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The resort you choose has a huge impact on your vacation budget; your choice will also affect other aspects of your vacation as well. Choose wisely and you’ll have a great time, and have more room in your budget for dining and souvenirs. Choose poorly and you could end up spending way too much–or realizing that your “bargain” room is really cramping your style.

Save yourself some sleepless nights and some cash by considering one of these great options for your next Disney vacation; these resorts you the most for your money:

Port Orleans Riverside

You'll find plenty of deep South charm at the Port Orleans Riverside. Photo Courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Port Orleans Riverside’s sister resort, the French Quarter is getting plenty of attention, thanks to the debut of the new royalty inspired rooms. You can still snag a regular room at a great price at Dixie Landings and enjoy all of the perks at this great resort.

From the old fashioned charm of the swimming hole pool to the daily fishing expeditions and on-site marina, this resort is packed with great recreation opportunities. Dixie Landings is one of the more private resorts on property, thanks to the winding paths and the distance between the buildings. Book a room here if you enjoy a rustic setting, want some amenities, including an on-site fine dining, and don’t want to lay out the cash for a deluxe resort.

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Enjoy horseback riding at Fort Wilderness. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

The cabins at Fort Wilderness allow you to have all of the fun of camping out, without the tent or camper. Each cabin is a free standing unit, and you can park right outside your door. Cabins feature full kitchens, plenty of sleeping space and all the comforts of a hotel room. You can rent a cabin for about the same price as a moderate resort room, but having a full kitchen can help you save on your dining expenses, since you can easily prepare meals and snacks on site.

Choose the cabins if you enjoy the outdoors and the many recreation opportunities offered at Fort Wilderness, including horseback riding, poolside Bingo and nightly campfires.

Old Key West Villas

Relax in comfort at Disney's Old Key West. Photo courtesy of the Walt Disney Company

As the oldest  of the Disney Vacation Club resorts, the Old Key West is often overlooked–and often offered at a reduced rate. You’ll get all the great amenities the DVC resorts are known for, without all the expense when you choose Disney’s Old Key West resort. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, spacious rooms with in-suite kitchens and plenty of dining and recreation options.

By Samantha McNesby for Orlando Vacation Hotels

From deluxe resorts to privately owned estate homes, Orlando offers some of the most luxurious accommodations you’ll find anywhere. Staying in the best resort, room or home you can afford will help you get the most from your Orlando vacation. Where you stay makes the biggest impact on both your budget and your experience, so choose wisely! A few of the best luxury accommodation options are listed below.

Enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks from your room at Disney's Bay Lake Tower. Photo courtesy The Walt Disney Company, 2012

Deluxe Disney Resorts: From the flagship Grand Floridian to the wildly innovative and attractive Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can’t go wrong with a deluxe Disney resort. Stay on concierge level for the best service you’ll find anywhere on Disney property.

Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando: The Portiofino Bay is one of Universal’s smallest destinations, but is also its most luxurious. Book a room here and you’ll enjoy top notch service in a rustic, Italian villa-themed atmosphere.

Orlando Luxury Home: Staying in a private home gives you plenty of room to relax; most homes are so well appointed you won’t want to leave. Expect special touches like private swimming pools, flat screen televisions and well appointed gourmet kitchens when you choose to stay in a private home. This is the best option for large families or groups traveling together, or for anyone who wants to avoid the crowds.

The Gaylord Palms: This huge, sprawling complex has so much to offer, you can have a great getaway without leaving the resort at all. From great restaurants and shopping to fun recreation and a full service onsite spa, the Gaylord Palms is ideal for couples and families of all sizes.

Disney Vacation Club Villas: Most people don;t realize that you do not have to be a member of the Disney Vacation Club to stay in one of the well appointed and luxurious villas. One of the newest locations is also one of the best–book a stay at the Bay Lake Tower and you’ll enjoy beautiful, modern accommodations with all the perks of the Contemporary Resort. Some rooms even have a view of the Magic Kingdom itself, allowing you to enjoy the nightly fireworks from your balcony.

by Samantha McNesby for Orlando Vacation Hotels

Each weekend until March 4th, 2012, Sea World delivers you Bands, Brew, and BBQ! This season you can appreciate two complete days of excellent meals, amazing beers, and awesome songs. For four Saturdays and Sundays this year you will have the chance to savor meals from the best regional dining establishments in the area.

