fly drive v package

[missingthemagic]

Hi guys. we have just added our newest addition to the family so obviously its wdw planning time again. after our 3 previous visits we are looking to book a fly drive through virgin and then book hotel online(disney wilderness lodge,animal kingdom lodge or poly ) . or just book package as before but would like to know what you guys recommend.look forward to hearing from you.
dan

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Up until this trip (my 7th), we've always booked a package with Virgin Hols, but have booked the Universal and Disney hotels separately (we always only stay a week in Orlando then another couple of weeks at different beaches). We've booked into the Sheraton Safari for the week (with Virgin) since it's a good price for a reasonable hotel, and then I've booked Disney AKL or Poly with Dreams Unlimited, and Hard Rock Hotel direct with Universal. I know it's probably worked out more expensive this way, but that's been the simplest way for me to sort it out.

However, this year we've booked a fly-drive with Virgin Hols, then booked a friend's apartment down at Fort Myers for just under two weeks, then a private Villa in Orlando for the last week. I've found the whole d-i-y thing really quite easy, but it's taken a long time to source all the different sites for villas, there are so many out there

Good luck with the planning and congratulations on the newest member of your family

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We always book our flight and car seperately. i.e. not a fy drive but flight and car from different sources
Why not cost that up?

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

We normally book either a flydrive or flight-only plus car hire, then book our accommodation directly (either villa or a Disney hotel). We always compare these prices with packaged holidays from the big tour operators, and although we normally end up spending about the same amount of money as we would with a package I've always felt that we get better value for money (eg better grade of hotel, annual passes rather than hopper tickets, etc). However, I don't think that any one particular way of booking your holiday is always guaranteed to be the best - I think it is sensible to get quotes for all the different ways of booking, then decide which is best for you.

Regards

Rob

 

[disney13]

Another vote for booking flights and hotels seperately. We used to book packages but found that we could save quite a bit by doing it all ourselves.

Andy

 

[missingthemagic]

Thanks guys, that has helped quite a bit. just one more question though, what site or companies do you recommend booking hotels from. Bearing in mind we are primarily looking for disney hotels.
dan

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Can't beat Dreams Unlimited (DU) in my view. They are extremely helpful, usually get reasonable quotes for your rooms and book all your ADRs

If you want to book Swan/Dolphin, they get some really good deals for military and educational staff - and do some good DIS rates at times too

Check-out the DIS home page - the DU link is there.