Booking help

[Mickey1982]

Hi all,

I'm new here so apologies if this question is as old as the hills. We (Family of 5 - 2 adults, 3 kids (at time of travel ages will be 13, 9 & 5)) are looking for April/May 17. I have been looking at villas whereby I get everything independently, and when it is compared to Disney Carribean lodge there is only a few hundred pound difference.

I would prefer to just stay on Disney due to the lack of driving required. So I wanted to pick your brains:

• Where do you find the best value for booking?
• when is the best time to book to include free DDP?
• is offsite or on site better?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Tash87]

I have always used Travelcity direct. They are a sister company to Virgin. I found that when booking a package they always seem to be the best value. Disney came up with a good price for a package when I booked but my dates were too far ahead to book flights with them and I'm one of them that has to book flights at same time.

I booked in May to stay onsite in November 2016 and bought park tickets to enable free DDP, since then the price has gone down slightly with TC .

I can't comment If onsite or offsite better as I have always stayed offsite, but I'm guessing and hoping that onsite is in a different league.

 

[wayneg]

Best value can be found anywhere, I have not booked a package though for years, last time I got a quote VH's wanted £12,000, I did it mysef for £6,000. I just book each part of the holiday when I am happy with the price, sometimes its in £'s with UK supplies, sometimes in $'s with US agents.

Doubt there is much point in waiting to book if you want free DDP, offers tend to get worse and limited availability nearer you get.

Onsite vs offsite? You could write a book on it. So many things to take into account. We have enjoyed our stays onsite but just now prefer offsite, although next month we are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek again which is almost onsite its so close, there we can get a 2 bedroom deluxe apartment for £80 compared to a 2 bed at Old Key West for about £400/nt.
There is no right or wrong way to do it.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I've always booked DIY as have always found travel agents too expensive.

Best value can be found anywhere, I have not booked a package though for years, last time I got a quote VH's wanted £12,000, I did it mysef for £6,000. I just book each part of the holiday when I am happy with the price, sometimes its in £'s with UK supplies, sometimes in $'s with US agents.

Doubt there is much point in waiting to book if you want free DDP, offers tend to get worse and limited availability nearer you get.

Onsite vs offsite? You could write a book on it. So many things to take into account. We have enjoyed our stays onsite but just now prefer offsite, although next month we are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek again which is almost onsite its so close, there we can get a 2 bedroom deluxe apartment for £80 compared to a 2 bed at Old Key West for about £400/nt.
There is no right or wrong way to do it.

Agree with this...I have never been able to find a package deal for Florida that comes anywhere near to the price I can do it for myself.

As Wayne said, onsite vs. offsite is a personal choice. For us (couple, late 20s, no kids) we choose not to drive while over there so for us staying onsite makes it easier for us to do this. We also split-stay between Disney and Universal for the same reason.

 

[misspickle]

I usually book through Thomas Cook but this time round I have booked hotel,tickets and dining through Disney going to book flights at a later date

 

[DisneyPayne]

DDP offers are generally between May & October, although I seem to remember a few years ago we booked in April & they had the offer on. You've just got to keep checking & sign up for the Disney newsletter because it tells you on there around a week or so before.

For us (family of 4) we have found it cheaper to book hotel & tickets directly with Disney and then flights separately. We will fly with Virgin and the holiday in total is coming out at around £1500 cheaper doing it separately as opposed to booking a package holiday. However I do appreciate some people prefer to know everything is done in one place for the convenience.

We've looked at villas in the past but for us it works out around the same as staying on Disney. We love Disney and it's so convenient, so for the time being we will continue that way. Obviously in future if the price difference gets a lot bigger then we will rethink how we do it, but for now it works for us.

We don't do any driving while we're away so staying on Disney works for us with the buses and if we go anywhere else we just book a taxi, which picks you up right by your room.

 

[Mickey1982]

• Thanks for you comments guys, really helpful.

think I will sit tight until the flights are announced and then run them again and see if we can get similar to what disneypayne paid

We just can't wait to get back as we've not been since 2008!