The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare, five nights' accommodations, Magic Your Way tickets, and transportation, from $697 per person—plus an estimated $35 in taxes.
When: Monday and Saturday departures Sept. 29-Nov. 24, Dec. 13-15, 2008. (These dates are based on accommodations at Disney's All-Star Music Resort; valid travel dates may vary for other resorts.)
Gateways: New Orleans; add $55 for D.C.; $60 for Pittsburgh; $65 for Birmingham; $75 for Louisville; $80 for Austin; $85 for Baltimore; $95 for Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia; $105 for Buffalo; $110 for Dallas, Houston; $125 for Chicago; $130 for Denver; $140 for Boise, Seattle; $155 for Phoenix; $160 for L.A.; $175 for Las Vegas; additional gateways are available.
The fine print: Meals are not included. Package can be booked for a minimum of three nights and a maximum of 14. Based on Monday or Saturday departures; surcharges apply for travel on other days of the week. The price includes accommodations, hotel taxes, transfers, 24-hour traveler assistance, and a five-day Disney parks base ticket with Park Hopper perks (valued at $278) per person. The rate does not include the federal excise tax the September 11 fee, or airport taxes, which total about $35 per person. Prices are based on double occupancy; solo travelers pay $736, including taxes and fees (which is an unusually fine deal for solo travelers). Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: Sept. 24, 2008, by 6 p.m. (CT).
Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/243-8372, southwestvacations.com.
Why it's a deal: According to a recent search on Kayak, round-trip airfare between New Orleans and Orlando, for travel in late September and early October, starts at $208 including taxes (Northwest). For an additional $524, including taxes, the package from Southwest Airlines Vacations covers airfare, accommodations, a Magic Your Way base ticket with park-hopping access per person, and all transfers.
Trip details: When you book this Southwest Airlines Vacations package at the starting rate, you'll stay at the Disney All-Star Music Resort within the Animal Kingdom park. Bus transportation between the airport and all the parks is available. The resort offers pools, an arcade, and a playground.
Prefer to be on a beach? Then upgrade to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, starting at an additional $175 per person for the five-night stay, or to Disney's Polynesian Resort for an additional $810 per person (and also for five nights).
Check in, and then hit the parks with your included Magic Your Way base ticket. The package grants you special Park Hopper status, which means you get entrance into the four Disney parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot) throughout your stay. This status also allows you to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours: extended park hours that allow guests to enjoy a park after many other visitors have left for the day.
Another perk included in this package is Disney's Magical Express Transportation. A bus will take you from Orlando International Airport to your hotel while your bags go from your plane directly to your guest room. You'll also receive this service for your return trip to the airport.
As for the weather in Orlando, the rainy season will be over at the end of September, and the temperatures will start to cool down a bit from the summer's 90s to a more pleasant range in the mid-70s to mid-80s.
Before you go, get the scoop on what to do by visiting the Web site of Orlando's Convention & Visitors Bureau, or check out Florida's official tourism site.