Advice please: package deal or seperate offers???

[c3h3a3r]

Hi,

DH and I took our first family trip last year to WDW with our 2 sons (8 & 6). Ever since we came back, we have been dreaming about going back!
We stayed off property last trip but have decided when we (eventually) go back we would like to stay at Disney.

My question is this - Are we better off getting a package deal (flights, hotel & tickets all in one place) or getting it all seperately? I am a little bit aprehensive about buying tickets online as I am worried they will be fake???

I am grateful for any advice anyone can give me on this.

Thank you.

 

[WiganTony]

The best advice is to price up a diy holiday and a package deal. Most of the time, diy is cheaper but you can sometimes snag a bargain package deal, or find that booking a flydrive is cheaper than booking flights.

For our most recent visit (August 2010) and for our forthcoming visit (this August), we booked accommodation at Old Key West and tickets with Disney and got the free Disney Dining Plan - however, there is no guarantee that they will offer this in future years.

For flights, it helps if you can be flexible with your choice of airports both in the UK and USA. Also, keep an eye on this forum for people posting good flight deals. For example, for our 2010 holiday, we booked direct flights from Heathrow to Miami for £403 each. For this year, we have flights with Air France Manchester - Paris - Orlando for £500 booked through a "glitch" in the Delta Airlines website. On both occasions, we found out through forums.

Just to give an example of savings possible with DIY, our 2010 visit cost us £4,300 for three of us - flights, 4 nights Universal Royal Pacific, 12 nights OKW, Disney/Universal/Seaworld tickets and car hire. I priced up with Virgin Holidays and 16 nights at OKW and flights (no tickets) was over this amount.

 

[Raff42]

I have just booked with Travel city and got free dining plan for oct 2013. It was way more expensive that DIY but we love staying on disney property and getting free food is always a bonus

 

[queendisney]

I have just booked with Travel city and got free dining plan for oct 2013. It was way more expensive that DIY but we love staying on disney property and getting free food is always a bonus

Some times though doing it DIY can save you a fortune and this more then makes up for the free dining offer. Its all swings and roundabouts.

 

[darthtatty]

I too would suggest you go around a few sites and get prices.
we're going in August 2014, so ive been pricing up August 2013 to get a rough idea.

weve usually done packaged deals with Virgin Holidays and theyve offered us the best deal.
However this time, their prices are £2000 over others.

Ive priced up the exact same holiday with Disney.co.uk (without flight)
this includes free dining and 14 day tickets.
I then got prices for flights with Virgin Atlantic.
Obviously they dont have my dates and prices will increase but its a great way to compare companies.
Obviously compare them all again, before you actually book.

Some people go the whole way and do everything DIY-again its just looking and comparing prices.

If youre unsure of anything just ask on here.
There are many experienced people, who will advise you who's best and who to stay away from.

good luck.xx

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

I too would suggest you go around a few sites and get prices.
we're going in August 2014, so ive been pricing up August 2013 to get a rough idea.

weve usually done packaged deals with Virgin Holidays and theyve offered us the best deal.
However this time, their prices are £2000 over others.

Ive priced up the exact same holiday with Disney.co.uk (without flight)
this includes free dining and 14 day tickets.
I then got prices for flights with Virgin Atlantic.
Obviously they dont have my dates and prices will increase but its a great way to compare companies.
Obviously compare them all again, before you actually book.

Some people go the whole way and do everything DIY-again its just looking and comparing prices.

If youre unsure of anything just ask on here.
There are many experienced people, who will advise you who's best and who to stay away from.

good luck.xx

I totally agree I have been twice before booked Complete package with Virgin and want to go again in 2014 september I think would be cheapest but Virgin prices are sky high and quoted £6000 for OKW package Thomas cook worked out loads cheaper at £3500.

Whats the best deal you have got so far ????? Is it Disney for hotel then fligts seperatly ??

 

[laura_<3]

We always book a package, however I've started to keep checking flight + hotel prices seperately after reading a lot of Dissers recommendations and their experiences booking DIY.

I know you said you're afraid some companies could be fake, don't be afraid to ask on the DIS. There have been a few threads where people have asked for others experiences with certain companies. Everyone is friendly and happy to help here

Good luck with your search

 

[wayneg]

As others have said, get some prices. Compare, post what you have found and we can give you advice.
We almost always book DIY now, this July/August I used some airmiles to lower the cost but we have VA Premium Economy flight out, 3 nights offsite, 21 nights at Old Key West with 3 x 21 day Ultimates, free DDP, car hire & Delta Ecomomy Comfort return, all in for £4,500 (£1,500pp)
Virgin Holidays wanted £12,000 for something similar.

 

[Kaz65]

Wow Wayne you always still get the best bargains! Do you wait for the 11 month embargo for flights before booking accomodation or take a risk and book accom first on the principle you will always get a decent flight?

I noticed Complete Orlando only release OKW packages at 11 months now too, but there are still deals on teh Disney sites direct - just wondering if the CO ones will be cheaper and best to wait?

 

[wayneg]

Wow Wayne you always still get the best bargains! Do you wait for the 11 month embargo for flights before booking accomodation or take a risk and book accom first on the principle you will always get a decent flight?

I noticed Complete Orlando only release OKW packages at 11 months now too, but there are still deals on teh Disney sites direct - just wondering if the CO ones will be cheaper and best to wait?

I prefer to get my flights first, only once did I book the hotel first incase I missed an offer that was on, 9/10 Disney extend these hotel deals but you never know.
Complete Orlando are usually cheaper and no messing with gift cards and cashback, they give all discounts upfront but you have to check for your dates, they are not the cheapest for everyone.

 

[Gingernut]

We always do the comparison thing and DIY is ALWAYS cheaper for us, so thats how we book. We don't stay at WDW though, we always stay in a villa, which works out much much cheaper than a package, especially when Virgin have a sale on.