A few questions, if anyone can advise...

[Rachandgarry]

Hey there hi there ho there!

Haven't been to WDW in a few years, and when I did I was still working at a travel agency, so booking was cheaper and easier than it is now!

We had originally hoped to go this April, but finances and other real life issues prevented it so we're thinking we might be able to manage it next April. School are being really funny, so we're going to have to close our eyes, scream and pay the extra for the Easter holiday dates.

Basic details are 2 adts, 1 child aged 6 by then, All Star Music. 14 nights, leaving on Thursday 21st March 2013. Haven't decided between transfers and car hire yet, or partial car hire for a couple of days.

I have a few questions, if anyone can shed any light I'd be really grateful!

1. When is the current estimate for the new Fantasyland to be open? (also, where can I find that info out, so I don't have to ask again, lol)

2. When do Disney themselves usually release their prices and packages for April next year?

3. Are there any good discounts/ways of booking that make it more affordable?

4. Considering booking with Virgin Holidays and using Tesco Clubcard vouchers towards the cost; anyone done this/any thoughts?

Thanks so much in advance,

Rachel x

 

[littlesos]

Sorry can only answer the first part, just come back and they are saying that the new circus in fantasyland will be open in Spring this year, the rest (minus pixie hollow I think) should be open later this year.

It looked quite impressive, but there were still a lot of cranes/machinery around.

Are your school really that strict for a 6 year old? Ours has a strict policy too, however I applied, assuming I would be rejected, but it was granted (5 days leave for my 9 year old and 5 year old). If it hadn't been granted I would still have taken them, one of her teachers went on holiday to France a couple of weeks back in term-time (elder daughter has 2 teachers who job-share). I spoke with an education welfare officer and she said that she's taken her children out in term-time, and that they would only consider fining/prosecuting if the absence was persistence and the childs progress was being affected. We compromised so half the holiday was termtime and the other half was in half term.

 

[wayneg]

Disney released prices in April 2011 for this year so we hope same again this year.

You have to look at all options, very rarely do packages work out cheaper for us but I always check. A few days ago I priced up a package with VH for next August, their quote was a crazy £13,500, I will wait for DIY deals.

 

[RDP]

I think the Tesco club card route can be useful, my brother in law saved over £400, Although as Wanyeg mentioned, DIY really does save a large amount, when I was comparing last year we saved £1500 just separating out flights, car hire and accommodation (we got the accommodation to include park tickets and DDP as a package) then booked car hire separately. Don't believe the 'free Car Hire' sales pitch, the insurances can cost you as much if not more than the total car hire package booking it separately.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Sorry can only answer the first part, just come back and they are saying that the new circus in fantasyland will be open in Spring this year, the rest (minus pixie hollow I think) should be open later this year.

It looked quite impressive, but there were still a lot of cranes/machinery around.

Are your school really that strict for a 6 year old? Ours has a strict policy too, however I applied, assuming I would be rejected, but it was granted (5 days leave for my 9 year old and 5 year old). If it hadn't been granted I would still have taken them, one of her teachers went on holiday to France a couple of weeks back in term-time (elder daughter has 2 teachers who job-share). I spoke with an education welfare officer and she said that she's taken her children out in term-time, and that they would only consider fining/prosecuting if the absence was persistence and the childs progress was being affected. We compromised so half the holiday was termtime and the other half was in half term.

Thanks for that. It sounds promising, I wonder when they plan to have all the new rides etc open.

School are being a bit funny, unfortunately. DS goes to a special school and their attendance figures can be a bit low due to illness etc so they just refuse all holiday requests.

Disney released prices in April 2011 for this year so we hope same again this year.

You have to look at all options, very rarely do packages work out cheaper for us but I always check. A few days ago I priced up a package with VH for next August, their quote was a crazy £13,500, I will wait for DIY deals.

Thanks. I thought that might be the case, I'm just very concerned about flight availability, being school holidays. Leaving it another 2 months scares me from that point of view!

I think the Tesco club card route can be useful, my brother in law saved over £400, Although as Wanyeg mentioned, DIY really does save a large amount, when I was comparing last year we saved £1500 just separating out flights, car hire and accommodation (we got the accommodation to include park tickets and DDP as a package) then booked car hire separately. Don't believe the 'free Car Hire' sales pitch, the insurances can cost you as much if not more than the total car hire package booking it separately.

