PARKsaver: Enjoy holiday savings at Universal, Gaylord Palms and Disney World

By Beci Mahnken and Suzannah Mitchell DiMarzio

It’s the time of year for giving thanks, and what better way to give thanks than a family vacation in Florida? There are some great deals to be had which makes visiting the area during this magical time of year even better!

Universal Orlando Resort has introduced two new offers that give families more time together to enjoy the incredible thrills of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Guests who buy a two-day park ticket will get a third day free. And guests who purchase a two-night vacation package at a Universal Partner Hotel get the third night free, plus a third day free to enjoy the theme parks.

Here are the details:
Two-day Base ticket to experience Universal Orlando’s theme parks – with the third day free
Tickets are available for purchase through May 9, 2014 and are valid for three days during a 14-day period which includes the first day of use. All ticket usage must be completed on or before May 22, 2014 when the ticket will expire in full.
Vacation package is available for purchase through Dec. 15, 2013 for travel through Dec. 22, 2013.

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One of our favorite places to experience holiday magic is at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Spa. The resort is truly that – a resort with every amenity you could need – and you won’t want to leave once you arrive.

You don’t want to miss the spectacular live entertainment and famous 54-foot-tall Christmas tree coming to life in a magnificent tree-lighting ceremony. Dripping with poinsettias, more than two million twinkling lights and lavish holiday displays, the resort is sure to warm up your stay. Add a splash of Luminescence, the spirited show that crowds have grown to love, and visit with some DreamWorks Animation characters to spice up the tradition.

Speaking of tradition, join Frosty the Snowman and his friends at this year’s Ice! in a colorfully frozen retelling of the original holiday classic. More than two million pounds of hand-carved vibrant ice sculptures bring your favorite scenes to life in a 9-degree ice palace. Slide down the four, two-story ice slides in the slide room and then visit the Frostbite Factory – a live ice-carving zone featuring Artisans in Action – where you can get up close to watch a masterful ice carver from Harbin, China, create amazing sculptures before your eyes! And what’s Christmas without Santa? Warm up with some hot cocoa and have your photo taken with Jolly Old St. Nick.

Delectable dining opportunities and countless other activities are available for you to enjoy within the resort, but the best way to benefit from all that Gaylord Palms has to offer is to unwrap the splendor of these great packages:

The Christmassy DreamWorks Experience (starting at $223 per night)
One night room accommodations
Tickets to Ice! including unlimited/priority access during your stay
DreamWorks Character Meet and Greets with priority access
Shrek Feast Character Breakfast at Villa de Flora: Kids will love becoming an honorary Ogre and joining Shrek and friends for a fairytale feast fit for a king.
DreamWorks All-Star Adventure Scavenger Hunt
DreamWorks Welcome Amenity
Souvenir Family Photo

Christmas at Gaylord Palms (starting at $183 per night)
One night room accommodations
Tickets to Ice! including unlimited access during your stay
Access to DreamWorks Character Meet & Greets
Souvenir Family Photo

Ice! is open daily through Jan. 5, 2014, including holidays.

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Of course, one of the most magical spots during the holidays, or any time of the year, is the Walt Disney World Resort. Now you can Stay, Play, and Dine and save up to $600. Don’t delay! With savings this huge, rooms will fill up fast!

Save $600 (based on a family of four) on a five-night, six-day Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts. Or, save $400 (based on a family of four) on a five-night, six-day Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick Service Dining at select Disney Value Resorts.
(For stays most nights Jan. 5 – March 5, 2014. Book by Dec. 31, 2013)

• Suzannah Mitchell DiMarzio and Beci Mahnken work for MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner featuring a team of more than 75 affiliate destination experts located across the U.S.A. They’ve been providing magical vacation experiences for over 12 years, specializing in vacation packages and cruises to all major vacation designations.
For Disney destinations, visit: MouseFanTravel.com or follow them on twitter @MouseFanTravel. For Universal Studios visit UniversalFanTravel.com and for vacation packages and cruises around the globe visit MEI-Travel.com or follow them on twitter @MEITravel.