TOP TIPS FOR UNIVERSAL VISITORS

Due to the popularity of newer attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at the resort’s Islands of Adventure® and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit® at Universal Studios®, it is recommended you purchase at least a 2-Day Ticket with park-to-park access. This way you can experience both parks at Universal Orlando® Resort for one ticket price. You can start your day at Universal Studios, then visit Islands of Adventure in the afternoon, or travel between both parks whenever you want. Purchasing the VIP Express Pass allows you to also avoid waiting in long lines, especially during peak seasons and high temperatures in Florida. When planning your vacation budget, call ahead for pricing and see how it can fit into your allotted funds. Your Preferred Guest Resorts’ representative may have some helpful tips to offer as well!

 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Revenge of the Mummy is a fast and furious coaster ride based on the famous movie. Watch out for the killer backwards drop!

The Revenge of the Mummy®

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit®

 


Ages 10 and Under

Fievel’s® Playground

E.T. Adventure®

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™

Twister Simulator Experience

 

For All Ages

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™

Shrek 4-D

The Simpsons Ride™

Terminator 2®: 3-D

E.T. Adventure®

 

Shows

Animal Actors On Location!SM

Beetlejuices Graveyard Revue™

Live Rock ‘n’ Roll Spooktacular

The Blues Brothers® Show

A Day in the Park with Barney™

Fear Factor Live

Lucy – A TributeSM

Universal Orlando/s Horror Make-Up Show

 

Islands of Adventure is one of two Universal Orlando Resort theme parks that pack a serious punch with multiple rides, attractions and shows.

Thrill Rides & Coasters

The Incredible Hulk Coaster®

Dragon Challenge™

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®

Pteranodon Flyers®

 

Water Rides

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls®

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®

Jurassic Park River Adventure®

 

Fun for All Ages

The Cat In the Hat™

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™

 

Family Shows

The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad® Stunt Show

Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear!; Dr. Seuss Tales  Come to Life

Poseidons Fury®

 

START YOUR GREATEST ADVENTURE!

Get ready for thrills and chills, just like in the movies, and start your adventures at Universal Orlando® Resort by calling your Preferred Guest Resorts’ travel representative today to ensure you have booked your Orlando vacation and accommodations. If you have any questions or need help planning your family vacation or itinerary, call today so we can help assure that you and your family have the Best Vacation Ever in Orlando, Florida.

The Simpsons sure love Universal Orlando Resort and so will you and your family!

 

 

Planning a vacation at the magical theme parks of Walt Disney World® Theme Parks? Given how many parks actually make up Walt Disney World® Resort—the Magic Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Epcot®—not to mention its water parks and all the other activities you have planned on your vacation itinerary, you’ll be hard-pressed to find time to check out every attraction, ride and show at every park.

That’s why Preferred Guest Resorts has done some heavy legwork for you and found out the favorite rides/shows of travelers at Walt Disney World Theme Parks. On your Best Vacation Ever, make sure your family’s ticket packages include the Park Hopper® option, so you can bounce park to park as you please, and if you plan on a return visit in the future, opt for the No Expiration option. Also take advantage of any Magical Hours that are designed to let a handful of people in early, and be sure to grab FAST PASSES for rides you absolutely must try before you leave—at least the ones that offer FAST PASSES, which  give you a window of time to come back and walk right on the ride… no waiting in line. Just return during the window of time they give you on the FAST PASS and you basically walk right on.

Based on fellow Best Vacations Ever travelers’ feedback, Preferred Guest Resorts identified a few of the must-do rides and must-see shows for each of the four main theme parks that offer the most fun for the young and the nostalgic young at heart. For a whole new set of thrills and chills, you can also check out Walt Disney World® Resort’s two water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Check out the wet and wild fun on the Walt Disney World® Resort website. As far as the main theme parks go, here’s our top picks for the best rides and shows at Walt Disney World® Resort:

BEST RIDES AND SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD® THEME PARKS:

MAGIC KINGDOM® THEME PARK:

Enjoy spins, twirls, whirls, twists and drops on the super-fast railroad ride of Big Thunder Mountain.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® – A super fun and fast roller coaster with fun dips, twists and roundabouts that are not especially scary, so the more adventurous kids and adults will really like it. With cliffs and canyons, Big Thunder Mountain is fast and fun!