Thanks. I've just spoken to Virgin Holidays, and there are two things that are frustrating me - 1) you can't book online so don't get the online discount, 2) you can't pay the balance with clubcard vouchers, so any Tesco vouchers we accrue between now and balance due date won't count.

Still wanna go, hope we can!

 

[wayneg]

Only a % of seats are sold for package holidays, rest are not sold until 11 months out. Unless you leave it til last minute you should have no problems.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Only a % of seats are sold for package holidays, rest are not sold until 11 months out. Unless you leave it til last minute you should have no problems.

Hiya

That is true, and you're probably right, it just feels funny leaving it. I've never had to go in school hols before, guess I'm panicking!

I can't tell if DIY prices are going to be that much better, what I have priced so far sounds very expensive, but then maybe that is what it is going to be?

21 March 2012 - 2 adults, 1 child, 14 nights. Virgin flights, LGW - MCO, All Star Music Resort, bog standard car that is allocated, with fully inclusive insurance (not platinum as it will only be 1 driver), and 14 day Disney tickets....

take a guess at the £....

 

[Ciorsdah]

Hi there

We booked our holiday as a package with VH, while its just myself and my DBF, a work colleague booked for herself and her 3 children ( 16, 13 and 9) and they are going in the October holidays this year.

VH often have 10% off weekends and they will match anything that you find cheaper and she managed to get the DDP for all 4 of them but only paid for 2, staying in POFQ, 14 day hoppers and 14 day 2 park passes to Universal. She asked what they would be willing to do in terms of price if she paid there on the day vs only paying a deposit.

I dont know the price she paid, however she booked at the end of Jan for a trip in Oct in the same year so I would think leaving it a couple of months if you are going to go the package route should be fine.

My mother always told me if you dont ask you dont get!! I'm always asking for discounts and most times I get something off or added on.

Good luck!


K

 

[wayneg]

Priced up for those dates this year

Hotel & tickets £1,581.90 (less 3% Quidco)
2 weeks car from £188 ebookers (less 8% Quidco)
From £1,000 indirect
VA £1,500 direct

So you could go those date this year for around £3,200 direct, £2,700 indirect.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Priced up for those dates this year

Hotel & tickets £1,581.90 (less 3% Quidco)
2 weeks car from £188 ebookers (less 8% Quidco)
From £1,000 indirect
VA £1,500 direct

So you could go those date this year for around £3,200 direct, £2,700 indirect.

Hiya

That's interesting, thank you for doing that.

The VH quote for hotel, tickets, flights, car and car insurance is £4800. Big difference!!

Definitely need to wait until the individual prices all come out methinks!!

Thanks again,
Rachel x

 

[RDP]

Hiya

That's interesting, thank you for doing that.

The VH quote for hotel, tickets, flights, car and car insurance is £4800. Big difference!!

Definitely need to wait until the individual prices all come out methinks!!

Thanks again,
Rachel x

Have you tried Complete Orlando? You can price individual elements of the holiday on the web site.

 

[wayneg]

Have you tried Complete Orlando? You can price individual elements of the holiday on the web site.

Just priced it up, £3,347. Its just slighty more than booking seperate, they just put the different elements together but charge a few £ more for doing it, eg car hire £188 less 8% with ebookers would be £220 with CO. Flights £1,544 direct with VA £1,614 with CO.
Worth checking for next year though they could come out a few £ cheaper you never know.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Have you tried Complete Orlando? You can price individual elements of the holiday on the web site.

Ooh, not heard of that. Will have a look.. thank you!

Just priced it up, £3,347. Its just slighty more than booking seperate, they just put the different elements together but charge a few £ more for doing it, eg car hire £188 less 8% with ebookers would be £220 with CO. Flights £1,544 direct with VA £1,614 with CO.
Worth checking for next year though they could come out a few £ cheaper you never know.

Can't wait for everything to come out already, lol! Also need to start thinking which airline we want to go with - the legroom on Thomson sounds better than Virgin?

So excited!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

the legroom on Thomson sounds better than Virgin?

So excited!!

Hiya again Rachel,

With Matthew in mind it may depend on where you want to fly into also.
I think Thomson fly into Sanford, whereas Virgin is straight to Orlando International.

The latter is far busier but saves you a drive of around an hour as Sanford is further away from the action so to speak.

The other thing to bear in mind is you might be entitled to a bulk head seat with more legroom, so I would check out the options with the carrier of your choice before booking with them, in fact that could even influence your decision.
When we have flown Economy with Virgin we always got a bulkhead and went through their Special Assistance department.