Easter Prices

[Princess Leia]

We have always gone to Disney in July or early August to fit in with the school holidays. This is our fourth trip but the weather was poorer than previous trips. We vowed we wouldn't come in the summer again. I know people who have gone during our school Easter holidays (now set to the first two weeks of April). I have been trying to look into the cost of this. I would look to go April 2015 rather than this Easter. I am only able to compare April 2014 with July 2014 and prices seem quite a bit higher for April. Will this be the case or is it because I am looking closer to the date? I'm hoping some of you will have more experience of booking for this time of year. Thanks

 

[2Tiggies]

Are you looking at flight prices? Is that what you are referring to at the moment? Or is it the package bookings for accommodation with Disney?

Just something to bear in mind, when we did Easter, free dining never covers this period, although thus far it has covered our summer holidays so you need to factor in either paying for food OOP or paying to add the DDP

We did 2 Easters, the last one was in 2009. The weather was beautiful (Easter fell in the middle of the month that year and we were there until the beginning of May).

In terms of weather it has been all over the place lately. Our 'coolest' trip to date has been our September trip last year. And it rained - and rained and rained pretty much every day, some of the days all day! That is not normal for that time of the year. The weather over the last year or so just doesn't seem to be following historic trends so by all means, make an informed decision about time of the year to visit, but try not to get too hung up on the weather. I DO know it can be a downer. It DID cause a bit of chaos with our plans last year because some things just don't happen when there is a downpour or a really big thunderstorm.

 

[janiebubble]

I've been at Easter 4 times now - although bear in mind that has been as early as late March or as late as mid April. I work in a college and our holidays are now set to the first two weeks in April too rather than actual Easter - that has worked to our advantage - in 2011 when Easter was the 20 something of April we went in the first week of April, significantly lower crowds and cheaper flights. Weather has usually been lovely - mid/high 70s at worst, high 80s at best, far far less chance of it being humid. We've had rain but not like I've seen in the summer. My last trip in August was 10 years ago this week - the rain and humidity were a killer for me and I vowed not to go back unless I saw a killer deal! So far I've not found one.

Again the dining plan thing -next year for example - the free dining cut off is 8th April - that's the Tuesday of the first week of the holidays having the two weeks off -and my understanding is as long as you arrive when the promotion is on you get it for the length of your stay. And if you're planning to stay offsite its irrelevant anyway!

Happy planning

 

[Princess Leia]

Thanks that's good to hear. Yes I looked at going out the 5th of April based on 2014 rates and that would mean I would get free dining for the whole stay. It is the flights that are the killer in terms of price. I was just wondering if the flights are comparable if booked longer out or will they always be a lot higher? Thanks

 

[Rach78]

I booked with US Airways a couple of weeks ago flying on the 30th March back the 16th April and paid 1890 for 3 adults and 1 child. Maybe worth having a look. Good flight times and can pre book seats for free.

 

[2Tiggies]

Again the dining plan thing -next year for example - the free dining cut off is 8th April - that's the Tuesday of the first week of the holidays having the two weeks off -and my understanding is as long as you arrive when the promotion is on you get it for the length of your stay. And if you're planning to stay offsite its irrelevant anyway!

Happy planning

I may be wrong or this may have changed, but I am fairly certain that with UK bookings the promotion has to be valid for the entire duration of your stay to be able to take advantage of it. It's different booking through the US site where only your check in day has to fall within the promotional period. I may be wrong, but double check this first

 

[2Tiggies]

I've just run a quote through on the UK site. Free dining for next year ends on 30th November so I ran a quote for 23rd November to 5th December and free dining does not reflect in any of the deluxe or moderate resorts so I think you need to be careful with this.

Of course the DDP may not be a big deal to you in which case it really doesn't matter

 

[scoobydooby]

I may be wrong or this may have changed, but I am fairly certain that with UK bookings the promotion has to be valid for the entire duration of your stay to be able to take advantage of it. It's different booking through the US site where only your check in day has to fall within the promotional period. I may be wrong, but double check this first

This information may be wrong as it is a few years old, but Xmas 2010 we arrived on the last day of the free dining offer but had it for the length of our stay. We were at POR and had paid to upgrade free QS to the regular plan. Do check. They get tighter every year

 

[2Tiggies]

This information may be wrong as it is a few years old, but Xmas 2010 we arrived on the last day of the free dining offer but had it for the length of our stay. We were at POR and had paid to upgrade free QS to the regular plan. Do check. They get tighter every year

That sounds right - I was sure it used to allow you the flexibility that the US bookings still get. I've tried a range of dates now, even checking out one day after free dining ends and it only shows FD as an option with mods and deluxes if I make the check out 30th November or earlier. You're right - Scrooges!!!!!

 

[Princess Leia]

That sounds right - I was sure it used to allow you the flexibility that the US bookings still get. I've tried a range of dates now, even checking out one day after free dining ends and it only shows FD as an option with mods and deluxes if I make the check out 30th November or earlier. You're right - Scrooges!!!!!

I don't know about other dates but the date we would be going gives free dining for the whole period booking through Uk disney. Anyway my question now is more to do with the price of flights for the first two weeks in April. Are they similar cost wise if you were to book them 12 or 11 months out.

 

[2Tiggies]

That's great to know! So free dining issues are no longer issues. Next: flights ..

I don't know. Lately it has been better to book as soon as you can but that's generalising and there are plenty exceptions to the rule. It depends on your airports flexibility on dates, whether you are willing to travel indirect if need be (you are in the same position as us in that you either have to connect at a UK airport or at a US one unless you can get a good price with VA from GLA on your dates). Some of the airline sales have offered some really good deals and we got an amazing price with BA for last year's visit about 9 months out, for around £400 pp from Glasgow via Gatwick

The best you can do is to keep checking, keep an eye on the prices so that you have an idea what you can consider average and what you feel is a bit steep so that you recognise the good deals when they come along. I'm currently searching 5 or more sites at least 4-6 times a day hoping for a decent deal for next June/July. There have to be good deals for my dates because I need them!!