Pirates of the Caribbean® – One of the most classic and enjoyable Magic Kingdom rides of all time—always managing to stay fresh and entertaining. Board your boat and drop 14 feet over a waterfall into treasure-filled caves! Then float through a town where pirates pillage and Captain Jack Sparrow hides from pursuers. It’s a “yo ho, yo ho” lot of fun, but a slow ride through cannonball shots during a ship-to-shore battle that may be loud for sensitive young ears. Prepare them ahead of time because it can be load and somewhat scary. Prepare to spend a small fortune on incredible souvenirs the kids will be begging for, too!

Splash Mountain® – Wind through bayous, caves and watery byways in a log boat,  then hold onto your cap hold for the 52-1/2-foot drop finale. Kids get a kick out of it, but make sure they check out the final drop, which can be spotted just outside the  ride before getting on.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin®– Based on the Disney Pixar Movie Toy Story, it’s just like being smack dab in the middle of a Buzz Lightyear video game, with colorful characters, flashing lights and laser shooters. Climb into your own space cruiser and compete with family members as you shoot laser guns at targets, with your final score provided at the end. Some heated competitions have taken place—rounds and rounds.

Haunted Mansion® – Though it’s quite tame and more fun than scary, with humorous fake ghosts at the end that stow away in your ride-along buggy, the beginning may scare some younger kids. Prepare them ahead of time that its not at all as scary as they think, and it will be more fun and entertaining than frightening!

Peter Pan’s Flight – A classic ride that has a true Disney magical feel as you soar through the sky in a ship, and watch the classic fairytale unfold with Peter and all his friends. It’s a great, cool ride for escaping the summer heat, too.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic – Ideal for families, this 3D show is a lot of fun and filled with lots of traditional Disney characters.

Astro Orbiter® – A fun spin for two people high above Tomorrowland with spectacular view from orbit as you dip and rise.

Space Mountain® – Mimicking a rocket blastoff, this super fast, twisting, dropping roller coaster  in the dark is a signature yet recently renovated classic Disney ride and may be a bit scarier for younger kids than the open-air, open-eye Thunder Mountain.

Jungle Cruise – A family-fun 1930’s-style safari boat through the world’s most exotic, untamed rivers. Brave wild animals and silly goings-on in Asia, Africa and South America on this riverboat Disney classic.

Wishes™ Nighttime Spectacular – The biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in Magic Kingdom theme-park history over Cinderella’s castle and if you look closely, Tinkerbelle actually takes flight from the castle top to kick it off! This also is a great time to catch last-minute rides with short lines since most of the crowd is watching the closing show.

Cinderellabration – Great fun for kids, especially daughters into all the Disney princesses. Boys may get a little restless, but it’s a great family spectacle.

 

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® THEME PARK:

Festival of the Lion King – The No. 1 must-see show even for locals. It always receives high praise. Based on the Disney movie The Lion King, it’s a spectacular Broadway-style musical show that’s fun for the whole family and a great, 30-minute escape in a cool theater during hot summer months.

Expedition Everest® – A high-altitude, high-speed roller coaster through big drops, hairpin turns and a close encounters with Yeti, the inhospitable inhabitant of the Forbidden Mountain. A super fun ride, but it may be a bit much for younger kids and senior adults.

Kids will have longtime smiles and families will have lifelong memories from Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks on your Best Vacation Ever through Preferred Guest Resorts.

Kilimanjaro Safaris® Expedition – A rugged Jeep ride through an African savanna filled with real wild animals, poachers and some minor special effects that add to the fun and experience.  Great for the whole family. No two safaris are the same, so go a couple times, if you can.

Finding Nemo–The Musical – A fun, 30-minute musical-theater adaptation of Disney Pixar’s movie Finding Nemo that will amaze audiences of all ages.

Liberty Square Riverboat – A fun family cruise on the Rivers of America in an authentic 3-tiered paddlewheel steamship. The scenic, half-mile tour cruises Frontierland, Liberty Square and Tom Sawyer Island.

Kali River Rapids® – Great family fun but expect to get wet as you rage the Chakranadi River rapids in a  big raft through an Asian rainforest, then drop into gushing geysers and drift under waterfalls. During the hot summer months, the splashes are quite refreshing, but do be careful and stow your electronics as the instruct in the raft because some people cone off head-to-toe soaked.

Primeval Whirl® – A very different but fun carnival type of coaster (height requirement). Most kids love it but some get a bit scared. But adults have delighted in its spins, whirls, twirls and hair-pin turns.  Height requirement required, but it is right in the middle of a large kids’ area with carnival-style games including prizes and fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Dinosaur – A dark ride in a Time Rover through the Cretaceous era. It’s a good time, but it’s  very loud and very bumpy as you ride through the dark with roaring dinosaurs. It may be a bit too load and rocky at some points for younger kids—even a bit scary for some—and it may be a bit harsh on those adults with bad backs or neck problems as you’re tossed around a lot.

