Great deals for an Orlando vacation.
By Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
Dreams do come true at Walt Disney World (Disney)
Got little kids? If you’re considering taking your family to Orlando, the smart money’s on waiting until September, when older kids are back in school and hotel rates are at their lowest.
Even better, September has been deemed “Magical Deal Month” by the Orlando tourism association, with 30 days of savings with deals on hotels, theme park tickets, restaurants, and more. Your ticket to savings is the free Orlando Magicard, which you can download and print, order online, or pick up at an Orlando visitor center.
Here are five of the best deals available in Orlando this September:
Universal Orlando Resort
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando (Universal Orlando)
Dying to visit the new Diagon Alley and travel on the Hogswart Express to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Do it for less with the Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package, which includes a four-night hotel stay and three-day park-to-park tickets to both Universal Orlando parks. The package also includes breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks and early park admission. Prices start at $135 per adult, per night, staying at an on-site hotel property.
(MORE: Find out what your fellow MiniTimers did in Orlando with their kid-friendly trip plans.)
Disney World
Once kids start heading back to school, crowds thin and prices drop at Disney World. Save up to 30 percent when you book a stay at select Disney World Resort hotels on most dates Aug. 16-Oct. 3. There’s no minimum stay. Book by Aug. 8, 2014.
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort
Disney character breakfast at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (Wyndham)
Families love this lakeside hotel’s stellar location directly across from Downtown Disney at Disney World, not to mention its two pools and on-site Disney character breakfasts three times a week. Save 30 percent when you book the Family Escape Package, plus kids get free breakfast. Available through Dec. 31, 2014. Use promo code PKGWESR.
SeaWorld Orlando
See and interact with marine creatures at SeaWorld (SeaWorld)
Are you brave enough to try SeaWorld’s new drop slide, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, the tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower of its kind in Orlando? Save up to $400 when you book the Kids Free Vacation Package for up to five nights at a SeaWorld partner hotel. Plus, receive up to two free children’s admissions when you pay for two adult admissions for an additional $90 in savings.
(MORE: Find more kid-friendly attractions in Orlando.)
Outdoor pool at Wyndham Bonnet Creek (Wyndham)
Like accommodations with plenty of space? This second Wyndham property, located just outside of Disney World, offers spacious condo-like suites and a fantastic waterscape complete with five pools and multiple water slides, splash zones, lazy rivers, and hot tubs. Save 25 percent when you stay two nights. Available through Dec. 31, 2014.
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, a family travel expert, contributed this to MiniTime.
