Direct flights

[TinkerbellW]

I've not done this year's trip yet but my thoughts are turning to next year

Previously I've booked the whole package through Virgin as it was more straightforward to do that but after the hassle I've been having with them I'm going to book direct with disney.

I want a direct flight into mco,from Manchester ideally, which limits me a little so
My question is this...do I book as soon as flights are available, wait for sales or just keep watching the prices?
We are looking to go last 2 weeks of August 2016.

 

[mickeycharles]

Usually it's more expensive to book as soon as the flight prices are released. Skyscanner says that US flights are cheaper around 22 weeks before departure, some people would otherwise say its about 8 months before departure, and you can set up a price alert on their website (once the flights are available). Sometimes it is worth checking US websites like orbitz to see if it could be cheaper. The important thing I guess is to set a - reasonable - target price, and once you are happy with the price, book. Usually £400-500pp is a good price from London, am not sure about Manchester.
I think the airlines lower their prices if they haven't quite had the demand for seats their were expecting, in relation to the time of year, but am sure its more complicated than that and there are some other factors.
Can anyone offer some advice on good prices from Manchester?

 

[scoobydooby]

I have been watching August flight prices from Manchester to Orlando for months for this year. I booked ages ago but really they haven't fluctuated much at all for my dates. Not any big jumps for sure. I'm booked from 1st to the 18th.

 

[micksn]

You'd be very lucky to get them for that price in August. Much nearer to £1000 pp. Thomas Cook have their's on their website for next August already at about £900 pp. Virgin etc will release at 11 months before travel.

 

[mickeycharles]

(Sorry, the £400-500 is based on May / September)

 

[Elise79]

For school holidays a couple of days after release is probably going to be the cheapest if you want direct. Your choices will be VA or TC. I believe TC are on sale already. VA will be 11months from return date.

Indirect you could wait and find a deal - same for term time.

 

[TinkerbellW]

I've just done a search on TC and the flights seem much cheaper than virgin, is there a catch?
Anyone like to give me some input on flying experience with TC, only ever flown virgin to mco.

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

Understand your desire to fly direct but I wouldn't rule out going via Dublin with Aer Lingus if you can get a good price on flights.
We did it last year & cleared customs & immigration in Dublin, so we arrived into MCO as domestic passengers which more than made up for the early morning connecting flight to Dublin from London.

 

[micksn]

I've flown with TC twice from Manchester, but never with Virgin so can't compare. TC were on time both times, seats were ok with reasonable leg room. Seat back monitors with small choice of TV and film, you can pay a bit extra to upgrade, meals were typical airline food. I've noticed the price now includes 23kg baggage, food and seat choice (this used to be extra). Now that they fly into Orlando and not Sanford it was great being able to use Magical Express. Virgin may have more luxories, but I wouldn't consider paying their prices.

 

[Elise79]

For me it is the times of their flights plus they don't fly every day year round like VA.

They arrive at MCO at 14.35 which by the time you clear immigration and get to the resort it will be around 4pm which means you have lost most of the day anyway. You may get a couple of hours park time but with the time difference you get so tired you can't enjoy it. Then coming home the flight departs at 17.05 which means you need to be back to MCO by 14.30 which means leaving Disney at 13.30 - again wasting a day. We always get the the late VA flights out and can be in a park till 4pm so it feels like you get a whole day

It doesn't bother some people but I like to maximise our time in Florida and losing 2 days for me in a no go!

 

[scoobydooby]

The Manchester Virgin flights arrive in MCO later than the London ones do and I am pretty sure about an hour later than the TC one from Manhester. They fly from the UK at about half eleven and half one (pm). You can get a good 8.35pm return flight though which means you can stay in the parks until 5pm

 

[ducky100]

Exactly what we were thinking of doing. Seems like the MDE works more effectively direct with disney. Still virgin suggest our booking reference should be enough to link park tickets and I'm not convinced!!! Is it it cheaper splitting it across disney and BA / VA in general?

 

[Richard Bowness]

We are new to this forum and are looking at booking flights to Orlando from Manchester, we have never been to florida or Disney but want to surprise the kids and are looking to go between Halloween and Guy Fawkes night, any advice on the best value flights and how to get the cheapest deals on park tickets would be most welcome. Thanks in advance

 

[Elise79]

Exactly what we were thinking of doing. Seems like the MDE works more effectively direct with disney. Still virgin suggest our booking reference should be enough to link park tickets and I'm not convinced!!! Is it it cheaper splitting it across disney and BA / VA in general?

Booking accommodation and flights seperate is almost always cheaper than booking a VH package.

You can add flights onto a Disney booking for usually only a few pounds more than buying the flights direct with the airline and this way you get to pay a deposit only rather than in full at time of booking.

We are new to this forum and are looking at booking flights to Orlando from Manchester, we have never been to florida or Disney but want to surprise the kids and are looking to go between Halloween and Guy Fawkes night, any advice on the best value flights and how to get the cheapest deals on park tickets would be most welcome. Thanks in advance

Are you looking for 2015 or 2016? This makes a big difference to the advice

 

[Kim91]

Hi Guys!

Apparently the best month to book flights are this month-April! Received an email for Virgin about there sales recently!

However I really recommend booking through Ocean Florida, as they have always quoted at a lesser price then anyone else I've been through! Contact Lauren or get them to call you! http://www.ocean-florida.co.uk/

I have booked my last few holidays and recently just flights with Virgin Atlantic through Ocean Florida plus you only have to pay a small deposit, not like going directly through Virgin and paying the total bill there and then! They also do car hire if you wish!