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More Than 6 Million Journey To Orlando For The Holidays
What To See, Where To Stay And How To Save This Holiday Season
ORLANDO, Fla. – Warm weather,
festive seasonal events, unique shopping experiences and savings aplenty,
await travelers heading to Orlando this holiday season. With more than 6
million visitors during November and December according to D.K. Shifflet &
Associates, Orlando has a solid reputation for making holidays away from
home merry and bright. The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) offers the following tips to help travelers make
the most of a holiday getaway to Orlando:
Stay - With more than 440
hotels and more than 111,000 guest rooms in Orlando, there’s always room at
the inn. Even during one of the most popular vacation seasons, special
values can easily be found at a variety of accommodations. Book four nights
at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and get the fifth night free.
Rates begin at $179 and can be booked by calling 888-99-WORLD and specifying
rate code PRO, or visiting marriottworldcenter.com. Rosen Shingle Creek is
offering a special Nutcracker-themed package featuring accommodations and
tickets to see “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Orlando Ballet on select
dates from Dec. 12-21, 2008. The package starts at $269 and can be booked by
calling 407-996-6338 and asking for “The Nutcracker Package.” The
Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is offering a “Reconnect Package,” which
includes deluxe accommodations, signature breakfast buffet for two each
morning at The Vineyard Grill and a $25 golf or spa credit. The package
starts at $249 per night and can be booked by calling 407-206-2400. Large
families traveling together may want to explore Orlando’s variety of
vacation homes, which offer the comforts and amenities of home at reasonable
prices.
In fact, companies such as
ALL STAR Vacation Homes (407-997-0733) offer packages starting at $75 to
create a festive environment with Christmas trees and other decorations set
up prior to arrival. For more accommodation ideas, go to
VisitOrlando.com.
Play - Celebrate Dr.
Seuss-style with the mischievous Grinch in Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands
of Adventure. This live stage show retells the classic tale “How the Grinch
Stole Christmas” and will have the whole family singing and dancing along.
At Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special
ticket event that includes enchanting events like Mickey’s Once Upon a
Christmastime Parade, live Disney character stage shows, complimentary
cookies and hot cocoa and snow on Main Street. Make yuletide memories and
celebrate the season during “Christmas at SeaWorld,” which features festive
decorations, snowfalls at The Waterfront and live holiday music from
classical musicians and carolers. Be entertained by toy soldiers,
gingerbread men, Santa Claus and sugarplum fairies while enjoying a
three-course meal at the Arabian Nights Holiday Show, running Nov. 17 – Jan.
1. During Bowl-a-Palooza, all eyes will be on Orlando as Florida Citrus
Sports presents its annual bowl week festival. Incorporating the Champs
Sports Bowl and the Capital One Bowl, this week will feature more than
100,000 fans flocking to Central Florida for football, festivities and fun.
In addition to the action on the field, the festival includes the Spherion
Orlando Citrus Parade presented by Delta Air Lines, a concert in Lake Eola
Park and more than 20 events in seven days.
Give – Put a unique spin on
the holiday gift with one-of-a-kind experiences. Treat the shopping
enthusiast to an all-inclusive day of retail therapy at Orlando Premium
Outlets by purchasing a “Personal Fashion Stylist” package, where author and
national stylist, Jackie Waller, will take guests on a VIP shopping tour to
help them determine their personal style. Experience life as a trainer with
Discovery Cove’s Trainer for a Day Program, where animal lovers go on an
up-close journey alongside experts to interact with bottlenose dolphins,
rays and other sea creatures amidst the lush tropical setting of the
all-inclusive park. Adrenaline junkies will brace themselves for the
Revolution Experience at Revolution Off-Road where they can take the wheel
of an ATV, 4X4 Hummer, Rally Car and Dune Buggy in one afternoon.
Save - Avoid excessive
luggage fees by traveling light. The beauty of a trip to Orlando means that
the scarves, heavy jackets and long johns are left at home as the average
daily temperatures from October to May range from the Low 70s F (22 C) to
mid 80s F (27 C). Once in Orlando, save up to $1,000 with an Orlando
Preferred Visitor Magicard™, the year-round discount card provided by the
Orlando CVB. It is valid at 97 area establishments including everything from
attractions and accommodations to restaurants and golf courses. Download the
card at
orlandoinfo.com/magicard or order one by calling 1-800-551-0181.
For more information about
vacation experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary vacation planning
kit that includes a comprehensive Official Vacation Guide or to purchase
discount attraction tickets, visitors can log onto Orlando’s official Web
site at
VisitOrlando.com or call an Official Travel Counselor at 1-800-551-0181
(United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. While in Orlando, visitors may
stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at
the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official
Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m.
on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25). |
