Getting Great Value

[littleacceb]

Hi, everybody!

I've experimented with a couple of different methods of booking trips to WDW and would love to hear about your experiences. We like to stay onsite and as DH is a giant, we like to fly a premium economy-equivalent.

What method of booking have you found to be the best value? Here are the options as far as I see, but I'd be glad to hear any that I've missed.

1. Package through a UK travel company (if so, please specify which)
2. Package through Disney
3. American Travel Agent + book flights directly
4. Rent points + book flights directly
5. Resort through Disney + book flights directly

Thanks

 

[StarWarsJez]

We've done it lots and lots of times and have always found DIY to be cheaper and better - although 'better' is of course just about opinion.

We use various search engines to get the best price and then book a villa through one of the well known rental sites (like villarentals). I think it's because we've been able to doit so cheap that we've been able to go back so often.

The biggest impact on cost though is WHEN you go. Like many were restricted in the main to July and Aug, but if you can avoid these months you can save 50% on flights etc.

 

[MrRomance]

Hi, everybody!

I've experimented with a couple of different methods of booking trips to WDW and would love to hear about your experiences. We like to stay onsite and as DH is a giant, we like to fly a premium economy-equivalent.

What method of booking have you found to be the best value? Here are the options as far as I see, but I'd be glad to hear any that I've missed.

1. Package through a UK travel company (if so, please specify which)
2. Package through Disney
3. American Travel Agent + book flights directly
4. Rent points + book flights directly
5. Resort through Disney + book flights directly

Thanks

Those are your basic options but each has it's pros and cons.

We have to fly Premium Economy too (I am not a giant, just slightly disabled) and to be honest, the P.E. flights are a killer in terms of price. Other than renting points, we've done it every other way on the list. We have found that it works best for us by booking the hotel/tickets through WDTC (with free dining and gift card) when the deals are first released. Our hotel package was booked during the first wave of offers in June last year. For flights and car, we sometimes book fly drive, but we usually book those individually too. This year, we book a fly drive, PE with BA during their sale in December. We have paid less this year than we did last year!

 

[Minniesgal]

We have found the best value in PE flights is to buy them literally the day they come available. The upgrade for the return part was something like £29 per person that day and up to over £250 a week later.

For us the best value in accomodation has been buying DVC points and staying in a villa every other year.

 

[wilma-bride]

Doing DVC owners, we never book packages now. We prefer the flexibility of being able to book (and change) everything ourselves. The only time I use a Travel Agent now is when booking a Disney cruise (we always use Dreams Unlimited).

 

[MickeyHammer]

We always used Virgin Holidays in the past however their pricing is way out these days and their ownership of TCD made their pricing high too. Last time we did DIY but stayed offsite, this time we have used Charter Travel and found them competitive and helpful. Their price was cheaper than WDTC and they gave us more flexibility on flights when the 11 month window opened - choice of operators rather than being tied to one and date changes with no cost or package implication with Disney. Our flights are direct from London as we have young children and don't feel ready to go in-direct with them!

 

[1andrea]

Before becoming DVC members we booked via Virgin Holidays, but since DVC we've booked flights usually with Virgin. This year the prices were too high in the summer holidays, so it's our first time flying indirect to Florida with United Airlines.

We booked our flights via Expedia. I usually book my airport hotel and car hire through Expedia and via Quidco for cashback.