Aug 2010 - Dont know whether to book!!!

[LorraineH]

Hi Guys

I have my credit card in hand.... and I dont know whether I'm doing the right thing!

I am planning on taking my two teenagers (16 & 14) next Summer to celebrate my DS16 finishing his GCSE's...

I am planning on 11 nights in I-Drive doing US/IOA/SW/BG/Aquatica then 9 nights in WDW to take advantage of the free dining. It is cheaper for us to stay in OKW with Free Dining than to stay in POP (which we loved!) and pay for all our meals!

I have looked at VH which is coming up ridiculously expensive... and the 3 of us are very happy to fly indirect to save money but we've only flown direct before (with VH and TCD).

I just want to book OKW now... to make sure we dont lose out on the offers... but I know I cant book flights until Sept - and I am budgeting only £400 each for the flights...

So.. what should I do? Am I going to get flights for £400 - I have followed prices this year and some indirects were coming in at £339 which gives me hope...!!

Deposit for WDW is only £150....

Please tell me to do it!!!!

Lorraine x

 

[craigs bride]

we are using dial a flight and our flights with a car was 424 ad price flying with Virgin .
try them for a quote they are pretty good .

 

[Melcatfish]

Do it!

Then try to gleen all the best flight finding info you can from here, there are lots here who go with such regularity and always find the good deals - fall at the feet of WayneG and see if he has any cheap flight finding suggestions.

Mel
x

 

[wayneg]

- fall at the feet of WayneG and see if he has any cheap flight finding suggestions.

I will gladly help everyone looking for flights next August, once I have booked mine.

Whenever they are available I will be posting the offers.

Lorraine, I always like to book my flights 1st but as you say its only £150.

Saying that I am waiting until I have been this August before I book next year, If we like OKW and DDP hopefully get some reasonable flights and book again for next year. If the offer ends I will stay offsite, I don't mind.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Book, Book, BOOK!!!!

 

[jmagla]

We are also looking to go next year, I really like the offer but wont book until we have the flights sorted. The reason being that if we choose dates now and book, we could get stung for the flights. We have travelled direct and indirect, and on all occasions there have been wide variances in the flight costs the day before and after, so I would rather book the cheapest flights and then sort out accomodation to suit.

If I knew for certain the offer would not be repeated for next year, then I would probably book now, economy wise things dont seem to be improving very quickly so I think they will have to repeat this or a similar offers (hope so, because I want the full dining plan....free )

To counter my caution, I dont think it costs that much to change the booking should you need to change dates to suit any flight..£25?

Now you have got me thinking

 

[zummerzet66]

We've booked a Flydrive through VH already. It may well be possible to get cheaper flights by booking direct with airlines nearer the time, but we like the peace of mind of knowing we've got exactly what we want, when we want it.

 

[zummerzet66]

Besides which, we're tied to school holidays because of two DS's being in different schools and DW working in a third different school so it is impossible to arrange time out for all three of them. So it's going to be more expensive whichever way we do it.

 

[wayneg]

We've booked a Flydrive through VH already. It may well be possible to get cheaper flights by booking direct with airlines nearer the time, but we like the peace of mind of knowing we've got exactly what we want, when we want it.

Besides which, we're tied to school holidays because of two DS's being in different schools and DW working in a third different school so it is impossible to arrange time out for all three of them. So it's going to be more expensive whichever way we do it.

I have no idea what you paid for your flights but my dates for next year in August with VH flydrrive would be £891.50pp, before adding on for car insurance so just for the flight. Virgin holidays only take a percentage of flights to sell with their packages/flydrives, rest go on sale as flight only at 11 months out. If you waited for flight only you can book exactly the same flight you want when you want it.
You don't even have to rush at 11 months out, almost every date is still available for this August, only 1 month away from £635 (our dates £740) and thats only 1 company Virgin.
Maybe you got a fair price for flydrive in August but my dates are always OTT.

 

[orangetiggs]

we paid 635 with virgin for 2 of us this aug for our flights
I would say book it, i'm looking to book saratoga in the next few weeks for next year to get free dining again

 

[zummerzet66]

I have no idea what you paid for your flights but my dates for next year in August with VH flydrrive would be £891.50pp, before adding on for car insurance so just for the flight.

It comes at £3,300 for two adults, one teen, one child, with intermediate SUV and Platinum Insurance. V-Room also included. That's with Frequent Virgin discount as well. It's as good as we were hoping for.

 

[LorraineH]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I just know that I will be gutted if I wait until September to book the flights, only to find out that we cant get the OKW/DDP offer. The thought of staying in a deluxe, and eating in places we've never tried before, really appeals!! (Incidentally - why is the Rainforest Cafe not included in the DDP??!!!)

If you're all sure I will get flights (direct/indirect) for less than £400 each then I will book tomorrow....

Thank you and CANT WAIT

Lorraine xx

 

[wayneg]

It comes at £3,300 for two adults, one teen, one child, with intermediate SUV and Platinum Insurance. V-Room also included. That's with Frequent Virgin discount as well. It's as good as we were hoping for.

If you don't want to put any time and effort into planning then this is probably the right option for you. Myself and many others prefer to wait and pay a lower price, never any question of not getting dates we want but it might take weeks or even months of searching to find the right price.
To give you idea of cost this August we have paid.
3 x buisness class flights(Delta) £1,395
16 nights Fullsize car £276 (incl plat ins)
16 nights Old Key West with Dining Plan £1,456
Total £3,127 (would have only cost another £400 to add a child to the whole package)

Ok biz class flights were probably a one off but you can always pick economy flights up for under £350 indirect, Virgin were also a similar price for this August.
All down to being patient and buying at the right time. My Brother is like you, just pay it whatever, we are all different.

 

[LorraineH]

Ok biz class flights were probably a one off but you can always pick economy flights up for under £350 indirect, Virgin were also a similar price for this August.

Ok WayneG - you've convinced me that I will get 3 adult flights next summer for less than £400!! Will book OKW tomorrow!

I expect we will speak again once flights are released in Sept..... thank you for all your help!!!!

Lorraine x

 

[ruthie]

Hi
I just wanted to say that I booked accomodation through DIS Uk for next august and paid £200 for 4 of us.
I then managed to get a great price for a package and booked that. When I called up to cancel with disney, I was told that I couldn't get a refund, I could amend it to another date for £25. I really wanted a refund but didn't want to lose £175 so am staying a night in a deluxe.
Last year I booked through Disney US site and got a full refund when I changed my plans.


Ruthie

 

[wayneg]

Thats correct Ruthie, Disney.com offer full refund for cancelations. Disney.co.uk is a non refundable deposit.

 

[ruthie]

Hi

Its a shame I didn't realize,
but I'll have to suffer a night in a monorail resort!
I'll remember for next time!


Ruthie

 

[wideeyes]

I booked with VH already for next august as I already had a deposit on hold with them that I didn't want to lose, first time going in school holidays so a bit of a shock however at least we get to go for 3 weeks.

 

[ruthie]

Hi Claire

We are going 8 Aug, 1 night Poly,3 nights Nick, 2 nights Hard Rock and 14 nights AKL. Weird eh?


Ruthie

 

[wideeyes]

Hi Claire

We are going 8 Aug, 1 night Poly,3 nights Nick, 2 nights Hard Rock and 14 nights AKL. Weird eh?


Ruthie

lol yeah weird. We are going 9th staying at the Poly 4nights, 3nights HRH 6nights Beach club Villa's 4nights cruise and then 4 nights AKV so may bump into you at some point Just booked flights and cruise so far though.