We are taking our 4 small kids to Orlando on a small budget. No Disney-can't afford. Universal had a great deal on getting 2 kids in free so we have passes and are looking to book airfare from Detroit. When is the cheapest month to travel. From reading the site it looks like Tues & Sat. are the cheapest days to fly. Also any advice on a deal for minivan rental?

Maybe you won't need a mini-van?

I had a rental car when I stayed at a Quality Inn on International Drive for 3 days that never got used. With the free transportation to Universal offered and with the "I-Drive Trolley" costing only $1/day (maybe more now) unlimited travel, I had no use for the car.

BTW, the transportation to Universal from various hotels is a service of Universal, not the hotel, so if a bus doesn't come to YOUR hotel, go to a hotel where it does.

I think the cheapest month to fly is probably January/February, after the xmas holidays and before spring breaks start.

Jan-April is peak season all over Florida but check;

www.ITASoftware.com

for bargains and alternate airports.

Year after year I have found the 2 weeks after New Years to be the least expensive; it's both after Christmas holidays and before winter breaks.

Problem with not having a van is that with six persons, you'll pay just as much for a shuttle bus from the airport. Plus with the van you can go to the beach!

We've usually found good rates late April and very early May. Or do you have to work around school vacations?

NW currently has $200 roundtrip non stops in April and May, I'm not sure if sales bring the fares lower since I never fly out of Detroit.

Do you use Travelocity? I put a fare watch for my airport - and another one that is not too far - to Orlando (Airport code MCO). I check it daily - don't wait for the email. When a great fare happens, be ready to jump on it. We flew from Den to Orlando in June 2003 for $134. We flew from Denver to Tampa last June for $127 per ticket. It seems that we bought our tickets at the end of Feb., beginning of March.

The great thing is that the Fare Watcher will show you the cheapest fair available without asking for exact dates - it can help you get a deal, if you're willing to be flexible.

Orbitz has a fare watch type service too.

I'm not quite sure where you want to travel, but I know the Go Orlando Card is a great value and includes tons of attractions in the Orlando area. http://www.goorlandocard.com

Try to travel during off-peak times March for example or April.

There are reasonable hotels on Disney property.(All Star Resorts) The Mears shuttle takes you there from the airport so you wouldn't need a van. Check out Spirit Airlines from Detroit. If you buy the tickets pretty far in advance, their prices are great. Sept is a great month to visit Orlando.

They will love Universal--there are myriad places to stay in every area of Orlando (for very few $$); I suggest looking into a condo/house rental, some can be had for very little.

HI!

You know there are some "Disney" things you can do for free, like riding the monorail. Ask be up front (you may have to wait a minute or two) and your children can ride right up front with the conductor, liiking out the windshied! Then stop at the Contemporary hotel, they always seem to have characters around!

Also you can visit downtown disney where they have Lego land...very neat for kids!

Rainforest Cafe is at the enterance of Animal Kingdom and is also really really neat!


Have fun!

I had some friends do this last weekend and they loved it!