In the words of the Beatles....

[grantforrest]

Won't you please please help me?

I know that was a tenuous link but I really need to get a move on with organising our trip and I am confused quite simply with all the options to get accomodation and tickets.

I have already booked flights several months ago and we do want to spend the vast proportion of our holiday on site at Disney but would also like to spend at least a few days at a Universal hotel if possible - this is what we did the last time and it worked out fairly well.

So my question is (are) - where can I look at just now for Disney and Universal accomodation and should I book now or wait until the New Year (once VAT goes up etc)? Should I look at Expedia or book with Disney direct....?

Also I have a question with regards theme park tickets - I have seen the thread with updated ticket prices but I don't know whether I should try and book now or again next year? We are looking at going to most of the parks including Busch Gardens.

Thanks guys.

 

[jharrowell]

To my knowledge the VAT rise won't effect your hotel costs as they are in the USA. However I usually find that unless your willing to hold off till right at the last minute that prices go up not down. Even if you wait till a couple of days before you're not guaranteed a deal and could find they're fully booked so if you can afford it I'd buy now.

Booking through Disney direct or a broker like Expedia. Personally I prefer to book direct and on the US site as I have a US debit card, but again I think the best bet is to compare the prices, include and conversions if you do check on the US site then buy the cheapest (Don't forget that if you did buy on the US site using a UK card, you'll probably have to add a fee of about 2.5%)

Tickets. I don't think they will change much in price apart from special offers and if your buying from the US, the exchange rate. So I honestly don't think it matters.

I may not be the best person to ask given that I have DVC now (so I don't pay for a Disney Hotel and I buy cut price Annual passes) and I use my US DC to book at the Uni hotels but that's my two pennith.

 

[2Tiggies]

Disney UK does not charge a credit card booking fee. It's only if you do flight inclusive, where your booking is handled by Virgin Holidays on behalf of Open Ride. I booked by phone and asked about it and was told no fee. Sure enough, I was not charged this year, but last year I did pay the 2.5% for flight inclusive bookings.

 

[jharrowell]

Just so you know, the 2.5% fee I referred to is the one charged by banks for using a uk card for a USD transaction, which is why said if you buy on the US site.

 

[grantforrest]

OK I have just about decided that I will be booking the entire 2 weeks at Pop Century - never been there although have been at a couple of the other values.

Prices are coming up at £1386 on UK site or $1698 on US site so by my calculations I should book through the US site or am I missing a trick?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wayneg]

What dates you looking at?
I just checked April 1st for 14 nights and got the same price as you for UK site but US site

Total $1,886.00 Tax $235.72
Grand Total (includes tax) $2,121.72 = £1,373 (using a fee free card)

Use a cashback site with UK site to get 3% back https://www.quidco.com/disney-florida-holidays/
That would bring price down to £1,344

 

[grantforrest]

Yip those were the dates but went through special offers page on the US site as they have a public discount if you book early for next year!

 

[grantforrest]

Finally all booked now for Pop Century arriving on 1st April It ended up being cheaper phoning US reservations than going through UK as they had an early booking discount code which knocked 20% off.

Even more to spend on Mickey waffles!!

 

[wayneg]

Great news, not long and it will be here.