Advice on booking for oct half term 2013 - The DIS Discussion Forums

sammie1884 · 10-08-2012, 10:13 AM

Hi Everyone,
Has anyone had any experience booking oct half term? We normally go term time but my cousin will be in her gcse year so can only take 5 days off of school.
So our plan is go around the 18th oct 2013 (there will be 10 of us)

ATM I can not really find any good deals and in some cases availability is an issue

Would really appreciate some advice, I have mainly been looking on Jetsave

Thank you

2Tiggies · 10-08-2012, 10:18 AM

I'd sign up to alerts on Skyscanner, netflights, etc and keep checking at least twice a day. It's always harder when your dates are fixed but we've done October twice (2010 and 2011) and found that the best deals were not necessarily the day that the flights are released. Often the prices drop here and there and possible glitches appear after the release of your dates.

Are you considering indirect as well? With decent connection times it will only make a few hours difference, if that. While I understand that you have limited time available to enjoy a shorter trip, the savings for 10 people will be significant if you are able to be flexible where you can.

sammie1884 · 10-08-2012, 10:25 AM

Thank you, I will sign up to skyscaner this eve. We will be going for 2 weeks its just one of the weeks has to be half term.

I had not thought of indirect flights I suppose that could be an option but my youngest will only be 20ish months so I guess it depends on how easy it would be with her.

chocolateMinnie · 10-08-2012, 11:28 AM

October half-term is a nightmare to get flights - so bad that one year we went in February because we couldn't get direct flights and now book package. However we did get last minute flights in 2009 (3 weeks before) from British airways. They worked out more expensive than a Virgin package holiday

don't expect big bargains if like me you are tied to half-term. Are the half-terms earlier next year? We haven't had our dates released yet and they are very late this year.

sammie1884 · 10-08-2012, 11:57 AM

We are going to book package (well I think thats what we are doing) as we have always done it that way and dont know any different tbh

I really want to get it booked this week or next as I am already aware that it is selling out fast, its the flights that are worrying me. we normally fly with virgin and I just dont think we are going to be able to do that this time

wilma-bride · 10-08-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammie1884

We are going to book package (well I think thats what we are doing) as we have always done it that way and dont know any different tbh

I really want to get it booked this week or next as I am already aware that it is selling out fast, its the flights that are worrying me. we normally fly with virgin and I just dont think we are going to be able to do that this time

Have you tried Travel City Direct? We booked a flydrive with them for October next year - oiver £400 cheaper than the same thing with Virgin Holidays.

LauraDaveCharlie · 10-08-2012, 02:22 PM

Hi

We are off in just over two weeks for this Oct HT. I booked it in April this year for £540 per seat on Delta flights (indirect through Netflights) and £230 a week for a room at the Marriott Fairfield Inn at Lake Buena Vista. I would advise waiting. There was still lots of availability on many different flights at that point.

It's easy to book things seperately and there is lots of good advice on here to help you. Hope you find something

pandv_2000 · 10-08-2012, 02:25 PM

We did indirect in October 2010, with our youngest being 4 months old at the time. It really isn't an issue and we've just booked for next year going indirect with united.

It can make things easier as you go through immigration in the city you land in so it is often a lot quicker than flying into Orlando.

dixonsontour · 10-08-2012, 02:38 PM

I'd definitely consider indirect flights.

This is our 3rd October half term.

The weekend direct flights are £££ - people are trying to minimsie time kids are out of school and the holiday companies know they can sell them many times over.

We've paid £450 each indirect on Monday 22nd with US Airways. Manchester via Philly to MCO. We did this route last year and it was fine.

sammie1884 · 10-08-2012, 05:42 PM

Thanks everyone, ii will look into indirect flights tomorrow and discus with everyone coming. It does sound like a good way to do it. I just was worried because of how little DD will be.

I will look at travel city direct too!

