I suck at finding travel on the cheap. I never seem to get discounted rates or don't book at the right times or whatever. Today, I got lucky. Cath and I are going to Orlando for the Blue Man Group show, and Cosmo is coming with us.
First there was the flight. It wasn't available yesterday, but USA3000 had a flight to Orlando for $150 round-trip, with taxes, which is a steal out of Cleveland. Continental has lots of flights, but their "dog tax" would've been an extra $200! USA3000's was $90, and Cath was OK with that. It's a little scary because they don't have any backup flights, but at a savings of $100 per person, it's worth the risk, I think.
Then, I was able to find just the right navigation through the Universal Web site to find the season pass discount for hotel rooms. The first time I tried, it was the full summer rate, at $249 per night. Ouch. Now you see why I'm used to going in the off-season. Then I followed a different link, and the price went down by $80 per night! The first night is even lower since it's part of the spring season, so all told I saved around $240 by having a season pass. That $180 pass paid for itself a long time ago.
So with the dog, flights, taxes and three nights in a four-diamond hotel, the total cost ended up being around $800 for two. I've paid more in previous November trips for the same hotel. (I know it may not sound like a bargain, but for a hotel snob like me, it's a good value!)