Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

MOLLYBRUSH

Just a bit of info for anybody booking hotels independently in Orlando like I have just done, they all seem to be adding on "Resort fees" which are hidden costs. I am staying at the Hyatt for a night which I got through Priceline for what seemed a good price but when you get there, they will add on another $25 to use the facilities. It is a complete con, surely the facilities are what you are purchasing when you book a room, they certainly appear to be promoted as such when you look on the website. There is also no option to not use the facilities either. I am surprised it is legal but obviously must be. They justify it by saying all the hotels in Orlando do this (bit like the bankers salaries). Definitely worth checking before you commit.

delwynshd

Most of the US hotels have resort fees

Del

jackieblack

MOLLYBRUSH wrote: »

Just a bit of info for anybody booking hotels independently in Orlando like I have just done, they all seem to be adding on "Resort fees" which are hidden costs. I am staying at the Hyatt for a night which I got through Priceline for what seemed a good price but when you get there, they will add on another $25 to use the facilities. It is a complete con, surely the facilities are what you are purchasing when you book a room, they certainly appear to be promoted as such when you look on the website. There is also no option to not use the facilities either. I am surprised it is legal but obviously must be. They justify it by saying all the hotels in Orlando do this (bit like the bankers salaries). Definitely worth checking before you commit.

delwynshd wrote: »

Most of the US hotels have resort fees

Del

Most Del?

We've stayed in dozens of hotels in the US, only ever come across this in Las Vegas, like most things one or two places try it and everyone jumps on the bandwagon. In a way I'm not surprised it has migrated to Orlando being such a hot tourist destination. I suppose it means they can advertise cheaper room rates.

johnnyroper

blue_monkey wrote: »

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.

with your travel dates you will still be on one of the 744 fleet although it could be a refurb as i believe the program was started in feb.
the a333 initially work man to mco daily as of april and then vs27 &28 from lgw may on weds,at and sun also glasgow to mco sat a sun 7th may onwards.
for any fellow saddos here is a link to the first new bird to arrive g-vsxy on approach to glasgow.
http://www.airplane-pictures.net/image127542.html

amanda40

busymum1 wrote: »

Carrying IDs at the parks???

HI on the seaworld and universal tickets it says we have to carry our photo id i.e passport or driving license. Can someone tell me if we can carry photo copies of passports and will they except it or not. Any experience with this will be great.

Many Thanks. Please PM me with more information.

we carried our Passports the first day and no one asked to see them so left them at the hotel after that. Did carry ( just mine)drivers license though as often u have to have id if paying with credit card

HTH

delwynshd

Free Diney Dining plans went on sale for next year just thought I would let you guys know

Del

Smashbutt

Thanks for the heads up Del.

The savings on the Disney website at the moment seem fantastic.

30% off Saratoga springs and Old Key West, plus 15% early booking, plus 14days park for price of 7 days AND free DDP!

Sounds almost too good to be true?

No sign of Fort Wilderness log cabins on the bookings for next year yet though?
Perhaps I need to look a bit harder!!

Edit: in fact only 2 villa options up at the moment.



Cheers
Steve

delwynshd

Them are good offers

Virgin are also doing one free child disney pass for next year combined with the disney dinning plans

that is summer 2012

Del

vivatifosi

Smashbutt wrote: »

The savings on the Disney website at the moment seem fantastic.

30% off Saratoga springs and Old Key West, plus 15% early booking, plus 14days park for price of 7 days AND free DDP!

Sounds almost too good to be true?

I wonder what this is doing for DVC sales. We own at OKW and have done for over 15 years, so bought in when DVC was far cheaper and our dues are reasonable, but if I was looking to buy in again now and saw all these offers and the DDP being thrown in for free I'd not bother. If I'd just bought and wasn't getting the same advantages I'd be really angry as it makes it much harder to get to break-even.

KarenG

vivatifosi wrote: »

I wonder what this is doing for DVC sales. We own at OKW and have done for over 15 years, so bought in when DVC was far cheaper and our dues are reasonable, but if I was looking to buy in again now and saw all these offers and the DDP being thrown in for free I'd not bother. If I'd just bought and wasn't getting the same advantages I'd be really angry as it makes it much harder to get to break-even.

There is certainly a lot of feedback on the Disney forums from OKW & SSR owners (particularly the latter - I guess because they've bought more recently). I'm not too bothered personally as the deals will go again and the DVC is a long term thing for me - but then I own at BLT so the OKW/SSR deals don't upset me too much

It looks like they are struggling to sell as much AKL as they'd wanted to, but BLT is nearly sold out.

I am so not a fan of free dining anyway. Once was enough for me!