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JetBlue is offering a Fall Runway Preview Sale, and if you live close to JFK Airport and want a (somewhat) affordable vacation for your family this fall to Disney World, this may be the best way to do it. JetBlue is offering package deals where for one price you can get roundtrip airfare from New York to Orlando with nonstop flights AND stays at many hotels in Orlando, which can help you save a lot of money. This is a great deal, especially considering you would be flying JetBlue, and for me that is the best airline. For the purpose of this blog entry, I arbitrarily chose rates based on a family of 4 (two adults, two children) for a trip from September 15th – September 18th; you would leave Friday night and the children would only miss one day of school (Monday). You can choose other dates, too and many of the same sales would apply; this sale is for September 6th – November 18th, with the blackout dates of September 20th – September 24th and October 9th – October 12th.
Now where you should stay and take advantage of this sale depends primarily on where your family wants to go. Again, for the sake of this blog entry, I found the best deals depending if your family wanted to visit Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando or Disney World.
Best Deal for Universal Studios:
Loewe’s Portofino Bay
Average per person: $297.27
Total package: $1,189.05
Savings of $512.07
While this deal certainly isn’t cheap, it a great overall savings. For me, Portofino Bay is the best Universal Resort, with its beauty and Italian theme, so usually just 3 nights at the hotel would cost you $1,189.05 so to be able to pay that price and get a roundtrip flight included really is an exceptional deal. You can get to all Universal parks (Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Orlando, Volcano Bay water theme park and Universal CityWalk) by walking there, or by water taxi or air-conditioned shuttle buses. You also get early park admission and Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines. Portofino Bay also has three swimming pools, great dining and many other hotel benefits from being a Universal Studios hotel.
Best Deal for SeaWorld:
Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
Average per person: $201.65
Total package price: $806.57
Savings of $150.95
If attending SeaWorld is the primary purpose for your vacation, then Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is your best bet. This is a great price for roundtrip airfare for 4 people plus a SeaWorld partner hotel. SeaWorld partner hotels give you great features like one free quick queue to a popular attraction, early entry, free behind-the-scenes rescue tour, 10% off merchandise purchases of over $50, and 10% off dining (among other perks). Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is also within walking distance to SeaWorld, Aquatica & Discovery Cove. There are also three swimming pools and multiple dining options available, and you have access to a full service spa and mini-golf course. Additionally, Doubletree is a reputable brand and you can expect good quality from this hotel.
Best Deal for Disney World:
2 options:
Option #1: Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs
Average per person: $215.98
Total package price: $863.89
Savings of $144.32
If you want to save money and not stay at the Disney resort but still have a great shuttle system, then this is a really great deal. Plus, even though this is not a Disney resort with Disney perks (such as extra magic hours or the free airport transportation system of Magical Express), it is a Disney Springs hotel and as such, you do have Disney shuttle transportation every thirty minutes. Plus, you are close to Disney Springs, which has lots of great dining options and amazing dining options like Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex, which are Landry restaurants. But if you still have your heart set on staying in the parks (which I completely understand) then I think the best deal is:
Disney’s Grand Floridian
Average per person: $488.07
Total package price: $1,952.28
While this is much more expensive, this is a great deal for a Grand Floridian lagoon view room, as the Grand Floridian is typically the most expensive of the Disney resorts. And the Grand Floridian really is a magical hotel with monorail & boat access to the Magic Kingdom, so if you can afford it, this would be a more affordable way to give your family a vacation they would never forget.
No matter what you choose, if you want to take advantage of this great sale, then you will need to book ASAP because this sale will end quickly!
