Family Trip Deals

Are you a big Disney fan or expect to take a trip soon? This next year is sure to be great as they launch the Year of A Million Dreams.

From BudgetTravel:

The folks at Disney recently hosted a razzle-dazzle press event at New York’s Palace Theater to launch their Year of a Million Dreams, actually a 15-month bonanza of new attractions and giveaways. Actors took the stage hoisting giant puppets from Finding Nemo–the Musical, premiering in Orlando this January. Puppeteer Michael Curry (The Lion King) and Tony Award-winning composer Robert Lopez (Avenue Q) are among the show’s all-star team.

Similarly, at California’s Disneyland, visitors will be chosen at random to spend the night in the new Mickey Mouse Penthouse. The park is putting the finishing touches on an underwater ride, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and has whipped up a rock and roll soundtrack for its California Screamin’ attraction. For 16 weeks this spring, the classic Space Mountain rides at both parks will be rockin’, too.

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If you live in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina or North Carolina, you can take advantage of a $99 per night/per person special resident rates at ClubMed Sandpiper.

Club Med Sandpiper, located on the picturesque St. Lucie Waterway. Here, at America’s only warm-weather Total All-Inclusive™ family vacation spot, an ATP/Club Med Tennis Camp, onsite golf course, four pools, countless water sports and a circus school complete with trampoline and trapeze lessons provide the perfect adventure for parents and kids alike. One price with everything included.

To read more details about Sandpiper, click here for my previous post on the resort.

Contact Ask About Travel for more details on this special.

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United Airlines has been having some pretty incredible fares lately. (It makes you want to start humming George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” when I say “United”, doesn’t it?) I just got a wonderful fare for my son and me to go to Disney World from Sacramento to Orlando for just about $200 round trip. I had to play with the dates somewhat, but I got a terrific deal.

You can do the same! If you tinker with their website online, you may find some excellent deals from your city, particularly if you depart and return on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. For example, fly between San Francisco, CA and Charlotte, NC for only $79 each way! That is spectacular.

To search for that particular fare, do the following:

1. Click here to book online directly with United.
2. Enter your cities (San Francisco - SFO, Charlotte - CLT). Select your departure and return dates.
3. Click the “Check” button.
4. Fares will be listed roundtrip, and include all taxes and fees.

They also have some excellent deals from Oakland, CA to Orlando, FL for only $99 each way. In fact, I initially starting searching that city of departure since I thought it was discounted much more than Sacramento, CA. However, to depart from Sacramento, CA to Orlando only cost a bit more. So be persistent, and you might find a fare that makes you extremely happy!

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Hurry, fares this inexpensive have limited availability, and your dates may be gone soon.

Travelzoo has some great deals for Disney!

Stay at Disney Resort hotel! For many dates in January and February, get 5 Day Magic Your Way Package (including 5 day park passes and accomodations in a Disney Value Resort hotel.) Rates are as low as $377 per adult, $221 per junior (10-17) and $182 per child (3-9). Click here for more information and make sure to book by December 16.

Also available for select dates from December to June 2007 is a package at the Grovesnor Hotel in Walt Disney World Village and Airline Tickets for 4 people from select cities to Orlando. This is available for only $1043, including all taxes. Click here for more details on this great vacation.

Finally, get 6 nights hotel at a Disney Resort Property, 7 day Park Hopper ticket, airport transfers and all taxes for as low as $322 per adult in select January, February and March dates. Upgraded hotels are available for a bit more. Click here for more details.

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Disney Cruise Line offers one of the most popular cruise vacations in the world. Cabins sell out months in advance on their magnificent ships.

Sail by March 8 and experience a 3-night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder for just $429 per person.

There is also flexibility in travel! There are 16 dates to choose from, including departures January through March. That’s prime cruising season, when prices are usually higher. The Disney Wonder sails from Port Canaveral (near Orlando) to Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island in the Bahamas.

Disney Cruise Line specializes in creating unique experiences for everyone in the family, no matter what their age . They have special children’s rates for guests 3-12. Call Disney Cruise Line at the number below for details.

For more details and to book online: Click here to visit DisneyCruise.com. Scroll down to see the “3 night Bahamian cruise” option. NOTE: Ground transportation and vacation insurance are initially included in the online pricing. If you prefer, you can decline these options later in the booking process.

To book by phone: Disney Cruise Line at 1-800-951-3532.

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I posted last week about the Nick Family Suites in the Orlando area that is currently having a great Halloween event.

However, if you book by November 3 and travel by December 25, you can get these great rooms for only $129.00 a night plus a third night free.

According to TravelZoo:

The world’s first Nickelodeon-themed hotel just announced that you can stay in a 1-bedroom suite for $129 per night, or a 2-bedroom “Kidsuite” for only $20 more. This deal is good through December 25, and we love that it includes weekends.

Blackout Dates: November 22-25. Book by November 3.

Click here to book this special online with the Nickelodeon Family Suites. NOTE: Your “3rd Night FREE” discount will not appear in the Estimated Total Price, however it will be reflected on your reservation upon arrival at the hotel.

Or, call the resort directly at 1-866-462-6425 and mention Fall Fun Special.

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What’s going on at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando during the holiday season and winter? Here you go.

You’re welcome.

