Booked - Big Thank You

[eeyorefanuk]

Hello,

We are all booked and it is all down to you guys

I really cannot say thank you enough, for all your help, advice and pointers.

We decided on flying from Bristol. Few reasons, mainly nearer to home, much cheaper than virgin, virgin reducing their baggage allowance, if have to cancel can transfer the deposit to a much cheaper holiday in the sun so do not lose money.

Staying - Saratoga Springs - originally thought of 2 weeks, then went to 18 days, now 3 weeks Staying in a 2 bedroom villa.

TA were very helpful and put a "package" together which included the flight, car hire for three weeks and gold insurance, together with 3 weeks worth of car parking at the airport for 3 cars , and it worked out cheaper than Virgin I know possibly if we had waited we might have got it cheaper but with it being 8 of us, and not wanting to fly indirect, we just grabbed it. I think we have done the right thing tho as when looked on website our flight for 3 weeks was not coming up.

So once again a big thank you to everyone, for someone who feels out of their comfort zone it has been such a big big help.

I want to apologise now though for the number of threads I will be sending over the next nearly twelve months This will be probably our trip of a lifetime and I want to get it right and to see as many shows, parks etc as we can.

Sorry to shout but once again THANK YOU !!!

 

[scottishgirl87]

Wooo congrats!! When are you booked to go??

 

[Pegasus928]

Time to start planning in earnest then.

I am sure you will have a lot of fun with sorting out all the minor details and it will result in a trip you can be proud of.

At the end of the day if you are happy with the price you have paid then Yes, you have definately done the right thing

You never said when you are going though. Is it a secret

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Make as many threads as you like - we love them - that is why we are here!

I am so glad you are booked! It is just great to have that sorted feeling. I am not a last minute person either. (Kathryn's last minute = less than a year before departure ) I know we pay more for the security but it is worth it to me.

I had to pull out all the stops to get 3 weeks for next year too - it is totally worth it! It changes your holiday completely. We have done 2 weeks twice, then 3 weeks then back to 18 nights. I can honestly say that 3 weeks makes a big difference.

You enjoy yourself!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Wooo congrats!! When are you booked to go??

We fly on the 1st August ..... nightmare re flight prices, but cannot go any other time as one sister is a teacher, the other sister works in an office at a school. That is partly why decided on three weeks, so hopefully can fit everything in even with huge crowds and because of the hot weather, maybe have a few afternoons by the pool

 

[Pegasus928]

We fly on the 1st August ..... nightmare re flight prices, but cannot go any other time as one sister is a teacher, the other sister works in an office at a school. That is partly why decided on three weeks, so hopefully can fit everything in even with huge crowds and because of the hot weather, maybe have a few afternoons by the pool

I'm sure it will be great regardless of the weather or crowds.
Have a look through some of the trip reports from the last couple of years, from people that have been at the same time of year that you are going, and it may give you an idea of what is to come.

Now - get your ESTAs done

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Time to start planning in earnest then.

I am sure you will have a lot of fun with sorting out all the minor details and it will result in a trip you can be proud of.

At the end of the day if you are happy with the price you have paid then Yes, you have definately done the right thing

You never said when you are going though. Is it a secret

Oooops ! Sorry, we fly out on the 1st August. Thought best to book as soon as kids off/free dining so hopefully will not get any thunderstorms etc

At the moment I do feel a bit of pressure, it is mainly me through this lovely lovely board that is finding out about things, and my sister has helped me re flight prices, ticket prices etc. Originally we were not going to stay at a disney hotel and eat off site but since we are now having free dining I am really worrying it (stupid I know) but with trying to keep eight people happy worried which restaurants to book, times etc.

Not happy at all with the price of the flight (that is why holiday is a once in a lifetime trip for us) but have to go in August summer hols, want to go direct and with eight of us going was worried would not get a flight if left it too late. (which when looking on website has already gone!)

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Make as many threads as you like - we love them - that is why we are here!

I am so glad you are booked! It is just great to have that sorted feeling. I am not a last minute person either. (Kathryn's last minute = less than a year before departure ) I know we pay more for the security but it is worth it to me.

I had to pull out all the stops to get 3 weeks for next year too - it is totally worth it! It changes your holiday completely. We have done 2 weeks twice, then 3 weeks then back to 18 nights. I can honestly say that 3 weeks makes a big difference.

You enjoy yourself!

