How can Complete Orlando be so much cheaper

[fairytale]

Hiya

I have previously posted on the "Free DDP 2012" thread but wondered what you guys think to this.

We are booked for this coming October - 21 nights SSR free DDP through Disney cost was £5460.00.

Just received a quote from CO for the same period £4900.00, the same also for our August trip 2012

I've therefore just rang Disney direct and explained the situation, I was told they dont price match and that they find it "suspicious" how they are been beaten on price. The lady said that the company (been CO) must be making up the deficit as she is sure they are not able to buy from Disney any cheaper

This then brings me back to my initial thoughts in 2009, are you safe booking with CO if they really are making up the deficit in peoples holidays.

 

[Laurafoster]

Complete Orlando are ATOL Protected so you are as safe with them as any other Tour Operator.

If you've booked and contracted with a licensed tour operator for a complete air holiday package or just a flight, ATOL protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if the tour operator goes out of business. If a licensed firm goes out of business, the CAA can give refunds to people who can’t travel and arrange for people abroad to fly home.

I dont see how Disney can say that they are making up the deficit as they dont know what percentage of Complete Orlandos price is for the rooms. They may have cheaper flights or car hire etc.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Am I right in thinking that you're not protected if you've only booked a hotel/hotel+ticket package via Complete Orlando?

To be honest, it's worrying me slightly to hear about all these cheap quotes. I haven't booked with CO and I don't intend to, despite the good reports. I just feel more secure booking with Disney.

 

[orangetiggs]

co have been cheaper than disney for the last few years, i'm sure its the buying power of complete orlando that can get the deals cheaper than disney maybe

Noone on here has had trouble with them and they are still in business so cant be that bad

 

[fairytale]

Am I right in thinking that you're not protected if you've only booked a hotel/hotel+ticket package via Complete Orlando?

To be honest, it's worrying me slightly to hear about all these cheap quotes. I haven't booked with CO and I don't intend to, despite the good reports. I just feel more secure booking with Disney.

My thoughts exactly but when it starts been over £600.00 cheaper it does make you question should I or shouldnt I

The costs I mentioned by the way were for Hotel only not including flights.

Annette x

 

[disney_princess_85]

My thoughts exactly but when it starts been over £600.00 cheaper it does make you question should I or shouldnt I

Exactly. It's a massive difference! I just can't see how they're managing to stay in business when their prices are so much lower than their competitors.

 

[katiec]

Maybe Dsney are just making more money per booking & CO would rather have a greater turnover but make less on each booking?

Just a thought?

Katie

 

[gemmybear83]

The prices are set via the exchange rate and you never know maybe Disney uk have adjusted their prices in our favor?! Given the lack of Brits going to florida it is in their interest to be competitive. I will be booking direct with Disney uk and using quidco - gives me the peace of mind and I'm sure the prices will then be evened out.

 

[cliveywolves]

We have booked with CO for this year, they were cheaper than anybody else Inc DW direct.
I have heard nothing but praise for CO from on these boards and friends who have booked with them also. From my experience with CO they seem a VERY good professional company !

 

[joolz1910]

I have been told that Disney has made October low season next year and that is why the price appears to have gone down. CO were about £200 cheaper than Disney for the same dates last year - for next year the prices appear to have decreased even more, so it will be interesting to see what Disney's prices are for 2012.

 

[wayneg]

For 3 weeks in Oct a 2 bed villa with CO is £4,935
Disney.co.uk is £5,460 less 3% Quidco = £5,296

Disney pay travel agents a % to sell their holidays, I guess this rate is 15% but it could be as low as 10%. If it is 10% then it looks like they are selling at a loss on the figures above BUT they will make 10% on the tickets and anything else you buy thru them so they will make a profit plus give you a healthy discount.
Disney know they don't need to discount (although they do give cashback now) like myself, I paid the extra for the security of going direct albeit a smaller amount than your figures, I paid £80 extra, relatives £70 extra.
I would consider CO if the savings are enough.
Waiting to see what Direct prices are like for next year

 

[cliveywolves]

Pretty much spot on Wayne, I know a travel agent well I believe Disney pay agents commission on a sliding scale according to the booking cost, 10-15% being the amount.

The way the Market is at the moment they may even be selling the accomadtion at a loss in the hope you'll buy flights, car hire, tickets etc from them too to balance there books and make some £££

 

[ScottishDisMam]

I've booked with CO this year, and so far they've been excellent. They are the same people as attraction tickets direct whom i've bought tickets with many times in the past. I hate threads like this that makes you start to worry about something you were previously very happy with - in fact they can put people off using them.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I hate threads like this that makes you start to worry about something you were previously very happy with - in fact they can put people off using them.

I'm 100% positive that it wasn't Annette's intention to worry anyone. It's perfectly acceptable to voice a concern and to gauge other people's opinions on something. If you're happy with the service you've received from Complete Orlando, then that's great.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Ive seen people talking about Quidco, what is it?

 

[wayneg]

Ive seen people talking about Quidco, what is it?

http://www.quidco.com/
There are others, I use Quidco & Topcashback. Register with one and everything you buy you click thru the cashback site to the site you want to buy from. The cashback site gets a % of the sale which they pass onto you (takes upto 3 months)
I have been using cashback sites for about 6 years now, had almost £3,000 back. Just changed my gas & electric this week via Quidco & Uswitch, got £22 cashback.