Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

clarebear007 wrote: »

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.

If you're getting a car then you'll be fine in a villa

I'd wait a bit longer before booking flights personally. You will be able to book for March in April for scheduled flights, but I'd sign up and wait for deals

October is a lovely time to visit Florida. We found December a tad chillier than we like

clarebear007

KarenG wrote: »

If you're getting a car then you'll be fine in a villa

I'd wait a bit longer before booking flights personally. You will be able to book for March in April for scheduled flights, but I'd sign up and wait for deals

October is a lovely time to visit Florida. We found December a tad chillier than we like

Thanks for the advice! Will wait til April and see what Atlantic says. That's one reason why I'd rather not do it in December. And least we have October to fall back onto as well.

blue_monkey_2

We got flights, upgrade to a convertible car, plat ins and v-room for less than 3k - 2ad, 2 kids with VH. We are now flying out on Easter Sunday so in the school holidays with the kids having a few days off school at the end. So this includes the weekend supplements both ways too.

I took this descision after the flights came out for late Jan (when it is usually cheaper) and I checked on prices and they were showing at around £600 each on VA. When I recently looked for Feb, flying after half term was around £550 - for flying to get a half term holiday was £650 upwards to £1400. The seats have only just been released for sale in the last few days and some of them have sold out already and so the prices are for PE only and this is on the VA website, not on VH.

I wanted to make sure I was getting a good price.

Last flight we booked we just got the last seats by days, I checked a few days after and only UC was left and this was for half term too.

For us we needed to get that date, if the date is not important then it might be worth you waiting but we wanted to fly with VH and it had to include some of the holidays. I guess others are going to be doing the same as us and only 370 people (or whatever it is) can get on the flight.

Now wondering if we will get to go on the new Virgin planes that are being rolled out. I know in June there was a chance, not sure about April. Scrummy.

vivatifosi

KarenG wrote: »

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!

DH works for an airline and we tend to go in the off-season and this is our experience too. The only time you get full planes are when they go tech or when there are weather problems leading to cancellations.

One thing I would say though is that relates to economy. If people are looking to travel a different class then they should also look at the conference calendar as if there are big conferences on then the premium seats can book up quickly and the front of the plane gets very full. This may also be an important consideration for frequent flyers.

KarenG

vivatifosi wrote: »

DH works for an airline and we tend to go in the off-season and this is our experience too. The only time you get full planes are when they go tech or when there are weather problems leading to cancellations.

One thing I would say though is that relates to economy. If people are looking to travel a different class then they should also look at the conference calendar as if there are big conferences on then the premium seats can book up quickly and the front of the plane gets very full. This may also be an important consideration for frequent flyers.

Oh yes, I am definitely a Y traveller
Funnily enough that was also our experience in January on the way out (not sure about the return). PE looked to be full, while Economy was empty.

I was secretly pleased as had planned to upgrade but ended up not doing as the price was a little more than I'd been prepared to pay - but of course we ended up with LOADS more room in Y than we would have had upstairs due to the emptiness of the plane :cool:

Anyway, back to the holidays now, so that won't happen again

LouiseJ

I am going completely cross eyed after reading over 100 pages of this thread now:D Along the way I have came across some fantastic perls of wisdom and some hissy fits too lol

I have been saving all the useful links to a folder for all my Florida research and as next year will be my 3rd time I am really looking to polish my organisation and get the best value out of my £1.

I loved the idea of a Spreadsheet to track the flight prices which I have set up and also some of the unusual places to see and do, definitely going to spend a night at Mount Dora in one of the quirky B&Bs and do the evening thing at Boardwalk and also the Floridian to watch Wishes.

Still no fly drives showing up for Jul 2012 but will keep looking.

Thanks again for this amazing thread, its really been a Godsend.

blue_monkey_2

Louise J,

Go to the virgin holiday website and choose the link for Florida Summer 2012.
Click on a holiday - anything will do - choose the date you want to travel.
Click continue or book now and go through to the stage where you enter the names
Then go back to the homepage
Refresh the page

On that little holiday finder to the left of the holepage you should now see the date you want to travel in July 2012 in the little date box.
Click the tab for Fly Drives.

If it is not black but a grey colour and will not let you select so refresh again.

And then you should get the prices for Fly Drives for July 2012.

Or you could just download the preview brochure and the prices are on page 6/7 or 8/9 (can't remember which) and those prices are pretty much accurate but there could be some supplements such as if you travel at a weekend it is £20pp each weekend flight there and back. Plus there is the car hire upgrades and upgrades to insurance too if you want to hire a car.

HTH

LouiseJ

blue_monkey wrote: »

Louise J,

Go to the virgin holiday website and choose the link for Florida Summer 2012.
Click on a holiday - anything will do - choose the date you want to travel.
Click continue or book now and go through to the stage where you enter the names
Then go back to the homepage
Refresh the page

On that little holiday finder to the left of the holepage you should now see the date you want to travel in July 2012 in the little date box.
Click the tab for Fly Drives.

If it is not black but a grey colour and will not let you select so refresh again.

And then you should get the prices for Fly Drives for July 2012.

Or you could just download the preview brochure and the prices are on page 6/7 or 8/9 (can't remember which) and those prices are pretty much accurate but there could be some supplements such as if you travel at a weekend it is £20pp each weekend flight there and back. Plus there is the car hire upgrades and upgrades to insurance too if you want to hire a car.

HTH

It just keeps coming up with no flights found for the day you want to travel. Tried Thur 19th, Friday 20th, Sat 21 and Sun 23 July.

Preview brochure states £937 per adult!!! Looks like it will be Thomas Cook for us again then.

jeanniebeanie_2

Little tip for anyone riding Harry Potter Forbidden Journey here

http://wizardingworldpark.com/ride-forbidden-journey-ride-10-minutes/2010/09/22/

clarebear007

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

Little tip for anyone riding Harry Potter Forbidden Journey here

http://wizardingworldpark.com/ride-forbidden-journey-ride-10-minutes/2010/09/22/

Thanks for that!! That'll be a great help