Booking our trip questions

[aristocatz]

Hi all,

We are trying to see if we can afford to take our kids to WDW next year. We have not been in several years. We typically go through our TA & will do so this time as well, but we are just trying to do a little research to see if we can afford it.

This will be our first vacation with two kids: DD1 will be 4 years old at the time of the trip. DD2 will be 2 years old.

This will also be our first vacation where I do not have to rely on only going during expensive school vacation times (new job). We were looking into mid to late January/early February time of year.

This will also be the first year we are considering a Value resort. We are looking into Art of Animation-standard room (not a suite).

We are also considering the Quick Service dining plan & just paying for one character meal out of pocket.

I just went to the website & it would not allow me to price rooms that far in advance (only let me price up to December 31). I just randomly checked the first week in December, since I think prices are somewhat comparable to mid January.(?)

Anyways, the total cost of a 5 night (6 day) trip to a standard room AoA, base tickets, QSDP, AND airline tickets came to $3590......doesn't that seem strangely inexpensive? I've never booked Value or QS dining (we typically do moderate with regular DDP), but could it really be that chip WITH airfare??? I'm thinking maybe I did something wrong?

Thanks!!

 

[dislovefrommn]

Sounds right to me! We did a short trip in Feb for our family of 4. 3 nights in AoA standard room, 2 day base tickets, quick service meals paying out of pocket, and airfare for about 2500. Your trip seems like a reasonable price step up from ours!

 

[mom2rtk]

My friend was pricing rooms for this fall and we were both shocked at the price at AoA, even for a standard LM room.

For comparison sake, try pricing a different value resort.

 

[aristocatz]

Thank you!! This is so encouraging that we might actually be able to afford this!!!!! I assumed the airfare would send us over the edge!!!!

Is it worth booking airfare through WDW? Or could I expect lower prices booking myself?

 

[TellTheHubbyLater]

http://www.mousesavers.com/2016-disney-world-room-rates-season-dates/

Maybe make sure you are going during a value week and maybe another resort? Maybe reconsider doing DP?

 

[aristocatz]

http://www.mousesavers.com/2016-disney-world-room-rates-season-dates/

Maybe make sure you are going during a value week and maybe another resort? Maybe reconsider doing DP?

Thank you-I will check out that link! We definitely want to do the DDP-for us, its worth the peace of mind to be able to pre-budget the dining & not have to worry about it when we are there.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you!! This is so encouraging that we might actually be able to afford this!!!!! I assumed the airfare would send us over the edge!!!!

Is it worth booking airfare through WDW? Or could I expect lower prices booking myself?

I would not book air through WDW. They tend to have terms and conditions that are stricter than the airlines. You are better off price shopping airfare on your own.

 

[Sparkly]

My friend was pricing rooms for this fall and we were both shocked at the price at AoA, even for a standard LM room.

For comparison sake, try pricing a different value resort.

If you're after AoA, book Pop. You cannot swim in AoA's pools, but there's nothing to stop you from wandering over the bridge and having a wander around or eating at their food court. I wandered over to Pop from AoA to do exactly that.

 

[BlueFairy]

Even reputable TA's will tell you to book airfare separate, preferably direct with your chosen airline. WDW is never cheaper and can result in some serious hassle.

 

[BlueFairy]

Also, a great site for getting exact pricing and adding it up on your own is mousesavers.com. All the prices listed will be for 2016, but you can see how the room rates vary week by week and help choose your best dates now. 2017 pricing isn't out yet.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Booking resort and Airline seperate not only saves money in my experience but also flexibility just in case you need to change something you remain in control.

 

[javaman]

Thank you!! This is so encouraging that we might actually be able to afford this!!!!! I assumed the airfare would send us over the edge!!!!

Is it worth booking airfare through WDW? Or could I expect lower prices booking myself?

I can't speak for booking through WDW but, I've always had good luck with the Southwest's Low Fare Calendar, https://www.southwest.com/flight/shortcut/low-fare-search.html?clk=GSUBNAV-AIR-LFCLNDR
most often after I've decided when I want to go to WDW I'll look at the Southwest Low Fare Calendar and see which days the best deals are on. I'll book my WDW vacation based on when my airfare cost the least. If your somewhat flexible and book a good amount of time in advance it works pretty good.
you could get a quote from WDW on airfare then compare?

 

[aristocatz]

I can't speak for booking through WDW but, I've always had good luck with the Southwest's Low Fare Calendar, https://www.southwest.com/flight/shortcut/low-fare-search.html?clk=GSUBNAV-AIR-LFCLNDR
most often after I've decided when I want to go to WDW I'll look at the Southwest Low Fare Calendar and see which days the best deals are on. I'll book my WDW vacation based on when my airfare cost the least. If your somewhat flexible and book a good amount of time in advance it works pretty good.
you could get a quote from WDW on airfare then compare?

Thanks! With a new job I am starting in a few weeks, I will have alot of flexibility with travel dates, but I will need to book well in advance.

 

[mshanson3121]

Hi all,

We are trying to see if we can afford to take our kids to WDW next year. We have not been in several years. We typically go through our TA & will do so this time as well, but we are just trying to do a little research to see if we can afford it.

This will be our first vacation with two kids: DD1 will be 4 years old at the time of the trip. DD2 will be 2 years old.

This will also be our first vacation where I do not have to rely on only going during expensive school vacation times (new job). We were looking into mid to late January/early February time of year.

This will also be the first year we are considering a Value resort. We are looking into Art of Animation-standard room (not a suite).

We are also considering the Quick Service dining plan & just paying for one character meal out of pocket.

I just went to the website & it would not allow me to price rooms that far in advance (only let me price up to December 31). I just randomly checked the first week in December, since I think prices are somewhat comparable to mid January.(?)

Anyways, the total cost of a 5 night (6 day) trip to a standard room AoA, base tickets, QSDP, AND airline tickets came to $3590......doesn't that seem strangely inexpensive? I've never booked Value or QS dining (we typically do moderate with regular DDP), but could it really be that chip WITH airfare??? I'm thinking maybe I did something wrong?

Thanks!!

I'm guessing you can probably save even more money by skipping the TA. Honestly, booking direct through Disney makes it SO easy, there's really no need for a TA.
And the price seems right to me, when you consider your 2 year old is free. That said - I agree with the others, book your airfare separate, it'll save you money - just make sure you fly into Orlando, not Sanford - Magical Express doesn't go to Sanford airport.

 

[BlueFairy]

TA's do not charge commission to the client. Travel providers like WDW, cruise lines, and the like pay commission to the TA from their profit. The price is the same to you whether you book through WDW or a TA.