How do I Book DIY?

[gertiesquidge]

Hi everyone,
This is probably a silly question (sorry) but I'd like to try and price up a DIY trip to WDW but I have no idea where to start? We've always used a travel agent before, but I want to try and get the best price I can. We will be two adults and two children (11 & 5), have to travel in school holidays and (if possible!!) during a quiet season (our son has Autism and doesn't cope with big crowds). I'm not bothered about staying on site, unless free dining makes a big enough difference (the QSDP suits us best).
Any pointers gratefully received Or even a guesstimate of what sort of money we're looking at having to save up??
Thank you

 

[wayneg]

I usually start looking for flights 11 months out then book when I see a good price, for this July I started looking last August but took me til January to find a reasonable price. Use sites like Kayak.co.uk or travelsupermaket. Many others.

I then book hotel when I see a good price. Although of you want onsite with free DDP you might have to do this first, check the last date to book. Offsite hotels I start with sites like Trivago.

Finally tickets & car hire.

This is how I usually do it but check prices for everything as soon as we know dates, if I do book car hire early it has to be a really good deal or be able to cancel with little or no fee.

 

[chmurf]

for WDW itself

2 sites :

UK site : http://www.disneyholidays.co.uk/walt-disney-world/
stays for up to 21 days. Ultimate tickets (all inclusive) for 14 or 21 days

current Free Dining offer for most 2015 dates. QSDP for moderates, DDP for deluxes. (free breakfast for values)

payment in Sterling Pounds, £50pp at time of booking, balance due 8 weeks out.


US site : https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
stays for up to 14 nights, tickets limited to 10 days, options like hopper or waterpark are extra.

Expected for may 7th : Free Dining offer for most stays from august to december 2014 QSDP for values, DDP for moderates and deluxes. Some resorts and rooms excluded. (offer stands for Visa Cardholders and should be extended to general public next week)

Payments in US Dollars. Deposit of $200 per booking, balance due 45 days out.

 

[Elise79]

I usually have set date so start with booking accommodation. We stay onsite either using our DVC points or using the free dining deal at OKW (Old Key West) through WDTC UK.

Free dining is currently being offered for travel next year in the UK. Disney US is releasing free dining for this year next week.

I will then start looking for flights once they become available at 11 month from our return date.

If you want 2 weeks out of term time you are limited to Easter, Christmas & Summer. Out of those Easter & Christmas are both very busy which leaves you with summer. The last two weeks of August are supposed to be the quietest. Your best strategy might be to stay onsite to make the best use of early EMH to get the parks at their quietest.

Like Wayne I leave car hire to last unless I see a really good deal.

 

[gertiesquidge]

Thank you everyone You've all been really helpful and I've been able to start working everything out