Enjoy Incredible Holiday Savings on Orlando Accommodations

With the arrival of the holiday season, you still have time to make preparations for a dream Disney World vacation for your entire family – while enjoying significant savings in the process. The secret to successful last-minute bookings in Orlando is to seek out and take advantage of the best online hotel deals and discount vacation packages. Numerous holiday savings opportunities are available throughout Orlando for bargain hunters who know what to look for. Even though the holiday season in Orlando is extremely busy, a majority of the best resorts near Disney have rooms available. You simply need to know how to negotiate through the myriad of online Orlando hotel offers and find the best deal for your family.

First, browse online for an individually tailored Orlando vacation package that can be customized to meet the needs of your family. Next, call the vacation provider directly and negotiate the hotel price, free nights or an upgrade during this last-minute booking season. Ask about add-ons such as discount theme park tickets to Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando® Resort or SeaWorld® Orlando. Location is definitely a key consideration when you research the appropriate hotel to book during your stay in Orlando, “The Vacation Capital of the World.” For example, Westgate Resorts offers great deals on spacious accommodations that provide convenient access to Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando theme parks. Orlando area Westgate Resort properties include Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas.

By booking your Orlando vacation getaway now, you and your family also can enjoy all of the special festivities scheduled for the 2009-2010 Disney holiday season such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (select dates through December 18, 2009), Holidays Around the World at Epcot (November 27 – December 30, 2009), The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (November 10, 2009 – January 4, 2010) and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (November 27, 2009 – January 3, 2010). And nothing quite beats bringing in the New Year at Walt Disney World Resort!

When it comes to celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort with your family, many choices are available. As a result, advanced preparation is a great idea to save time and enjoy to the fullest the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort. And if you are seeking great deals on comfortable accommodations during your next Disney World vacation getaway, look no farther than Westgate Resorts. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Disney World Money-Saving Tips for the Holidays

• Take advantage of Disney’s “Celebration Vacations” promotion and enjoy free entrance to Walt Disney World Resort on your birthday in 2009. To receive free admission to one of the theme parks at Disney World, just bring valid ID, including proof of birthdate.
• Shop at area factory outlet stores such as Orlando Premium Outlets, which sells Disney merchandise at significantly lower prices than you will find at stores within the Disney World theme parks.
• Check out some of the free things to do at Disney World such as strolling around Disney’s Boardwalk and Downtown Disney Area, or hiking through the Disney Wilderness Preserve.
• Take the family to one of the all-you-can-eat buffets that lie just outside Disney World property such as Bill Wong’s Famous Buffet, Sweet Tomatoes, Boston Lobster Feast, Golden Corral, Ponderosa, Sizzler or Angel’s Lobster & Seafood Buffet.
• You will discover numerous accommodation choices within a five- to 10-minute drive of the main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort. For instance, you can find incredible deals on spacious studios and suites at Westgate Resorts properties that provide convenient access to Disney World theme parks such as Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. Visit www.westgatedestinations.com for the latest deals.
• Look for free publications such as I Love Orlando magazine, which contain a multitude of discount coupons to Disney area attractions, restaurants and specialty shops.
• Check out comprehensive online guides to Disney World such as Orlando, Florida Guide for in-depth information on finding the best deals on Disney World tickets, accommodations and vacation packages.
• If you are visiting one of the Disney World theme parks with young children, don’t forget to bring along a backpack with some snacks or juice boxes.
• If you are an active or retired member of the U.S. military, you may obtain one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of Disney Water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. All tickets and options are nontransferable and must be used by December 23, 2009.
• Instead of spending a fortune at a Disney character breakfast, take your kids to Town Square at Main Street, U.S.A. in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park for autograph and photo opportunities with Disney characters.
• Choose the appropriate Disney World ticket deal based on your family’s length of stay in Orlando and remember not to overdo things – you will want to schedule time for rest and relaxation during your trip.
• If you choose to eat at the Disney World theme parks, try to make lunch your big meal of the day when prices are considerably lower than for dinner (especially at Epcot’s World Showcase).
• Whenever you leave one of Disney World’s theme parks, make sure to get your hand stamped. Then after you rest awhile and enjoy a cheaper dinner off site, you can head back to the park after the crowds have thinned out.
• Carry your own water bottle into the Disney theme park and you can fill it up at any of the abundant water fountains throughout the day.
• Establish a budget for Disney World souvenirs and stick to your budget (no matter how many cool gifts you see as you stroll through Epcot’s World Showcase!).
• If you are an AAA or AARP member, take advantage of any special rates or discounts that are available during your Disney World vacation.
• Purchase such necessities as film and sunscreen before you arrive at Disney World, since prices at the theme parks are more expensive for such items.

