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
Travelers flock annually to Central Florida for its year-round sunshine, beautiful nearby beaches, plentiful attractions and big-name theme parks like Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal StudiosOrlando® and SeaWorld Orlando®. But the Sunshine Sate is not without reprieve from Mother Nature. Spring ushers in like a lion, and summer brings hearty afternoon thunderstorms—often welcomed for cooling high temperatures. Informed vacationers refuse to let rain spoil the fun. Thousands of travelers visit Orlando every year through Best Vacations Ever promotional vacation packages (800-656-2780), saving hundreds of dollars with complimentary accommodations for more fun money for extra activities. Visit bestvacationsever.com to arm your travel itinerary with Orlando MUST-DO activities. Here are a few of our favorite family fun activities for Orlando rainy days:
Disney Quest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park: Located in Downtown Disney—and entertainment complex travelers don’t want to miss—is an interactive extravaganza with 5 floors of family fun, including virtual worlds, 3D encounters, cyber sensations and classic video games in the Replay Zone. Other other hotspots and restaurants are a skip away.
Old Town Arcade: Old Town is a classic and retro pop-culture amusement park and outdoor shopping mall in Kissimmee. Outdoor activities and rides may be limited while raining, but indoor arcade is packed with power play and fun activities for everyone.
WonderWorks: Visitors step inside the inversion tunnel to be turned right side up before you take on more than 100 exciting, hands-on exhibits that make it an Orlando MUST-DO for all ages.
Orlando Science Center: Whether 7 or 70 years old, vacationers will enjoy hands-on fun, engaging interactive activities, movies, exhibits and much more. Four floors inspire curiosity, discovery, exploration and education amid historic family fun adventure.
Downtown Orlando Ghost Tours: Ominous weather adds to the ambiance as vacationers meet a ghost tour guide on Church Street, at the former Historic Strand Hotel, who shares tales of Orlando’s shady past and hotbeds of paranormal activity, dating as far back as 1886, are unveiled. EMF detectors are provided, and cameras/camcorders are welcome, as no two trips are alike.
Chocolate Kingdom: Chocoholics and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans will love this interactive journey as a personal guide and a Prince with his Dragon sidekick takes Orlando visitors through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Museum, a Mystical River of Chocolate and a Bean-to-the-Bar Factory.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Orlando travelers of all ages will “oo and ahh” over the unbelievable facts and artifacts at the Orlando world of weird attractions.
Shopping: There’s no better cure on a rainy day than retail therapy. Orlando satisfies every traveler’s cravings and budget with the Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall, top outlet malls, antiquing centers and much more.
Orange County Regional History Center: Vacationers can see pictures of and learn about Orlando 100 years ago, before Walt Disney World® Resort and other developments came into play.
The Titanic Experience: Visitors can check out the large collection of artifacts and exhibits commemorating the first and final voyage of the Titanic.
Specialty Performances: Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba and Blue Man Group are just two of Orlando’s most mystical, magical and entertaining specialty performances vacationing travelers can enjoy in Orlando.
Visit bestvacationsever.com for more MUST-DO Orlando activities and call a Best Vacations Ever travel representative at 800-656-2780 to book a promotional family fun vacation package in Orlando with free accommodations that increase your travel fun money.
What are some of your favorite Orlando rainy-day activities?
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 Resortsworks 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
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
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.
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.). Butthere 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 vacationrepresentative 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 Burgerat Burger Digsor the ChickenCaesar Saladat 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 smoothiesat 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 StationandTurkey Bacon Wrapsat 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 atEpcot®. There are also a bounty of options for healthy eating at the many eateries withinthe 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 vacationrepresentative 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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Budgeting was already a priority when you purchased your Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation package, which was designed to offer enhanced, high-quality vacations at budget-friendly prices, for families and adults. And when it comes to traveling, you want to spend as little money as possible on airfare, right? Regardless of when you plan to travel, it’s incredibly wise to start scoping flight prices months in advance to find the the most affordable travel options. The later you wait, the greater the risk you’ll end up forking out premium or peak prices when there are plenty of chances to grab lower rates for your upcoming vacation.
Economists say you can find some of the cheapest airfare bargains about eight weeks out—a basic rule of thumb to use when planning and booking a trip, especially affordable family-fun vacations to some of the best U.S vacation spots. But according to the New York Times, major markdowns could be coming this fall when the annual “fall-off” in fares is expected to be substantial, as airline carriers are expecting more trouble than usual this year selling post-summer travel. That essentially means even bigger savings for those booking their Preferred Guest Resorts’ vacations, even during the peak seasons.
The Wall Street Journal also discovered that you can find the best bargains on airfare during two windows: At the end of AUGUST through the BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER and the END OF DECEMBER through the BEGINNING OF JANUARY when consumers are burned out on travel and bookings come to a screeching halt. Savvy travelers know these slow time periods are the best times to grab serious money-saving opportunities on everything from airfare to theme-park tickets and car rentals so they have more fun money to spend on vacation, especially those with kids.
If you’re heading to a family-fun destination with major parks and attractions you plan on visiting, keep an eye on those vendor websites, as well. Even the big-name parks, like Walt Disney World® Resort and Universal Studios® Orlando, are known to push out advance-purchase ticket package specials to entice future travelers.
During the off seasons, you also have the opportunity to save money on a variety of attractions, rentals cars and other travel-related vendors, which also feel the sting of these slow periods and push out some their best advance-purchase specials for future travel during slow periods, as well. A family of four or more can save a lot of money on airfare, tickets, cars and much more that could otherwise be a barrier for traveling if they play their cards right – or in this case, their timing right.