Thanks for that

This year and for the last three years before that we have booked our summer hols in cyprus around eight weeks before, but with a normal foreign holiday, you can have flexibility on dates, hotels, etc, but with going for three weeks I felt it had to be booked.

The only thing that went through my mind is, if for example the flights come down by alot then we would book them afresh and use the deposit on the flight we have paid for our summer holiday in 2011

The Saratoga Springs for a two bed villa has gone for the dates we want already (in fact two days after we booked it)

As you say we were originally going for two weeks, which in effect is really only 12 days. When we worked out where we wanted to go - discovery, sea world, aquatica, etc etc we could not have fited it all in. This way we can see everything and hopefully have a few afternoons by the pool when it gets too hot.

 

[gemmybear83]

Congratulations! Let the planning commence!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I'm sure it will be great regardless of the weather or crowds.
Have a look through some of the trip reports from the last couple of years, from people that have been at the same time of year that you are going, and it may give you an idea of what is to come.

Now - get your ESTAs done

Thank you, I will.

The TA have been brilliant, even though only booking flight and care hire etc through them (rather than accomodation) they have said if we go into their shop they will sort the visa out for us A big box of chocolates are going their way as they have been so kind and patient with me

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Congratulations! Let the planning commence!

Thank you I know we will be rushing around like mad things but want to see everything. My sister has loved dolphins since a tiny tot so she cannot wait until discovery cove. We have not told the children yet (in case something crops up).

I want to see all the disney shows like beauty and the beast, nemo etc.

 

[wayneg]

Congrats on booking, now the planning starts

Hopefully (if I get flights at right price) we will be there around 4th~29th, similar time to you. If we are then I will be arranging another DISmeet after the success of this years, more about that nearer the time.

Last 2 Augusts we have had almost perfect weather, the few bad days we have been on a cruise so missed it

Happy Planning.

 

[Pegasus928]

Thank you, I will.

The TA have been brilliant, even though only booking flight and care hire etc through them (rather than accomodation) they have said if we go into their shop they will sort the visa out for us A big box of chocolates are going their way as they have been so kind and patient with me

Remember that Visas and ESTAs are 2 totally different things.
Don't let your TA start sorting out visas for you if you don't need them or it will be a big and unnecessary expense.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Remember that Visas and ESTAs are 2 totally different things.
Don't let your TA start sorting out visas for you if you don't need them or it will be a big and unnecessary expense.

Oh, (panic written all over my face).

Do you have to have a visa and an esta??? No idea what either are for

Also if not going until next August, is there any rush to do either of these ?

 

[Pegasus928]

No you don't need both.

ESTA is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization and is what they have in place to replace the green Visa Waiver card that you fill in on the plane then hand in at immigration. If you do not fill in an ESTA, and gain authorization to travel, you will not be allowed to leave the UK - let alone gain entry to the US.
These can be completed anytime before you travel, though they recommend a minimum of 72 hours, and last for 2 years once authorization has been given.

A visa is totally different and is required for any number of circumstances e.g. if you have a criminal record, have previouly over stayed or are from a country that is not on the waiver list. You will know if you need a visa when you complete the ESTA as it asks you some questions that require a Yes/No answer.

If you have a look at my thread at the top of the Stickys it shows you an example of the form, including the questions, so you can prepare yourself.

 

[orangetiggs]

who did you book with in the end?

I'm looking at next year ssr and want a 1 bed villa but now disney have got rid of the 42% off its very expensive so looking for a good deal

 

[wayneg]

I'm looking at next year ssr and want a 1 bed villa but now disney have got rid of the 42% off its very expensive so looking for a good deal

Was still on Complete Orlando upto checking last night. Everyone seems to be getting their confirmation numbers OK. If they are still selling the deal I am thinking(hoping) it will come back on Disney's site soon with a new ad campaign.

 

[orangetiggs]

wayne, i looked on there as well but want to book direct with disney if they bring it back, just hoping that i dont miss the complete orlando deal as well!!!

My parents are already booked on the deal and are banking on us getting it as well as we are all going out together so they can help with the twins!

 

[wayneg]

I would prefer to book with Disney, was out there this year with booking agent folding, all OK but makes you think twice about who you book with.
I am just waiting for flights 1st, never booked room before flights.

 

[orangetiggs]

we did room before flights this year and then i couldnt get miles and money for when i wanted so extended the room! didnt cost anything and disney were fine with it so got 15 nights instead, worked out really good for the extra day