Walt disney world discount vacation package

EVER wanted to visit Florida on the fly, Alabama for a song, Disney on the down-low, the Caribbean on the cheap or Europe at reduced rates? Now's the time.

Travel agents and industry experts are all predicting that the discounted rates and special package deals that began last fall will continue at least until spring, making the current combination of low rates and hot deals the best time to plan a dream vacation.

Airline carriers such as Continental, Northwest and US Airways are offering special low fares on a system-wide sale. You can also save an additional 10 percent by booking online. American Airlines' Web site, AA.com, has recently implemented several travel enhancements, including the newly expanded special-offers page that features a larger selection of special offers, discounted fares and vacation packages. Roundtrip fares to Las Vegas, a popular winter destination, are available for under $200 from air carriers, with some flights as low as $50 roundtrip from Los Angeles to $158 roundtrip from New York City.

Air France is offering European destinations at a discount with low roundtrip fares available from major markets throughout the U.S. Roundtrip fares, such as New York City to Madrid for $381, or Las Vegas to Paris from $479, are among the bargains offered.

Looking for more down-to-earth fare? Don't despair, domestic destinations in the South are very popular.

Alabama has warmth and sunshine for the greater part of the year. Snow is a rarity and spring arrives early. The state boasts a big Mardi Gras, held in Mobile, Ala., and a number of civil rights attractions, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, The Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Ala., the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute in Selma, Ala., and the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center in Tuskegee, Ala.

Central Florida's wealth of family attractions and world-renowned beaches are facing increased competition from less ballyhooed cultural attractions in Northern Florida and on its Gulf Coast. Jacksonville, Fla., in the Northeast section of the state, has a rich Black heritage. The area is home for Edward Waters College, the oldest independent historically Black institution of higher learning in the state, founded in 1866, and the Edwin M. Stanton High School, which became in 1917 the only high school for Blacks in the country. Activist, poet and novelist James Weldon Johnson attended Stanton and was the author of"Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," the Black national anthem, and he was also known as the first Black to pass the Florida bar exam.

A unique and popular Florida festival is the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, scheduled this year from January 24-27 in Hurston's hometown of Eatonville, Fla., located approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown Orlando.

Celebrating 100 Years of Magic in Orlando, Walt Disney World plans events at all four theme parks until Dec. 31, 2002. The 100 Years of Magic celebration marks the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth on Dec. 5, 1901. There also are special events and special packages throughout the year. Roomonly rates at the Walt Disney World Resort start as low as $59 per night. Through Feb. 13, 2002, guests can book a package for three or more nights with accommodations at Disney's All-Star resorts starting at $329 per adult. This special package also includes Disney's Ultimate Park Hopper ticket, offering unlimited admission from check-in until checkout to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, three themed water parks, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest and Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

Bargains galore await the adventurous, especially those who prefer to travel by sea. The cruise lines are offering plenty of low-cost packages to make cruising even more appealing. Cruise industry experts say they haven't seen rates this low since the 1970s. So for first-time or experienced cruisers, it's time to pack your bags.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise line, for example, is offering 3-night Bahamas itineraries roundtrip from Miami with prices starting at $149 (per person, double occupancy); 5-night Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale with prices starting at $249; and 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale with prices starting at $399.

The cruise line and the National Professionals Network (NPN) are sponsoring the 10th Anniversary Leadership Summit & Spa at Sea from July 26 to Aug. 4, aboard the new Adventure of the Seas, with a capacity of more than 3,800 passengers. Among its ports of call will be San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Many Bahamas hotels and resorts are offering special winter packages that can include everything from an extra day's stay for free to special discount rates for rooms and suites.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism is offering a "Stay and Play, We'll Pay!" promotion, which offers each visitor a $200 American Express Traveler's check (a maximum of $400 per room) upon arrival. Additionally, travelers get a fourth night free and other incentives.

For the savvy traveler, bargains abound this season. Take advantage of the Internet to research fares--and you can even get great savings by purchasing travel tickets online. So set your sights toward savings and embark on a memorable adventure.