Help for Orlando Trip August 2006

[TMM]

Hello,

My husband and I are going to Disney for the first time in January 2006 on our own and will stay on site. However, we are going back in August 2006 with 2 teenagers who will be 14 and my son who will be 3 when we arrive.

My husband does not want to stay onsite for two weeks and would rather rent a house. Plus, we will do more than Disney when we go.

I have been looking at All Star Vacations and flights on Virgin. It just all seems so pricey. I was wondering who everyone books their summer holidays through? Any information would be great.

Our tentative dates are August 14 - 28, 2006. Thank you! Thank you

 

[gilld]

We always use VA for flights as we like using the Clubhouse at Gatwick, we like flying to MCO rather than Sanford and we like being able to book decent flight upgrades BUT it does cost a bit more.

We always stayed onsite regardless of what we did and where we went, so it was obvious to us that buying into DVC was the way to go. We went for 2 1/2 weeks last month, stayed at BCV and GF but only went to the parks on a few days. We went out and about a bit but spent a lot of time relaxing by the pools and then going to nice restaurants. This worked out as a cheap holiday for us because we didn't have to pay for accommodation.

Don't think that staying onsite means you ahve to visit the parks, many don't go into them at all. The convenience of the transport is a big attraction as my husband likes to cut down on some of the driving. To save some money on flights you can either go down the Charter route, or try someone like Expedia.

 

[Goofyish]

We book flights direct with Virgin or fly-drives with Virgin Holidays, but as August is school holiday time prices are at their highest
With teenagers it may be an idea to look a charter flights, their child price ages go higher then scheduled airlines.

You could try Expedia or Travel City Direct or First Choice

To book onsite I would recommend using DreamsUnlimited (DIS travel agents), They provide a great personal service and look after all aspects of your room booking at WDW, and even book your ARs for you

Also, as you are going twice within a year it may be worth looking at an Annual Pass for WDW. The AP gives you loads of discounts of meals and shopping in WDW and may also get you a discount off your WDW accommodation.

 

[Miffy2003]

Tonya, Tim gives you excellent advice above and I have to agree that August flights are very expensive!

I don't think I've got much to add except the Annual Pass may be of benefit. Where are you staying in January and who have you booked with? If you get an Annual Pass you may be able to get a discount on your accommodation.

 

[wee-haggis]

TMM
We have rented a house (villa) four times now and really enjoy the freedom it allows. We can all spread out, each have our own TV and the private pool. The kids love it and they are 13 and 15. Try checking luxury sunshine villas on the web to see some houses. Works out to about $850 per week.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are stuck with August too now as my son is on his school holidays and my wife is a teacher.
The main problem is the price of the fly drive, we always go with Virgin and are paying £849 (adult) next year - which is very expensive.
Hence we go for 3 weeks.

We booked with Virgin Holidays direct, and have also booked a villa independantly.
You do get a lot for your money with a private villa as well as the extra room, freedom which does help when you want to relax more and you do not feel under pressure to rush around every day, there is nothing wrong with a relaxing afternoon by the pool.
The main (only) disadvantage is you have to drive everywhere, although if like us you choose Kissimmee you are only a couple of miles away from supermarkets/restaurants etc.
Sometimes our son is tired out early evening and it can be a little frustrating as there is no entertainment on-site as it were, often find myself going out on my own.
However, that aside they are brilliant.

In terns of crowds you are choosing a good time to go, most of the US schools will have returned by the 14th, we went on the 22nd August this year and the parks were very quiet.
Just be aware it will be very hot and humid though - certainly having a villa would be good though for those times when you choose to relax.

Good luck

 

[TMM]

Hi everyone, thanks for the good advice.

I did buy APs for my husband and me. The discounts for staying onsite are great. We will split our stay between AKL and WL in January. We booked our air via Virgin (doing a fly-drive package) and our air, car and all insurances was just under £800. So you can imagine my surprise when I tried to book the same for all of us in August and the air was more than double for each of us. OUCHEE!

So unfair the British school system - only allowing 6 measly weeks vacation in summer I'm American and as soon as my stepdaughters are finish with their schooling we might head off to America. Then we can vacation for 2-3 months in summer

Any recommendations for villas? We are looking at Windsor Palms now.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

:

Any recommendations for villas? We are looking at Windsor Palms now.

We looked at Windsor Palms but the quotes we received in our opinion were too expensive.
Prefer Indian Creek, next door to WP, where there is a very good choice of newish 4/5 bedroomed homes.

Cumbrian Lakes which is further up the 192 on Poinciana Boulevard is also very nice. Location of IC is slightly better though.

Try: www.villas2000.com or www.vr360homes.co.uk or www.holiday-rentals.com

 

[UKPhil]

Stayed at Windsor Palms at Easter. Very good facilities - gym, shop, pool/snooker, small cinema, swimming pool, tennis, volleyball courts ... my two children (twins aged 12) loved it because they could mix with lots of other kids. They just went off and did their own thing most afternoons leaving my wife and me to relax or use the gym, so we were happy too. If your 14 year olds are good mixers then I'm sure they'll love it and it makes the slightly higher cost of WP worthwhile.

My only gripe was that sometimes the pool area seemed rather crowded and there were not enough tables with shades but then it was one of the busiest times of year when we were there. Actually I did have a second gripe which was a problem with the managing agent - just avoid Lowery's and you'll be fine.

If cost is an issue there are apartments and town houses as well as villas at WP. We had a 3 bed apartment which was more than adequate as we weren't home that much.

The other big advantage of WP is the short distance to the parks. To me that is worth paying extra for.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We looked at WP mainly because there was a clubhouse, sadly no bar though , but like I said earlier we just felt the quotes we were getting were £100 per week more than Indian Creek and the homes were no nicer.

Almost like you are paying extra for the facilities, and to be honest having a fully fenced private pool like we always get I do not think we would use the big pool.