Even if you just got back from a trip or you’re just procrastinating, it’s always best to start looking for airfares in advance, especially with fall just around the corner and prices expected to drop considerably. Start looking for airfares online right now, and make sure to set up alerts with your favorite carriers so you get instant emails and texts sent right to your mobile devices. Airlines and travel-related vendors are now using more mobile and web-based marketing tools and apps to reach consumers faster.
It’s true that the early bird gets the worm, so why procrastinate and agonize over airfares, when the result could be major markdowns this fall? You can maximize your time and budget more effectively for your Best and Most Affordable Vacation Ever through Preferred Guest Resorts, if you start doing your homework.
Trust us and your wallet will thank us later.
So nail down those travel dates and get ready to begin your journey to magnificent destinations through the enhanced travel experiences and premium partnerships provided by Preferred Guest Resorts. Call your Preferred Guest Resorts’travel agent at 1-800-656-2780 with any questions or any assistance in booking your travel and have your Best Vacation Ever!
So you’re planning a family vacation to Orlando, the theme park, family-fun capital of the world. Visitors fall under the magical spell of Orlando vacations and return regularly for its host of options. There’s been much written about the rivalries among the main theme parks of Walt Disney World® Resort which includes Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, SeaWorld® Orlando, but which is best for your family’s treasured vacation time? Much of what is written is myth more than fact. For those of you who have booked or are ready to book your Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation package, rest assured you will be right in the heart of the action, so you can take advantage of all of Orlando’s many adventures and theme parks and witness the amazing differences for yourself. Remember, no trip to Orlando would be complete without visiting both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, as well as SeaWorld, if your itinerary allows it. Preferred Guest Resorts wants you to have your Best Vacation Ever, so here’s a little bit of the history when it comes to the main ambassadors.
RIVALRY
The rivalry between Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort is based in theme park myth and legend, created largely by the fans of both parks. In fact, when Universal Orlando opened in June 1990, Walt Disney World Resort took out a full-page ad in the Orlando Sentinel, welcoming Universal Studios to the neighborhood. The close proximity of these two main theme park resorts, along with the pressure from other area parks like SeaWorld Orlando, has forced both parks to strive for visitors through continuous reinvention, but both know that they can attract the same groups of vacationers who want to visit both parks. SeaWorld Orlando’s advantage comes from being a water-based, marine-animal park and its two water-based parks (Aquatica® Water Park and Discovery Cove® Orlando), which have very little resemblance to the two mega parks, though it is not exempt from reinvention and techniques to draw visitors as well.
THE BIGGEST MYTH
A perpetuated myth for years has been that Walt Disney World Resort is best for small children, while Universal Orlando Resort appeals to teenagers and adults. The truth is both parks were founded on the premise that the entire family should be able to have fun together. Both offer a healthy mix of thrills and chills, children’s play areas and attractions appropriate for everyone in all age groups. The best part if that they are totally different in many respects; you just have to visit them to notice the distinctions.
Walt Disney World Resort is based on the most famous mouse, Mickey Mouse, and Walt Disney’s vision for a family dedicated theme park based on Mickey Mouse and all his friends that children and the young- at-heart have grown to love and appreciate. The art of animation and bringing those characters in a way that makes every visitor of every age leave feeling enchanted. Coming soon: Walt Disney World Resort is in the process of remodeling parts of the Magic Kingdom Park’s Fantasyland® Area.
Universal Orlando Resort is based on the movies and the fun of the silver screen over the years, with everything from popular old to contemporary movies, all set amid an Old Hollywood ambiance. Each has a distinctive appeal and any rivalry seems to come from visitors who judge it by the thrill rides alone. New at Universal Studios Florida: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem®
Many Orlando visitors enjoy the calm stroll through EPCOT as opposed to riding roller coasters at Islands of Adventure, and some naturists enjoy the wildlife and adventures in Disney’s Animal Kingdom as opposed to loud, raucous dinosaur simulators. The fact is, each place offers unique options to appeal to visitors, hoping to get their business.
PARK VS. PARK
Walt Disney World Resort has four separate theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Universal Orlando Resort has two: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, which has more of the coasters and thrill rides. Each park has an individual theme, such as Universal Studios Florida’s movie back lot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park’s blend of zoo animals and high-tech attractions. While both compete for visitors, both aim to be different and offer their guests unique experiences that appeal to families of all ages.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort celebrate holidays and festivals year round. Walt Disney World Theme Parks host elaborate Christmas festivities throughout all four parks and dozens of highly regarded events, from EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Other popular Walt Disney World Resort events include the spring’s International Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT, the summer Star Wars Weekends fan convention at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the fall’s International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT.
Universal Studios created the horror film genre, its annual and world-renowned Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights® – featuring eight haunted houses, four stage shows and hundreds of street actors create an intense and immersive event, and its other popular festivities include incredible events such as Mardi Gras in the spring, a fantastic Summer Concert Series, and the wildly green and fun Grinchmas™ and Macy’s Holiday Parade™ celebrations over the holidays.
Preferred Guest Resorts has offered a brief breakdown of what to expect on your theme-park adventures to the park while vacationing in Orlando. The best part is that your prime accommodations with Preferred Guest Resorts’ premium partners of hotels, resorts and vacation timeshare rentals puts you at close proximity to run over to the park for a few quick rides, or a day of individual or family fun at any number of Orlando attractions. If you haven’t booked your Orlando vacation and accommodations, call your Preferred Guest Resorts reservation agent now at 1-800-656-2780 or visit us at bestvacationsever.com for a magical adventure to Orlando that could be your family’s Best Vacation Ever.