10-08-2012, 10:13 AM	#1
sammie1884 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 288	Advice on booking for oct half term 2013 Hi Everyone, Has anyone had any experience booking oct half term? We normally go term time but my cousin will be in her gcse year so can only take 5 days off of school. So our plan is go around the 18th oct 2013 (there will be 10 of us) ATM I can not really find any good deals and in some cases availability is an issue Would really appreciate some advice, I have mainly been looking on Jetsave Thank you

10-08-2012, 10:18 AM	#2
2Tiggies I am subscribing to this thread just so I can see your shirt I like those water proof containers that hang around my neck on a lanyard Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Too many miles east of the Mouse Posts: 15,363	I'd sign up to alerts on Skyscanner, netflights, etc and keep checking at least twice a day. It's always harder when your dates are fixed but we've done October twice (2010 and 2011) and found that the best deals were not necessarily the day that the flights are released. Often the prices drop here and there and possible glitches appear after the release of your dates. Are you considering indirect as well? With decent connection times it will only make a few hours difference, if that. While I understand that you have limited time available to enjoy a shorter trip, the savings for 10 people will be significant if you are able to be flexible where you can. __________________ October 2010 Trip Report

10-08-2012, 10:25 AM	#3
sammie1884 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 288	Thank you, I will sign up to skyscaner this eve. We will be going for 2 weeks its just one of the weeks has to be half term. I had not thought of indirect flights I suppose that could be an option but my youngest will only be 20ish months so I guess it depends on how easy it would be with her. Last edited by sammie1884; 10-09-2012 at 02:50 PM.

10-08-2012, 11:28 AM	#4
chocolateMinnie DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Peterborough, Uk Posts: 2,137	October half-term is a nightmare to get flights - so bad that one year we went in February because we couldn't get direct flights and now book package. However we did get last minute flights in 2009 (3 weeks before) from British airways. They worked out more expensive than a Virgin package holiday don't expect big bargains if like me you are tied to half-term. Are the half-terms earlier next year? We haven't had our dates released yet and they are very late this year. __________________ Me DH DS (14) DD (10) 10/2003 CSR 10/2007 CSR/ST PETE'S/GF 02/2009 CSR10/2009 CSR 10/2010 CSR 10/2011 AKL

10-08-2012, 02:22 PM	#7
LauraDaveCharlie Live, breathe, eat and sleep WDW! Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wakefield Posts: 71	Hi We are off in just over two weeks for this Oct HT. I booked it in April this year for £540 per seat on Delta flights (indirect through Netflights) and £230 a week for a room at the Marriott Fairfield Inn at Lake Buena Vista. I would advise waiting. There was still lots of availability on many different flights at that point. It's easy to book things seperately and there is lots of good advice on here to help you. Hope you find something __________________ Laura x Offsite/POFQ 2012, POFQ 2011, Villa 2010, Villa 2009, POFQ 2004, WL 2003, AKL 2003, ASMo 2003, WL 2002, POFQ 2001, POFQ 2000, Offsite 1999, POFQ 1998, POFQ 1996, POFQ 1995, Offsite 1993

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

10-08-2012, 11:57 AM	#5
sammie1884 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 288	We are going to book package (well I think thats what we are doing) as we have always done it that way and dont know any different tbh I really want to get it booked this week or next as I am already aware that it is selling out fast, its the flights that are worrying me. we normally fly with virgin and I just dont think we are going to be able to do that this time

10-08-2012, 02:25 PM	#8
pandv_2000 Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Darlington, UK Posts: 165	We did indirect in October 2010, with our youngest being 4 months old at the time. It really isn't an issue and we've just booked for next year going indirect with united. It can make things easier as you go through immigration in the city you land in so it is often a lot quicker than flying into Orlando. __________________ Me, DH, DS (9) and DS (2) Jun 2007 AKL Aug 2008 AKL Oct 2010 HRH & OKW Oct 2012 Tokyo including Disney Sea Aug 2013 HRH & AKL

10-08-2012, 02:38 PM	#9
dixonsontour DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: lancashire uk Posts: 3,876	I'd definitely consider indirect flights. This is our 3rd October half term. The weekend direct flights are £££ - people are trying to minimsie time kids are out of school and the holiday companies know they can sell them many times over. We've paid £450 each indirect on Monday 22nd with US Airways. Manchester via Philly to MCO. We did this route last year and it was fine. __________________ 16 trips to US 1997 onwards including All Star Movies Dec 09 with DDP, OKW Oct 10 with DDP, Floridays Resort Oct 2011, Bahama Bay resort May 2012, OKW Oct 2012 with DxDDP DH 38 Me 38 DD 7 Perfectly Princess Tea Party Review Disney Dining 2010 Review Dining on a budget - $100 a day with coupons All new Dining on a Budget of $100 May 2012 Dixons go Deluxe Oct/Nov 12 Next trip October 2013

10-08-2012, 05:42 PM	#10
sammie1884 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 288	Thanks everyone, ii will look into indirect flights tomorrow and discus with everyone coming. It does sound like a good way to do it. I just was worried because of how little DD will be. I will look at travel city direct too!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: