August 26, 2009

Fall Getaway to Orlando More Affordable than Ever

Orlando’s “Free-for-Fall” Program Features “Get One Free!” Deals Through Dec. 15

ORLANDO, Fla. – Travelers seeking a fun-filled fall getaway that doesn't break the bank will find Orlando's "Free-for-Fall" promotion makes it possible with more than 70 "Get One Free" offers available through December 15. 

Created by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) for the long-weekend getaway traveler, the program provides such deals as "Stay 2 Nights, Get the 3^rd Night Free," "Stay 3 Nights, Get the 4^th Night Free," and "Buy One, Get One Free" all available on the Orlando CVB's Web site at VisitOrlando.com/FallDeals.

A featured "Deal of the Week," provides the free night accommodation offer plus two additional free offers such as free parking, free dining, free room upgrade, or free transportation.  Each deal posted for the "Deal of the Week" will be valid for bookingfor travel to take place during 2009¹. Once the next deal is posted, the previous offer will expire. Instructions for booking will be included in the offer description and certain restrictions may apply.

While families will find a range of great deals like free in-room movies and kids-eat-free deals, the values are as varied as the visitors to Orlando. In fact, a recent omnibus survey conducted by the Orlando CVB shows that 64% of respondents were planning to travel this fall with a spouse or partner – without  kids.  With that in mind, deals are designed especially for active adults, girlfriend getaways, foodies, couples taking romantic weekends, and other groups of travelers. Deals include discounts at Orlando's world-class, award-winning restaurants, free golf and 50 percent off a range of attraction tickets.  

"Get One Free" offers are available at a wide range of accommodations from value to luxury including: Orlando World Center Marriott; Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort; Summer Bay Resort; and Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, to name a few.                    

Not only are the deals irresistible, but in Orlando fall means 70-degree temperatures, lighter crowds, and a variety of outdoor activities and special events. Visitors can peg their travel dates to a blockbuster special events calendar filled with more than 15 culinary, cultural and sporting events and one of the world's largest destination-wide Halloween celebrations. 

For example, September in Orlando is Magical Dining Month, a rare opportunity to indulge in some of the area's fine dining restaurants. Participating restaurants such as LUMA on Park, Tommy Bahama Tropical Cafe, Ocean Prime, The Boheme and The Ravenous Pig will offer three-course prix fixe dinner menus for $20 or $30 (excluding beverage, tax and gratuity) with $1 from each meal benefiting a local charity. Additional events include: the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival on Sept. 25 – Nov. 8 featuring hundreds of wine, beer and culinary seminars and tastings; the 2009 Dew Tour, which features top professional athletes competing in skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross to be held Oct. 16 – 19 at the Amway Arena; and a wide-variety of haunted happenings from Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida to SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular. 

Orlando's thriving arts community also rolls out a new season of cultural entertainment with Broadway-series shows at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center; professional-ensemble plays at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre; family audience plays at the Orlando Repertory Theatre; and performances by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.   

More information on all "Free-for-Fall"offers, participating establishments and special events is available at VisitOrlando.com/FallDeals  or by calling 1-888-ORL4-FUN (888-675-4386).  For real time updates, follow Orlando on Twitter at twitter.com/VisitOrlando or Facebook at facebook.com/VisitOrlando. While in Orlando, visitors can stop by the Official Visitor Center, located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Visitors Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).

¹ Deal lengths are subject to change and some deals may run beyond the one week window.