how do I go back again for less £££££££

[Donna T]

Hi everyone

just got back last week from our first trip to Florida. What can I say that hasn't been said a million times already??????? It was just brilliant - everything about it. Just have to say another big thank you to Signtalker who did me the most brilliant itinerary which we stuck to. I was in charge of it and I think I got a bit powercrazy waking everyone at 7am each morning!! Trouble is it has now ruined any other holiday for me as I just want to go back again.

The info I got from these boards before I went was so helpful esp as we weren't driving - I learnt about the Lynx 50 from Disney for instance, which saved us a few bob in a taxi when we didn't want to hang about for the hotel shuttle.

I've read on these boards that everyone suggests DIY rather than through an agent to save some ££££ which might make it easier for me to convince DH to go back (spent SO much money). So I thought I would have a go. But I need a bit of help I think. Do I sort my flights with Virgin first (who DH will only go with) and then get my accommodation? I have 2 DD (who will be 16 and 12 next summer) and I know if I get a package with Virgin they get teen prices. I'm sure loads of you have done this - grateful for any tips please.

Thanks.

Donna

 

[lucy_love_]

hi

i havent even been yet and my dh and i are talking about going back and the different ways we can do this.

love

lucy

 

[allie5]

OK, here is what I do. Get a price online from Virgin Holidays...this is my "guide price". Sometimes it cant be beaten as I get Frequent Virgin discount, but its definately worth shopping around. My next stop is Expedia, ebookers and cheapflights, all of which will give you online quotes. Finally, I try Bon Voyage, charter travel and BA holidays (BA offer a better flight than Virgin in my opinion!!). It pays to get quotes for flights only AND fly drive combos as it can be cheaper to organise car hire yourself.

The BEST way to save money is to book your accomodation yourself. Even if your children are charged full fare on the flights, you will only have to pay a "per room" rate if you book yourself not per person. This is what usually sends a Virgin quote sky high! It is worth considering a Villa or condo as this can be the cheapest option with a family. Booking direct with the owner saves you more as well. A standard room in a 3 star hotel on I-drive should be no more than $40 per night, maybe less if you shop around.

If you want to stay onsite at WDW, then consider an Annual Pass as you will get great rates and only one person in the party need have a pass. You can get rates as low as $49 per ROOM per night at All Stars as well as great reductions on the other resorts too.

Teletext page 222 is another good source of cheap holidays. Last year I got fly drives through Travel City Direct for £169 each (flying out BA and back on TCD own plane). That was in June/July as well for 16 nights. Quite a good deal!

Happy planning!!

Hope that has given you some starting points.
Allie

 

[vernon]

Staying in a villa can show a lot of savings, not only on room costs which if you go for a cheaper hotel room would be minimal, but on eating out. Just having cereal, toast and bagels for brekkie could save $500 over a couple of weeks. Plus if you're buying drinks (including beer and wine) at supermarket prices as opposed to hotel prices there is another huge saving. Another bonus with a villa is the girls will appreciate a separate bedroom (maybe one each) and you'll appreciate (more to the point your DH will appreciate) a separate bathroom.

As Allie says you can get reasonable hotels on Idrive from about $40 a night. I would consider driving, IMHO it's a wash on cost against taxis and busses, saves you money by allowing you to travel to cheaper restaurants/shops and the convenience is a great addition.

 

[poet123]

Allie,
When you got that price from TCD for july did you book last minute or well in advance???

 

[angel659]

Hi

We booked our disney accomodation through disney.co.uk and we found that this was compariable with international drive. You save on the transportation to Disney aswell as having the Disney Hotel extra touch to your holiday.

Expedia offer good rates aswell more for international drive I found.

We got quotes on flights and found that BA was cheaper than VIRGIN and the flights are much better than Virgin.

If you can try those sights and get quotes from those two companies.

Also try justtheflight.co.uk they offer both charter and scheduled flights.

I hope this helps.

Regards
Michelle

 

[allie5]

Poet, I booked right at the end of March. It was a deal I saw on Teletext, and to be honest I didnt think it was "for real", but called and got it. I had to use TCDs own car hire, which was about £100 more expensive than through YesCarHire, but it was worth it to get the bargain basement flights!!

 

[signtalker]

Donna glad everything went okay

Jules

 

[Donna T]

Thanks everyone for replying. Certainly something to think about.

Jules - your intinerary made all the difference. We wouldn't have done half as much without it (and the alarm clock). Loved Mythos like you said - probably the best restaurant we went to during the whole holiday.

Thanks again

Donna