Search Results for: tag universal studio

Massive Blaze Ravages Popular Movie Studio

King Kong may have met his match (no pun intended) when a massive fire tore through his popular exhibit this morning destroying three quarters of it. According to news reports, right now damage to Universal Studios Hollywood is still being assessed but firefighters say a sizeable portion of the place where movie magic happens has either been destroyed or damaged. Fire officials confirm that at least one building has burned and as many as three blocks of movie facades are now ash. Fire investigators have not determined what caused the blaze but say it broke out just before dawn on … Continue reading →

More Ways to Save at Theme Parks

Treating the family to a day at a theme park can put a huge strain on your household budget.  In some cases, paying for two adults and two children to enter, eat, drink and play some games at a reputable amusement park can total more than a month’s worth of groceries, utilities or gas. If you are pinching pennies, but still want to enjoy a fabulous summer day at a major theme park, consider taking advantage of these discounts: GROUP RATES Many theme parks around the country offer huge savings for guests visiting in groups, including companies, schools, religious organizations, … Continue reading →

Save on Theme Park Fun

Spring break must be right around the corner given the number of commercials I’ve seen for various theme parks. Traveling to major amusement parks doesn’t come cheap, especially if you are planning to visit with your entire family.  Admission, coupled with parking, meals, and souvenirs can easily cost you hundreds of dollars.  Fortunately, there are ways to save on wholesome theme park fun without breaking the bank. For starters, consider looking for package deals.  Places like Disney and Universal Studios often offer discount tickets to guests bundling airfare, hotel and park admission.  In other cases, using a reputable travel agent … Continue reading →

Disney Parks Raising Ticket Prices

It might really be time to take advantage of those cheaper flights to Orlando, because Disney World’s just raised its ticket costs. The Orlando Business Journal reports that over the first weekend of June, Disney World bumped its one-day, single-park ticket to $89, when previously it cost $85. This might have been in response to Disney World’s biggest competitor, Universal Studios Orlando, raising its one-day single-park ticket price to $88. I think not, because the prices on many types of park tickets are going up this summer. Four-, five- and seven-day tickets to Disney World now cost $256, $268, and … Continue reading →

Dream Cruise for Families

The cruise industry is hyped about the maiden voyage of Disney’s newest vessel. The massive ship can hold 4,000 passengers. It features 14 decks and more than 1,200 staterooms. The Disney Dream sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Nassau and Castaway Cay in the Bahamas on cruises of three to five nights. Currently, Disney’s website is showing cruise-only fares starting at $1,150 per person for a three-night cruise in an inside stateroom in March, and from $1,718 for a four-night cruise in April. Shore excursions are not included in the base price. However, they are what caught my eye as … Continue reading →

Theme Parks Go High-Tech

Most modern day amusement parks have enough bells and whistles to thrill guests of all ages. However, with the influx of high-tech toys hitting the market, some theme parks have felt the need to add some electronic wizardry to their collections of topsy-turvy roller coasters and splashtastic water rides. For the summer of 2010 it’s all about special effects and hands-on fun at amazing new interactive amusement park attractions. Leading the pack is Universal Studios, which is debuting several new rides that immerse guests into another world. At Universal Studios Hollywood visitors can get up close and personal with “King … Continue reading →

Christmas in Florida

After the Blizzard of 2009, I’m sure more people than ever are considering traveling to Florida for Christmas. I prefer Hawaii myself, but I digress. Sunny Florida is a hotspot for snowbirds looking to escape Old Man Winter’s blast. However, some shy away from flying south because they don’t think the sand and surf make for a traditional Christmas backdrop. Little do they know that Florida is filled with festive displays and attractions this time of year, including: ORLANDO The House of Mouse goes all out for the holidays. If you are planning to travel to Orlando this month, don’t … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Summer Getaways

You know the travel industry is hurting when you can find roundtrip non-stop flights from Chicago to Honolulu for around $500. I paid more than double that amount for my ticket last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. Bottom line: If you haven’t been able to score a sun-sational deal on a summer getaway, then you simply haven’t been looking—at all. Perhaps, you can’t afford to take an extended break from work. If that’s the case, then consider soaking up the summer sun during a long weekend away. So what if you can’t take two … Continue reading →

Summer Deals for a Steal

With summer fading fast, many hotels and resorts are trying to make the most of last-minute family vacations by offering unbeatable seasonal rates. The following are sample savings found at some of the most popular family-friendly vacation destinations: MEXICO Mexico’s Riviera Maya boasts sparkling white-sand beaches and picturesque ancient ruins. It’s also home to the Maroma Resort and Spa, which features 65 spacious, sunlit guestrooms and suites featuring king-sized beds, handcrafted mahogany furniture, and hand-painted tiles. Right now you can book a 3-night weekend stay for just $395 per night. The Best Deal Days offer includes complimentary inclusions valued at … Continue reading →

Sweet Deals on Summer Vacation Favorites

Mexico and Florida are among the top summer vacation destinations for families, and now they are more affordable than ever. The deals are so incredible that even if you feel as though you are caught in the teeth of the recession, you may be able to swing a much-deserved break and have fun in the summer sun. Here’s a list of some of the most tempting offers available right now: MEXICO The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, which is conveniently located less than an hour from Puerto Vallarta, boasts a 26-acre private sanctuary for families who are in need of … Continue reading →