Help to plan trip.

[staceylc]

Hey everyone.

I've been posting on the DLP planning forum but am now trying to convince DH that we NEEED to go to Florida in May.

There's so much information to take in though. I priced up 14 nights through Virgin holidays staying in Coronado Springs with free Disney dining. Travelling will be me, DH & DD (she'll be 3) & it came out at just over £4000. With spending money on top of that it's going to be quite a lot of money.

I also priced up to stay at the All Star Music Resort & that came out at £3500 without the Disney Dining.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of where to start (& also how to convince DH that it's not going to bankrupt us). I know it will be cheaper to book an offsite hotel & hire a car but there's just so many hidden costs.

Thanks
Stacey

 

[wayneg]

Hi Stacey, what were the dates you looked at?
Usually using VH is an expensive way to go, they are quoting we over £8,000 for 3 weeks next Summer, I am hoping to book it for about £5,000.

 

[staceylc]

We're not really fussy with dates but I was looking at May or October next year as I don't want to go in the height of summer. October was coming out more expensive than May. Looked at Thomson too and it was slightly cheaper.

 

[~Piglet~]

Have you priced up the same holiday separately? that might save you some money, especially if you are flexible with your dates. VA have some low fares for May and if you are set on CSR you can get free dining and $150 Disney gift card if you book the hotel and park tickets together.

 

[staceylc]

Or we could just try & get a last minute deal. Just looked for next week on First Choice & we could go to the Disney dolphin for £2500 for 2 weeks. If only I had the money & holiday days off work.

 

[~Piglet~]

If only I had the money & holiday days off work.

Me too!

There are that many options you'll drive yourself mad! maybe write down a couple of your most likely hotels / flight dates / food costings etc and go on from there

 

[wayneg]

As said book it yourself, you can get the same rooms and the same flights far cheaper than booking a package.
Did the package include tickets, did you get far enough to add them?

Just checked Disney.co.uk (you can get 3% cashback via Quidco off these prices)

Old Key West with free regular DDP & 3 x 14 day tix £2,473.50
Coronado Springs free Quick service DDP & 3 x 14 day tix £2,167.60

Then you need to find a bargain with flights.

 

[Mouseketeer1974]

we've recently booked with Jetsave via Thomsons and the price was significantly lower than that quoted by VH - over £1,500 cheaper for exactly the same deal.
maybe worth a look?

i know i could have got the deal cheaper booking directly etc. but as its our first trip for almost 20 years and thinking about ash clouds / hurricanes etc. i wanted the security of booking a package.

 

[wayneg]

we've recently booked with Jetsave via Thomsons and the price was significantly lower than that quoted by VH - over £1,500 cheaper for exactly the same deal.
maybe worth a look?

i know i could have got the deal cheaper booking directly etc. but as its our first trip for almost 20 years and thinking about ash clouds / hurricanes etc. i wanted the security of booking a package.

People on packages last Easter still had hassle getting home. I just rang Delta they they got us on one of the 1st flights back into the UK, the airspace re-opened 1 hour before we landed. Cost me about £600 for hotel, car hire & food as I had inadequate insurance but I saved way more than £600 in the first place, plus we got 3 days extra holiday.
August 2009 cost me about £6k, VH wanted over £12k for same holiday, that would be a serious problem to eat away those kind of savings.
Personally I feel more secure booking everything myself, over the years seen too many people have issues with TA's\Tour Ops. I just like to be in control myself, others prefer to have someone else do it.

 

[Sapper383]

I find virgin to be cheaper if your going at a quieter period. Just looked for 20th Sep 2012...Old Key West is £3599.85, you would then need to add on Disney Tickets which is going to be roughly £700 and then you would get the free dining. A car is also included in that price

Florida isn't a cheap holiday....but we love it and will continue to go back

 

[Sapper383]

Just had a look at Complete Orlando

September 2012, Old Key West, 14 day disney tickets and free dining 2,221...you just then have to book flights