Tourists are attracted to the state of Florida for various reasons, with the main reason being due to this particular state’s warm climate and plentiful beaches. From Jacksonville to Miami, tourists travel to Florida to enjoy all this state has to offer. One Florida city that tourists are especially drawn to is Orlando. In addition to its warm, sunny climate and lovely beaches, people visit Orlando because of the many theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Lego Land, which is the newest addition to the bunch. Of course there is also the opportunity to shop, golf, swim, fish, sight see, visit museums as well as a great deal more. Unfortunately for individuals on a budget, participating in various Orlando attractions can become quite expensive, especially if you are staying for more than just a few days.

One way to off-set your expenses is to eat at less expensive restaurants, or perhaps even prepare your own meals at times. It’s pretty inexpensive to buy a loaf of bread, a few condiments and the deli meats of your choice. Canned soup or potato chips are great ideas for possibilities that can be consumed with the sandwiches, and drinks purchased in the half-gallon or gallon size are more economical than buying individuals drinks. There is, of course, other less expensive food available at the supermarket, which you can choose, depending on your own personal preferences.

If you don’t wish to prepare your own foods or you don’t have access to a refrigerator, microwave or someplace else in which to cook your meals, as you probably already know, most fast food restaurants now have dollar menus that include various options. Dollar menus usually contain a combination of both healthy and not-so-healthy choices, and what you ultimately decide to eat depends totally on what your health goals are…or aren’t. Additionally, if you opt to eat lunch instead of dinner at a full-service restaurant, you can save quite a bit of money as well, since most restaurants offer a separate, much cheaper lunch menu. The portions are smaller, of course, but it is a way to still enjoy eating at your favorite restaurant but without spending an arm and a leg.

Another way to free up money so you’ll have more to spend enjoying the area attractions is to stay at a less expensive hotel. There is no need to sacrifice your comfort by staying at a sleazy, cockroach or rodent-infested motel because you decide to lower your budget, and as long as you choose the right hotel you can have the best of both worlds, meaning a nice hotel with various conveniences but for a budget price. The following Discount Orlando Hotels are some excellent choices that will provide you with the amenities that you desire yet without requiring you to pay exorbitant costs.

Baymont Maingate West Resort – located exactly 2 minutes from Disney World, this lovely resort boasts beautiful rooms with 42” flat screen televisions, a free deluxe continental breakfast, free shuttles to Disney World and other area theme parks, 2 queen-sized beds, as well as a microwave and refrigerator in every room. Prices start at an amazing $42/night, depending on when you plan to take your vacation.

Royal Plaza Hotel Orlando – another luxurious but reasonably priced choice, this hotel is the Official Disney World hotel located inside the theme park. The Royal Plaza Hotel Orlando offers a sleeper sofa in every room, free shuttle service to Disney World Theme Parks every half-hour and has been rated 3.5 stars by AAA. Their rates begin at $57/night, depending on when you plan to stay.

Best Western Disney - with rates starting at $59/night, this posh hotel offers queen beds in every room where there are double beds, it’s located in Disney World, provides free shuttles to the area theme parks every hour, has room sizes that are much more spacious than your average hotel room, and you can upgrade to a Disney view room for a small additional cost.

Holiday Inn Buena Vista – another great choice, this lovely hotel has rates that start at $55/night. It is the only choice in the area that has been rated 4 stars, and with reason. First of all, it offers specialty kid suite rooms that can accommodate up to 6 people. It also offers a free refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave in all rooms, and there is an Applebee’s conveniently located on the premises. The Holiday Inn Buena Vista also provides free shuttle bus service to Disney World, Universal Studios as well as Sea World.

Hawthorn Suites – Offerings suites that are 2  times the size of a standard hotel room, this hotel’s rates start at $59/night. All suites contain a living room, dining room, kitchen and master suite. Everyone in your party eats a free hot breakfast every morning, and there is a heated pool, scheduled shuttle bus services to Disney, and also 42” plasma televisions in every suite.

Holiday Inn Maingate East Orlando – yet another terrific choice, this stylish hotel offers a marvelous heated pool, kids eat free program, terrific breakfast buffet and is only 5 minutes from Disney’s Maingate. There are also free, scheduled shuttle bus service to all of the various Disney parks.

By choosing one of these comfortable but deeply discounted hotels when planning your next visit trip to Orlando, you can save a substantial amount of money which can be used to participate in the many activities that Orlando has to offer. Click here you’ll be well on your way to having the vacation of a lifetime without spending astronomical costs on your hotel stay.

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As we celebrate Father’s day you might be thinking forward to the next holiday, why not surprise dad with an amazing vacation here in Orlando. I know what you are thinking, “but Mr. Blogger man, it’s too hot for us in Orlando in the summer!”. OK, I admit, it’s hot, it’s really hot but would it surprise you to know that here in Orlando it is only about 2 degrees hotter than it is there in say, northern Ohio? Here is the difference, we have 5 water parks in small radius. You could literally make a vacation out of just water parks.

1. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – inside Disney World
2. Disney’s Blizzard Beach – inside Disney World
3. Wet N Wild – on International Drive near Universal
4. Sea World’s Aquatica – near Sea World just off of International Drive
5. LegoLand Water – Winter Haven, connected to LegoLand Florida

Let’s not forget you are 1.5 hours from either coast and some of the best beaches in the world! No kidding, Siesta Key in Sarasota is rated in top 3 beaches of the world and Daytona Beach is even closer.

Don’t forget to read our water park tips for even more information.

Check out this package I just built using our online custom package builder:

BEST WESTERN – Inside Walt Disney World
Standard Double -BWH
Arrival Date: 07/08/2012
Depature Date: 7/14/2012
Nights: 6
2 Adult Tickets and 2 Child Tickets for:

Typhoon Lagoon
Blizzard Beach
Aquatica
Wet n Wild

Total including tax: $1,298.28

I’m always so amazed by how fast spring can spring up on the calendar but I know when Epcot starts getting ready for the Flower and Garden Festival running March 7th through May 20th that spring is coming. Featuring themed toparies, free concerts and demonstrations from HGTV and DIY shows like “Curb Appeal” and “My Yard Goes Disney”.  Sea World Orlando and Universal Orlando are also debuting new shows and attractions this year and rates have never been better.

So, you want to do it all? Here is the package for you then (2 adults, 2 children, 7 days, 6 nights, Sea World, Universal and Disney):

The above is the same package you can book right now by building your own custom Orlando package here!

Lets start of with this being a leap year and to celebrate Disney has announced that Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will remain open 24 hours! From 6am on Feb. 29 to 6am on March 1. What fun would that be for us older kids!

There’s also some exciting new park additions opening in 2012 in the Magic Kingdom including a totally new Fanatsyland expansion. Opening in phases starting in 2012 guest to Disney’s Magic Kingdom including a Little Mermaid Ride, a second Dumbo Ride, and an indoor roller coaster.  So why wait… we offer complete 2012 Orlando Vacation Packages.

Universal Studio’s Orlando is also getting some new attractions. Despicable Me a 3D adventure and The Amazing Advetnues of Spideman is getting all new HD 3D movie upgrade making an awesome ride even more awesomer (yep, we said awesomer).

SeaWorld Orlando is making news in 2012 by adding Turtle Trek combining natural habitat exhibits and a domed theater featuring a hyper realistic 3D movie. Discovery Cove is also adding a fresh water attraction were you can mingle with Otters and other fresh water creatures.

A new year is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than a family vacation to sunny Orlando. 2012 packages are even more affordable now because of the sagging economy which means our Orlando packages come with even more value than last year. Take this prime opportunity and book now before the prices go up with high demand. We have packages to suit even the smallest budgets and with our vacation homes you could even safe on the cost of meals by cooking for yourself. Ya, we know, who wants cook on vacation but what is worse, no vacation at all? Take a second to ponder this package available now:

We have many options and customization’s to fit any schedule and number of variables. Want to add Universal tickets? We got’em! Maybe add SeaWorld to? Yep, we got’em. We have vacation homes, hotels, tickets to just about anything in Orlando and all of this under 1 package and discounted! The best prices of the year are now through President’s day and did I mention that the parks are also the least crowded? Click on Orlando Packages to get started!

Friday was the first day of fall which barely went noticed around here in sunny Florida. We usually know it’s fall because the retail stores tell us so with Halloween decorations. The weather around here has little to do with the calendar but one noticeable change is the slow down in tourism but this is good news for you. Fewer visitors means lower prices and smaller crowds. This is an ideal time to visit Orlando with many things happening. We are in full swing with Halloween, fall inspired menus, booming nightlife and excellent package rates. Here’s my top 5 to ponder.

1. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – this is a special ticket event happening select days at the Magic Kingdom. Trick-or-Treat, special Halloween stage shows, Hallo-Wishes (Halloween fireworks), dancing and attractions with little to no wait time.

2. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios – haunted house like only Universal can make them, stage shows, attractions, special Halloween/Movie inspired drinks and plenty of nightlife at CityWalk.

3. Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT with free concerts from big names acts like 38 Special, Air Supply, Boyz II Men and many more. World Showcase becomes a dining paradise with cuisine from all over the world. No reservations needed and your Epcot ticket is all you need.

4. LegoLand Florida opens October 15th! We don’t know what to expect yet but if you are here in Orlando you can be 1 of the first to know.

5. SeaWorld Spooktacular – this year there is a Halloween breakfast with Sesame street’s “The Count” along with other characters from sesame street. Select weekends also include special stage shows, trick-or-treat and a DJ playing family friendly dance music.

Did I mention that packages are at their lowest of the year right now. No, that does not include the spring/summer packages but if you are looking for something in the next 4 weeks then you are in luck!  Book your Orlando Discount Package and save money.