Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

sandsy

Scorpion9 wrote: »

We're looking to book a trip to Orlando for the family next year, or possibly the year after so our youngest is a little older, and I'm trying to work out the best time to travel to get the best deal and the best experience. I've found this thread and it's huge! So I shall try to look through some of it!

But any consensus on the best sort of time to go it (a) it needs to be during school holidays, (b) we don't like excessive heat, (c) we'd prefer to go when it's not peak where prices will be higher and it'd be busier?

We did our first trip to Orlando last year and I researched this extensively. General consensus is that Easter and summer are crazy (and summer is hot). Although apparently, American schools return before UK schools so it can quieten down at the end of August. We actually went in October half-term but were helped by the fact that our kids get 2 weeks off at half term. Weatherwise, it was perfect - shorts and t-shirt weather but not hot enough to wear you down prematurely but still warm enough to take advantage of the water parks. Business levels were rates at about 6/10, according to various forums, which is about as good as it gets in school holidays - and it was satisfactory. Any busier would have been a pain but we got everything done that we wanted to do.


Research and planning is key - from knowing which days are best to visit each park, to booking the restaurants you want in advance (from 6 months out) or fastpasses (60 days ahead if you stay on site, 30 days otherwise).


I'd strongly recommend just reading posts on The Dibb forum to start getting a feel for how things work.

MINMOUSE

Toki wrote: »

You can book the hotel and park tickets and get the dining plan without booking the flights. I intend to do similar, you'll have to wait until 355 or less days before you holiday to book the flights. I suggest you set up an alert via Skyscanner or use ITA Matrix to time the buying of flights to get the best price.

Phoned and booked this today, although 5 of us are going they said only to pay £50 dep for one person and then phone after we book flights , they will add the other people also take further 4x deposits

Toki

MINMOUSE wrote: »

Phoned and booked this today, although 5 of us are going they said only to pay £50 dep for one person and then phone after we book flights , they will add the other people also take further 4x deposits

That's great MINMOUSE. I wasn't aware about the deposit for 1 person so thanks for that.

I was reading the T&Cs, is there a chance the price will go up based on number 4. The Price You Pay? Has this happened to anyone?
I would have thought the 2016 prices are set now and little chance of increasing?

http://www.disneyholidays.co.uk/walt-disney-world/help/terms-conditions/

It states "There will be no change to the price of your Package within 30 days of departure. We will absorb any increase equivalent to up to 2% of the price of your Package, excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges. For price increases of more than 2% you will be charged for the amount over and above that per person. If the increase is 10% or more of the price of your Package (excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges), you will have the option of (a) paying the increase, or (b) changing to another Package if we are able to offer one (if this is of equivalent or higher quality, you will not have to pay more, but if it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price), or (c) cancelling and receiving a full refund, except for any amendment charges and cancellation charges incurred. Should you decide to cancel, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your Confirmation Invoice."

MINMOUSE

I booked over the phone and this wasnt mentioned. She just said the final deposit is due approx 2 months before we go and that for each additional person added (up to another 4) the cost would only go up by the cost of the 14 day pass (£299). I have checked the invoice and nothing is mentioned there about price increases either.

bardel

Hi, First trip to Disney. We're a family of 4 staying on Disney for 2 weeks and then going on 4 day Disney Cruise to finish it off....

I booked direct with Disney, but they don't provide insurance and told me to get it elsewhere.

Now, everywhere I get quotes, they only provide a max of £5k cancellation cover. I can't imagine many Disney holidays come in under £5k for a family of 4. Where do I get insurance with suitable cover please??

Thanks

meer53

Google ?

https://www.avantitravelinsurance.co.uk/annual-multi-trip-travel-insurance

EssexExile

bardel wrote: »

Now, everywhere I get quotes, they only provide a max of £5k cancellation cover. I can't imagine many Disney holidays come in under £5k for a family of 4. Where do I get insurance with suitable cover please??

Thanks

That's a max £5000 cover per person surely?

bardel

meer53 wrote: »

Google ?

......avantitravelinsurance......

I did Google but that doesn't narrow it down to those with larger cancellation limits.

10k on the link you've posted is better than any I've found, but still means I'd loose over 5k in the event of a cancellation currently....

bardel

EssexExile wrote: »

That's a max £5000 cover per person surely?

Hadn't though of it as a per person cover, might check that out with the providers then!

MoneyMission2015

Scorpion9 wrote: »

We're looking to book a trip to Orlando for the family next year, or possibly the year after so our youngest is a little older, and I'm trying to work out the best time to travel to get the best deal and the best experience. I've found this thread and it's huge! So I shall try to look through some of it!

But any consensus on the best sort of time to go it (a) it needs to be during school holidays, (b) we don't like excessive heat, (c) we'd prefer to go when it's not peak where prices will be higher and it'd be busier?

OK, we've been 6 times so far and at various times of year so hopefully I can help you here.


We've been in April, May, June, August, September, October and November, so have quite a good idea of various times of year.


April was warm, not hot. Evenings were cooler, sometimes had to wear a cardigan on our evenings out. Easter holidays were probably the busiest I've seen the parks apart from the Halloween party we went to in October.


May - if you choose to go in Whitsun week that might be good for you. It's warmer than April but still bearable. Evenings are warmer too so less likely to need cardi or jacket. Whitsun week is busier but not manic because as far as I know the Americans don't have the half terms because they have a longer summer break. Somebody can correct me on this if I'm wrong.


August - Very hot! We went last year and were actually grabbing handfuls of ice cubes from the drinks carts around the parks to rub on our necks, heads etc to cool us down. We bought the water bottle fans which were good but then you have to carry it round everywhere with you. They have a lanyard to hang it around your neck but as silly as it may sound, it felt so heavy to have it hanging around your neck in the heat. The parks were busy but queues weren't too long. Obviously newer rides had longer queues and we did queue for one ride for around 45 minutes, but we expected that as it was a new ride.


October - Warm, but some days were a bit overcast & this did make it a bit cold for going on water rides etc, particularly in the water parks. Evenings were cooler too so again you need a jacket or cardi. It was busy during half term but not crazy and the queues weren't too bad really.


If you do choose October I highly recommend the magic Kingdom Not so scary Halloween party. You do have to pay for the tickets, which don't come cheap, but if you can get the money together for the tickets you should definitely do it. Everybody dresses up, mums, dads, nans & granddads, kids, teenagers, literally everybody and in true American style they go all out for it too. They had candy trails where you had to follow certain paths and then every so often you'd come across the Disney staff handing out handfuls of candy. Our girls left the parks with bags full of the stuff! They have a Halloween parade which is great too.


We've been so many times and absolutely love it. We're all booked up for next year now, staying at Saratoga Springs & I am counting the days until we can book the flights.


x