Central Florida Home to Amazing Animal Attractions

Take a safari adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, watch killer whales perform at SeaWorld Orlando, swim with bottlenose dolphins at Discovery Cove and witness the world-famous “Gator Jumparoo” at Gatorland. All of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and much more are available in Orlando – “The Vacation Capital of the World.”

Make Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park the first stop on your fun-filled tour of Central Florida animal attractions. In addition to live shows and thrill rides, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is home to a variety of diverse animal habitats. Highlights of Animal Kingdom include Expedition Everest, which features roller coaster-like thrills along with a theme based on the folklore of the mysterious yeti Kilimanjaro Safaris; where you will ride in open-side safari jeeps through the Harambe Reserve to view African elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, lions, crocodiles, baboons and more; Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek, two walk-through attractions that allow you to view an abundance of wildlife; Affection Section, a petting zoo for kids; Flights of Wonder, an exotic bird show; and the walk-through Oasis Exhibits, which are full of exotic animal habitats.

Next on your itinerary should be SeaWorld Orlando, the home of the world-famous killer whale, Shamu, as well as great live shows such as Believe, Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island, Blue Horizons and Pets Ahoy! Animal habitats at SeaWorld Orlando include Dolphin Cove, Dolphin Nursery, Manatee Rescue, Pacific Point Preserve (California sea lions and harbor seals), Penguin Encounter, Shark Encounter, Stingray Lagoon and Turtle Point.

At Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando’s sister theme park, you can interact with bottlenose dolphins, sharks, barracuda and stingrays, as well as snorkel through a colorful reef full of exotic fish. Note: Reservations are required for Discovery Cove.

Other nearby animal attractions include Gatorland, known as the “Alligator Capital of the World”; Green Meadows Petting Farm, an interactive, two-hour guided tour of a working farm; and NatureWorks at Orlando Science Center, which features alligators, snakes and turtles.

Seeking a day trip from Orlando? You can choose from several eclectic animal attractions that lie just an hour or so from Disney World such as Busch Gardens Tampa, which is full of animal attractions, as well as thrill rides and live entertainment; Central Florida Zoological Park, a 100-acre zoo that lies in Sanford, North of downtown Orlando; Jungle Adventures, a 20-acre nature park and wildlife sanctuary; Brevard Zoo, which features approximately 500 animals that represent 130 different species; and Silver Springs, “Florida’s Original Theme Park,” which is home to unique live animal shows and habitats.

The sheer variety of attractions throughout Central Florida makes it the ideal destination for family vacations. And best of all, Westgate Resorts offers great deals on spacious accommodations that provide easy access to SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and other Central Florida attractions. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Top 10 Disney’s Magic Kingdom Attractions

1. Splash Mountain: Take a flume ride adventure aboard a hollowed-out log through swamps and bayous within an 87-foot-high mountain as you enjoy the crazy antics of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear from Disney’s 1946 classic movie Song of the South. Along the way, prepare to get soaked as you plunge five free-falling stories at a 45-degree angle into a watery oasis at 40 miles per hour!

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Cruise through secret caves, witness exciting sea battles and view a bustling Caribbean island town that has become overrun with a host of unruly audio-animatronic pirates.

3. Haunted Mansion: Take an approximately eight-minute-long ride in a “Doom Buggy” through the Haunted Mansion courtesy of a state-of-the-art Omnimover ride system, along with some great special effects and amazing audio-animatronics.

4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: One of Frontierland’s most popular attractions, this thrilling roller coaster (in the form of a runaway train) twists and turns its way through an Old West mining town with loads of surprises along the way.

5. Space Mountain: Blast off into the darkness of outer space as you twist and turn, shooting past stars and satellites during the classic Space Mountain indoor roller coaster ride!

6. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: Join Buzz Lightyear as a “Junior Space Ranger” and help pilot your Star Cruiser through the galaxy – zapping aliens along the way.

7. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Visit Pooh and all of his friends – including Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Rabbit, Baby Roo and Owl – and join them on a fun-filled adventure through the Hundred-Acre Wood

8. Jungle Cruise: The approximately 10-minute cruise features a hilarious narrated river tour through various jungle scenarios in three continents: the Nile in Africa, the Mekong in Asia and the Amazon in South America.

9. It’s A Small World: Take a leisurely boat ride that magically transports you through the countries of the world as hundreds of international dolls sing and dance to the favorite childhood song.

10. Hall of Presidents: The attraction begins with a short patriotic film that traces the history of the United States Constitution and early presidential milestones, and ends with a stage full of life-size, audio-animatronic figures of each of the 43 U.S. presidents.

Seeking great deals on spacious and comfortable accommodations that provide convenient access to Walt Disney World Resort? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts! For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Enjoy a Holiday Getaway at Westgate Lakes!

Ideally located within 8 miles of Walt Disney World Resort and 2 miles from both Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa provides the perfect destination for a holiday vacation getaway! For more information about Westgate Lakes, visit www.wglakes.com.

Escape to Orlando – “Vacation Capital of the World!”

Escape to a magical land beyond the ordinary . . .  A land of endless dreams and fascinating adventures . . .  A land of magnificent pirate ships and swashbuckling buccaneers . . . A land of storybook castles and fairytale princesses . . . Take a magical getaway to Orlando, “The Vacation Capital of the World” . . .

For unsurpassable deals on Orlando accommodations, check out Westgate Resorts! Visit www.westgatedestinations.com today!

Great American Destinations!

Condo resort hotels by Westgate can be found in premiere travel destinations throughout the United States!

• Explore world-class Orlando area theme parks in Orlando, Florida, at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Vacation Villas, Westgate Palace, Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Town Center, Westgate Towers and Ramada Gateway.
• Ski down white-powder slopes at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa in Park City, Utah.
• Hike through Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort.
• Take an outdoor adventure at Westgate River Ranch, an authentic dude ranch near Lake Wales, Florida.
• Experience the world-famous Las Vegas Strip with its nonstop casino action in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Westgate Flamingo Bay Resort.
• Visit “The Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” Branson, Missouri, at Westgate Branson Woods Resort and Westgate Emerald Pointe Resort.
• Tee off at championship golf courses at Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Westgate Painted Mountain Country Club in Mesa, Arizona.
• Step back into the past at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, at Westgate Historic Williamsburg.
• Relax on white-sand beaches at Westgate South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, and Westgate Daytona Beach Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• Enjoy convenient access to nonstop casino action in Tunica, Mississippi, at Westgate Tunica Resort.

For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Disney to Host Festival of the Masters

The 34th-annual Festival of the Masters will take place in the Downtown Disney area from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, 2009. Nearly 150 award-winning artists will display their work at this immensely popular, open-air festival. Highlights of the 2009 Festival of the Masters include live entertainment, children’s activities, food, House of Blues Folk Art Festival, Central Florida Chalk Artists Association, family activities, meet the performers from Cirque du Soleil La Nouba, pin trading and more. Admission is free.

Upcoming Events at Osceola Heritage Park

Osceola Heritage Park is known as “Central Florida’s Event Complex!” Mark your calendar for these upcoming events at Osceola Heritage Park:

Florida Pro/Am Supercross
Silver Spurs Arena
November 14 & December 5, 2009
Admission Charged

Gun Trader Gun Show
Exhibition Building
November 21-22, 2009
Admission Charged

Shirley Caesar, Live in Concert
The Theater at Silver Spurs Arena
November 22, 2009
Admission Charged

Kenny Rogers, Christmas & Hits Show
The Theater at Silver Spurs Arena
November 30, 2009
Admission Charged

Cheersport Grand Championship (Cheerleading)
December 13, 2009
Silver Spurs Arena
Free Event

Great Florida Shootout (A 16 Team High School Prep Basketball Tournament)
Silver Spurs Arena
December 26, 28-30, 2009
Admission Charged

NCA/NDA Sunshine Classic (Cheerleading)
Silver Spurs Arena
January 9, 2010
Free Event

NCWCC Florida 2010 Regional (Watch & Clock Trade Show)
Exhibition Building
January 15-16, 2010
Free Event

MECUM Auto Auction (The High-Performance & Collector Car Auction Specialists)
Exhibition Building
January 28-30, 2010
Admission Charged

Orlando International Guitar & Music Expo 2010
Silver Spurs Arena
January 30-31, 2010
Admission Charged

2010 FHSSA Competitive Cheerleading Championships
Silver Spurs Arena
February 5-6, 2010
Admission Charged

66th Annual Osceola County Fair
On Grounds
February 12-21, 2010
Admission Charged

124th Silver Spurs Rodeo
Silver Spurs Arena
February 19-21, 2010
Admission Charged 

Planning to visit Central Florida to attend one of the above events? Enjoy great deals on spacious and comfortable accommodations at Westgate Resorts! For more details, visit http://www.westgatedestinations.com.

Enjoy Christmas at Westgate River Ranch!

Enjoy the Christmas season at Westgate River Ranch, an authentic dude ranch nestled on 1,700 acres just one hour South of Orlando! River Ranch will set the mood for the holiday season with twinkling lights, a festive atmosphere and a multitude of recreational activities for all ages! Children will delight in all of the amenities, including breakfast with Santa, caroling on a decorated haywagon and making Christmas crafts. In addition, each weekend enjoy our Holiday Craft Bazaar featuring local vendors.

Packages start at $269 ($134.50 per night) and include 2 nights accommodations, breakfast with Santa, Christmas hayride with cookout, Christmas crafts for the kids and admission to the Saturday night Americom Championship Rodeo. Dates are December 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20, 2009 (based on availability).

To book your vacation getaway at Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com today!