Direct with Disney or Virgin Package?

[torsie24]

Hello Again!!

Goofyish was the most helpful person ever to me over on the WDW trip planning forum, so I thought I'd come over here on his recommendation!

I am looking to go to WDW 2009, and have been looking at prices both online (virgin flights and then booking with WDW direct on the US site) or doing it all as a package with Virgin.

Ideally I'd like 8 night at CSR, then 4 at the Hard Rock while we do US and Seaworld, and then a couple at the Poly. But if you do the whole package with virgin it seems a bit complicated. Also, the park tickets seem a lot, considering the hotel looks like it costs about the same as going direct with WDW (and WDW prices include tickets, right?)

Also, going at the beginning of march and may are pretty similar price-wise. What do you think the better time would be? Weather wise, opening times wise, crowd wise etc.

Any help with any of these subjects will be more than appreciated!

Who with and when is the best time to book flights? I having virgin frequent flyer, so would really like to get more miles (then I can upgrade for free when i fly to vegas next year! )

Thank youuuuuu!!!

 

[eeyoreangel1]

Hiya we've just come back having flown out on the 17th may. The weather was hot 95 when we landed 85 at it coolest point but it was quite humid.
The crowds are manageable except memorial day weekend which was really busy, as for opening times disney parks seem to open about 9.00 and close between 9-10 depending on the evening shows and parades.
Hope this helps.

 

[torsie24]

That does help a lot, thank you! :-D

 

[David and Debbie]

As for prices we have booked for the 17 nights next June 13 at WDW and 4 at Clearwater. We booked with Virgin (have a 10% discount card) for the flights, hotels and car hire but are getting the park tickets seperately as we have found a better deal online saving about £30 a ticket.

We did have to phone up to book as online couldn't seem to do the package we wanted.

I am not sure on weather and how crowded it will be as I haven't been in either of those months. I'm sure someone else can help with those.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi we have also just come back and we booked a multi centre with Virgin (quite similar to your plan as we also included HRH - amazing and Poly - great too!! ) - and we will NEVER book through Virgin again!! I knew beforehand that it would end up being alot cheaper doing it directly, but thought I'd go through Virgin because of the great service we had had from them in the past - BIG mistake!! - I'm sure we would have had alot less hassle arranging this independently and although I'd still fly with VA, I'd book directly next time without a doubt.

We found it particularly humid this time, and the lovebugs did get on my nerves a bit but there was very little rain and the crowds were fine (except memorial weekend as someone else said). We went in March a few years ago and had a few quite cold days but the crowds were good (assuming Easter doesn't fall early?? )

happy planning!!

 

[iluvpluto27]

We're doing a multicentre and have booked directly with Disney, 14 nights at AKL with the deluxe dining plan, 4 nights room only then 3 nights at universal. I think this worked out cheaper than booking through virgin, although virgin holidays do tend to offer cheaper flight upgrades then virgin atlantic.

We booked separately last year too and had no issues.

 

[torsie24]

We're doing a multicentre and have booked directly with Disney, 14 nights at AKL with the deluxe dining plan, 4 nights room only then 3 nights at universal. I think this worked out cheaper than booking through virgin, although virgin holidays do tend to offer cheaper flight upgrades then virgin atlantic.

We booked separately last year too and had no issues.

Is it quite easy getting from WDW to US? I won;t be renting a car. Not quite ready for driving on the other side yet!!

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

we have this dilemma to for 2009, we have priced up a flydrive with virgin and then hotel direct with disney and then a complete package with virgin, there is very little difference in the price.I would however never buy park tickets etc through virgin they are always at leats £10more expensive than disney direct!!

 

[pigspacey]

Is it quite easy getting from WDW to US? I won;t be renting a car. Not quite ready for driving on the other side yet!!

We took a cab from Pop Century to Universal last year. Really easy but I dont remember how much it was. Not expensive though I'm sure

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Is it quite easy getting from WDW to US? I won;t be renting a car. Not quite ready for driving on the other side yet!!

If you are going to be staying in a UO hotel when you get there and so only need to trf one way - I think I would probably just get a taxi.

 

[torsie24]

If you are going to be staying in a UO hotel when you get there and so only need to trf one way - I think I would probably just get a taxi.

We are gonna wedge US between CSR and Poly, but I think I read its like $35 for a transfer, not bad at all. Is it easier to get to Seaworld and Discovery Cove from US or WDW?

 

[amystevekai&bump]

We are gonna wedge US between CSR and Poly, but I think I read its like $35 for a transfer, not bad at all. Is it easier to get to Seaworld and Discovery Cove from US or WDW?

Its probably slightly closer to UO and I believe (someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!) that there is a free transfer to Seaworld from the UO hotels (I've certainly read that there is from the portofino anyway!!)

One thing I would say, someone told me (after i'd booked unfortunately!! ) that I should do Universal at the end because once you've had FOTL access staying at a UO hotel, its hard to go back to queuing at Disney - and that is SO true!! - plus because UO is so much more smaller and contained than disney it felt so much more relaxing - could you perhaps finish there?? Just a thought!!

 

[wideeyes]

I have booked a fly drive with Virgin Holidays & booked the hotel with Disney USA.

 

[nibbo]

I would however never buy park tickets etc through virgin they are always at leats £10more expensive than disney direct!!

Not if you get the 10% frequent virgin club discount they aren't. All park tickets get either 5% online booking discount or 10% FVC discount when booking with Virgin Holidays. I'm yet to find anyone to sell the 21 day ultimate ticket for 2009 cheaper than Virgin with my 10% discount bringing it down to £189.

 

[torsie24]

How do you qualify for the 10%? I'm a flying club member...

 

[nibbo]

How do you qualify for the 10%? I'm a flying club member...

You have to be a frequent virgin club member. If you've booked 3 holidays with VH and spent a certain amount of money with them over the last 4 years then you can join. I think it's changed though now and new members can't get 10% discount but get extras for free instead like airport parking etc. The 10% discount is now only for existing members before they changed the club membership.

 

[torsie24]

You have to be a frequent virgin club member. If you've booked 3 holidays with VH and spent a certain amount of money with them over the last 4 years then you can join. I think it's changed though now and new members can't get 10% discount but get extras for free instead like airport parking etc. The 10% discount is now only for existing members before they changed the club membership.

Thank you. I must not have joined in time, although I can get 10% off any holidays booked before July. never mind, another good deal will come up for me, I'm sure!

 

[wideeyes]

You don't need to be a member of frequent virgin club to get 10% off.

You can also get 10% of VH by being a member of Virgin flying club, you just have to give your member number when you book.

 

[torsie24]

You don't need to be a member of frequent virgin club to get 10% off.

You can also get 10% of VH by being a member of Virgin flying club, you just have to give your member number when you book.

Awesome! Thank you!!

I still think doing hotel direct makes it cheaper!!

 

[wideeyes]

Awesome! Thank you!!

I still think doing hotel direct makes it cheaper!!

I booked a VH flydrive and got 10% off and have booked my hotel direct. It still might be cheaper to book flights with VA, however it is worth checking both options.