The Boneyard® – When you need to sit a spell, let the kids become paleontologists on a sandy, dinosaur playground where they can excavate fossils, climb through tunnels, and wind their ways through a giant, multilevel maze with slides and much more.

Maharajah Jungle Trek® – Experience the wilds of the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia, encountering majestic tigers, a Komodo dragon, wild bats, deer and more than 50 species of exotic birds amid ancient ruins and murals.

Wildlife Express Train – A fun, rustic African train that runs 1.2 miles between the Harambe, Africa and Rafiki’s Planet Watch areas. See animal housing and care areas for rhinos, elephants and other species.

It’s Tough to be a Bug!® – Super fun 3D theatrical, multimedia show in the Tree of Life hosted by the ant Flik from Disney Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. Fun surprises make adults giggle as much as the kids.

 

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS®:

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ – Another signature Disney thrill ride that drops passengers several floors without warning in an old building’s elevator. Very scary but very fun for adrenaline junkies. But this wild ride is really not for the faint at heart.

Rock n’ Roll Roller Coaster® –Fast, scary, exhilarating coaster, but not one for the little kids. This high-speed coaster is enhanced by a soundtrack recorded by the rock legends Aerosmith. Quite possibly the best coaster out of all the parks. Prepare for a long wait, or try the single rider line (faster) if you don’t mind sitting without your partner.

Fantasmic! – A nightly spectacular, 25-minute nighttime fireworks and water show starring Mickey Mouse and a bevy of Disney Characters, classic Disney music and songs, laser lights and amazing hydrotechnic effects. It’s crowded and you need to get there early, but it’s worth it as on of the best shows at Disney World.

Beauty and the Beast–Live on Stage – A lavish, 25-minute, Broadway-style musical that’s great for all ages, but it’s especially favored by young and old females alike.

Toy Story Mania!® – Play through an interactive, 4D attraction featuring the cast of characters from the Disney Pixar Toy Story films.

Star Tours® – New adventures, now in 3D, complete with new Star Wars destinations and the classic characters like C-3PO, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.

Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! – Another classic Disney stunt show spectacular that re-enacts some of the most exciting adventures of the first Indiana Jones film. This wild stunt show with all the modern special effects is super fun for the whole family.

The Great Movie Ride – A ride through the middle of some of the greatest movie scenes in history, from 1930’s gangster flicks to contemporary sci-fi classics. Fun for all ages with some special effects that may be tad scary for the wee ones, but they’re brief. To prepare for those moments, sit them next to you but on the inside of the tram.

Lights, Motors, Action!® Extreme Stunt Show® —Great family fun and q favorite for young boys and fans of Lightening McQueen animated movie Cars.  The 33-minute live attraction is great for the whole family and reveals the film-making secrets behind complex vehicle stunts and electrifying pyrotechnics, which is really fun for all, but especially young boys and boys at heart.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid – A unique, 15-minute live show that recreates the magic of Ariel’s underwater world; based on the popular Disney movie The Little Mermaid.

Studio Backlot Tour – A thrilling 35-minute, behind-the-scenes guided walk and tram ride that’s great for all ages and a nice chance to get off your feet for a while as you see how some of the most spectacular special effects in movies are made. Some controlled explosions (with fire) and special effects might be a little scary for young ears, but you’ll have an idea when they might be coming up and can sit the kids inside the middle of your tram row.

 

EPCOT®:

Soarin’™ – A serene, simulated hang-gliding experience perfect for all ages. Experience the feeling of free flight from 40 feet in the air with scenic panoramas that include the Golden Gate Bridge, Malibu and LA. Take a deep breath as you pass over the field of orange groves and you’ll capture the scent of orange blossoms.

Spaceship Earth – Perfect for all ages, this slow, smooth, air-conditioned slow-moving ride through the signature Epcot globe. The 16-minute ride transports you through 40,000 years, from the dawn of recorded time to modern day.

Mission: SPACE® – Super fun for adults, but it can be scary and cause some upset tummies in sensitive kids afterward since there’s quite a bit of spinning, though a less-intensive option is now available. It’s definitely not for claustrophobics either. You turn into an astronaut on this realistic space flight to Mars, traveling 8,000 miles in 5-1/2 minutes on a journey dodging meteors as you attend to aeronautical duties. A strong stomach and a heavy dose of bravery are much needed for the original version.

