Vacation Planning Tips

Secrets to Cheap Rental Cars in Orlando

Steve — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:16:37 +0000

Oh what a title!

I played around with "inexpensive" and "saving", but what we all want is a cheap, reliable rental car, right? So, here are the tips from the experts at Tangerine Suites:

1. Where to Start? Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz all offer comparisons on rental cars for the dates and location you're looking for. If they are offering deals, that may be the end of your search. If not, it lets you see what the "going" rates look like.

2. Be a Weekend Warrior. Rates are typically cheaper on weekends. If you've got some flexibility with your rental arrangements, opt for weekend rental.

3. Weekly Winner. Weekend rates are great, but weekly rates are usually the best of all. We've seen savings of more than 30 percent off the daily rate by renting for the week (with savings still available even if you return the car after five days). If you a car for five days or more, try the weekly rate.

4. Book early. Rates depend on how many vehicles the company has on the lot at the time the rental is made, so sooner is better. Reserve your car at least a week in advance.

While I'm on the subject, consider that most car companies don't actually charge your credit card to make a reservation (the market is that competitive). Feel free to reserve and cancel should you find a better deal elsewhere.

5. Just Say No (to Insurance). When renting a car, you'll be offered a collision damage waiver (CDW) and a loss damage waiver (LDW). The first covers you in the event of a collision, while the second covers any loss to the rental company. Both kinds of coverage are a good idea, but not if they duplicate coverage already included in your own insurance policy. Give your insurance agent a call to verify coverage. If you're renting the car with a credit card, check with your credit card company to see if using the card to pay for a rental provides collision coverage.

There's one caveat: The collision damage waiver covers "loss of use," the charge levied by the rental car company to cover its lost income when the vehicle is out of service. In most states, auto insurance policies don't cover this loss, so if you have an accident, you may wind up having to pay this charge out of your own pocket.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Cheap Airfare Tips

jana — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:34:42 +0000

Book Early
Airline ticket prices typically go up 21 days, 14 days, 7 days and 3 days before departure, so if you're looking to save, book before these deadlines.
Book Late
You didn't like the last bit of advice? Ok! Sometimes you can buy tickets at the very last minute for a great price, if the airlines have failed to fill their planes. Many airlines offer weekly newsletters that feature their best last-minute deals. Remember, however, that during peak travel periods, making reservations late in the game can cost you a lot of money.
Shop Around
No matter how good it sounds, you should never book the first fare you see. Start your search by checking a few of the major online travel providers, like Travelocity, aggregator sites like Kayak.com or consolidators like CheapTickets.com. This will give you a preliminary idea of which airline flies your particular itinerary, what the going rate is and what restrictions might apply. Armed with this information, you can head directly to the appropriate airline web site to see if the same flights are any cheaper (some airlines guarantee to offer the lowest possible fares on their own Web sites). While you're there, check to see if the airline is running any sales or promotions to your destination.

If you don't see anything in your preferred price range, don't be afraid to bide your time and watch the fares for a bit. Most major booking sites have alert features that will e-mail you when your fare drops to a price you're willing to pay.
Know When to Buy
The hardest part of booking a flight is knowing when to stop tracking fares and make that final purchase. Bing Travel can help you reach that decision, offering fare predictions for most major cities. Just plug in your itinerary and the site will advise you either to book now or to wait, depending on whether the fare is expected to rise or drop. Another useful site is Kayak.com, which displays the fare history for domestic and international flights, allowing you to see whether your fare is headed in an upward or downward direction.
What Day to Buy
Most airlines launch fare sales on Tuesdays and Wednesdays -- so if you decide to buy on a Monday, you may be wishing you had waited when your destination goes on sale.
Be Flexible
If you live close to more than one airport, check out the fares from all of the airports near you. Many online fare searching engines will ask you if you are willing to depart from or arrive in more than one city. "Yes" is a good answer! Also, experiment with different travel dates; shifting your itinerary by a week or even a few days can make a significant difference in fares. You'll usually find the best deals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Don't Forget the Discounters
Discount airlines can save you a bundle, but shopping for fares can take a little longer, as some still won't play with the aggregators and booking sites (Kayak now offers fares for JetBlue, Spirit and AirTran, for example).
Group Fares
Traveling with a small army (or least a couple of adults and all the kids)? Check to see if the airline has group fares. It will take browsing to another page on the web, or using another phone number, but many airlines will offer discounts for groups as small as eight. If your troupe doesn't make the size cut, consider traveling with another family so both can take advantage of the discount (usually in the 5%-10% range).
Use Your Frequent Flier Miles
Why pay a fare at all when you can use your frequent flier miles? Although redeeming miles has gotten more difficult in recent years, it's still a good option to consider, particularly if you're booking early; airlines designate a very limited number of seats on each flight as eligible for award travel, and these seats go quickly.
What Goes Up ...
If fares go down after you've purchased your ticket, ask for a refund! You may not always get one, but policies vary by airline -- and many do not publicize the fact that they will refund you the difference if prices go down. It can't hurt to ask.

