Book DVC or flights first?

[UK Paul]

We are thinking of going to SSR next August (last 2 weeks)- I know hurricane season but school hols dictate for a few more years yet.

Should we book the accommodation first or flights - any views and do you have any good sites for cheap flights?

Thanks

Paul

 

[Hilary]

Personally, I like to book the flights first, especially if we're going at or near (UK) school holidays and can't be flexible with dates. I'm more concerned the flights will sell out than that the DVC accommodations will be booked up.

As a 'last resort', I'd be prepared to find accommodation elsewhere and I'd be surprised if there was nothing available, but I'd also hope to win through with a wait list for DVC most times. On the other hand, if the flights were full for our required dates, I don't know what we could do.

If you find any sites for cheap flights, please let us all know!

 

[psharrock]

They can near enough be booked at the same time, I have just booked Virgin flights for next year 22 Jul - 12 - Aug, and we are staying at BCV from 31 Jul - 12 - Aug.

I booked outbound flights with Funway Holidays at the end of Aug, I then booked the 1st 7 days of my BCV revervation on Sept 7th. Last year we couldn't get back on the original date we wanted, so I waited until I could book the return flight before completing the BCV reservation. This was done on Monday which happened to correspond to the 11 month window for the remainder of the res.

If you are not borrowing points to make the reservation, you can always change it afterwards without any penalty

Paul

 

[Pootle]

I know hurricane season but school hols dictate for a few more years yet.

Hopefully next year will be back to the more usual pattern of rain in the afternoon, high humidity and that's it

I've had some good flight prices from Expedia in the past but you can only book schedule flights at 10 months out I believe. Fly-drive with the tour operators are a different matter though.

Let us know if you find a bargain

 

[Halo]

What you could do is have the flights put on hold (normally for 24 or 48hrs but can be extended) and then book the DVC and confirm the flights (or find alternative cheaper ones in the knowledge you have some on hold anyway).

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

We do as Halo does, put the flights on hold, reserve the room then confirm the flights.

Scheduled flights are released at 11 months along with our home booking window so it works out really well.

The US children go back to school mid August so end of August is a quieter time, hopefully you won't have any problems.

Waiting to book our trip for next year at the mo, we'll also be there at the end of August.



Edited due to agent letting me down BIG time so I didn't want to recommend them, USAirtours saved the day for me.

 

[Miffy2003]

Looks like there will be lots of UK DVCers there at the end of August! We will be too

 

[gilld]

We booked our flights about 3 months ago for our trip next September but we can't book our resorts until October. Flights go quickly whereas as long as you're not looking for accommodation at a really busy time, you're pretty sure to get something.

 

[jools]

Hi

We tend to book the flights first then try for the accommodation. However don't panic if the accommodation or part of the accommodation is not available, ask to go on the wait list for it. We have done this in the past and the wait list has come through for us.

jools

 

[Ian.Whiteley]

We booked our fly-drive with Virgin in May (for flights next August) as flights tend to sell out quicker than availability at the DVC resorts. Looks like a busy August at WDW in 2005. Perhaps we ought to hold a convention!!!!!!

 

[marlouwrig]

We also tend to book flights first then worry about accomodation afterwards - especially during school hols.

We will be flying 23rd August with Virgin - staying at BCV for first 10 nights then moving on to RPR