First time-help!!

[tonijo]

Hi Everyone,
i was hoping for some help in organising next years holiday to America,and i would appreciate any tips/advice.
I was hoping to go from Manchester,flying with my Hubby and 2 children aged 13 and 7(preferably without stops).
We have been to DLP before but never Florida,so don't really know the best way to start.I have just been into the travel agents today to get an idea of price staying at the 'pop century resort'and without tickets or a car i was quoted 5,820!,yet when i priced the hotel with tickets from Disney that was 1,800 and flights were roughly 2-3000...a big difference between holiday cost..is this right,is it far cheaper to organise the trip yourself?and if so are there any times/periods when companies do cheap flight sales? Also when is the best time to book...early or later??
Finally any views on resort/hotels would be appreciated,as if we don't go next year i don't think we ever will,and i wouldn't want that!!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

the quote from the agent sounds high to me, but there are experts on this board who will be able to better advise you..

however, there is some information that will help them answer, most importantly, is there a particular time of year you prefer to go?
and for how long (2 weeks? 3 weeks?).

in my experience, the best deals can be had during free dining (deals that can be purchased online from disney.uk)...
but that would depend if they're still available for this year and if you can go at that time..

during free dining, you can actually stay at the Old Key West resort for the same amount as at pop century ..
but i'm not sure if that deal is still available or not..

check the disney.uk website for the end of August...

oh wait a minute - i just re-read your post - do you mean for 2011? or 2010?
i'm a bit slow - i forgot that 'next year' is 2011...

 

[torsie24]

Here are a few tips from me.

1 – Buy the Brit Guide to Orlando – it’ll really give you a great idea about everything on offer, as it can be very easy to be overwhelmed when you first look at WDW compared to DLRP!

2 – Book DIY!

3 - Flights are released 11 months in advance. This is generally the best time to get them.

4 – Stay on site! Booking direct with Disney.co.uk has been the best bet recently but I do check on the American site too.

5 – Once you’ve read Brits Guide and are up to speed on the parks/attractions/resorts check out some trip reports and dining reports on the DIS, they really help in planning and learning more.

6 – Ask us! Between the DISers there are very few (if any) answers we don’t know!

7 – Have an awesome trip! (And the one after that, and the next one....)

 

[disneyholic family]

oh yes, i definitely agree with all of the advice above, especially about reading the Brit's guide...one of the best guides to orlando for anyone (brit or not) and i think essential reading for any Brit considering a trip to orlando...

 

[wayneg]

If having a car we prefer just offsite rather than a value resort onsite, Lake Beuna Vista area, we are all different, we don't like the value resorts.. Saying that if you go July thru Nov they do great deals onsite with free dining (moderate or Deluxe)
Just looked on Virgin Holidays for you for 2 weeks at Pop next August £4483.20, is it 2 weeks you want? £5,800 is crazy if its only 2 weeks.
We do DIY but its not easy with current flight prices.

 

[Curious Yellow]

Spend time on the interwebs looking at prices for packages but also if you find a decent one ring up the same company and ask what they can do for you. sometimes they can give you added extras or a better deal.

Use these boards as much as possible, thats what theyre for!

Hotel - if its your first time stay on Disney property! It will make your time here sooo much more managable and much more exciting as you get the FULL experience!

Cheapest and most fun hotels are POP Century and the All Star Sports/Music/Movies

and DONT think WDW is like DLP ....its a whole WOLRD! take your time to figure out planning it

 

[tonijo]

Thanks everyone for your help..i will definately DIY,at £5,800 before tickets i was beginning to wonder if we could really afford it,but i feel alot happier now!
No doubt there will be many more questions before i go!!

 

[WiganTony]

DIY can be a lot cheaper - this August we have flights, overnight hotel at Heathrow and parking, car hire, 4 nights Universal RPR, 12 nights Disney OKW, 7 day Disney and 7 day Universal tickets, 2 day Seaworld tickets and insurance for around £4,300 (2 adults and 12 year old child).

That said, last Easter we booked from the Virgin Holidays preview brochure and got a good deal for the Easter fortnight, so it pays to check both ways.

What I would suggest is that you get flights first - everything else can be done around the dates of your flights then. Generally for scheduled flights, prices are available at 330 days from travel (so from your return date), so make a note in your calendar for later this year!! If you visit the Kayak website, you can set up e-mail reminders with updated flight prices.

Also, sign up for news/offers from the various airlines flying from Manchester (Continental, US Airways, Delta and American Airlines) and do consider indirect - it can be a lot cheaper.