Total newbie...august 2014 trip?

[missnic07]

Hello, I've spent the last couple of days browsing on here, but I'm quite overwhelmed now lol.
I want to book a trip for 2 weeks next August (preferably the end of August as that's lower crowds?) but I don't know who to book through to get the best price or even if it's possible to book now (it might be too early).
I work in a school so I've got to go in school holidays unfortunately, and I'd prefer not to go in the summer as I've heard it's unbearably hot. Will it be too hot to be enjoyable? But the summer is the only way I could fit the full 2 weeks in (taking my cousins little girl who lives in Ireland so I have to factor in getting her home to).

Thanks for any help,

Nicola

 

[orangetiggs]

Id wait till end of the month as free disney dining if you stay on disney is back for next year

We dont book a package anymore as too expensive so we book seperatley through complete orlando the last couple of years and had a great deal. Its best to shop around for sure

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hello, I've spent the last couple of days browsing on here, but I'm quite overwhelmed now lol.
I want to book a trip for 2 weeks next August (preferably the end of August as that's lower crowds?) but I don't know who to book through to get the best price or even if it's possible to book now (it might be too early).
I work in a school so I've got to go in school holidays unfortunately, and I'd prefer not to go in the summer as I've heard it's unbearably hot. Will it be too hot to be enjoyable? But the summer is the only way I could fit the full 2 weeks in (taking my cousins little girl who lives in Ireland so I have to factor in getting her home to).

Thanks for any help,

Nicola

Hello Nicola and welcome. First of all congrats on decided to go to the World I am sure like all of us here you will not regret it! Myself and DW go every year at various times of the year. If August works for you then although hot you do get a dip in crowds in late August sometimes as the American children go back to school I believe. We find that if it's at a popular time of year booking a flydrive through virgin holidays or travel city direct a good deal. Then rent points from a DVC member or book a disney resort direct if you want and can afford to stay on world which I would advise. If not there are lovely villas and hotels around WDW to select. Maybe consider a package with VH or Travel city direct. I think you can book now I have booked a flydrive with VH for Oct 2014 already. If your cousin lives in Ireland though it might be worth considering Air Lingus. They fly from various airports in the UK connecting in Dublin where immigration is done then onto Orlando. It might be possible to meet the girl at Dublin if your cousin could take her to the gate? I heard they do good deals. You can book them direct on their website. Then book accommodation direct either through the disboards if renting points for a dvc resorts, the wdw website if a disney resort or a villa or a hotel direct.

I don't know if Disney is doing free dining next year but might be worth looking out for that also. Hope this helps. Any more questions just ask!

 

[anniedream]

It won't be unbearably hot. The weather out there is not like Spain or Greece etc. It is very humid and you will most likely get downpours of rain in the afternoon which will cool everything down. Air conditioning is in every place you go to inside, so there are plenty and plenty of chances to cool down. The only place that might be a very hot day is the water parks. The glare off the reflective water can make you burn more than you realise.
I think you will find DIS extremely helpful for tips on planning. I wish I had known about it when I first went. If you are booking with virgin then 100% do it when they have an offer weekend on. They will give you free dining around the parks and resorts which can save you a heap of money. Prices for one Quick Service meal (fast food type restaurants are about 10$ a head. We booked with Virgin for our September holiday when they had a 10% off weekend and they were also doing Free Disney Dining Plan + free $100 Disney dollars. We have since looked at our holiday on VH & it's £1,000 more expensive!! They take the 10% off everything including park tickets.
You will find that Thomas Cook offer cheaper deals. We went with them on our first trip and it was a great holiday but all I can say is I would NEVER book with them again just because of the flights. We felt so cramped and uncomfortable.
If you do book soon then at least spreading the cost each month until Aug '14 will be manageable. That is assuming you haven't saved.
Hope this helps

 

[Claire Bear]

Hi Nicola.

