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A parents guide to the kid friendliest places to stay, play, and dine at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Seaworld and so much more.
Whether you're headed to Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World, or anywhere else in Central Florida (including the beaches of St Pete's, Clearwater, Cocoa Beach and St Augustine) …congratulations!, you’ve discovered the best place to begin your journey…right here at www.travel-insights.com. Travel- Insights is choc full of the most detailed and up to date information available regarding how to plan, enjoy, and survive your family vacation in central Florida.
THE BONUS - you'll find tons of practical travel tips (tips that have been tried and tested) for not only saving money, but surviving the entire vacation experience with your sanity - and your bank account in tact sprinkled throughout the site too.
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*Moms Choice Award Winner - 2009 Silver Recipient!
Best in Family & Parenting Web Resources & Family Friendly Media
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Quick Links will take you directly to specifically targeted T.I. pages for those who would like to head right to the theme parks, resort hotels, or restaurants!
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 TRAVEL FREE IN ORLANDO FLORIDA! (1.09)
SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? WELL, IT ISN’T. “BUNDLES OF FREE SMILES” IS AN ALL NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT MAKING AN ORLANDO VACATION EVEN MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER.
To kick off the New Year, Orlando has created the all new Bundles of Free Smiles program (running from January 1 – June 30) and its filled with unbelievable travel offers that include free admission to select attractions, free room nights at select hotels and resorts, and free perks throughout Orlando making it even more affordable than ever to vacation in Orlando.
A wide range of more than 50 free offers are available with only two blackout periods – Easter Week and Memorial Day Weekend – for all the details (courtesy of the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau) simply click on the following links: Accommodations / Attractions / Dining / Golf / Sports & Recreation / Transportation , head directly to www.bundlesoffreesmiles.com or simply call 1-888-ORL4-FUN (888-675-4386).
Here’s a sampling of the free offers you’ll find:
Accommodations
• Rosen Shingle Creek - Stay 4 nights and get an additional 3 nights free; also includes: free high speed internet, game room tokens and parking
• Orlando World Center Marriott - Book 4 nights and get the 4th free or book 5 nights and get the 5th night free
• Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort and Westgate Palace - Stay
3 nights and get an additional 2 nights free; also includes free parking and kids stay free
• WorldQuest Resort - Stay 3 nights and get an additional 2 nights free; also includes kids stay free and free parking Attractions
• SeaWorld Orlando – Adults at kids prices
• Boggy Creek Airboat Rides – Buy 2 tickets and get the 3rd free
• Orlando Balloon Rides – Buy 1 adult ride and get a free kids ride
• Pirate's Dinner Adventure – Buy 1 adult ticket and get a free kids ticket Vacation Packages
• Universal Orlando Resort - Book a 3 night vacation package and receive 2 nights free
• Walt Disney World Resort – Buy a 4 night vacation package and get 3 nights free including theme park tickets
• Southwest Airlines - Book a flight + hotel Southwest Airlines Vacations package of 3 nights or longer to Orlando and save $100
Want to Book Advanced Dining Reservations at Disney? (1.12.09)
Disney has just announced a new timeframe for booking dining, recreation and various tours at Walt Disney World. Previously Disney guest could book reservations up to 180 days out - now however the timeframe has been decreased to only 90 days out. Exceptions to the new 90-day window (albeit temporarily) include Chef Mickey's and Cinderella's Royal Table – for the time being Advanced Dining Reservations can still be made 180 days out however effective March 22, 2009, they too will fall under the new 90-day booking window.
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Restaurant Menus are Coming Soon (Some have already been posted) - check back in the next few weeks as we'll be posting more of the latest menus from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Aquatica and more!
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Highlights & Hot Spots:
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Walt Disney World, including it’s four magical theme parks, meticulously themed resorts, oneof- a-kind water parks, collection of eclectic shops, and deluge of distinctive dining options |
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The frenzy-free atmosphere at SeaWorld’s Adventure Parks (including SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica) where unique undersea adventures await guests of all ages |
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The stretches of white sandy beach, the pounding surf, and wildlife found along Cocoa Beach to the east, the warm gulf waters and sugary sands of St. Pete and Clearwater Beach to the West |
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Universal Orlando’s edgier theme parks, high-end hotels, distinctive dining options, and ultra chic clubs |
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The Canaveral National Seashore, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, and Kennedy Space Center – all Space Coast treasures |
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The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Africa, and various other unique attractions that you’ll find throughout Tampa Bay |
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The mix of sandy beaches, unique historic sites, eclectic shops and eateries, and reputation for being the most haunted city in America – St. Augustine is a seaside treasure |
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Central Florida’s swaying palms, and
sunny skies |
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Topping the “To Do” List
(Unique Experiences, Interesting Activities & Special Events in Central Florida) |
| 1 |
Experiencing Orlando’s spectacularly themed parks, each amazingly unique from the other, each offering one-of-a-kind (often over-the-top) immersive experiences that simply can’t be found anywhere else in the world |
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Feeling the earth rumble beneath you as the space shuttle takes off – then heading to the Kennedy Space Center to do some exploring right here on earth |
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Experiencing undersea adventures whether at the Florida Aquarium (in Tampa Bay), on a walk along the seashore searching for shells (and other sea life), swimming with the sharks (at Walt Disney World’s Epcot and at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay), or at SeaWorld (and its sister parks; Discovery Cove and Aquatica) |
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Building sandcastles and squishing your toes in the sugary white sands of Florida’s coast (both the Space Coast as well as the Gulf Coast) |
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Surfing and skimming along the Space Coast shoreline |
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Experience Florida’s eco-tourism - seeing sea turtles, manatees, alligators, birds, and the native coastal wildlife in their natural habitat |
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Stepping back in time whether seaside in St Augustine or at the Orange County Regional History Center |
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Experiencing one or more of the numerous special events held throughout the year (whether Halloween hauntings, Christmas spectaculars, 4th of July celebrations, or unique festivals including Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival, Star Wars Weekends, Super Soap Weekend, ESPN the Weekend, and the many specially ticketed after hours events at both Disney and Universal among many, many others) |
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Staying at one of the areas spectacular resorts, whether a meticulously themed resort on theme park property or one of the area’s newest destination resorts
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Dining at one of the areas unique and creative eateries – whether themed, with characters, a chic and trendy establishment - or simply a seaside shanty that likely serves up the freshest seafood in town |
| Click Here for all the details – along with more great places to play! |
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So, Just What is Family-Friendly?
Family Friendly – A Definition (per Travel Insights that is):
A place where you can feel comfortable bringing your children whether they’re tots or teens - A place where the occasional temper tantrum, meltdown, or shrilling scream won’t be embarrassing? or mark the end of your public appearances-A place where you and your children are made to feel truly welcome.
With so many places these days claiming to be “family-friendly” it’s often quite difficult to determine if in fact it’s really true - until it’s too late that is. If you have kids, I’m sure you’ve experienced the cold chill that suddenly arises as staffers shudder and wince at the sight of small children - struggling to summon a smile to show how thrilled they are that you’ve come – this would be a sure sign that they’re really not as “family-friendly” as they claim. This, however, won’t be the case upon entering the establishments listed throughout this site - staffers won’t wince at the sight of your children, or cringe at the thought of having to help you – they will instead make you feel as if you and your family are VIP’s, that you are truly welcome, and that your business is genuinely appreciated.
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| Need Help with Your Walt Disney World Vacation? |
Travel Insights has partnered with the most knowledgeable travel agency in the business-Small World Vacations
Small World Vacations is an Authorized Vacation Planner recommended by mousesavers.com.
The agents at Small World Vacations are dedicated to making your Disney vacation dreams come true, and finding the best deals for you!
Click Here (or the banner above) to find out more about Small World Vacations
or to get a free price quote.
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Coming Soon!
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Check Back soon as the following articles will be posted in early 2009!
1. Going Green (Click here)…Who’s Doing It and What it Means to You
2. A Suite Life – a Look at Orlando’s All-Suite Resorts (along with other s that feature suite-sized accommodations)
3. Flying Today’s Not So Friendly Skies – a side by side comparison of major carriers that service the Orlando area
4. Car Rentals – the Do’s & Don’ts of Renting a Car
5. Discount Travel Sites (including Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, and many more) – What They Offer and Which One Will Work Best for You
6. Orlando’s Coolest Pools
7. Save Yourself (and your kids) From a Souvenir Sunburn – with tips on how to avoid getting burned, tips on surviving the searing hot sunshine, and a list of the best sunscreens on the market (and why they work)
8. Orlando on a budget – How to Have Fun in Florida Without Breaking the Bank (or Having to Rob One)!
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