Package or DIY?

[arieliwish]

I'm new here so sorry if this has been asked/answered a hundred times already!
First time visit to WDW last Aug booked as a late package, caught the Disney magic and NEED to go again!
We are looking at booking for Sept 05, but don't know if its better/cheaper to book a package deal, or go independant.
Went with TCD last time - journey out no problem, back was the journey from hell. They also hadn't booked us into hotel, staff there were great and sorted it for us.
We're also torn between staying in Disney or renting a villa.
Can anyone help??

BTW where can you get the lime green ribbons I've read about on here?

[PENCOYS PIRATE]

I'm new here so sorry if this has been asked/answered a hundred times already!
First time visit to WDW last Aug booked as a late package, caught the Disney magic and NEED to go again!
We are looking at booking for Sept 05, but don't know if its better/cheaper to book a package deal, or go independant.
Went with TCD last time - journey out no problem, back was the journey from hell. They also hadn't booked us into hotel, staff there were great and sorted it for us.
We're also torn between staying in Disney or renting a villa.
Can anyone help??

BTW where can you get the lime green ribbons I've read about on here?
Hi AND welcome :goodvibes
We personally think it's better to D.I.Y.
We have for the last 4 trips done things ourselves, from Booking the flights, shopping around for ticket prices etc and also car hire and villa.
If you have never stayed in a villa I would highly reccomend it especially with a family.
My hubbie loves shopping around on the internet and finding the best prices!!!
The flights are generally the most expensive thing and if you are looking to go this september I would look now.
A lot of the packages seem good with car hire included but then you have all the extras that they forget to tell you :rolleyes:
At least if you book it yourself you get exactly what you want, Yes it can be a bit daunting first time around, but once you do it yourself you won't look back.
Good luck and if I can help please just ask
Chucklechops

[angel659]

Hiya

DIY definately. I went last yr on my own with dd whilst dh had our 5 month old twin boys. We managed to stay in Disney. It worked out cheaper than booking through package. This yr we are all going in October we booked our flydrive via Virgin and our hotel seperately and it worked out cheaper again.

I have stayed in a villa before, personally I didnt like it for many reasons. Having to do breakfast etc...., time away from parks and transportation requirements. If you can go with another family this would be cheaper than booking a hotel and you may like the room and flexibility of a villa.

Try www.justtheflight.co.uk
www.disney.co.uk - for hotels

Hope this helps

[arieliwish]

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome and the advice so far, I'll keep this in mind while searching.

[BONZO]

Hi,

Definately DIY all the way IMHO

Try http://www.bon-voyage.co.uk/ for flights and http://www.airline-network.co.uk/ for car hire as a starter.

Also check out http://www.mousesavers.com/ for good hotel deals.


Our preference is for on-site for all the benefits it gives but you'll get lots of opinions on Villa vs On-site or hotels.

[Tarzan]

I'd say that in September there are currently good deals available for packages. I just booked yesterday with Virgin and for my DH, DS-7,DD-6 and DD-1, it is costing me £1750 for 2 weeks at All Stars. We usually book everything ourselves, but usually travel in the winter months when it is easier to get cheap flights. We decided to do MNSSHP this time as last year's MVMCP was too cold. Only 21 weeks to go :cool1:

[arieliwish]

Tarzan,
How did you get that so cheap? Did you book online with virgin? - when I've priced up with them it always comes out much more expensive.

[Tarzan]

for a guide price, then phoned them and told them what I could get online. Because we have 3 children I couldn't book online as it wouldn't let me fit 5 people in 1 room, so I had to price it up using 2Ad and 2Ch. When I phoned they quoted £2500ish so I told them what I had managed online and they were great. Took a while but got what I wanted. Paid £199 for one child and the other was free. Infant costs £95 and the adults were £730(?) each. :)

[kristieuk]

DIY every time. Cheaper, more independent, more suited to what you want.

[BONZO]

Oh - for Lime Green Ribbons - we bought ours from Hobby Craft although any haberdashers will do.

There is a DIS shop on the boards for Lime Green merchandise.

[vernon]

I've found that DIY is usually, but not always cheaper. As Tarzan says at times in off season when the travel agents are having a REALLY slow time they will occassionally cut prices to the level where it is cheaper to take the package than to do it yourself. It's not a common thing, but it always pays to check, particularly if you're out of the main seasons.