How do I begin to plan and book for 2007?

[lisagirlyUK]

We went to Florida in 2004 and did that on a package holiday. We want to go again in August 2007 but want to arrange it ourselves. But I dont know where to begin - its too early to book a flight yet so can I not book anything else until the flights are released for Aug 2007? I have found a villa which is very reasonably priced but dont know which dates to book?

Also, are we better off booking flights and then car hire (which I believe is much cheaper when we go directly to Dollar) or is a flydrive better?

Also, last question I promise!! When is it that the flights for Aug 2007 will be released?

Thanks!!!

 

[wideeyes]

with regards to your last question flights are released 11 months before return date.

 

[UKDEB]

Generally we'll book flights and car hire separately, but on occasions we've booked fly-drives because they've worked out cheaper. It's worth doing a bit of research.

To book a fly-drive with Virgin, you do so through Virgin Holidays, rather than directly with Virgin Atlantic and they're available to book as far in advance as any other Virgin Holidays package (i.e. way before the 333 day window for flights only). I would imagine the same is true of other airlines.

As far as the villa is concerned, why don't you email the owner and explain the situation? Maybe they'll allow you to book on the understanding that you can either move your dates by a few days if necessary, or, if they can't accommodate that when the time comes, allow you to cancel without penalty.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We go in August too and always book with Virgin, the main thing you need to think about when booking your flights is how much you want to pay.
Summer prices are sky high and it may be advisable to do your research and book flights/car/villa independantly.
Many of us go for 3 weeks now to justify paying the high flight prices.

Must admit we always book a fly-drive as we find it more convenient.
However, you are probably right in saying in would probably work out a little cheaper booking direct through Dollar.
Definitely book your own villa as you will save money and get to choose where you want to stay.

The best advice for August though is to choose your dates carefully, from the middle of the month the parks are much quieter as the US schools return.
That's when we generally go.