September 10, 2004 -- Orlando isn't just about theme parks. Visiting this part of Florida can also mean busting out the credit cards for a shop-till-you-drop day at designer-name outlets, specialty stores, and boutiques. Good thing we've figured out ways for you to save money on hotels.
Packages Deals
Southwest Vacations (www.swavacations.com), affiliated with Southwest Airlines, has deals on its website all the time. Bargains change constantly, but at the time of writing, the following offers were available:
Roundtrip air from Nashville and two nights at the Caribe Royale Resort from $269 per person; from Houston at the same resort from $294 per person; and from Tulsa, the same deal from $324 per person.
At the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, a Southwest Vacations package from Hartford for two nights of lodging costs from $184 per person; from San Antonio from $234; and from Amarillo from $254.
At the Hilton in the Downtown Disney Resort Area, a vacation from Chicago (Midway) for two nights runs from $319 per person.
Delta Vacations (800/654-6559; www.deltavacations.com), connected with Delta Airlines, has a Fourth Night Free offer for Orlando, good for travel from now through December 20, 2004. You must book by December 1, 2004. Eleven hotels are participating; however, it's hard to book some of the participating hotels, because if they are full on the date you choose, you are not given many alternatives.One sample vacation: Out of New York's LaGuardia, four nights at the Quality Inn Plaza on International Drive came to $480.78, airfare and lodging, "with all taxes" included. Note that the Quality Inn Plaza is not one of the hotels participating in the Fourth Night Free.
Note that in none of the air-inclusive packages mentioned above are airport taxes and security fees included, unless otherwise noted.
A Shopping "Paradise"
You can take an I-Ride Trolley service (air-conditioned), which provides transportation along International Drive and its resort area to the more than 485 stores (designer, brand name and outlet) on the corridor. There's a trolley map with details on locations of the shopping area and outlet malls. To assist you in planning your shopping spree, go to www.internationaldriveorlando.com, where you can check for detailed listings. A map and information are available on the trolley.
One of the fun stores to visit is the 15,000-sq. ft. Ron Jon Surf Shop (407/481-2555; www.ronjons.com), which is designed to look like a beach scene from 1934, with sand dunes, a Ford station wagon (wooden variety), authentic bamboo and sisal-rope structures, and more.
At Orlando Premium Outlets (407/238-7787; www.premiumoutlets.com), there are more than 110 stores and designer shops including Banana Republic Factory Store, Barneys New York Outlet, DKNY, Versace Company Store, and Coach.
Two adjacent centers, the Belz Designer Outlet Center and the Belz Factory Outlet World, host more than 200 outlets. Ask for a Bucks Bonus Card and save up to $300 more. For more information, click on www.belz.com, then on "Factory Outlet Malls" or call 407/352-9611.
Another compound, The Mercado (407/345-9337), features more than 60 specialty shops, as well as restaurants and entertainment (the Titanic Exhibition and the Hard Rock Vault, for instance).