When Gaylord Entertainment announced a deal to bring DreamWorks Animation character experiences to the massive properties in the Gaylord Hotels umbrella, family vacation planning got a little more complicated. While the partnership allows the Orlando, Fla., located Gaylord Palms to compete better with rivals such as Universal Studios, the Nickelodeon Hotel, and to some degree Disney, it also enables the company to have a shot at filling some rooms at the cavernous properties during off-convention season. As promised a few months back, guests can now begin booking "The DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Hotels."
According to a report from USAToday.com, rates for the DreamWorks packages will start around $199 per person per night for a two day package. Instead of going with a set room rate and then including the extras, which include character breakfasts and other encounters, in a la carte style system, the per person charges bring the base package to about $800 for a family of four. Of course, the rates are subject to availability and timing and could rise as their popularity is gauged, but still not a bad price for a few days of entertainment.
Included in the packages will be street parties with the characters, character breakfasts, a photograph, and tickets to a special show. The included amenities of the particular hotel are also at the disposal of guests, which includes pools and fitness centers.
Since the properties are located throughout the United States, namely Washington, Dallas, Orlando and Nashville, Tenn., many families will have access to the packages with a reasonable drive. If families can avoid what could be expensive airfares is the real trick to keeping the DreamWorks packages affordable, not that fuel prices make a 10-hour drive that attractive. Still as far as some quality entertainment for around $1,000, Gaylord Entertainment might just capture some holiday or fall travel dollars.
All things considered, the properties are great and the enhancements by characters from movies like "Madagascar" and "Kung-Fu Panda" can result in a memorable weekend escape. As with any other package deal, prices and availability are limited. So if a week at Disney World is too expensive, staying a few days at a top notch Gaylord property could fit the bill for any family looking to save a few thousand dollars.
Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional and long-time Pennsylvania resident. These experiences give him a first-hand look at developing situations in the state and everything included in the travel industry from technology to trends.
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