3 week trip...what is a good price?

[mkingdon]

I finally have the other half talking about a 3 week trip next year

I've been doing some internet browsing today, (expedia mainly, but also some villas).

Ideally we would want the last 3 weeks in August, a villa (2 bed would be fine but I know they are in short supply) or a suite style hotel room.

It is me, DW and 2 x DD.

What would you say I should expect to pay for accom, flight and car.

Initial searches suggest around £3000.

Any tips to beat that???

Many Thanks

Craig

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Craig, these are the prices I would expect to pay in August for a DIY holiday:

Flydrive £500-£700 per person
Villa £450-£550 per week

Make sure that you don't buy the all-inclusive car hire as the cost of insurance for 21 days will be excessive (typically it would be at least £500). The two alternatives I would suggest would be the Natwest or American Express policies. These have been discussed a few times recently, so a quick search will find the relevant threads. The Amex travel insurance policy, which inlcudes CDW and SLI costs £280 for a family.

I'd also recommend getting annual passes for both Disney and Universal. For such a long trip I think it's worth paying a bit extra for the luxury of park access when ever you want it. Disney Premium annual passes cost $520 per person, and Universal costs $170 per person. There are cheaper variations of APs offered by Disney and Universal, so check to see which type suits you best. One of the great advantages of an AP is that you could use it for a holiday the following year!

Regards

Rob

 

[signtalker]

Craig, weve just done a 3 week holiday, i think your price of £3000 wont be far off,give or take a hundred pounds or so, you have plenty of time so shop around,were off again to disney in 2005 and im already sussing prices out for another 3 weeker!.
DH won for 2004 were of to the grand canyon!.
AP's are a good way to go for a 3 week trip.

Jules

 

[rainyUK]

Hi we also go for three weeks - usually in February we flew out in Feb this year Premium Economy (for the first time) and were "spoilt" on the outward journey by being upgraded to the Upper Class seats - which was nice - so when booking next year -Feb again we looked at all the options - and the lure of the "possible upgrade to Upper Class" and the other benefits won. We booked a "Fly drive" with Virgin Travelstore - who matched the 10% FV discount when I seemed alarmed at the price. I managed to get
£648 x adult and £370 child
plus a fully inclusive Platinum car package (part of the fly drive so couldn't haggle with the price) with Dollar for £694 (total £2360 - 236 disc - 2a & 1ch). I have booked the hotel - Rosen Centre - via priceline uk for £23 (+£10 bonus) which with taxes = to £552.26 +2124 = £2676.26 total cost for three weeks flying Virgin Premium Economy and staying at the Rosen Centre. I too was looking to go the "cheapest" option and have saved in excess of £1,000+ by doing this direct/separate - instead of a package - all other options ie Travel city (who do do three weeks but at an extortionate rate because they have to match you with one person doing a one week holiday etc etc) were more expensive - The only advice I can offer is to "ring round" because when I phoned Virgin Travelstore they quoted an unbelievable price, when I mentioned it was cheaper for me to book via Virgin Holidays they asked me to wait as some "fly drive prices have just been released" and the fly drive including the car was cheaper than the flight price they had quoted. I know August is probably going to be a "nightmare" for prices but February school holidays seemed to "up the price" a bit and I am sure if you looked at "priceline" you would be able to get a suite hotel - when I booked - I knew it would be between the Wyndham - great hotel or the Rosen - didn't mind getting the Rosen as we haven't stayed there before and thought we would try it. Good luck in your search - it occupied enough of my time as soon as I returned I was looking to book again (Disney withdrawal symptoms I guess).

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by rainyUK
... plus a fully inclusive Platinum car package (part of the fly drive so couldn't haggle with the price)

You don't have to accept the all-inclusive insurance policy offered to you as part of the flydrive ticket. You can decline it, and find cheaper alternatives if you wish.

Regards

Rob