Package Deals

Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices.

The number and diversity of package tours to Orlando is staggering. But you can save money if you're willing to do the research. Start by looking in the travel section of your local Sunday newspaper and checking the ads in the back of travel magazines such as Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine, Travel & Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler. Also, stop at a sizable travel agency and pick up brochures from several companies. Go over them at home and compare the offerings to find the optimum package for your trip.

You should also obtain the Walt Disney World Vacations brochure, which lists WDW packages, or head to www.disneyworld.com (where you'll find loads of information and can book a package as well). Disney's array of choices can include airfare, accommodations on or off Disney property, theme-park passes, a rental car, meals, a Disney cruise, and/or a stay at Disney's beach resorts in Vero Beach or Hilton Head, South Carolina. Some packages are tied to a season while others are for special-interest vacationers, including golfers, honeymooners, or spa aficionados. For more information, or to book a Disney vacation package, call tel. 407/939-6244.

J.P. Morgan Chase has teamed up with Disney to offer the Disney/VISA credit card that allows cardholders to accumulate points -- or Dream Dollars, as they are called -- for everyday purchases. Certain special purchases qualifying for double or even triple Dream Dollars can be redeemed or applied toward the purchase of Disney tickets, vacation packages, or purchases at the Disney Store, Disney catalog, and Disney online.

Although not on the same scale as Disney's options, Universal Orlando packages have improved greatly with the addition of the Islands of Adventure theme park, the CityWalk food-and-club district, and Universal's Loews-run hotels (along with several off-site hotel partners just recently added). The options include lodging, VIP access to Universal's theme parks, and discounts to other non-Disney attractions. Some include round-trip airfare. Contact Universal Studios Vacations at tel. 800/711-0080 or go online to www.universalstudiosvacations.com.

SeaWorld also offers 2- and 3-night packages that include rooms from a choice of a handful of SeaWorld area hotels, car rental, and tickets to SeaWorld. Call tel. 800/557-4268 or surf the Internet to www.seaworldvacations.com.

One good source of package deals is the airlines themselves. Most major airlines offer air/land packages, including American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), Delta Vacations (tel. 800/654-6559; www.deltavacations.com), Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.covacations.com), and United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com). Several big online travel agencies -- Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Site59, and Lastminute.com -- also do a brisk business in packages. Packages can include round-trip airfare, accommodations, rental car or round-trip airport transfers, unlimited admission to Disney (or other) parks, and other special features. In packages utilizing WDW and Universal Studios resorts, you will receive all of the advantages given to guests of these properties. Prices vary widely depending on the resort you choose, your departure point, and the time of year.

Touraine Travel (tel. 800/967-5583; www.tourainetravel.com) is a source of packages to Disney, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld.

For linksters, Golf Getaways (tel. 800/800-4028; www.golfgetaways.com) and Golfpac Vacations (tel. 800/327-0878; www.golfpacinc.com) offer play-and-stay packages.

Ask Before You Go -- Before you invest in a package deal or an escorted tour:

Finally, look for hidden expenses. Ask whether airport departure fees and taxes, for example, are included in the total cost -- they rarely are.

Back to Top

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

		Email			Print			RSS

				Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2008 Author: Laura Lea Miller Pub Date: September 04, 2007 Price: $16.99				Related Titles: Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida, 5th Edition Frommer's Florida 2008 Frommer's Florida 2009