What better way to conquer that feeling of winter boredom than to depart your Disney hotel and bring your spouse and kids out for a day of delightful BBQ and great concerts? You will get to try some awesome ale, discover new dining choices, and maybe even discover a new preferred band! You will get to listen to awesome songs from excellent live performers like Foreigner, Kenny Rogers, and Sarah Evans! Take your children and give them a good schooling on real music!

If you end up leaving the children at home and having a grown-up day, then you can visit the beer garden and sample more than 80 types of artful beers from local and worldwide breweries. After having your share of drinks in the garden, you will definitely be looking for some food to fill your hunger. SeaWorld has joined with top local restaurants, so check out the spread and discover a delightfully wide range of tasty BBQ and other prepared dishes.

Get in and start having fun at 11:30 a.m. and keep the fun going all day! You will discover the shows are placed at Bayside Arena beginning at 4 p.m. And do not get worried if rain happens, we have you all covered! If there should be bad weather, shows will move to the Nautilus Theatre. The beer celebration will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will end at 5:30 p.m., but do not worry! Beer will still be available on Gwazi field during the awesome concerts on Sunday!

You have the option of a “Bands, Brew & BBQ” VIP pass which is available for those who would rather savor the experience up close and personal in the priority reserved area. Take pleasure in the shows while sampling excellent food at our fabulous Busch Gardens Restaurant!

Whether you are a song lover, beer expert, or BBQ enthusiast, you’ll discover many attractive activities at Sea World’s Bands, Brew, and BBQ! BB&B is provided with park entrance, so after you are exhausted from a fun-filled day at our adventurous park, come rest and nourish the family with excellent meals and excellent music! So, make yourself a note to add this awesome event to your points of interest list when you decided on your next Disney World hotel!

What lures thousands of visitors to the Orlando area each February? The weather! Visit Orlando in February and you can expect mild to warm days and cool but comfortable nights. Depending on where you stay, you may even be able to swim or play in a water park. Plan your Orlando vacation for February if:

• You want to escape the chilly days experienced by most of the US (and many places overseas as well).
• You want to visit the theme parks when they are not crowded.
• You want a laid back, relaxing vacation.
• You want to save some money on your trip.

Weather:

Expect temperatures in the low to mid 70s during the day, and pack a jacket or sweatshirt for chilly mornings and evenings. While the weather will vary, most days will be warm enough to wear shorts — and you should bring your bathing suit, as many resort pools and water park rides are heated to a comfy 80 degrees.

Crowds:

You’ll find low crowd levels and short wait times if you visit the theme parks in early February. Attendance will grow in the parks and resorts as the month progresses, peaking during the popular President’s Day weekend. US schools and many employers have a long weekend at this time, so more people will visit the parks.

Tips:

Due to lower attendance, park hours may be reduced at Universal, Disney and Sea World. While most parks are open into the evening, don’t expect a lot of super late nights.

This is a popular time for ride refurbishment. Expect some rides to be closed and to see some construction during February.

Look for deals on your resort, theme park tickets, or both when you travel in February. Your Orlando Hotel Vacation specialist can help you find the best deals when you travel this (or any) month.

Titanic: The Experience rolled out 100 new artifacts from the doomed vessel this week, expanding and adding to one of the area’s most historic collections. The addition of extra artifacts and a large chunk of the ship’s hull comes just in time for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

Whether you are a history buff, want to add an educational activity to your Orlando vacation or are simply curious about the famous ship and her passengers, you will find plenty to see and do at Titanic: The Experience. With the second largest piece ever recovered and 30 artifacts that have never been seen before, there has never been a better time to explore the Titanic.

Visitors to the exhibition will see pieces of  the doomed ship, passenger possessions, recovered artifacts and other interesting objects on display. Titanic: The Experience offers intriguing displays, room recreations, and footage and details of various recovery missions (the exhibition group has made several recovery attempts in recent years, yielding new finds and discoveries).

Titanic: The Experience offers a dinner event as well as general admission. Conveniently located on International Drive in Orlando, the exhibition is a great place to spend a hot summer day–or while away a rainy afternoon any time of year. Admission to Titanic: The Experience is $12.95 for kids and $21.95 for adults as of 2012. Kids under 3 visit for free.

The exhibit is open from 9am to 9pm every day of the week, with tickets available for advance purchase. You can’t bring outside food and drinks to Titanic: The Experience, and strollers are prohibited. Plan on spending a few hours touring the exhibit, and allow extra time for crowds, particularly in 2012, the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship.