Florida

welshchick_2

Hi
I am looking to book Florida for next May for me and my husband and two children (13 years and 3 years), I am looking for some advice on the best way to book it whether to go through travel agents, or try and book flights, hotel/villa separately and the best place to buy the tickets. I have had a quote today from Thomsons flying 8 may from Bristol to Orlando for £2700 that is without the park tickets staying at Int drive does that sound like a good price? Any advice would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
Hayley

liney

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1820085

mrsg26

I got married in Florida 3 years ago and originally booked a package with TCD..well TCD parent's company went bust so we lost the holiday and had to wait 6 months to claim the money back. However as it was our wedding we still needed to rebook and found that booking flights, condo and car hire separately actually worked out over £1000 cheaper for us and as we booked using our credit cards we had protection. I have to say that I am glad that we eventually went DIY as the standard of accommodation we stayed in was far superior to what was originally arranged as part of the package holiday. If you have the confidence to book it DIY then I would always recommend that over a package. If you are looking for any more info on Florida I would advise you to look at The Dibb, as its a dedicated Floriday forum.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48

Good luck with the planning

Bennifred

I think booking your own villa etc is the way to go, especially with children. Loads more space, your own pool to crash out round after a hard day at the parks and cheaper, too.

Obviously_the_best

DIY is good, https://www.lowcostholidays.com is also good. I've always found Thomson/Britannia flight very good. How long are you going for?

annie1975_2

welshchick wrote: »

Hi
I am looking to book Florida for next May for me and my husband and two children (13 years and 3 years), I am looking for some advice on the best way to book it whether to go through travel agents, or try and book flights, hotel/villa separately and the best place to buy the tickets. I have had a quote today from Thomsons flying 8 may from Bristol to Orlando for £2700 that is without the park tickets staying at Int drive does that sound like a good price? Any advice would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
Hayley

I would go with a Villa everytime..I have done mine seperatly for next year. Virgin flights, and a villa through the dibb.
As for park tickets,we use attraction tickets direct,they are real tickets(not a voucher),and have a shop round online, and attraction tickets will price match..
Another way we have done it is through dial a flight,they can be quite reasonable.. Good luck.

Franceca43

I can't help you with a booking, but i'll tell you that there is so beatuiful, i've been there twice and i'll go in next year!!

meer53

We're villa fans too. Much better if you have young kids. I definately wouldn't stay on International Drive but thats just my personal choice, i think it's getting really run down in places and we prefer to be somewhere off the H192 or H27 as we always hire a car. If you're not hiring a car then i can see why you've gone for I Drive though.

Next year will be our 5th trip and we've booked through Charter Travel again, our villa is at West Haven where we went last time. Also check out https://www.floridabees.co.uk for villa rentals. If you call them, they will give you a quote for flights and car hire too (through Charter Travel) we couldn't get it any cheaper anywhere.

Not booked our park tickets yet, not going until next July so will wait to see what offers are around nearer the time.

tori.k

I would go for an apartment or Villa, with your age kids be hard to all be in one room when the 3 yr old is trying to sleep, it's very easy to DIY the states head over to the DIBB everything your ever need to know there

mrsg26

We didnt go with a villa in the end up as we wanted to be close by to restaurants and bars so we stayed in a beautiful 3-bed condo on Vista Cay, not far from International Drive. The only disadvantage was not having our own pool but the pools on site were ample enough and if going again I would stay here due to the proximity of International Drive. Then again not everyone likes to be near there so its a case of researching which area you would like to stay at and look at the surrounding accommodation. Hope you find something suitable.

sunshinetours

You need to decide if staying onsite at Disney or offsite (I Drive, Kissimee villa etc)
Free dining plan can be attractive if you want to stay onsite and there is an attraction to having the whole Disney experience on your doorstep especially if first time visitors

Personally i prefer villas as have more space and own home from home. location is key and ideally something closish to Disney and other attractions rather than further out down Hwy27 personally

I Drive is apparently quite run down in certain areas now but plenty of cheap hotel rooms in that area so probably one of your cheapest options. The £2700 sounds a little high depending on what flights are offered if that is staying on one of the standard I Drive hotels

Budget just under £1k for Disney Ultimate tickets for the 4 of you which will give you 14 days unlimited access to the Disney Parks. Seaworld, universal etc on top if you want to visit

As above the DIBB is a great resource and worth a visit to start