Expert: Stephen Tanenbaum - 8/24/2007

Question
I am sure you get plenty of questions about Florida and I am sorry if this is a repeat. My family and I are traveling in Jan. 2008 to Florida. My daughters are in a gymnastic meet and we would like to make it a family vacation. I have 8 children total traveling (yes there are all mine) and we need ideas on making this a cheap vacation. On my own I can't find cheap enough airline tickets and I really don't want to drive. I was wondering if there was any advice on how to get as cheap as possible tickets and lodging in Orlando that is affordable for 10 people without breaking the bank.  I hear people say all the time about getting discounts and having really cheap vacations but I just don't see that happening with a family the size of mine.  Any advice?  Please help, it is greatly appreciated and needed.  Thanks again!!!

Answer
Angie:

No need to get back with the requested info. I have what could be the 'cheap' solution or at least pointing you in that direction. For possibly exciting news first. There are home/condo short term vacation rental companies. I found one called Trip Homes. Here are two of their pages one for a TEN person townhouse in Kissimmee just next door to Orlando, like a suburb (we stayed there and just a short drive  to all of Orlando) and one IN Orlando. Prices seem awesome at $99/day for Kissimmee and $145/day for Orlando (Kissimmee is always MUCH cheaper). The $$$$ saved on home dooking would be $$$$$$ and COMFORT level also awesome. I can not vouch for the company and you may find other similar companies with similar deals. Seems like a great place to start.

http://www.triphomes.com/USA/Florida/Kissimmee-vacation-rentals-20849p.html
http://www.triphomes.com/USA/Florida/Orlando-vacation-rentals-21046p.html

On the theme parks. I wrote an article about our visit noting back in 2003 that: Forget huge savings on Orlando's world famous theme parks. With that said there are usually smaller discounts available. Also kids 10 and up are considered adults (at least at Disney). We used Billy Boy's discount service. Here is their current web site:
http://greatorlandodiscounts.com/  Yes, we found them reputable.

I can not help on air fare. Web research is the best way to nail the lowest prices.

For future trips I should emphasize that my specialty is FREE airline travel which cannot work by January and for TEN people. BUT still here are the LINKS to our newsletter and my article on FREE airline travel.
www.cheapskatetravel.blogspot.com
http://freectnsummer2007.blog.com/
www.ctnwinterspring2007.blogspot.com
www.fall2006ctn.blogspot.com

Hope some or all helps... have a GREAT TRIP.

Steve T.