Orlando Travel Blog

The I-Ride Trolley had expanded its route to include new stops at Westgate Palace and Aquatica (SeaWorld’s new water park), as well as Point Orlando Resort. I-Ride Trolley service runs daily from 8 AM to 10:30 PM. Single fare is $1 for adults. Children ages 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. The I-Ride Trolley also offers unlimited ride passes.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, 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,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “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 ® or SeaWorld ® Orlando.

“For instance, HotelsCorp.com is currently offering a variety of hotel upgrades that our partners have asked us not to publish online in order to help fill rooms at some of the local resorts that provide easy access to Disney and other area theme parks,” said Collins. “Also, since Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year, a majority of hoteliers are promoting four-night vacation packages whereby guests can lock into some superb discount rates.”

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, if you stay at one of the Disney resorts, you can take advantage of complimentary transportation to all Disney theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney. If you decide to stay off Disney property, you will discover numerous budget motels and hotels along Highway 192 in Kissimmee just East of the main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort or along world-famous International Drive. Many of these properties also offer complimentary transportation to Disney theme parks, as well as Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.

By booking your Orlando vacation getaway now, you and your family also can enjoy all of the special festivities scheduled for the 2007 Disney holiday season such as Mickey’s Very Christmas Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Holidays Around the World at Epcot, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney-MGM Studios, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney. And nothing quite beats bringing in the New Year at Disney’s Pleasure Island with its eight diverse nightclubs and spectacular fireworks display. In addition, Disney World has extended its Year of a Million Dreams celebration throughout 2008 and will award more than one million more dreams through the Disney Dreams Getaway.

“Although there is still plenty of availability today, Orlando area hotel rooms will be filling up fast over the next two weeks, so you should definitely book your reservation as soon as possible,” said Collins.

Dozens of luxurious health spas are located throughout the Orlando area, providing state-of-the-art therapeutic treatments, amenities and exercise facilities that allow you to relax and rejuvenate during your Central Florida vacation getaway.

Services vary from spa to spa but many health spa facilities feature hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, body massage, deep cleansing, facials, manicures, pedicures, deep tissue or Swedish massage, tanning rooms, free weights, Cybex machines, cardiovascular equipment and more. Some spas are open to the public, while others are reserved for the exclusive use of resort guests.

For example, Walt Disney World Resort offers several world-class health spas: Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club, The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Mandara Spa at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. The 9,000-square-foot Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club features a Victorian theme and provides a variety of massage treatments to choose from, as well as state-of-the-art fitness equipment. The 12,000-square-foot Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort features massage therapies, body therapies, facials, body therapies, hydro-massage therapies, hand and feet therapies, and a variety of spa packages. The Mandara Spa at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort also provides a full range of massage therapy services in a relaxing, Balinese-style atmosphere.

Spa treatments and fitness facilities can also be found at the following Disney World resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Other top-notch Orlando area health spas include the 20,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, which is known for its “Canyon Ranch Stone Massage;” 12,300-square-foot Mandara Spa at Universal Orlando’s Portofino Bay Hotel, home of the “Mandara Four Hand Massage;” and 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa at Grande Lakes Orlando, which boasts the first Carita Institute and Salon in the United States.

“Orlando’s world-class health spas are great places to go to unwind after a day of exploring Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando theme parks,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing at HotelsCorp.com. “Many of these spas are ideally located within 5 minutes of Disney World such as Westgate Resorts’ Papillon the Spa at Westgate Lakes.”