The Top 40 Tourist Scams To Be Aware of...

Think pickpocketing is the biggest scam for a tourist?   HERE are 40 of the biggest tourist scams of the summer to be on the lookout for when you're traveling.




h/t: http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/blog/16-40-tourist-scams-to-avoid-this-summer.html

Soutwest Airlines fined $200,000.00 for deceptive ads

Southwest Airlines was slapped with a $200,000.00 fine for not having seats after advertising $59 flights in TV ads.

Read more about it HERE.


h/t: Yahoo News

Universal's Hogwarts Express to be limited to ONE ride per day during peak times?

The Orlando Informer is reporting that Universal Orlando is preparing for an onslaught of visitors to the new Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express linking Universal Studios to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure.


When The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened at Islands of Adventure, the crowds stretched from the back of the park, through the front gate and all the way over to Universal Studios. Traffic was blocked along the nearby interstate for six hours that day.





Apparently with those memories in mind, Universal is prepping for the grand opening with plans of limiting patrons to one ride per day between the parks aboard the Hogwarts Express during peak time. Which will be every day this summer I suspect.


HERE are the discussions on this at the Orlando Informer Forum.

Adventures by Disney is now offering GLOBE Trekking experiences

It seems Disney has embarked on creating new travel experiences across the globe in places like Ecuador, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands!

Experts are predicting a busy travel season...

The AAA is reporting that after our harsh winter, this could be the busiest travel season in the past six years in their Memorial Day travel forecast.


Here are some highlights:


Memorial Day holiday travel volume is expected to reach a new post-recession high with 36.1  million Americans taking a trip

The 2014 forecast is 2.6 percent higher than the ten-year historical average and the second highest travel volume since 2000

Eighty-eight percent of travelers (31.8 million) to travel by automobile, an increase from 31.4 million last year

Holiday air travel expected to increase from 2.4 percent to 2.6 million leisure travelers 

Travel by other modes of transportation including cruise, trains and buses will see the largest increase, up 6.5 percent (total 1.7 million travelers)

Travelers will encounter slightly higher prices with airfares six percent higher, mid-range hotels up two percent and car rentals costing one percent more

Details on Universal's new Harry Potter & The Escape from Gringotts Bank Released!

Universal Orlando has released new details on the newest ride to hit Universal Studios:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott's bank:




This is going to be amazing. I had heard rumors that the ride itself would be mounted to a fully mobile 360 degree travel robotic arm.

Free Apps for Orlando Park Wait Times, Dining, & Maps...

Here's a link for Free apps that list the wait times at Disney and other Orlando theme parks:
Free Disney iPhone App - Wait Times & Maps courtesy of Undercover Tourist. They also have a printable crowd calendar here:

-Jerry

Watch Time Lapse video: Disney's 7 dwarfs mine train built in 30 seconds!

This is neat. Disney's new Seven Dwarfs Mine train rises from nothing in 30 seconds via time lapes photography:





-Katie

Oh this is NEAT! A personalized suitcase with pictures or company logo...

I have got to get us one of these:





Luggage Pro's has a product called the MyFly Bag.

It allows you to customize your very own carry-on suitcase! Whether its pictures from your favorite family vacation or your company logo for corporate gifts or a photo of a favorite pet or loved one, the MyFly Bag guarantees you'll travel in style and have memories that will last a lifetime! AND, it will stand out in the baggage carrousel and be easier to spot amongst all the look alike luggage out there. This custom made suitcase lists for $149.00 with free shipping from their website above!



-Jerry

Travel News: First Online Travel Agency to Offer Flights+Amtrak...

05-13-14 Travel news from Cheapair.com:

CheapAir.com has just become the first online travel agency in the United States to offer both flight and Amtrak railway reservations on a single website. Travelers may now mix and match flight and railway fares to create the most convenient and cost-effective travel itineraries available online.

Now Available: See Amtrak fares in your flight search


If you're heading to Sin City, you can Get $10 off your flight to Las Vegas - This week only!