Just wanted to say that I was in a similar position last year wondering what to do. I work in a school too and therefore could only really go at Easter or August. I chose the end of August because the crowds should be a bit lower, but you can make use of fast passes at the parks to get on rides quicker and I have used park calendars this year to make an itinerary, which shows which parks are due to be quieter on which days.
We booked DIY, we booked to stay at Disney with free dining plan last June but waited till January this year to book flights. When the flights were released in September (11 months before) they were over £1000 each to fly direct with Virgin from Manchester to MCO because I needed to be back at school for 2nd September. I waited till January and kept looking everyday, in the end we paid £840 each (It would be cheaper to fly indirect).
It has been quite daunting booking DIY but these boards have been invaluable and it's great fun planning

 

[missnic07]

Thanks so much for all or the replies already. I'm about to go to the gym now so I'll read through them properly later, but is there a post with all the acronyms on? (like DIY..is that an airline?) thank you!

 

[orangetiggs]

Diy do it yourself

 

[missnic07]

Diy do it yourself

Haha oh I feel dumb now. Ty

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Haha oh I feel dumb now. Ty

I still have to look ones up lol. It makes it harder sometimes the American/UK differences too. The other day somebody was talking about BOGO . I was at a loss. In the end I realised they say buy one get one instead of BOGOF lol.

 

[duffdo]

I must admit it took me a while to get my head around all of the different options available. Personally on my last 2 trips, I booked package holidays on Www.disneyworld.com After agonising for hours on the Internet, I found that booking elements separately such as flights, hotels etc only worked out slightly cheaper than booking a package and meant that I didn't have to find money for things up front. Prices depend greatly when you go and it is good to shop around. You could also look at using a cashback website, such as Quidco.

Happy holiday hunting!

 

[darthtatty]

Thanks so much for all or the replies already. I'm about to go to the gym now so I'll read through them properly later, but is there a post with all the acronyms on? (like DIY..is that an airline?) thank you!

heres a link for you.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

Ive been the end of August before and we didnt find it too hot.
Like others have said theres plenty of air con and some short burst of rain during the afternoon. So you should find it ok.

we usually book with Virgin Holidays but they seem to be so much more this year than others. Im going to see what dining offers are out at the end of the month and then see what deals are around.
Ive looked at booking with Disney.co.uk (hotel, tickets & dining) and then flights with Virgin Atlantic. This worked out a lot cheaper than Virgin this time. We like to fly direct but if you dont mind indirect then theres loads more options for you.

Are you planning on staying onsite or driving?

We stay onsite and dont drive at all-it makes the cost of the holiday but for us its worth it.

Good luck and im sure youll get loads of help here.

 

[joolz1910]

The Disers are a fantastic bunch of helpful people.

I booked with Val Ramsay who is a Travel Counsellor and she was superb. I will book with her again. Others recommended on here are Complete Orlando and Travel City Direct. As PP's have said, wait until the end of this month to see what offers come out.

 

[duffdo]

we usually book with Virgin Holidays but they seem to be so much more this year than others. Im going to see what dining offers are out at the end of the month and then see what deals are around.
Ive looked at booking with Disney.co.uk (hotel, tickets & dining) and then flights with Virgin Atlantic. This worked out a lot cheaper than Virgin this time. We like to fly direct but if you dont mind indirect then theres loads more options for you.

.

I found this last year too. I booked last year for October 2013 as soon as dates were released and found Virgin to be about 20% more expensive for the same package. I suppose Disney being Disney they are free to offer more discount/free dining

 

[married2mm]

Hi,
Disney is fantastic.you'll love it.

August is hot,humid and it rains also which we weren't expecting,then it clears up,as if it's never happened- and its amazing!
It's easily manageable with lots of water,cool clothing,sunscreen and air conditioning.

The first few trips,we booked with travel agents.
Didn't realise there were other ways of booking,and had no idea sites like the wonderful dis existed.
Even though we did no planning,and basically had no idea(!) We had fantastic trips,and loved every second.
The first time we booked diy-discovered flights from our local airport (newcastle) were much more expensive than Manchester or Glasgow.

We booked a fly drive-flights and car together,and accommodation separately.
The following year,we booked flights,car and accommodation all separately.
We still priced up package deals,but found diy cheaper.
The next trip,we discovered a package was the same price as diy- so booked that,but then returned to diy for this year- but flights were much more.

