Advice please !! looking to book for the first time for Feb 2013

[torillien]

Hi Guys

Although I have been to DLP many times and have visited WDW twice (at a conference so was all booked by my work & staying in the Swan and Dolphin) - I am looking to book at the begining of next month for myself and my daughter who will be 5 and a half by the time we go.
She's been to DLP 3 times and says its her favourite place in the world, so I really want to take here to WDW as a Late xmas present.

I am looking for 8 nights in Feb 1/2 term 15 - 23rd 2013 and I am wondering the best place / way to book.

I've been doing a good bit of research on the web as my initial idea was to book through Virgin Holidays, by the time I have added park tickets and the Dining plan though the price racked right up - so I then started looking at flight and hotel only - lncluding the WDW disney site which works out much more economical.

My question is .. is it better to do a flight, hotel booking then buy tickets from somewhere like Florida Tix and not worry about the dining plan - or to go all in so I don't have to worry about food monies?

As we wont be spending too much time in the hotel I am happy to stay in a value resort (I am really hoping to get in the new Art of Animation in the Little Mermaid rooms truth be told), and there is no discount or free dining plan that I can see - so I would be paying the full ammount (which is £707 for the DDP). I am planning on doing a fair bit of character dining though - 1900 park fare for maybe a breakfast and a dinner, Cinderella's royal table, princess tea party, chef Mickey etc. which I know the DDP would come in very handy for.

We'll only be doing Disney with a day out to go to seaworld - was planning on taking the Lynx number 50 bus to get there.

Has anyone any experience of using DDP and is it worth it?
It's about $100 a day (as we'll be there for 8) and I think that may be quite good value when I want to do a lot of character dining - as we'll probably skip the odd meal and just snack.

I have 2 weeks to decide !!!

Help me guys

Thanks v much in advance

 

[JoyB-UK]

Hi, we have done both virgin packages and DIY and both have worked out really great. I think it really does come down to cost and what you are willing to pay. DIY usually comes out cheaper but it's nice to book a package if you want everything taken care of together in one booking.

We have stayed at Pop Century and thought it was really good value, I wouldn't have a problem staying at a value resort again. If you are planning on doing all those character meals then the dining plan may be good value. Check the menus online and work out what you would actually spend. Non character dining tends to cost less and at that point you might not get good value from the plan. Just remember to make reservations as soon as the window opens as the most popular will not be available for walk ups.

I would consider booking through Disney for hotel, tickets and dining plan but looking at flights separately. As well as virgin and BA flights look on sites such as Expedia which will give you a good idea of flight options and US airline websites.

Good Luck.

 

[torillien]

brilliant .. thanks very much

I have been looking at the free dining plan option on some hotels to see if it'll work out more economical to go for a better hotel but becuase of the *free* dining - it'll work out better value.

thanks again

Shaz