Labor Day Weekend Specials 2

by Adele Woodyard

Last week featured Amelia Island, one after this will spotlight Naples. Here’s to a blog with some of what’s doing around the state. Specials can be for Florida residents only, so be sure and check first if not so noted below

Panama City Beach
Oaseas Resorts Shores of Panama celebrates the holiday with food, fireworks and family fun during their Lights and Luau. Various activities around the pool from 11 a.m. on, Fri-Mon. Sunday, Sept. 5 will be cocktails and Luau buffet at 5:30 p.m. followed by noisy lights in the sky at 8:30.2-room family suite specials for overnights. 850-249-0109. http://www.oaseasresorts.com

Orlando
Sept. 7 is last day for a special on rooms that start at $83/night plus taxes at Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. There’s a Camp Omni for kids, 36 holes of golf for Dad, a spa for Mom and a river to float down on for the whole family. Add a summer splash pool party activities and a complementary shuttle to Walt Disney World theme parks and you end the summer with a great weekend. 407-390-6664. http://omnihotels.com/findahotel/orlandochampionsgate

Fort Myers
10% off the price at GAEA Guides Guided Kayak Nature Tours. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily you can choose between a dozen tours of southwest rivers, back bays, aquatic preserves, bayous, etc. to paddle your way to view marine and wildlife. Advance registration required. 239-694-5513. http://www.gaeaguides.com

Melbourne
Crown Plaza Melbourne Beach Oceanfront Resort special of two nights at regular rate, gives 50% off third night, expires Sept. 30. Includes breakfast for two each morning 321-777-4100, Promo code: IJSUM. http://www.cpmelbourne.com

Tuckaway Shores Resort is a Melbourne all-suite accommodations where assorted two rooms with separate living-bedrooms have fully equipped kitchenettes. 20% off on rooms that begin at $95.20 + tax per night expires Sept. 30. 877-747-8713. http://www.tuckawayshores.com

More deals can be found at http://www.space-coast.com

South Florida
Sept. 30 is also the cutoff date for some 2-for-1deals on http://www.sunny.org/241
Here’s a few offering fun for a day for little money.

Fort Lauderdale History Center gives a two for one admissions to the New River Inn Museum of History and King-Cromartie House Museum, Tues-Sun., from 12-4 p.m. Docent tours 1, 2, and 3 p.m. $10 adult, $5 student, age 6 and under FREE. 954-463-4431. http://www.fortlauderdalehistorycenter.org

At Flamingo Gardens one $17 adult ticket will let 2nd adult in FREE. Kids ages 4-11 pay $8.50. and the narrated tram tour is extra. Wander through exotic plants, view gators, flamingoes and otters on Tues-Sun, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 954-473-2955.
http://www.flamingogardens.org

It’s two tickets for the price of one ($20) that includes FREE drink on a Riverfront Cruise. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 954-463-3220. http://www.anticipation.com
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More Bargains on http://www.vacationfunflorida.com

Summertime Specials: Part I

by Adele Woodyard

Summertime heat and flight of the snowbirds make for fewer activities to fill the lazy sunlit days. However dollar saving “specials” abound and if you’re a Florida resident, you’re really in luck. You’ll read about some of them here and/or in Bargains on our home page over the next three months.

Tampa Bay
Lowry Park Zoo’s Summer Family Fun Pass is one terrific buy. From now until August 31st, a family of four (2 adults, 2 dependants ages 3-17) will have unlimited admission to the zoo and unlimited mechanical rides, for $75, the normal price of a one-day admission. Think of the fun you can have on the NEW Overland Express Train, the Safari Ride, Boomer’s Flying Bananas, Jungle Carousel, Gator Falls, and the Tasmanian Tiger Roller Coaster. Animal
rides and the River Odyssey Eco-tour are not included, but additional members of your household can join in for $20 per person. Pass is not available for purchase online. Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 1101 W. Sligh Ave. Tampa, 813-935-8552. http://www.LowryParkZoo.com

Lowry Park Zoo hosts the GEICO Gecko Traveling Exhibit now through July 18. Along with Giant Day geckos, there’ll be special appearances by GEICO’s famous green guy, on select dates. Included with admission $20.95 adult, $18.95 senior (60+), $15.95 ages 3-11, 2 and under Free. Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 1101 W. Sligh Ave. Tampa, 813-935-8552.

Busch Gardens has a special treat for the pre-school set with Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Friends, and kid-sized rides at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun. FREE for kids up to age 5, when you sign up for the preschool pass online http://www.sesamestreetsafarioffun.com
June 11-Aug. 8, hours extend to 9 p.m. Sun-Thurs, 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bigger kids and adults can rock the night away with 30-minutes of Kinetex entertainment on the Gwanzi Park Stage, 9.pm. Guests who take the Fri.-Sat. Dance Challenge may win four theme park tickets. Admission: $74.95 adult, $64.95 ages 3-9.3000 Busch Blvd. 813-987-5082. http://www.buschgardens.com

From June 10-Aug. 14, adults and kids (ages 3-9) can beat the heat every day in the waters of Adventure Island with a weekday pass of $41.95 each That’s not much more than one-day admission of $37.95 each, online only. Island Nights, Thursday –Saturday, extend the day 5-9 pm. with Polynesian dancers, live bands and island foods. 4500 Bougainvillea Ave. 813-987-5600. http://www.adventureisland.com

Tradewinds Island Resort, St. Pete Beach is offering, now until December 28, 2010, a $250 Resort Credit with room reserved at the prevailing rate for 3-night minimum in suite or parlor room; $100 Resort Credit for hotel room. Make reservation directly with resort where golf, family and kid programs, are among the amenities. For details call 888-266-1241. http://www.tradewindsresort.com

Orlando
June 18 is opening day for the Wizardry World of Harry Potter and Universal Studios rlando has a 4-night package starting at $285 per adult, $139 child 3-9. Package includes transportation to site from partner hotel, early park admission, breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, 3-day ticket takes in both theme parks and access to live entertainment at City Walk, among other goodies. Valid June 18-Dec. 31, 2010.
A Summer Getaway for Florida residents offers a 2 day, 2 nights, 2 parks for 2 people that starts at $80 per adult, per night. 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, 407-363-8000. http://www.universalorlando.com

Aquatica After 2 p.m. Pass offers Florida residents unlimited thrills from now through rest of 2010 for $49.95 per adult, per child. If at least 48” tall and under 250 lbs. you can rock the Omaka-Rocka, an all-new waterslide that’ll have you slding forward, backward, and climbing the walls. 55800 Water Play Way, 467-351-3600, 888-800-5447. http://www.AquaticaBySeaWorld.com

Orlando World Center Marriott Resort features water everywhere; a lagoon pool with waterslide and falls, an indoor pool, two pools for kids, a spa and six whirlpools. Hotel also offers a variety of discounts, seniors, AAA, etc. A Florida resident package for one night, includes a breakfast buffet for 2 adults and kids 12 and under, with complementary self-parking from $159 per night, now until Sept. 7, 2010. 8701 World Center Dr. 407-239-4200. http://www.marriottworldcenter.com