a few questions

[saraheeyore]

trying to do a bit of forward planning and have a few questions

does anyone know when october half tern is in 2011?

is is better to book with virgin,disney or another company and why? we have booked with virgin before but wanted to check other options first.

can we get pin codes from disney or is it just an american thing?

is free dining likely to be avaible in 2011?

thanks for any help

 

[Howellsy]

My mum's a headteacher but only has the dates up until July 2011 at the moment, I'm not sure if they'll be decided until the summer. I can let you know as soon as she knows though

In my experience, it's cheaper to book separately online or through a high street travel agent. Last September I booked flights through Virgin/Continental (codeshare) and the hotel + tickets through Disney UK website. But it depends a lot on the time of year. I'm going this August and room only with Thomas Cook is £100 cheaper than Disney UK. So you really can't be sure - you just have to shop around.

Free Dining is likely to be available next year because it's been available for the past 5 years or so, but there are no guarantees yet of course.

Not sure about Pins I'm afraid, I think they're just for Americans though.

Hope that helped

 

[luke]

trying to do a bit of forward planning and have a few questions

does anyone know when october half tern is in 2011?

is is better to book with virgin,disney or another company and why? we have booked with virgin before but wanted to check other options first.

can we get pin codes from disney or is it just an american thing?

is free dining likely to be avaible in 2011?

thanks for any help

1) October half term dates won't be in concrete (we only just got our 2010 dates) yet but it is generally the last week in the month for most places, tho it can differ from LEA to LEA.

2) Virgin can be the most 'hassle free' I guess, but you will most likely get better deals with a bit of shopping around and DIYing

3) We don't really get pincodes, but have 'open to all' offers instead.

4) I'm pretty sure free dining has been announced, Wayneg started a thread on it a few days back

 

[luke]

I'm not sure if they'll be decided until the summer. I can let you know as soon as she knows though

If trends are anything to go by, they won't be available til about february of 2011 at the earliest

 

[Howellsy]

If trends are anything to go by, they won't be available til about february of 2011 at the earliest

Ah right, good to know I think our Welsh ones are different to the English ones anywa so not sure if I could be much help there!

 

[saraheeyore]

thanks
can you let me know if you hear anything about october half term dates
thinking if we did a 10 day trip we could get most of it over half term so not many days missed of school
will have a look at booking it seperate as well thanks

 

[saraheeyore]

1) October half term dates won't be in concrete (we only just got our 2010 dates) yet but it is generally the last week in the month for most places, tho it can differ from LEA to LEA.

2) Virgin can be the most 'hassle free' I guess, but you will most likely get better deals with a bit of shopping around and DIYing

3) We don't really get pincodes, but have 'open to all' offers instead.

4) I'm pretty sure free dining has been announced, Wayneg started a thread on it a few days back

thanks. last week of october ish then it is. at least i have a starting point to work from and hopefully free dining

 

[luke]

can you let me know if you hear anything about october half term dates

October half term 2009 was 26-30th
October half term 2010 will be 25-29th

I would suggest it would be a Monday to Friday around these dates, most likely 24th-28th 2011

 

[saraheeyore]

October half term 2009 was 26-30th
October half term 2010 will be 25-29th

I would suggest it would be a Monday to Friday around these dates, most likely 24th-28th 2011

thanks i may try booking from the wednesday or thursday the week before then as i don't think missing 3 days of school would really hurt. we was thinking about going in may 2011 but my DS would only be 1 and a half and it seems a bit young and DD starts school in september 2011. i want to avoid the summer bit as its too hot for little ones

 

[2Tiggies]

We actually can get pin codes. I have had quite a few. You need to register on the Disney US website. There is no guarantee that you will get one - some never do - but it seems this is the only way. However, keep in mind that the pin codes can only be used for booking via the US (either by phone or through the website) While this is fine, be aware of the uncertainty of exchange rates, particularly if you intend paying it off over a significant period of time.

 

[saraheeyore]

We actually can get pin codes. I have had quite a few. You need to register on the Disney US website. There is no guarantee that you will get one - some never do - but it seems this is the only way. However, keep in mind that the pin codes can only be used for booking via the US (either by phone or through the website) While this is fine, be aware of the uncertainty of exchange rates, particularly if you intend paying it off over a significant period of time.

ahh thanks. although sounds a bit more complicated. least i know how you would get them. best offer is probably to try and get free dining in october and easiest

 

[Elise79]

thanks i may try booking from the wednesday or thursday the week before then as i don't think missing 3 days of school would really hurt. we was thinking about going in may 2011 but my DS would only be 1 and a half and it seems a bit young and DD starts school in september 2011. i want to avoid the summer bit as its too hot for little ones

Don't rule out May if it is your preferred time to go - we took DD at 15mths and she had a ball

 

[darthtatty]

Go to your local councils website, theres an education section and then a school term time section.
they have all the school holiday dates there, they do have 2011-2012.
our (Leicestershire) October half term is 17th-21st oct
Ive always written the dates years in advance and theyve never changed.

 

[saraheeyore]

Go to your local councils website, theres an education section and then a school term time section.
they have all the school holiday dates there, they do have 2011-2012.
our (Leicestershire) October half term is 17th-21st oct
Ive always written the dates years in advance and theyve never changed.

thanks i will do that

 

[saraheeyore]

Don't rule out May if it is your preferred time to go - we took DD at 15mths and she had a ball

not sure we will have enough saved by May. i was worrying about him being to young though although i am beginning to think takes young kids is easier than taking them when they are a little bigger. we took DD when she was 2 and apart from flight home is was not that difficult. we took her on holiday in a caravan at 2 and a half and it was a nightmare getting her ready to go out and its still hit and miss now at 3 and a half if we can ge her ready in a morning or not. at 2 she was dressing herself but now she can't some days

 

[2Tiggies]

not sure we will have enough saved by May. i was worrying about him being to young though although i am beginning to think takes young kids is easier than taking them when they are a little bigger. we took DD when she was 2 and apart from flight home is was not that difficult. we took her on holiday in a caravan at 2 and a half and it was a nightmare getting her ready to go out and its still hit and miss now at 3 and a half if we can ge her ready in a morning or not. at 2 she was dressing herself but now she can't some days

I don't think it is a case of children being too young to enjoy Disney. It is a family holiday and your kids are part of the family. And so what if she doesn't "get it" or remember much. She will LOVE looking through the photos when she is older. If early mornings don't work for you, get a later start. The Unofficial Guide has "late start" touring plans if you need a little structure.

Just accept that you won't get everything done, but you will still have a great time together. This goes for any age. Toddlers and young children can't ride any of the big rides, slightly older children gravitate towards and away from certain things so as far as I am concerned you will never have a trip where they want to do everything. If you have realistic expectations and resolve not to get upset if you don't get to do things you wanted to, you can go back one day. But a less stressed trip is better than a frazzled one where you accomplished everything.