DisneyOnTheCheap » Around The Parks

Passport to Savings In Downtown Disney

mary829 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:43:53 +0000

Let’s face it – staying off site costs less than staying on site. And now the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels in Lake Buena Vista are helping you save even more off site – while still being just minutes from the theme park action.

The consortium of seven hotels are offering visitors their 2009 Passport to Savings coupon book for any stay in their establishments. The booklet contains discounts and specials for area dining, shopping and entertainment, as well as maps and schedules for the complimentary shuttles to the Disney parks, water parks and Pleasure Island.

The hotels involved – the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort, Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa, Doubletree Guest Suites, Hilton Orlando, Holiday Inn, Hotel Royal Plaza and the Regal Sun Resort - are considered “Official Walt Disney World” hotels, so guests are already eligible for some special perks, including the ability to purchase theme park tickets at the hotel, advanced tee time at all Disney golf courses and priority seating arrangements for Disney dinner shows and theme park restaurants. Add the great coupon book – and see your savings multiply!

For more information, sign up for the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels’ newletter. Then start counting your savings!

Footloose and Fancy Free Art Festival

mary829 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:56:32 +0000

Remember Field of Dreams? “If you build it, they will come”?

Well, the same must be true of the blog-a-sphere. Just yesterday, I posted that I wanted to cover the whole Orlando tourist scene, not just Disney alone, since so many people do the whole area when they visit. Well, I just mentioned that yesterday, and by this morning my email was flooded with ideas and offers about what to do (on the cheap, natch) while in the area.

So I’ll be passing on the best ideas from time to time. And this is one of those times! The good people at the Orlando CVB shared that the 50th annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival will be taking place this weekend (March 20-22). This festival is one of the nation’s most prestigious outdoor events, with over 1400 artists competing for less than 300 spots in the show. The event also includes jazz music, kiddie activities, and of course, great food. If you’re interested in hearing more, just click here.

Now, my youngest son is an artist, so this would be right up his alley. I mean, he loves the animation studios at Disney, but man does not live on Lilo alone. This would be a great chance to expose him to what other artists are doing – and to expose my wallet to a break from theme park pricing. And the event is free!

Wild (and Cheap) Week at Sea World 4/10-16

mary829 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:05:57 +0000

Yes, I know it’s not Disney, but this blog focuses on all things touristy in Orlando, and SeaWorld certainly fits the bill.

The National Wildlife Federation, in conjunction with its Keep The Wild Alive program, is joining with SeaWorld and Busch Gardens to spotlight conservation of endangered species at park locations across the country. A great cause, right? Well, this one will benefit your bank account as well. In Orlando, SeaWorld will be celebrating “One Wild Week” from April 10 to the 16th, the week prior to NWF’s National Wildlife Week. As part of the celebration, all kids 12 and under who come to the park dressed as a favorite animal will get in free (accompanied by an adult paying full price). Considering that a kid’s day pass is almost $65, that’s certainly worth dragging out the old Halloween costumes. And there’s more – park visitors will also receive a copy of NWF´s Keep the Wild Alive poster, which features 25 endangered species from around the world.
So head on down to SeaWorld, raise your consciousness – and don’t forget to say hi to Shamu.

Headed Downtown (Disney)

mary829 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:04:14 +0000

I just love Downtown Disney. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but believe me, it is. I was born completely void of a shopping gene. I abhor malls, and consider Christmas shopping a success if I can do the entire thing online. I hate hate hate to shop. (Do you get the picture?)

But I love Downtown Disney. I love the gigantic Lego displays, I love the pin collectors perched outside (where else?) Disney’s Pin Traders, I even love the huge collection of Mr. Potato Head parts you can cram into a box for a reasonable price at Once Upon A Toy. Downtown Disney isn’t just shopping…it’s an experience.

And, my friends, there are bargains to be had. First there’s the parking – which is absolutely free! You can leave your car in the lot and shop (or eat or play) without paying a cent. Where else in Disney can you say that?

The second bargain – food! Oh, sure, there are some pricey (and really delicious) eateries in Downtown Disney, but my favorite of all is so reasonable I’m tempted to keep it a secret so it doesn’t get too crowded. I’m talking about the Earl of Sandwich, a must-stop for our family every single Disney vacation. (Seriously, forget the “run to Dumbo” advice and run to Earl instead!) The sandwiches are insane, and all hot sandwiches are $5.75. Yes, you read that right. So if you’re tired of the burger and chicken nugget lunches, head to the Earl…just save an All-American for me.

I’ll be featuring some more fun (and cheap) things at Downtown Disney the rest of this week….right now I think I have to go make a sandwich….

Authentic Disney Souvenirs – Cheap!

mary829 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:22:34 +0000

Okay, if you’re like me and you have kids, you’re not going home without some souvenirs. But when you look at the price of a stuffed Donald Duck (which will be hugged like crazy for one day and forgotten the next), you may suffer a tad of sticker shock.

But it’s all good. Just take the clan (and their souvenir budget) over to Downtown Disney and head to Mickey’s Mart. In this store (hidden between Disney at Home and Disney Tails), you’ll find mugs, stationary, and even plush pals – all under $10. You can treat the kids to a grab bag of authentic WDW goodies – and still have money left for a Dole Whip later!