A Cheapie?

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

We really want to go back to orlando this year,looking at august-november! But we have just moved,and need loads of new things,so money is quite tight really.

Last year we booked with virgin,and paid £2000 for me,dp,and dd (3)
Is there any way of getting it cheaper,maybe £1000-£1500?

I would love to do 3weeks,and a private villa but i know it would be abit too much.
Any Advice?

Beth xx

 

[BevS97]

look for some cheap flights, I know KLM have a sale on at the moment, Orlando for £185 I think it was. We did this last year.

The sale probably doesn't cover the end of the year though.

You can rent a villa/townhouse for around $500/week if you look around, maybe even less. I actually think a villa is cheaper than a hotel unless you stay in a really cheap hotel and you get loads more space.

does the £1000 include your park tickets? I can't work miracles I'm afraid.... There's not a lot you can do to make park tickets cheaper.

Bev

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Thanx for your reply Bev.
We already have our hoppers left over from our first visit,so thats not a problem thankfully.

I felt quite silly posting this message,its just we really want to go back this year,but with moving,etc,and business being quiet we need to cut corners for the home,etc...so i just was curious of what you all thought.

I'm going to have a good look around,and see what i come up with hopefully we will be able to jet off in aug-nov

Thanx
Beth x

 

[BevS97]

I don;t think your daft at all - I love to go on vacation but there is no way I can pay brochure prices every year. We have managed to find good deals on flights for our last trip and our next 2, and then I look for reasonably priced accomodation and if the budget can swing it, we add a couple of nights onsite at the end of our trip as a treat

 

[Shardeblil]

Hi Beth,

You may be able to get it much cheaper if you went in November rather than August (peak period, everything is alot dearer).

As a villa owner, I know that alot of owners would do a good price for that time and for 3 weeks, as this is a very slow time,
and with only the three of you, the villa would not need to be that big, so that would cut your cost as well.


If you can get cheap flights, maybe if you flew with a lesser known airline or one that did not go direct, that would cut the price also.

Just a few suggestions, as I know what it is like to really want to go, this will be the first time that we have been for two years, so we are really excited

 

[neilybealy]

i would much prefer to go in oct/nov than in aug

we went last year from 21 sep to 5 oct and hasd virtuallu no queues at all

in fact, we only uased fastpass 2 or 3 times and that was just so we could say we've done it !

 

[BevS97]

I have been looking at this site, recommended by someone on the Dibb
http://www.statesideuk.com/apartments.htm

you can get a 2 bedroom condo at Windsor palms for £295 a week in Low Season (Jan, Feb, Sept, Nov or Dec). I've been reading good things about Windsor Palms so I think we will try them out.

Bev

 

[lisag1]

Beth,

We've been to florida in November for the past couple of years and you can get some good deals if you just hang fire for a bit!!

It may be an idea to ring up a couple of consolidators from the Teletext as you may get a good deal even now. We paid £340 ad/£200 child for last November (booked in Jan/Feb) but if we'd have waited I saw flights being advertised for £140 through www.choiceair.com. But if you realistically budget for approx £250 - £300 adults fare and approx £180 kids (scheduled). We ended up going indirect in November but that was because we wanted to go from Manchester but even so it wasn't such a bad flight and to keep costs down I'd definately do it again.

Actually I've just searched on ebookers.com for Nov 10 for 2 weeks and the flights are coming out at £282 each inc tax or £262 inc tax on expedia.co.uk (they are indirect though).

As Bev mentioned you can get a condo quite cheaply and we used Stateside in November and had a fantastic villa. The community pool/Club house is great at Windsor Palms and if you rent a condo you are right opposite the pool, they also have a small 64 seater cinema/grocery shop and a fully equiped gym. If you want to keep costs down then I'd stick with the condo, we've always gone with a villa because of the pool option but you end up paying approx £70 - £100 per week for pool heating (and spa if they have one) and that certainly bumps the cost of your holiday up. The other thing we found going in the later months was that we hardly used the pool as we were out and about in the day and by the time we got back it was dark (and cold!). It's a different story in the summer because of the light nights and longer park hours as you can visit the park, come home for a swim and then return to the park in the evening. You can't really do this with such short opening hours (imo!!)

You'll be able to hire either a economy car for £126 or compact for £140 per week.

Based on the above it's coming out at £1624 which is a little over budget but that's booking it now, if you are prepared to wait a little longer you may be able to get your flights slightly cheaper.

Good luck

Lisa

 

[lisag1]

Beth,

I've just received a brochure from travel City advertising 14nights in Sept at the Windsor Palms Condo incl return flights hotel and car hire from £389 pp.

Travel City's tel 08709 904 867

Good luck!
Lisa

 

[BevS97]

lisa, I spotted that deal last night, but in the fine print it says for Partys of 8 travelling together.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't fancy a party of 8 in a 2 bedroom condo.

It's still worth calling though, to see what the price would be for a smaller party.

Bev

 

[lisag1]

Actually just read the ad properly and I think it's a 3 bed I've just rang them up for a quote based on a week in Florida inc 3 bed villa and then drive to the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort with a 7 str minivan on 7th Sept. They've quoted me £2881. Based on the price we may aswell snap up the quote I've already had for the 2 centre in Florida/Jamaica in June as that was only £400.00 more at £3400 and includes a fully inclusive resort in Jamaica with full childcare facilities.

I don't know what to do!!!!

Lisa