Yapta.com is a site that will track flights for you after you purchase and notify you if the fares go down.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Top Ticket Tips for Disney

Steve — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:54:31 +0000

(try saying that title five times fast!)

You came to Orlando to go to the parks. You thought you and your party might just arrive at the gate and buy a ticket for the day, and then see what mood grabs you tomorrow?

Well, that's one way of doing it. However, as we've mentioned elsewhere, tickets will be one of your big costs for your trip. If you can save some money here, it might be well worth your time. So how do you save money on tickets?

Plan Ahead Ok, ok. True confession? I do make a spreadsheet and plan our activities day-by-day. It's color coded. It has our restaurant picks. It has the parade schedules and fireworks times. (No, it does not plan out a walking path thru the parks, thank you very much! =)

We post that spreadsheet on the refrigerator door (What? Your hotel doesn't have a fridge? tsk...tsk) and then ... we mostly don't follow it. Consider that plan the "soft" plan. Yes, we have reservations, but we can cancel. Yes, we've planning on hitting EPCOT on Tues, but we can switch.

The point is, we know ROUGHLY how many days we'll be at the parks, so we can buy tickets that minimize the cost. Why? Because per day costs go down for every day you add to your ticket.
Plan Ahead, Pt. 2 If you know you'll be coming back to Disney (and I'm smiling as I write this -- you may not think you'll be back, but truly, it's that much fun!), you might consider this: Disney raises their prices every year. So?

You can buy tickets that don't expire.

That means you can buy a 5 day ticket, and if you use four days, the fifth will be good next month, next quarter, next year, next decade (ok, you get the point). Is that good? It's $64/day for a 5 day ticket, but $48/day for a 10 day ticket.
Plan Ahead, Pt. 3 If you decide you may be back this year, you may consider whether an Annual Pass may work for you. Annual Passes allow entrance to the parks year round. They're more expensive up front, but depending on the number of days you'll be at the parks, it may be cost-effective (plus annual passholders receive other benefits, such as free parking).

Ok, are you ready for some options?
Options Now that you know how many days you'll be spending at the parks, consider which of the following options you want to attach to your ticket:

* Park Hopper® option
* Water Park Fun, & More option
* Park Hopper® AND Water Park, Fun & More option
* No Expiration option
Park Hopping Confused yet? Hang on, there are a few more options! If your plans call for moving between one park and another in the same day, you'll need to buy tickets with the Park Hopper option ($52 plus tax per ticket). That's nice, if you want to see a fireworks show or have dinner reservations in another park. If you can avoid park hopping, however, you don't need to buy that option.
More Fun Than ... Disney has other attractions too, and rather than pay at the gate, you can add a number of these admissions to your ticket. This ticket will still be used for the number of days on the ticket to enter the 4 major Disney parks, but you will also receive EXTRA ADMISSIONS, which can be used at the following attractions;

• Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
• Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
• Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex
• DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park
• Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course (a relaxed nine-hole walking course)

The number of extra admissions differs depending on the number of days your ticket is good for. Here's a breakdown;

• 3 Day ticket – 3 EXTRA ADMISSIONS
• 4 Day ticket – 4 EXTRA ADMISSIONS
• 5 Day ticket – 5 EXTRA ADMISSIONS
• 6 Day ticket – 6 EXTRA ADMISSIONS
• 7 Day ticket – 7 EXTRA ADMISSIONS
• 10 Day ticket – 10 EXTRA ADMISSIONS

The "Water Park Fun & More" extra admissions DO NOT have to be used on the same day you visit the 4 major Disney parks. For example, if you purchase a 4 day ticket with the "Water Park Fun & More" option, you will have 4 days to visit the 4 major Disney parks, plus 4 extra admissions that can be used on separate days, resulting in a total of 8 DAYS of fun. However, unless you purchase the "No Expiration" option, the ticket will expire 14 days after the first day of use.

Confused? Fear not - our intrepid reservations staff is here to help. Call them now at (800) 571-2410.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Top Ways to Stretch Your Budget at Disney

Steve — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:27:37 +0000

Get a bigger room. Why? Your accommodations is one of the big three ticket items for your vacation. If you know another family who's going, consider sharing a villa - with 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms, you will end up with more space for less money (always a win/win).
If you can invite other family members, the villa becomes home base for the family reunion.
Ticket planning. Why? You could arrive at Disney and buy tickets at the gate, but it would be a bad idea. Tickets are another of the big three items on your budget. We'll be posting later with our ideas to save on tickets, but for now, consider these ideas.
a. Use a reputable ticket partner. Not a ticket discounter you'll see along the road!! Reputable ticket partners ( www.undercovertourist.com, www.kgstickets.com) will offer a discount AND deliver the tix to your door (how convenient!!).
b. Consider the length and frequency of your stay. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime visit, check the prices and parks for the time of your trip. Sometimes additional discounts will come available, and buying a longer ticket is always better than individual day-passes. If you come to Disney more than once, buying a "never expire" option on your tickets can save money. For example, if you plan on 5 days this year, and sometime in the future another 5 days, a ten day ticket that never expires can be a cheaper option (your per day cost drops from $64 to $48!)
If you come more frequently still, an annual pass may be for you!
c. Consider the Disney extras and the non-Disney options. Orlando is not the theme-park capital of the world for nothing. We count at least 20 parks and other major attractions (not to mention the minor ones!) within a 45 minute circle. They all compete for your vacation dollar, so you might consider a side trip to see another attraction that can be as much fun (ok, we know them's fightin' words in Orlando!) but can really stretch the vacation funds!
Airfare planning. Also the subject of another post, but here's a tip: Wednesday. Many airlines try new fares on Wednesday. You didn't hear it from us!
Food, glorious food! Ok, you might not be one of the cognoscenti who goes on vacation to eat (we're willing to share our finds if you are!), but food can be one of the big four (did we say three before?) costs. Consider getting a room with a refrigerator to store leftovers and keep drinks cool (or to refill water bottles for the next day) -- or even better! Get a room with a kitchen. Some breakfast options can run $25 per person (for breakfast? yes!). Our little ones like cereal just as well, and a box is under $4 and feeds the whole group (except Mom, who likes her fruit).

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

SUMMER AT SEAWORLD ROCKS … DAY OR NIGHT

Steve — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:20:18 +0000

This summer at SeaWorld, the nights are cooler and the atmosphere is hotter! SeaWorld AfterDark transforms daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.

SeaWorld AfterDark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock n' roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show and a mystifying fireworks finale. That's in addition to being able to experience all that's awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. SeaWorld AfterDark begins May 29 and continues through August 15.

Whether day or night, SeaWorld is the place to be this summer for a one-of-a-kind experience, including:

MANTA
Experience what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly with the largest of rays when riding Manta – by moonlight, an even more extraordinary sensation. A seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down flying roller coaster thrill ride, Manta is an adventure only SeaWorld could create.

SHAMU ROCKS
Shamu Rocks is a spectacular rock ’n roll killer whale show that wows audiences of all ages. This show is a high-energy concert of unprecedented proportions, combining awe-inspiring killer whales with a stunning light show and music from some of the hottest rock stars in the industry.

