When it comes to travel, less is more. Especially in regards to packing for a trip that requires airline transportation.

Most airlines now charge extra checked baggage fees as well as overweight baggage fees. In fact, the Bureau of Transportation reports that U.S. airlines made more than $2.5 million in baggage fee revenues in 2010.

So when packing for your next flight, consider lessening and lightening your load and enjoy some substantial savings. Here are some ideas on how you can avoid those costly baggage fees.

• Travel as light as possible, and use compression bags to help fit belongings into a carry-on.
• If you like to read, carry a digital reader such as a Kindle rather than books.
• If you need extra things, ship your belongings in advance, utilizing the U.S. Postal Service’s Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes.
• Ask your airline about baggage waivers or discounts for some frequent flier members, first class passengers, active military personnel and certain credit card holders.
• Leave your sporting equipment at home and rent equipment such as golf clubs, skis and surfboards at your destination.
• Utilize a lightweight suitcase.
• Check to see if your hotel or resort will offset the cost of checked baggage fees.

Now that you’re ready to pack, all you need is a destination! Westgate Resorts offers a variety of spectacular family vacation resorts across the U.S. including Orlando, Las Vegas, Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach, Branson, Williamsburg and Park City. For information and discount vacation package information, go to www.Westgatereservations.com/ today.

September 25 — November 8, 2009

Your taste buds will be more than tempted at the 2009 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Disney’s annual event returns Sept. 25 thru Nov. 8, 2009, bringing with it many of the world’s tastiest regional foods and drinks. Of course, that’s only the beginning as guests will also enjoy rockin’ concerts, fabulous shopping, fun-filled seminars and demonstrations, taste-testing other special programs.

Tantalizing new additions to this year’s menus include the robust and exotic flavors of Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok as well as world-class performers like Richard Marx, Billy Ocean and Vanessa Carlton, who will all take the stage at the Festival for the very first time.

A convenient Disney Gift Card offers a fast, easy and secure way to carry your money on your wrist while enjoying the Festival. Just load or reload the card with any amount you desire, swipe — and you’re spared the trouble of getting out your credit card or cash any time you want to pay for food or merchandise at the Festival.

This year’s marketplace and promenade includes 25 international kiosks are serving up delicious, tapas-sized portions from countries on 6 continents.

Eat to the Beat! Concert Series
Musical entertainment includes the Eat to the Beat Concert Series which offers up an equally tempting variety of classic rock, soul, R&B, jazz and funk with artists ranging from Boyz II Men to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Book Your Disney Vacations with Westgate Reservations!

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Ripped from the Silver Screen

Book your Orlando Discount Vacation Package!

Step inside living cinematic terror at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights® as the most demented films of all time come to life. Torn from their upcoming films, The Wolfman and Saw join with Chucky to descend upon you, with a host of terrifying horrors close behind.

On select nights in September and October, Universal Studios Florida® theme park is transformed into the nation’s premier Halloween event. Venture into a nightmarish maze of horrid Haunted Houses, lurid Live Shows, and shocking Scare Zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.

Now in its 19th year, Halloween Horror Nights annually draws hundreds of thousands of horror fans from around the globe to this one-of-a-kind event. Tony Timpone, Editor of Fangoria Magazine, said, “After visiting scream parks all across the US for the last 20 years, I can easily say that Universal’s is the best in the business… Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween experience.”

It’s the greatest exhibition of pure terror ever unleashed anywhere, and you can experience it all, LIVE, only at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Select Nights
• September 25-26
• October 1-4, 8-11, 15-19, 21-25, 28-31

WARNING! EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR MASKS ALLOWED.

SAW – © 2004 Saw Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2009 Universal Studios. © 2009 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved