Hot savings on summer travel
We’re one week into summer (doesn’t it seem as if it’s been here for ages?), and the long July Fourth weekend is a perfect time to take a break.
Here are a few summer deals to help you stretch travel dollars.
Theme park tickets
If Orlando’s on your list, get some super discounts on theme park tickets from VisitOrlando.com.
The city’s official tourism website offers free days and discounts to top attractions, hotels, restaurants and more.
Consider that Mickey Mouse is now collecting $105 a day for tickets. It’s worth a trip to the Orlando Visitor Center, at 8723 International Drive, to save, especially for families.
Purchase tickets at the visitor center, or order online and pick ’em up there, or opt to pay for shipping options, too.
With tickets in hand, you’ll skip long admission lines, so you’ll have more time to stand in lines once inside the theme parks (wink).
Walt Disney World: Save up to $13 off gate prices, or elect to get a free fifth day when you buy a four-day ticket. There are several single- and multi-day ticket options from which to choose.
Universal Orlando: Save up to $30 off gate prices, which start at $149.99.
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa: Up to $22 off gate prices, or up to $46 in savings on combo tickets to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica. Weekday prices start at $75.
Info: Tickets.Visit Orlando.com/store
Legoland deals
Legoland Florida in Orlando has two terrific freebies.
The Florida Teacher Pass offers educators a year of free admission to the 150-acre interactive theme park for kids age 12 and younger. It has more than 50 rides and a water park. Get the deal, valued at $99, by bringing a pay stub or teaching certificate along with a Florida photo ID to the ticket window.
Info: Florida.Legoland.com/FreeTeacherPass
Use a printable coupon to get a free one-day ticket valued at up to $104 when you buy a full-priced, one-day ticket. Present it at ticket window, or buy tickets online with promo code 159915 at checkout. Bonus: The offer, which ends on Sept. 30, also is good at Legoland California and Discovery Centers.
Info: Legoland.com/legostore2015
Daycations
If you can’t slip away for a few days, then spend one fun day playing tourist in South Florida.
Convention and visitor bureau websites offer deals galore in Broward (Sunny.org), Palm Beach (PalmBeachFL.com) and Miami-Dade (MiamiandBeaches.com) counties. Find BOGO savings on things to do, dining deals, attractions and accommodations.
Of note: Miami Spa Month kicks off Wednesday, offering $99 treatments at some of the Magic City’s most luxurious pampering palaces. Offers run through the end of August.
Travel & save
It’s not too soon to think about fall travel.
Southwest Airlines: Get one-way fares starting at $99 with departures from Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Destinations to 20 cities include Atlanta, Denver and Chicago. Info: SunSentinel.com/ Southwest
American Airlines: Round-trip fares start at $211. Destinations include Los Angeles and Philadelphia, among others. Info: SunSentinel.com/ American
Book by Thursday and snag cheap fares good for Aug. 25 through Dec. 16.
When making travel arrangements, I always scour official tourism websites in cities we plan to visit to see what I can save.
Bookmark Smart Meetings.com’s alphabetical directory of more than 400 CVBs at Sun Sentinel.com/CVB.