March 22, 2004 -- Dozens of major cities and destinations have booklets of vouchers for saving money when you travel there. A few issue cards that have the same effect, less bulky by far and easily tucked in your wallet, purse or pocket. A leader in that field is the Orlando Magicard, which has just released its latest version for 2004.
Valid for up to six persons (excluding lodging), the free card can save you up to $500, they say, based on a family of four with an average stay of six nights. You would achieve this by using the card at up to 95 area establishments, ranging from attractions and lodging through restaurants and dinner theaters, not to mention ground transport and shopping.
The card has two new features this year. For the first time, you can print the card and its accompanying brochure directly from online. Secondly, the online listing of Magicard offer will be updated every two months, so that visitors can be kept current with changes. You can get all this at .
You can also get the card by phoning 800/551-0181 or picking on up in person at the Official Visitor Center at 8723 International Drive in Orlando; it's open 8 to 7 daily, except on Christmas Day. More than 8 million visitors have ordered the card since the Orlando CVB began issuing them in 1991, they say.
Special Lodging Values
Here are a few deals currently available in the Orlando area:
- If you stay four consecutive nights at any Universal Orlando on-site hotel, you get two free theme park tickets for the length of your stay, though some restrictions apply. Check out www.ineedavacation.com.
- At the Holiday Inn Nikki Bird Resort, just one mile from the Main Gate, you can stay for two nights for $69 per room, with two tickets to the Disney Theme Park of your choice. Some restrictions here, too. For details, go online to www.fairfieldgetaways.com or phone 800/869-2389 and mention code #CVB3973.
- Quality Suites at Disney's Main Gate offer free breakfast and free shuttle to Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World. Their website is https://orlando-qualitysuites.com.
- Nine different LaQuinta locations around Orlando have rates from just $39 to $69 a room, with free breakfast. Valid from April 1 through August 31, 2004. Check out www.laquinta.com or phone 866/725-1661.
- The Celebration Hotel has a reduced rate of $175 per night, including breakfast, through April 30, 2004. Information is available at www.celebrationhotel.com or by phoning 888/499-3800.
- Fairfield Inn and Suites International Cove has a $54 per night rate, based on availability. Use code F28 when looking this one up. More information about the Fairfield Inns and others can be found at www.marriott.com or by phoning 800/228-9290.
For ongoing and ever-changing deals and discounts specific to Disney and the Orlando area, read our previously published review of Mousesavers.com by clicking here.