A slow economy doesn’t mean you and your family have to forgo your Orlando vacation this year. By planning ahead and following the money-saving tips below, you can enjoy incredible savings on your next visit to “The Vacation Capital of the World” — without sacrificing any of your family’s comfort or enjoyment.

Plan Early
Research the Orlando destination thoroughly before you arrive and create a detailed plan for your itinerary, whether you intend to visit Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando or all three during your stay. Check out online Orlando vacation guides such as www.orlando-florida.net for comprehensive information about theme parks, attractions, restaurants, shopping and live entertainment.

Vacation During the Off-Season
Avoid the crowds! Walt Disney World theme parks are most crowded during Spring Break, from mid-June to mid-August, Easter weekend, Thanksgiving week, the week before Christmas through New Year’s Day and on three-day holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. Value season typically runs from after Labor Day weekend through the end of September, the week after Thanksgiving until a week before Christmas and after New Year’s Day until just before Presidents’ Week in February.

Seek Out Budget Accommodations
Believe it or not, you can stay near Disney World without spending a fortune. For instance, Westgate Resorts offers great deals on spacious villa rentals that provide easy access to the four world-class theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. For more information about villa rentals at Westgate Resorts, call (800) 864-1645 or visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels.

Research Ticket Options
Choose the appropriate Disney World ticket deal based on your family’s length of stay in Orlando and remember not to overdo it—you should definitely schedule time for rest and relaxation during your Disney World vacation. Most importantly, do not purchase your Disney World tickets at the gate—seek out the best online deals before you arrive to the theme park. 
 
About Westgate Resorts
The largest privately owned timeshare company in the world and one of the largest resort developers in the United States, Westgate Resorts features luxury resorts in premier travel destinations throughout the United States such as Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Park City, Utah; Miami, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Tunica, Mississippi. Founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, Westgate Resorts boasts affordable luxury vacation accommodations and exchange opportunities through exclusive affiliation with Interval International, which offers worldwide travel solutions at more than 2,000 resorts in 65 countries. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Join the celebration at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay each weekend in March 2009  as both theme parks heat up with entertainment during Viva La Musica. The red-hot Hispanic event blends live performances from award-winning Latin artists with “el sabor” (the flavor) of the heritage - featuring popular Hispanic food and authentic arts and crafts.

And now, pay for a day and come back all year to enjoy unlimited admission to Viva La Musica, plus experience all the amazing animal encounters, world-class thrill rides and family fun SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have to offer.

SeaWorld Orlando ignites Saturdays at Bayside Stadium with:

El Gran Combo: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Tito El Bambino: Saturday, March 14, 2009
La India: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Fonseca: Saturday, March 28, 2009

Busch Gardens Tampa heats up in Gwazi Park with:

El Gran Combo: Sunday, March 8, 2009
RKM & Ken-Y: Sunday, March 15, 2009
Grupomania: Sunday, March 22, 2009
Guayacan: Sunday, March 29, 2009

For more information on concert times and to purchase tickets, visit www.vivalamusicafestival.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

Admission to Viva La Musica is included with regular park admission. Concert seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Concert dates and artists are subject to change.

Looking for great deals on spacious villa rentals during your Orlando vacation getaway to enjoy Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando? Visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels for information on Westgate Resorts properties that provide convenient access to SeaWorld Orlando such as Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa and Westgate Palace.

For more information about Disney World and Magic Kingdom Park, visit http://www.orlando-florida.net/walt-disney-world/disneys-magic-kingdom.

Orlando is truly a shopper’s paradise with its upscale malls, factory outlet stores and flea markets, as well as immensely popular shopping, dining and entertainment districts such as Downtown Disney and Universal CityWalk. Trendy and upscale, The Mall at Millenia features anchor retailers Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus, as well as an eclectic collection of more than 200 specialty stores. The largest mall in Central Florida, Florida Mall features more than 270 specialty stores, including Dillard’s, JCPenney, Burdines, Sears, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Pottery Barn and J. Crew. Festival Bay Mall at International Drive, which was built in 2003 and features 900,000 square feet of retail space, boasts a variety of eclectic specialty shops, restaurants, attractions and a movie theater. Other area malls include the 1.3-million-square-foot Altamonte Mall, one of the largest regional malls in Florida, and the Orlando Fashion Square, which lies just East of downtown Orlando. For savings up to 25 to 65 percent off retail prices, check out Orlando Premium Outlets, which is home to more than 110 stores, as well as a food court. World-famous International Drive features dozens of unique specialty shops and factory outlet stores, as well as the Pointe*Orlando shopping, dining and entertainment complex, which is home to a state-of-the-art movie theater. A bustling shopping and entertainment complex in Kissimmee, Old Town boasts 75 specialty shops, eight restaurants and 18 thrilling amusement park rides. Area flea markets include Main Gate Flea Market, Visitors Flea Market and Osceola Flea & Farmers Market – all of which are located in Kissimmee. For more information about Orlando shopping, visit http://www.orlando-florida.net/shopping.