WALT DISNEY WORLD® SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

Magic Kingdom® Park

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — September 15 - October 31, 2006
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — November 13 - December 22, 2006
Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party — January 22 - March 08, 2007

Epcot®

International Food and Wine Festival — September 29 - November 12, 2006
Holidays Around The World — November 24 - December 30, 2006

Disney-MGM Studios

ABC Super Soap Weekend — November 11 & 12, 2006
The Osborne Family’s Spectacle of Dancing Lights — November 13, 2006 - January 7, 2007

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO® SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

Halloween Horror Nights® — October 19 -22, 26 -29, 31, 2006
8th Annual Orlando Beer Festival — November 11 & 12, 2006
GrinchmasTM — December 2006 / January 2007
Macy’s Holiday ParadeTM — December 2006 / January 2007
Rock in the New Year at Universal CityWalk® — December 31, 2006

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Have you ever wanted to get away with the family but didn’t think you could afford hotels? Do you have an interest in seeing Europe but know the exchange rate for the Euro isn’t in your favor? Do you want to take the kids to Disney World or Hawaii but don’t want to be cramped in a hotel room?

There is an alternative that can save you thousands of dollars, especially if you live in or near a big city or tourist area. (in fact, I am getting excited writing this post because researching this has given me the travel bug) Try a home exchange!

In the majority of cases, you, and the family that you choose to exchange with, trade cars during the time period. This adds up to big savings in car rental fees, as well.

Even if you do live in a remote area, according to Home Exchange, don’t despair! See what they have to say on the subject:

Of course, if you have a beach front home in Hawaii or a penthouse with a view in New York, or San Francisco, you’re going to get a lot of exchange inquiries.

But we have found that by their very nature, people who are HomeExchange Members are well traveled and are often interested in seeing new places, and experiencing an area as a local.

A potential home exchange partner may wish to be near a loved one or family member, or perhaps need to come to your area for business reasons. So your “average” home may be just the ticket for someone wanting to exchange with you.

If you are a little off the beaten track, you may have to send out more inquiries, and put a little more effort into marketing your home, neighborhood and area. But if you do so, you might be surprised, although we won’t be.

Think you’ll end up in a shack? Think again:

Here is the gorgeous house in California at the top of the post:

Here is another great home in Italy:

How about West Palm Beach?:

Two of the largest home exchange websites to try out are Home Link and Home Exchange.

Happy Hunting!

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Check out these links on Sky Auction for vacation rentals over the next couple months that may auction off for $1. (Plus $195 administration fee…read the print at the end of the auction)

2 Bedroom Condo in Orlando–Choose from selected dates in October, November and December

Princeville, Kauai 1 Bedroom Condo-October

2 Bedroom Condo at Sheraton’s Vistana Resort-Selected Dates in November and December

Studio in Lake Tahoe-Selected Dates in November and December

I highly recommend Sky Auction for looking for vacation rental deals. You have to be vigilent, but offers pop up all the time. My thinking is they have a deal with RCI, who is one of the largest timeshare trading partners. When a vacation rental falls through, RCI puts it up for “auction” to get what they can for it.

My husband and I have been to Hawaii twice for $200 for a two bedroom condo, so this is legitimate. It was just a property that fell through at the last minute.

Other than for great rental deals, my advice is make sure you read the fine print in every Sky Auction auction. There are always “hidden fees”, which is one of the reasons I never use them except to find vacation rentals. And then, you may find a steal!

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Not exactly a “bargain”, but apropos for the coming holiday, nevertheless. When it comes to your children, aren’t they worth it? (::Stifled laugh::)

It does look pretty cool, especially from a kid’s perspective…and you really can’t get enough of Sponge Bob, can you? (::More laughter::) There is tons to do with the children, the rooms are great (especially if you are like my husband and me and just wish for 5 minutes of privacy!) and it’s Halloween themed!

Nick-Or-Treat Package at the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn:

* Two bedroom kidsuite accommodations
* Two adult tickets to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios
* Nick After Dark Halloween Style, up to two kids*
* Nick or Treat (Mondays, Wednesdays, & Oct. 31 from 12:30pm – 2pm)
* Scary-oke (Sundays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays at 10:15pm)
* Dive In Halloween Movies (Fridays at 8pm)

Halloween Horror Dates:

* Friday Oct 6, 7, 8
* Wed Oct 11, 12, 13, 14
* Thu Oct 19, 20, 21, 22
* Oct 26, 27, 28, 29
* Tues Oct 31

To top it off. you can scare your 18 month old by having breakfast with a giant Dora the Explorer and Boots characters. Ahhhh, the vacation memories…they’re priceless.

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Up for taking the family on a vacation last minute? Check out this deal at ClubMed in Sandpiper, Florida. If you are capable of sneaking off to Florida in the next week, you can get a six night, seven day vacation (all inclusive–accomodations, activities and food) for just about $1500 for a family of four!

One of the things that I always liked about this particular ClubMed is that they offer activities and care for all ages of children. This includes a Baby ClubMed program for 4-23 months old and a Petit ClubMed program for two to three year olds. Often, when we are traveling as a family, the children’s programs start from age 5 and up, leaving little relaxation time for my husband and me. Click here to read more about Sandpiper.

Even if you can’t make it last minute, keep this place in mind. They often have great deals, and who can’t use a vacation where the whole family can relax?