Test Track – A very fun, very different ride for the classic park, but a top favorite and must-do ride for park visitors. It can be a little scary, but most adults and many kids really like it. If you have any health problems, though, sit this one out! Also prepare for long lines. You can get through much faster by using the single rider line, unless you must sit with your partner.

Epcot’s® World Showcase – OK, so it’s not really a ride, but global exploration is so exciting and adventurous, we had to put it on the list. Explore the cultures of 11 international countries and their pavilions filled with their own unique culture, authentic merchandise, restaurants, one-of-a-kind shopping and attractions. Countries include Mexico, Norway, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Japan, China, Morocco and more. There’ a great restaurant and boat ride with Daffy Duck in Mexico that’s a nice retreat from the summer heat. There’s also an excellent bakery in France, as well as a winery that sometimes hands out champagne samples, and of course, a frosty pint and great fish, chips and big ole pretzels in Germany.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth – A spectacular nightly show filled with pyrotechnics, lasers, fire and fountains on World Showcase Lagoon.

TRAVELER’S TIP: Beyond the exceptional variety of cuisine, otherworldly sideshows, performances and global souvenirs, from trinkets to high-end global luxuries, Epcot surprises many families, especially children, who have found it to be quite stimulating  and a really great place to explore other world cultures, hang out, have dinner together and watch the fireworks over the lake.

Make no mistake, there’s absolutely something for everyone at every Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks, and Preferred Guest Resorts is thrilled to offer you such an incredible money-saving vacation opportunity to see such exciting and endless Central Florida attractions that will put longtime smiles on the kids faces and make memories that last a lifetime.

With so much to do in Orlando, call your Best Vacations Ever representative to book your travel and make sure you get premium accommodations in a hotel, resort, or luxury timeshare rental as close to all the parks and attractions on your vacation itinerary. Fall under the magical spell of Orlando, Florida, by calling Preferred Guest Resorts and starting your  Best Vacation Ever today!

While on your BVE promotional vacation, there are plenty of healthy and affordable dining options at the big-name theme parks in Orlando to please everyone, and every taste bud, in the family. Health-conscious visitors will be surprised by all the healthy choices available!

A vacation used to be a license to splurge—to eat and drink whatever you wanted—but travelers today are much more conscious about healthier eating options and spreading out their family vacation splurging a little bit. A nice dinner out with all the trimmings is always great fun, especially if you’re on vacation in Orlando. But for many parents, healthy eating options are a big concern, especially on the wallets when out enjoying all the city’s theme parks and attractions during their affordable vacation in Orlando, Florida.

You can always bring your own healthy snacks and sippie cups to refill juice or water  in your  backpack (check park websites for policies on bringing in food and water ahead of time.). But there are more healthy eating options today, especially when health and fitness options are top of mind at all kinds of eating establishments—theme parks included! Just ask your vacation representative at 800-656-2780 who can also help with advance ticket purchases while booking your promotional vacation package.

More and more theme-park travelers started expressing strong interests in having healthy eating options, especially after seeing the quick in-and-out joints with burgers, hotdogs, fries, and chicken nuggets,vendor stands with popcorn, decorative ice-cream treats and candy shops, and kids hyped up on too much sugar.

Moderation, obviously, is the key, but you and everyone in your family can eat healthy and still enjoy your promotional vacation in the theme-park capital of the world, so you don’t go back home 5 pounds heavier, with kids that are completely thrown off their healthy eating routines.

Healthy entrees are easier to find at the bigger restaurants at the theme parks, but the smaller, quick-serve joints do serve healthy options, too. If you take time to read the menu you’ll find plenty of alternatives to fries like Jello, applesauce, fruits slices or carrot sticks. Having two members share a meal also is  a great way to monitor portion control and save money while on vacation.

Your promotional vacation package to Orlando can be as fun, healthy and affordable as you want it to be. Remember that your Preferred Guest Resorts representative can help you with any advance ticket purchases and reservations too, if you call 800-656-2780. There are plenty more options available if you just look around while you’re at the parks or if you check out the dining options at each website ahead of time. But, to give you a head start, here are a few suggestions for  healthy eating options at some of Orlando’s big-name theme parks.

