Disney DIY

[martinrmn]

We normally fly with Virgin using Tesco vouchers. Despite it being a good deal I have read other people DIY the whole holiday. We are hoping to travel in May 2012, normally we go November/December. Anyone got tips on DIY bookings for a twin centre break on I Drive and Wilderness Lodge with a car for 2 adults and a child?

 

[wayneg]

I always suggest start looking for flights as soon as they are released and keep checking every day until you see a price you are happy with but that would have been in June so a bit late now.
1st thing to do is decide dates, are you flexible?
Do you want direct only or willing to fly indirect?
What airports? do you have a set route or willing to fly to Miami, Tampa etc.

Helps if you know roughly what you want and how flexible, post best price you can find yourself, compare with how much it would cost for a package then we can try help and find anything better.

 

[General Panic]

I DIY all my Disney holidays. As Wayne says i start with the flights with which ever airlines if offering the best deal at the time.

I book my Disney Hotel via Disney Holidays in the UK and my Universal Hotel via Lowes reservations in Orlando.

I don't drive , hence me staying on site and both Disney and Universal so no tips on that , apart from do you need a car?

 

[WiganTony]

Have a look at the flight websites (Kayak, Netflights and the airline' own websites) for prices. Have just done a quick search on Kayak for 2 weeks in May, and direct flights from London to Orlando ranging from £518 to £585.

If you book with Disney before end of this month, you can get free Dining Plan at Wilderness Lodge. However, just to note that quite a few people have experienced problems in activating Disney tickets if bought as part of a hotel/ticket package and planning to use them the week before they arrive at Disney.

If you plan on taking advantage of free DDP by using a Disney hotel/ticket package, suggest it may be worth doing Wilderness Lodge first week then I-Drive second week to avoid ticket problems.

 

[martinrmn]

We are fairly flexible in May and would be looking at 8 nights I drive and 6 nights Wilderness Lodge. We always have a car as it is so much easier to get around for shopping etc. There will be 3 of us, 2 adults and 1 child.

 

[General Panic]

We are fairly flexible in May and would be looking at 8 nights I drive and 6 nights Wilderness Lodge. We always have a car as it is so much easier to get around for shopping etc. There will be 3 of us, 2 adults and 1 child.

Do you have a budget in mind? , your kid under 12 , standard of accomodation down I-Drive?

Had a quick look and got a figure of around £4000. Virgin flights ex Gatwick 15th may for 14 nights.
Hertz car with all tax and insurance prepaid.
8 nights in Days Inn Orlando at Universal.
6 nights in Wilderness Lodge with Disney passes, and Dining plan.

Hotel down Intl Drive will vary the cost depending on what you opt for of course. Never stayed down i-drive so not sure whats good there and what to avoid.

The Disney offer just now gives you a 14 day pass for the price of 7 but not sure as someone else mentioned how this works if you stay somewhere else first..

 

[Mr Stoat]

If you are staying at your Disney resort for the first part of your holiday then you should be able to use the Magical Express from Orlando International to the hotel. Just remember they do not operate to Sanford. This would allow you to pick up your car later when you actualy need it rather than collecting on arrival. We did this last trip and collected an Alamo car at the Swan / Dolphin a few days after we arrived and returned it to the airport.

 

[martinrmn]

Thanks everyone. I will be keeping an eye out for the various deals. I looked at Rosen Inn Pointe Orlando, then Wilderness Lodge, Alamo or Dollar with Virgin and had about £4000/500. That included tickets and dining plan. Seems like a good deal.

 

[Mr Stoat]

Wilderness is a nice place to stay, we spent a week there 2 years ago. Even the fast food service restaurant is good, the sandwiches at lunch time are made to order and very good, one of the best deals in Disney as they are enormous. The boat ride to MK is always a nice way to travel, very relaxing. It is worth checking out the foyer at the DVC side of the hotel, very nicely themed, and the main reception area is just stunning. Keep an eye open for the semi tame rabbits that roam the grounds.

Alamo were very efficient when we hired in October, very slick drop off at the airport. We had a Kia Sorento for 2 weeks which we used to store excess luggage while we were on our cruise!