Help with planning Florida holiday

[Julia24]

Hi, i am new here and hoping some of you guys can advise me, we have been to Florida before and booked a package holiday through Virgin, we are looking to go again either november/december 2011 or january/february 2012, i know it's a long way off but we like to book early so we can budget and save etc.
When is best to think about booking and what is the best way to book at the moment? package holiday or book it all seperately? Any advice would be great as it's been a couple of years since we have been. We don't want to go over xmas, we prefer it when it's a bit quieter.
Thank you all in advance.

 

[scotlass]

Hi, i am new here and hoping some of you guys can advise me, we have been to Florida before and booked a package holiday through Virgin, we are looking to go again either november/december 2011 or january/february 2012, i know it's a long way off but we like to book early so we can budget and save etc.
When is best to think about booking and what is the best way to book at the moment? package holiday or book it all seperately? Any advice would be great as it's been a couple of years since we have been. We don't want to go over xmas, we prefer it when it's a bit quieter.
Thank you all in advance.

Hi and welcome....

We have gone twice the first 2 weeks of december and it is the best time.
The christmas feel is in full swing,the temps are good and it is QUIET !!


We booked our up comin trip ( 2 sleeps ) DIY and it was so much cheaper than a package.

There are guys here who can help you more but my big imput is very much if you can go the dates I said do it...

 

[Julia24]

Thank you, is it too early to book for those dates next year? And do you mind me asking who you booked flights, hotel and car through? I think i could be spending quite a bit of time on here

 

[Julia Ann]

Welcome name sake

2 weeks beginning of dec sound fantastic but after xmas would also be nice as there is always that down feeling after xmas ....for me anyway. I usually book our trips 12 months in advance and have always booked package so i can't advise you on separates i'm afraid - enjoy the planning

 

[dixonsontour]

We've been 1st two weeks of December twice and it is a magical time to go - all xmas stuff up and lower crowds.

Where to start?

I'd recommend a book called Brit's guide to orlando by simon and susan veness. Usually cheap off amazon. Great for first time travellers.

I'd get some brochures to have a guage of prices and see what you like the look of. Options are stay onsite at disney, hotel offsite or villa.

How many peiople are travelluing, whether you want to drive or not will influence your choice eg if you don't want to drive a villa is not a practical option.

Anymore questions please ask - everyone is really helpful here.

 

[Julia24]

When do they take the xmas decs down? We could go in january but not the first week or 2. However our DS's birthday is the 1st feb so i'm thinking if we go the end of january, maybe go a bit later again and be there for his birthday, we did this time of year a few years ago though and it was quite cold!!
Who do you book package holiday through Julia? We have only used virgin before, had a quick look at prices, looks a lot dearer than when we went last time!!
There are 4 of us going, myself, DH, DD (she will be 12), DS (he will be 7), we have been before and will have a car so travelling isn't a problem.

 

[Julia Ann]

yeah we booked mainly with Virgin but has been 4yrs since we've been so i believe the prices may have increased - but i usually keep an eye on the brochure and i haven't noticed that much of a change. I agree a Brits Guide book will be helpful too.

 

[UKDEB]

Welcome to the DISboards, Julia24.

We haven't booked a package since our second trip and, whilst I believe DIY offers much greater flexibility, as well as significant savings, packages do provide a greater level of protection should a company fail. In the current climate, that's not to be underestimated.

With a scheduled airline, you can't book flights earlier than 333 days ahead of your homebound flight, unless you book a fly-drive. (Because a fly-drive is a package, tour operators, including Virgin Holidays, offer them at the same time as their full holiday packages). You could book accommodation immediately, but I'd recommend waiting until you've booked flights. The more flexible you can be over dates, the more likely you are to get a good price. A day or two can often make a significant difference.

We've been once in November, twice in December (not over Christmas) and three times in January. They all have their advantages. In November, there's the International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, which is categorically our favourite thing at WDW, and the first of the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas parties. During the first three weeks of December, you get the Christmas hoopla without the manic crowds (this is also true of the second half of November). There's nothing like a trip in January to beat the post-Christmas blues, but the first week is still surprisingly busy these days and the decorations come down at the end of that week.

 

[Julia24]

Thanks everyone, i am now armed with brochures so will have a look through and go online see if i can get some prices.
Has anyone flown from Bristol to Sanford with First Choice?