SeaWorld®Orlando

SeaWorld has one of the best healthy dining programs out of all the Orlando attractions, making it easy to stick to healthy eating habits. Don’t worry, there’s something to please everyone and every taste bud in the family. Along with a mesmerizing tableside view of sharks, you can get freshly prepared, upscale entrees of all varieties, from assorted salads to freshly grilled seafood and chicken at Sharks Underwater Grill. It’s may be a bit more expensive, but it’s truly memorable experience. One the kids will totally enjoy, no matter what they are eating.  Makahiki Luau serves up incredible Pacific Isle cuisine that’s full of fresh fruits, salads, prime entrees, along with plenty of traditional luau entertainment. (Call your vacation representative ahead of time at 800-656-2780 too see if they can assist with the required advanced registrations.)  SeaWorld also caters to vegetarians with a delicious super- low-calorie vegetable plate or a yummy garden burger at the Spice Mill. There’s also the cold veggie wrap in the Antarctic Market that’s a nice, refreshing bit to nosh on during a hot summer’s day. The delicious smells and succulent flavors from the Voyagers Smokehouse might tempt your taste buds to go off the wagon, but its just-as-flavorful yet healthy turkey sandwich is an equally delicious alternative that’s flattering on your figure, too.

Universal Orlando® Resort

Universal Orlando Resort combines adventure and healthy meals. No matter where you stop almost all of Universal’s dining options offer healthy alternatives to French fries or other high-calorie sides. Choose from veggies, side salads or fruit to help balance any meal. The Beverly Hills Boulangerie, Louie’s Italian Restaurant and Richter’s Burger Co. all offer a selection of soups, salads and sandwiches that won’t leave you feeling guilty or wondering if you’ll fit in that new swimsuit you bought for the hotel pool. When you’re in Islands of Adventure, try the Garden Burger at Burger Digs or the Chicken Caesar Salad at Pizza Predittoria for a quick, wholesome meal that won’t leave you too full for the rides. For an award-winning meal, look for the towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls and ancient figures carved into the side of Mythos Restaurant® and get ready for a top-rated meal with a scenic view and plenty of healthy options, such as the succulent Cedar Plank Salmon. Passing in between the two parks, the healthy options abound at Universal CityWalk®, which has a host of renowned restaurants you can sit a spell for a great wholesome meal for the whole family. Head to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville® for the Caribbean Chicken Salad, or a plethora of options at restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe®, Emerils® Restaurant Orlando, NBA City, Bubba Gump Shrimp™ and many more.

Walt Disney World® Resort

Healthy snacking is the key to keeping both parents and kids happy while visiting the most magical place on earth. A colorful assortment of fresh fruit, veggies and juice can be found cold-packed with vendors at any of the parks, like in Animal Kingdom’s decorative Harambe Fruit Market, which entices children with its cold-packed variety of colorful fruits, water and juices. You can also find delicious, low-fat smoothies at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Magic Kingdom that are great for beating the heat while being healthy. For lunch? Head into Tomorrowland where you’ll find tofu and noodle bowls at the Terrance Noodle Station and Turkey Bacon Wraps at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. Hollywood Studios also offers veggie sandwiches and a Southwest Salad with chicken at Starring Rolls or Backlot Express. There’s no skimping on flavor to eat healthy at Animal Kingdom’s Yak & Yeti, with its Mandarin Chicken Salad, or the hibachi-style grilling Teppan Edo or the many eateries in the countries at Epcot®. There are also a bounty of options for healthy eating at the many eateries within the countries of the World Showcase. French fries are popular and pretty much a staple item, so you’ll always find those on menus. But at least there are alternatives, like salads or fruits, that are offered at most establishments and at least one low-fat and one vegetarian entrée are now offered at all table-service restaurants.You can even satisfy your sweet tooth with a Dole Whip or a naturally super sweet mango smoothie that fills you up, too, instead of those hard-to-resist fudge bar or Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar. A couple during the vacation week is almost a tradition, but keep it a minimum… a special treat!

It’s much easier to eat healthy at the parks than people think, especially with so many options and a shared consciousness to serve and keep park visitors happy and healthy. Sometimes, it’s having the will power to follow through that’s the hard part. Remember, you can always stash away a few healthy treats and some water bottles in your backpack to help save money, time and stave off the kids’ boredom standing in long lines, depending on park policies you should check ahead of time online.  Whatever you decide, know that there are plenty of options to suit all your needs as you and your family enjoy your promotional vacation in Orlando. Be sure to call your vacation representative at 800-656-2780 for any information or assistance in booking your vacation, getting theme-park tickets or hard-to-get dinner reservations in advance, as well as notice of any dietary restrictions the hotel can be advised of. Then go ahead and have your Best Vacation Ever!

 

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