I'm new to planning from the UK, I'd love advice!

[UKKidd]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the DIS boards. I'm NOT new to Disney, but I am new to doing Disney on my own!

I've been going to Disney before I could hold my own sippy cup, and most of those years I spent in DVC resorts (though the Polynesian was my first!). My grandparents are the DVC members and OKW is their home resort (my absolute favourite!).

The point I'm trying to get at is that now I'm settled into my adult life (at the grand ol' age of 28!), I want to start doing Disney on my own. I'm from the US, but now I live in the UK with my partner.

Can anyone advise me on what kind of deals we get here in the UK? When do the deals roll out? Would I get better deals from the American side if I had family members book things? I'm most interested in things like discounted resort prices, Disney cash and free dining (I know about the 14 days for 7, but I'll never buy into that because we're never there long enough).

Also, I'm a teacher, so we're bound by school holidays. I know prices are always hiked up over school holidays (mostly flights), so what school holidays are best and will we ever see any deals during those times? We're mostly interested in the Easter holidays... but I know that we might be dreaming if we want deals then!

Of anyone can be Disney Spirit Guide, I'd much appreciate it!

Thank you everyone!

 

[Elise79]

UK deals are released earlier than the US deals. For the past few years April has seen the release of free dining for the following year. This has been combined with a disney gift card plus discounts on OKW & SSR. The free dining does require the purchase of UK tickets which are either 7, 14 or 21 days.

The only blackouts on this offer have been Easter & Christmas.

After free dining has finished they have done room only discounts usually in January for the same year.

You can book any US offers too if they are more suited to you - you generally dont need to be US resident for them. I have booked them in the past

 

[UKKidd]

Thank you for the warm welcome Elise79!

That's really good news about the deals! I'm chuffed to hear that OKW goes on offer, as well. What kind of offers, though? Like 20% off?

If I were to book for next year and try to get any of these deals, who/what should I book through? I.e. the Disney World website? Or should I call the booking line directly? I always feel better talking to people, and internet based bookings always seem to go wrong for me.

I don't want to miss a trick at all!

Thanks again

 

[BudgieMama]

That's really good news about the deals! I'm chuffed to hear that OKW goes on offer, as well. What kind of offers, though? Like 20% off?

I might be wrong, but I think the previous offer for OKW was 35% (at least, it was 35% for SSR and I think they were the same!)

 

[UKKidd]

Thanks BudgieMama!

Now that I think of it, I have no idea of OKW prices...I've never come across a firm price chart or anything, only DVC points. So 35% doesn't mean anything unless I know from what it's deducted....

 

[BudgieMama]

We booked SSR on the 35% discount and it was only £200 more expensive than booking POFQ (which made upgrading to SSR cheaper than booking POFQ and paying to upgrade to the DDP from the QSDP that was free at moderate resorts...) Don't know if that's helpful?!

 

[UKKidd]

Oh BudgieMama! I wish it were! I'm struggling with all the acronyms and the concept of which resorts are on which price tier. Sorry to be a pain! But thank you so much for being so friendly!

 

[BudgieMama]

Whoops! Sorry! My post was acronym central!!

OKW and SSR (Saratoga Springs) are both Deluxe Villa Resorts.
Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ) is a moderate resort.

QSDP is the Quick Service Dining Plan (2 counter service meals, 1 snack), and DDP is the general Dining Plan (1 table meal, 1 counter service meal, 1 snack).

When booking with the UK branch of Disney, value resorts have in the past had had no free dining, moderate resorts have had the Quick Service Plan, and Deluxe Resorts (including the Deluxe Villa resorts that are part of DVC) are have had the general Dining Plan.

For us, we wanted to have some table service meals, so we looked at paying the upgrade cost, which was more than upgrading the resort and getting bumped up a level on our dining plan for free.

I hope that's more helpful/less like I'm speaking gobbledygook!

 

[UKKidd]

Thank you! That does help a lot! Gives me something it think about when considering any deals.

I'm still curious if anyone has any idea of published prices for DVC resorts and not just points. I'm having a hard time gauging what we might be spending.... I want 6-8 nights, but I think I might be dreaming!! Also, I'll need to make the decision whether we go a half term or Easter break!

My grandparents are treating my whole family to 4 nights in the Grand Floridian in June, but not us since we're so far away! I'm desperate to see the mouse and super jealous!