February 2005

[Mickey2005]

As veterans of the paris resort - 5 times this year we finally decided to take the plunge and go to florida with our two young children 4 & 1.

As my dates had to be 5-19th (Due to school holidays) I had great trouble obtaining a direct flight and ended up paying 2000 for 14 nights (2 adults, 1 child, 1 Infant) at the courtyard by Marriott lake buena vista.

In the end though we booked with first choice as although when we visit paris as ap holders we usually take the ferry and stay at the reasonably priced holiday inn, we felt it best to have a complete package for the first visit and direct flights especially with an infant.

I would be grateful if anyone could answer a couple of questions for me

1. Does this seem a fair price for direct flights / accom / transfers etc

2. Has anyone stayed at the courtyard - Good / Poor choice ??

3. Has anyone been with first choice - What are their planes like
/what is flight entertainment like and what is their on resort service to guests like???

Many Thanks for any replies

 

[allie5]

Hello Mickey2005.

That price is pretty good, so stop worrying!! October is becoming increasingly popular and prices are creeping up, so I would say that wasnt a bad deal at all. First Choice have been getting some good reviews as they have recently got new aircraft with seatback TVs etc. It is one of the vastly better charter operators out there. To find more info on this specific subject, do a search for " First Choice" on the UK trip planning forum (where we are now) and you should get more answers.

I believe that the Courtyard by Marriott has had a name change recently and has become the Holiday Inn In The Walt Disney World Resort. If this is the hotel I am thinking of then it is an excellent choice, very close to Downtown Disney. Ive never stayed there myself, but it always LOOKS very nice!!

Sorry I cant help with first hand information...maybe do a couple of new posts with either "First Choice Opinions" or "Courtyard By Marriott". Im sure there will be someone who can help you a bit more!

Allie

PS: Here is the Virgin link to the Holiday Inn WDW / Courtyard By Marriott...looks very good to me!

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/flo...lt_disney_world_resort_lake_buena_vista.shtml

 

[Bexx]

Can't answer much of your questions, except to say it seems like you've got a very reasonable price for your package, and does this look like the hotel your staying at?!

My main reason for posting is just to say that we are also travelling on Feb 5th (returning 17th) with two children aged 1 and 4!!! Hope the weather is good for all of us!!!

 

[Mickey2005]

Thank you for all your kind replies

The courtyard I am staying at is still a marriott property but it is at the marriott village just over the interstate from the one that has become the holiday inn.

From the pictures it looks pretty swanky but pictures can be misleading.

I will take your advice Allie and post a couple of threads on

1) First choice flights - Any views / experiences and
2) Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Village - The same questions

Bexx - Uncanny similarities lol - I too hope that the weather is pleasant although part of the reason for our trip in feb is that my partner does not like excessive heat so at home the views are at polar opposites

 

[annette_tr9]

we are going feb 2005, that price seems quite good. We have booked our flights through first choice (flying with virgin) and they have been very helpful, would definately recommend them!

 

[Scotfan]

We follow you out on the 9th. We have been that time of year a few times now. I reckon £2000 is pretty good. The Courtyard looks nice from outside, we have driven past many times, also has the advantage of being able to walk to Bahama Breeze (great cocktails) and Golden Corral for brekkie. Also near the Premium Outlets.
We will be just down the road at Vistana.