July 7, 2003 -- If you like warm weather, Florida is the right place to be in summer. I know, having spent several years there. It's never as hot as it is in, say, Phoenix, and you're better off in the shade or in the water, except when the breezes blow in from the west. But most travelers crowd into the Sunshine State throughout the other three seasons of the year, leaving hotel owners scrambling for bargains to attract anyone during July, August and September. That's where operators such as United Vacations come in, with deals like "Fourth Night Free."
The United Vacations package consists of four nights of lodging, roundtrip airfare on United Airlines, a 4-Day Park Hopper Plus Ticket for the Disney World Theme Parks, free shuttle service to the Disney Parks, Planet Hollywood VIP Seating and dining discount, a Premium Outlets shopping voucher valid for shopping and dining discounts (and tote bag) and 24-hour customer assistance. The fourth night, part of the total package, is "free" in their calculations.
All this starts from $529 out of New York City, Boston and Washington DC with stays at the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista; $559 from Chicago; $659 from Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco; and $739 from Seattle and Portland, OR.
If you want to stay at the tonier Doubletree Club Hotel, prices from the same cities as above start at $549, $579, $679 and $759, respectively. Slightly more upscale stays at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Maingate East from the same cities begin at $559, $589, $689, and $769.
Prices are per person in a double room, valid for Monday through Thursday travel from now through September 30, 2003. Prices do not include airport and security charges, which will be a minimum of $31. Availability may be limited, some blackout dates may apply.
To purchase, go on line at www.unitedvacations.com or phone 888/328-6877.