Enough of me rambling- i think you first of all need to decide where you want to stay.
Either onsite at Disney,with the possibility of Disney dining- if so,what level of accommodation do you want to stay in?
If not wanting to stay at a Disney resort-would you want a villa/townhouse/condo or hotel type accommodation?
You can choose from many different areas.things to take into account-
How much time would you spend at your holiday home?
Do you want a kitchen,bedrooms,washer/dryer etc?
Would you be going to any other parks?
Would you be hiring a car?

So,decide if you want to book diy or use a travel agent/package?
Where do you want fly from? Direct flights only for us,but lots of people fly indirectly.
Then,have a think if you want to book any Disney dining reservations-adr-how much or how little further planning you want to do and have a great time.
It's truly wonderful.

 

[dixonsontour]

Welcome

No silly questions - please ask away.

End of August is a good time to go if you are stuck to school holidays.

I'm another one who prefers to book separately for cost reasons.

Main thing is flights - have a look at all options direct or indirect (change plane in US). Flying midweek, 16 not 14 days etc can all save money.

You can book package holidays now for next August but the airlines don't release flights until 11 months out. I use kayak and skyscanner to compare flight prices.

Accomodation we all talk about offsite or onsite.

Offsite means a hotel or villa - onsite in a disney hotel or apartment.

Whilst onsite can seem dear it includes all transport inc to and from airport so no hire car needed unless you want plus they often do deals for free dining. Free dining 2014 dates for UK guests should be announced soon.

We booked disney accomodation with complete orlando last year as they were the cheapest and they did the free dining deal.

 

[missnic07]

Wow I didn't expect to get so many helpful responses, thank you all so much!
I definitely want to stay on site. I would LOVE to stay in the Poly, but i think a value might have to do (if a value, I'd do POP). I'm thinking a flight from Ireland wold probably be easier now. The nearest airport to my cousin is Shannon (they literally live up the road. Cork is the next closest), so I'll have to have a look around.
If I'm booking the flights separately, then will I need to book the room/tickets/dining through Disney? I'd hope for free dining, but when would I know if they'll offer that for next August?
I'd also like to add hoppers and the water park option to tickets.

Aghh I'm so excited just thinking about it and it's over a year away lol. I've never been to DW, but I've wanted to go for as long as I can remember. It won't happen again for a long time so I really want it to be perfect

 

[missnic07]

I've just been on the Disney site and I can get 14 day ticket inc wp & hopper for £285 (adult) and £265 (child's). Is this the cheapest I'm likely to get them?

 

[Claire Bear]

When you are booking accommodation etc separate to flights you can book through Disney or you can still use a company like Complete Orlando which have been mentioned. You need to just price them both up and see what offers they have. For me it was cheaper to book through Disney over CO and I got free ddp and a $200 Disney gift card. They are rumoured to be bringing out free dining for next year at the end of this month so you haven't got long to wait.
When you buy Disney tickets from the uk, you usually get ultimate tickets which include park hoping and water parks. I'm sorry I don't know how much we have paid for those as I just paid for accommodation and tickets as a package from Disney as I mentioned.

 

[missnic07]

When you are booking accommodation etc separate to flights you can book through Disney or you can still use a company like Complete Orlando which have been mentioned. You need to just price them both up and see what offers they have. For me it was cheaper to book through Disney over CO and I got free ddp and a $200 Disney gift card. They are rumoured to be bringing out free dining for next year at the end of this month so you haven't got long to wait.
When you buy Disney tickets from the uk, you usually get ultimate tickets which include park hoping and water parks. I'm sorry I don't know how much we have paid for those as I just paid for accommodation and tickets as a package from Disney as I mentioned.

Thank you, I'll check out Complete Orlando now

 

[queendisney]

Wow I didn't expect to get so many helpful responses, thank you all so much!
I definitely want to stay on site. I would LOVE to stay in the Poly, but i think a value might have to do (if a value, I'd do POP).

If you leave the booking until the free dining comes out you will find that it may work out about the same cost to book a moderate resort. The values don't normally come with free dining. So basically if you take into account how much you would spend on food and soft drinks staying at a value you would prob be better off upgrading to a moderate