Bmi

[rpbert1]

ANyone flew with them to Orlando via Chicago, its a codeshare with Virgin. looking info on collecting baggage after clearing immigration , do you have to take baggage to departing terminal to check it in again.

 

[crabbie1]

Whats a code share robert How do you find these offers? Never flown with them but heard they are good.Im sure wayne has used them.

 

[rpbert1]

Thanks Crabbie1, its where you book with 1 airline but flight is with another[codeshare] BMI Virgin Continental United Airlines, aetc, different airlines code share with each other,and it tells you on BMI who your flights are with.
I found them on Expedia, but BMI have them on their ownsite. Flying Dublin to LHR, then LHR to Chicago with Virgin, and Chicago to Orlando with United Airlines, its about £420 each, as opposed to about £530 with others flying from London or Manchester direct to Orlando., i reckon the extra stop and saving £330 is worth it, need to decide quite soon before they go up.
these where for 2nd July till 30th July

 

[crabbie1]

Ah I see.Thats a really good price for July. Im looking at End august or october half term and week after. Flights wont be out yet though.

 

[rpbert1]

just keep checking lots of site, till i see something, £530 was ok, but would rather have the extra ££ in my pocket,

 

[wayneg]

Robert, I would not even have posted here at that price I would have them booked. You have some bargain prices there for July.
Just had a look and your choice is BMI but 2 changes at £435 or Aer Lingus/Virgin thru Manchester at about £520.

Just do a search without the Dublin leg, Heathrow to MCO with BMI over £700 or Man~MCO Virgin over £800 For some reason you are getting a massive discount from Dublin.

BMI, not been with for a couple of years now but they were the best translantic carrier we have been with at the time.
Aer Lingus/Virgin the better/easier route but Virgin are nowhere near as good as BMI but it depends which planes/staff you get on the day.

 

[Cochise]

travelled with BMI in 2006, loved them.

 

[crabbie1]

There you go robert.I thought I read that wayne recommended them somewhere on here. Hope you manage to get a bargain

 

[rpbert1]

thanks Crabbie, and thanks Wayne, prices from Dublin always cheaper than Belfast and Mainland. checked the prices with out the dublin leg and they where way more expensive.
the flight is BMI to LHR and Virgin to Chicago and United Airlines to orlando

 

[rpbert1]

Decided to book, rather than wait, to see if i could get one with a few more ££ off, and run the risk, of prices taking a jump. so worked out at about £422, with the exchange rate, will know better when it goes on my card.

 

[wayneg]

Wise choice IMO, I just can't see you getting any cheaper in July but anything can happen with flight prices.
Happy planning.

 

[rpbert1]

Yes Wayne, could be lucky and pick a cheap one up for July, but rather than take a chance to save probably a few £ i decided to book, especially after your input on Chicago airport.
Waiting a few days ,then plan to contact Virgin, to see about flight code so i can book seats.
Looking at hotels now, last 2 weeks , looks like RPR, fancied going back to Portofino, but DD prefers RPR.
Thinking of 3 nights at Forida Mall Hotel so DW can get the shopping out of her system, and 4 nights near Seaworld, mybe Renaissance, and 7 nights Gulf Coast, not sure where yet.

 

[wayneg]

I was a little underwhelmed by RPR, Expected room to be top notch for the price people pay, could have done with a little TLC (Nigel DISwolves had issues with his room also) Pool was packed, lucky to find a sunbed spare, water too warm, no depth to it.
Room at OKW was in far better nick and they are going thru a refurb programme.
Didn't have a bad stay but expected better for the money, $152+$10net+$15 parking+tax
Having front of line was a bonus but not enough for us to be be paying around $200/night for and that was a good rate compared to what others paid.
OKW $150+$10net/night incl $170/day free food was a far more enjoyable stay.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Those are super prices!!! Well done you.

 

[pigby]

I was a little underwhelmed by RPR, Expected room to be top notch for the price people pay, could have done with a little TLC (Nigel DISwolves had issues with his room also) Pool was packed, lucky to find a sunbed spare, water too warm, no depth to it.
Room at OKW was in far better nick and they are going thru a refurb programme.
Didn't have a bad stay but expected better for the money, $152+$10net+$15 parking+tax
Having front of line was a bonus but not enough for us to be be paying around $200/night for and that was a good rate compared to what others paid.
OKW $150+$10net/night incl $170/day free food was a far more enjoyable stay.

We too are looking at split stay between Universal Hotel and OKW next year but even though we have stayed at RPR 3 times and we do enjoy it, having extra 'free dining days' is looking very attractive. I would have thought that Universal would be very busy this year with Harry Potter opening - didn't you need FOTL very much?

I was wondering whether we should stay at OKW for the full 14 nights and jump on a Mears bus to take us to Universal for a day or maybe 2 days (to do both parks) as we are big US fans - don't hire a car by choice. It's a long time since we boarded a Mears bus though, what do you think?

 

[heatherbelle]

Fantastic price, I bet those of us wanting Manchester flights don't get anything that good, as usual ours tends to be the most expensive

 

[wayneg]

didn't you need FOTL very much?

I was wondering whether we should stay at OKW for the full 14 nights and jump on a Mears bus to take us to Universal for a day or maybe 2 days (to do both parks) as we are big US fans - don't hire a car by choice. It's a long time since we boarded a Mears bus though, what do you think?

We used it but could have done without and not made any difference to our enjoyment. We have been AP holders for about 7 years so we don't mind if we get on the rides or not or we are happy to do single rider line.
Many rides were short lines anyway, I know Shrek, Jimmy Neutron & others were walk in and no line, never saw more than 10 min line on duelling dragons.

Even in Disney I think we only got fast passes for 2 or 3 rides the whole 21 nights, infact many had covers over them.

I don't think I can advise best for you to do, many others love staying at Universal, everyones different.

 

[tigger137]

ANyone flew with them to Orlando via Chicago, its a codeshare with Virgin. looking info on collecting baggage after clearing immigration , do you have to take baggage to departing terminal to check it in again.

Doesn't matter which airline you fly with or into which US gateway airport. Your baggage should be tagged through to Orlando.
After clearing immigration, you collect your baggage and head through customs. Just the other side there will be a place to drop your baggage off. It may simply be taken from you or you if you're picked for a check you may have to wait while they swab it.

You then head to your departing terminal for your next flight.

On arrival in Orlando you just grab your bags and go, because you've already cleared immigration.

 

[DADAD]

i have gone this way bmi are the best airline i ever flown with when you land at orlando you are on an internal flight you are through the airport very quickly having done customs in chicargo whilst waiting for your connecting flight.

 

[Cochise]

The one thing I remember from the BMI/TED via CHicago is that it was a big big airport, great transport system but a long walk from security into the new terminal to the gate. This may have been an issue on the day but ensure you have the time. We took off in twighlight and the early minutes of the flight over Chicago area was spectacular, how big a city is that!! also if I hope you are lucky enough to see the Sears tower on the approach to the airport...its awesome.

BMI and TED are good, i couldn't fault them