SEA LIONS TONITE
SeaWorld’s popular sea lion comedic duo takes the laughs into the night. Hilarious hijinks ensue in this evening show as the park’s talented sea lions, otters and walrus parody other favorite SeaWorld shows and attractions.

REFLECTIONS: FIREWORKS AND FOUNTAIN SHOW FINALE
SeaWorld comes to life in a spectacular celebration of soaring fountains and dazzling fireworks. Through the thrilling and inspirational music of SeaWorld’s most popular shows, families and friends will experience a wondrous connection that lights the night like never before.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Things You Don't Know You'll Need at Disney

Steve — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:29:49 +0000

Water Bottle and carabiner. Why? Disney charges $4.50 a bottle for water, extra for a carrying lanyard.
Your favorite light sweater or fleece jacket. Why? It's a billion degrees during the day! Yes, but at night, the temperature can drop (esp. in the off season). Plus, if you head to one of the night shows that sprays water (Fantasmic) or ride any of the rides where you get wet, you may appreciate the extra layer to keep you warm. (Disney does sell them - $40+ a pop. They also sell $8 cups of hot chocolate, should you not heed our warnings -)
Fanny packs for the kids. Why? I'm not a camel, you shouldn't be the family pack horse. There are a million little things to carry (souvenirs, tickets, fast passes, snacks, etc). We say spread the wealth! We recommend this one, or if you prefer to carry everything, this is a popular and stylish bag for the mule (Baggallini Messenger Bagg, Black).

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Where to Stay at Walt Disney World

Steve — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:58:16 +0000

Where to stay, where to stay?
One of the first decisions you'll need to make as you plan your trip to Walt Disney World is where to stay. Orlando boasts a lot of choices here (including a few from Disney itself), so let's see if we can help make the decision a little easier.

First Things First
Whether you're a Disney veteran or a first-timer, you probably have some idea of what this vacation is going to be like. Is this a weekend dash with a few friends, a romantic first/second/third honeymoon (Orlando is in the top three destinations for honeymooners!), or the family vacation to beat all family vacations? Take just a moment, and think about the answers to the following questions:

What is my budget?
How far in advance am I planning?
How many people are in my party and what are their ages?
Do we want to all stay together in one room or suite or villa?
What hotel amenities are important to me?
Will I have a car?
Will I be spending most of my time visiting Disney attractions, or will I be visiting non-Disney attractions too?

On again, off again
Some reviewers make a big deal of the on-property/off-property distinction. Here's our take -
During the planning stages of Disney World, Disney began to experiment with building and running their own hotels. Today, 24 are owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company. Grouped into three levels (Deluxe, Moderate, and Value), they range from sprawling resort (Grand Floridian) to campground (Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground).

"Well, gee," you ask, "wouldn't everyone want to stay ON site at a Disney hotel?"

We're glad you asked!

Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Choice
On-site Advantages:

* Getting to and from the parks is generally easier.
* Immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
* Disney resorts offer wonderful theming.
* Priority on tee times on Disney golf courses.
* Room-charge privileges throughout WDW.
* Merchandise delivery to your Disney hotel.
* Magical Express transportation to/from airport to WDW Resort at no charge
* Able to purchase Disney Dining Plan.

On-site Disadvantages:

* Rooms are more expensive.
* Availability of budget-priced rooms is limited, especially at the last minute.
* Dining is generally more expensive.
* Getting to and from area's non-Disney attractions may be more difficult.
* Going from resort to resort relying on Disney Transportation can be long and/or a hassle.

Off-site Advantages:

• Generally better/larger accommodations for the same or a lower price.
• Better access to restaurants, shopping and other non-Disney attractions.
• NOT immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
• In a villa, full kitchen/full laundry can mean $$$ savings.
• Many off-site hotels offer discounts to non-Disney attractions and restaurants.

Off-site Disadvantages:

• On peak holidays, parking lot(s) at WDW might be closed.
• Off-site guests must pay for parking at Disney theme parks if they drive unless they have an Annual Passport.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.