Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

clarebear007

We are planning on going to Florida in March next year, also out of school. 2 adults, 1 child (9 at time). I would like to know when is best to book? Would it better to book asap so flights are cheaper, or hang around a bit to see if there are any good deals on regarding tickets/holiday packages/etc.? We're trying to get all our prices together to see what is best.

blue_monkey_2

clarebear007 wrote: »

We are planning on going to Florida in March next year, also out of school. 2 adults, 1 child (9 at time). I would like to know when is best to book? Would it better to book asap so flights are cheaper, or hang around a bit to see if there are any good deals on regarding tickets/holiday packages/etc.? We're trying to get all our prices together to see what is best.

We are booking at the moment Clare and for some of the dates on VH, flights are sold out already so I'd really advise you to get moving. We are going 2nd week of Easter hols now.

clarebear007

blue_monkey wrote: »

We are booking at the moment Clare and for some of the dates on VH, flights are sold out already so I'd really advise you to get moving. We are going 2nd week of Easter hols now.

Oh really? Thanks for warning me. Well the dates we had in mind are still up, so shall have to get on that asap then! Are you booking your tickets with the package?

blue_monkey_2

No worries, I thought it was best to say. You could probably still book but would have a limited choice and that puts the price up.

We are booked for June but have to change it for April. We got a free ticket for the June booking but have lost that so I might just get the tickets from Disney as you get some extras with those tickets, plus you can get Cashback and you get longer to pay for them too (8 weeks before you travel). I will deal with that side later on. If I get them I'll get them from Virgin Concierge later towards our travel date as they give you a few freebies for getting them from them.

r.mac_2

Sorry to hear you have to change your dates BM

What do you get for booking park tickets directly with disney/virgin concierge? Ive not seen this?

blue_monkey_2

r.mac wrote: »

Sorry to hear you have to change your dates BM

What do you get for booking park tickets directly with disney/virgin concierge? Ive not seen this?

We got free Kids Eat Free cards, transfers to our resort even though we was on a fly drive and was staying in our timeshare exchange (won't need that this time though) and best of all.... the Early Invite to WWOHP. Ask to pick everything up at the airport and you collect it from their desk. If you send Concierge an email (link is on their website - google Virgin concierge) they will call you back.

They match prices you have found elsewhere too but you do pay in $$ so make sure you use a pre-loaded Travelex or Visa money card or so you know what rate you are getting charged - they do not charge a fee either.

Some people will tell you that you do have to go to the welcome meeting to get your invite but the reason they want you at the meet is to sell you stuff, and as you have already spent with them they will let you have the invite at the airport.

clarebear007

blue_monkey wrote: »

No worries, I thought it was best to say. You could probably still book but would have a limited choice and that puts the price up.

We are booked for June but have to change it for April. We got a free ticket for the June booking but have lost that so I might just get the tickets from Disney as you get some extras with those tickets, plus you can get Cashback and you get longer to pay for them too (8 weeks before you travel). I will deal with that side later on. If I get them I'll get them from Virgin Concierge later towards our travel date as they give you a few freebies for getting them from them.

Sounds good! I'm currently filling up a book of different places I've seen that are selling tickets, and noticed that through Disney you get all the freebies which is tempting! Very excited though!

merlinormartin

Not sure if you guys have seen the guy who performed the entire disney musical mashup,, but i just seen it on the Independent website and it made me chuckle lol

Independent link

KarenG

clarebear007 wrote: »

Oh really? Thanks for warning me. Well the dates we had in mind are still up, so shall have to get on that asap then! Are you booking your tickets with the package?

If you want to book through Virgin Holidays it is likely to be more expensive than booking the separate parts yourself (not always, but usually).

There is absolutely no way that the Virgin flights will sell out for March. Virgin Holidays only have an allocation of seats on Virgin Atlantic and just because Virgin Holidays are sold out or nearly sold out doesn't mean there are no seats - very far from it!

We normally travel in school holidays and the planes are always full, but we recently went in January and as an example, there were less than 100 people on a plane with 350 seats on the way out, and even less on the way home.

There is no way the flights will sell out, and definitely not this early!

I would sign up to Kayak.co.uk or skyscanner and monitor the price of flights until you see a price you are happy to pay, and then go for it.

March isn't the best time to go if you have a choice of a different time, out of school holidays? There are many schools in USA on what they call Spring Break, and that can inflate the numbers in all the parks significantly We got caught by this once and it was far busier than we'd expected.

What sort of accommodation do you fancy? Onsite / offsite, hotel / condo / villa? We've done them all and there are pros and cons for each. Whether you want to drive or not will rule some options out (ie most villas are no good without a car).

clarebear007

KarenG wrote: »

If you want to book through Virgin Holidays it is likely to be more expensive than booking the separate parts yourself (not always, but usually).

There is absolutely no way that the Virgin flights will sell out for March. Virgin Holidays only have an allocation of seats on Virgin Atlantic and just because Virgin Holidays are sold out or nearly sold out doesn't mean there are no seats - very far from it!

We normally travel in school holidays and the planes are always full, but we recently went in January and as an example, there were less than 100 people on a plane with 350 seats on the way out, and even less on the way home.

There is no way the flights will sell out, and definitely not this early!

I would sign up to Kayak.co.uk or skyscanner and monitor the price of flights until you see a price you are happy to pay, and then go for it.

March isn't the best time to go if you have a choice of a different time, out of school holidays? There are many schools in USA on what they call Spring Break, and that can inflate the numbers in all the parks significantly We got caught by this once and it was far busier than we'd expected.

What sort of accommodation do you fancy? Onsite / offsite, hotel / condo / villa? We've done them all and there are pros and cons for each. Whether you want to drive or not will rule some options out (ie most villas are no good without a car).

Ooo hadn't thought of Spring Break! But in regards to the flights, I had looked at Virgin Atlantic but the dates weren't up yet, so wasn't sure whether to wait or not. If we didn't go in March, it would have to be October, and would rather go March so daughter isn't too interrupted when starting the new school year. We had thought possibly December as it's daughter's birthday then as well, but March seems the better option all round. Shall sign up to those sites you suggested! Thanks for those!

We are looking into villas. We want to hire a car, so getting places won't be as difficult. Last time I went (many years ago!) I wasn't driving, and though we could do everything we wanted, I hated the waiting around and the cost of getting to places, although the I-Ride was fab! But I didn't have my daughter when I went either then.