HELP!! Differing prices

[kev kendall]

Ok - so we weren't going to go this year!!!

But... looking to book two weeks sometime in August - 2 adults, 2 children - thinking of Animal Kingdom lodge and would like to upgrade flights.

Can anyone tell me why on Virgin are quoting around £6600 and First Choice £4400? Are Virgin just ripping us off?

Are there any others to try?

 

[wifey]

Probably something to do with the flight upgrades but I may be wrong First Choice charge WAY less for their upgrades than Virgin.

 

[Claire L]

Another thing is First Choice are a charter airline but Virgin are a scheduled so this is possibly where the difference in price comes in especially for upgrades.

Claire

 

[UKDEB]

What classes are you comparing? Virgin offers Premium Economy and Upper Class. First Choice offers Star Class and Star Class Premier. Neither of the First Choice options has as much legroom as Virgin PE.

I must admit that the First Choice Star Class Premier looks as though it could give Virgin PE a run for its money. The problem for us, though, is that they only operate on Saturdays and that often doesn't suit us. Virgin is a scheduled airline with two direct flights per day to Orlando. It's easy for us to be flexibile, so we tend to fly during the week when the fares are cheaper.

Virgin's prices tend to fluctuate and I think a 'sale' has just ended. If you keep checking, you may find that the prices come down. That said, the First Choice flights do seem to offer good value for money.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I agree with wifey and Claire.... go through and check EXACTLY what the price includes in each quote - it will probably be the flights (i.e. Virgin flights with Virgin, First Choice flights with a charter).

The Virgin flights will be better, but at the end of the day you pay your monay and take your choice - you may prefer to save the etxra money.

Boo

 

[Claire L]

Also check which type of room they are quoting for.

Claire

 

[wifey]

I totally agree with Claire the rooms quoted can differ considerably!! It's worth considering what you really want from your room before you decide which to ask for in your quote. The room request price difference can be one of the reasons the quotes are so far apart . I have noticed in the Virgin brochure I currently have that a savannah room (views of the animals)have an upgrade price of £48 per room per night where as a water/pool view room is £36 per room per night which soon adds to your costs for 2 weeks Plus there's a weekend flight supplement (fri/sat/sun) £20 per person each way at all times!!Best to check what the latest edition brochures of both Virgin and First Choice state is extra on your costs

 

[kev kendall]

The quotes were made online... both were upgraded to premium economy or star premium and both standard rooms..... i'm not sure..... I wish Disney would do a package including flights!

 

[Claire L]

I know Virgin Holidays gives a breakdown of prices on the final page are you able to show us what it said? Also did FC give a breakdown at the end?

Claire

 

[Boo Boo Too]

The quotes were made online... both were upgraded to premium economy or star premium and both standard rooms..... i'm not sure..... I wish Disney would do a package including flights!

Then it is the flights that are the main difference - Virgin "Premium Economy" (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/whatsonboard/premiumeconomy/index.jsp) is not the same as First Choices "Star Premiere" (http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/info/travelinfo/flying.html). Also Virgin flies into Orlando International, First Choise flies into Sanford.

It is a choice vs money thing.

Boo

 

[carolfoy]

I will add that Virgin are, and probably always will be, the market leaders for Florida but First Choice are pretty much the best charter company, they are leading the way now with the upgraded planes, excellent service, choice of food etc. If First Choice were a lot cheaper I'd go with them, mainly as I prefer Sanford to MCO but I do like Virgins downtown check in.

also First choice may be considerably cheaper because of the recent merger between mytravel and TC - good news all round if a genuine price war will start

 

[OscarsMum]

I had a similar experience with a Virgin quote. We are going in Oct and wanted PE flights and a week at RPR in Universal. I saved over£1000 by booking the flights myself with VA and the hotel direct with Loews! Unbelievable!