Initial planning and have questions!

[Looby Loo]

Hello all!

After a lot of false starts, DBF and I look set to go to Orlando in 2012 and I have a few questions for you experts

1. We are looking at doing 2/3 weeks in June, starting around 6th June. Length of stay will depend on finances. I like the weather to be hot, really hot Loved it in July and I am the kind to sulk if the weather isn't sunny What's early June like for weather?

2. I have amassed 50,000 Virgin Airmiles so fingers crossed I'll be able to get my flight for free (obviously I'll need to pay the taxes etc) and DBF's flights will be paid for using the remaining miles plus money! We hope!! Has anyone done this before? What's the likely hood of us getting flights this way, without any problems?

3. I would like to stay onsite at Disney and am toying with Saratoga Springs as this seems the cheapest option for staying at a Deluxe. Has anyone stayed that could give welcomed feedback? I LOVED AKL but I stayed there whilst in a previous relationship and feel it's only fair on new Prince Charming to stay somewhere different - plus it'll assist in my desire to stay around "the world" if we were to stay somewhere different but will I be disappointed? If I book today direct with Disney could we change accommodation if finances allow us to move to somewhere else? Do UK Disney nuts ever get PIN codes for discounts on Deluxe hotels?

4. Finally..... for now is free DDP really free? Or do they bump up accommodation prices to accommodate the cost of the dining plan?

Can't wait for the planning to really commence.....

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

4.

 

[Invisable89]

Hello all!

After a lot of false starts, DBF and I look set to go to Orlando in 2012 and I have a few questions for you experts

1. We are looking at doing 2/3 weeks in June, starting around 6th June. Length of stay will depend on finances. I like the weather to be hot, really hot Loved it in July and I am the kind to sulk if the weather isn't sunny What's early June like for weather?

2. I have amassed 50,000 Virgin Airmiles so fingers crossed I'll be able to get my flight for free (obviously I'll need to pay the taxes etc) and DBF's flights will be paid for using the remaining miles plus money! We hope!! Has anyone done this before? What's the likely hood of us getting flights this way, without any problems?

3. I would like to stay onsite at Disney and am toying with Saratoga Springs as this seems the cheapest option for staying at a Deluxe. Has anyone stayed that could give welcomed feedback? I LOVED AKL but I stayed there whilst in a previous relationship and feel it's only fair on new Prince Charming to stay somewhere different - plus it'll assist in my desire to stay around "the world" if we were to stay somewhere different but will I be disappointed? If I book today direct with Disney could we change accommodation if finances allow us to move to somewhere else? Do UK Disney nuts ever get PIN codes for discounts on Deluxe hotels?

4. Finally..... for now is free DDP really free? Or do they bump up accommodation prices to accommodate the cost of the dining plan?

Can't wait for the planning to really commence.....

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

4.

1) It will be pretty hot in June! At the moment it's 95F I don't think that's normal though, i think more early 90's is the typical in June. The weather in Orlando seems above average at the moment, April felt like May! But bare in mind it will be busy in WDW in June, American schools have broken up.

2) Sorry i don't know about that, does anyone else?

3) SSR is a great Resort, it's a complete DVC Resort but obviously people can stay there on cash too. Gorgeous grounds, quite 'un-Disney' IMHO & it's quite far from most of the parks but obviously you get free Disney transport. I think if you book through Disney UK you don't get as much freedom to toy with your reservation like you do on Disney USA - that's why toones of Brits book through Disney USA. Just go to the bottom of the official WDW website & change from 'United Kingdom: English' to 'USA: English'.

4) I'm not 100% sure how DDP works as i've never actually used it!

 

[pigby]

We have stayed at SSR but only for 5 nights - it was a nice resort quite relaxing and we got our preferred room choice overlooking DTD - it was a studio in the Congress Park area - great for visiting DTD - you can walk easily but other parks were all a way off but didnt matter as buses were not crowded at all.

DDP is really free - they don't bump up the prices of the rooms to make up for this. We love the DDP - have had free ding once and paid for it once. Also doing free dining again this August and staying at OKW this time - OKW and SSR are IMO the best deals - it was coming up more for Caribbean Beach with Quick Service DP then OKW with full DP - OKW and SSR are usually the same price.

 

[fuse04]

I don't think you will have any concerns about the weather not being hot in june

We have stayed at a number of resorts but not SSR. Last years we stayed at OKW where the rooms are big (we had bed villa) rather than SSR. There seems to be a big OKW community refelcted by all the family photo's at Olivias. Depending upon the rrom you get at SSR you can walk to DTD.

In respect of DDP yes it is free (have previously checked by doing a dummy booking on the US site) and of course check the rooms rates at over times of the year. The only bit wehich is not free about the DDP is the tip (which used to be included but was removed about three years ago)

 

[wayneg]

If you want to start 6th June you won't get free dining, unless you do 11 nights with free DDP then move elsewhere. Here are next years dates
Jan-26 Feb, 1 May-17 Jun, 1 Aug-18 Nov 2012.

Is free dining free? I have mixed views on this, the deal we get in August with 42% off OKW or SSR plus free dining then yes it is a genuine offer for free dining. Every other room available with free dining is rack rate with no discounts, so you could stay without dining and get a discount instead, in effect paying towards the food. Its only a genuine offer if you get a room discount and the free food as well.

June is a hot month, check out the temps now. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/weather/

Flights in June are usually reasonable, consider other airlines also don't just look at VA, there are many late deals around just now for flights from £250pp they can't sell them in June. Don't know if this will work http://www.charterflights.co.uk/sab...Number=&sortOrder=&orderBy=&logNewSearch=true

 

[Looby Loo]

Thanks everyone!!

The idea is to go on the 6th June (we can't go any earlier as DBF is an accountant and can't be off during month end ) so we are planning on doing 11 days so we can do DDP then moving on and doing 7 days elsewhere.

If we were to book via the US boards, do we still get the UK DDP as I am sure I have read that the DDP hasn't been announced for our US Disney counterparts

 

[Goofyish]

I looked a free flight using my Virgin miles and comparing the amount saved with still having to pay taxes, and the amount of points needed I felt it wasn't worth it. It was still going to cost me over £200 plus 40,000 of my points.

I ended up just using M&M to get a cheap PE flight and keep the majority of my points for another time

 

[wayneg]

Thanks everyone!!

The idea is to go on the 6th June (we can't go any earlier as DBF is an accountant and can't be off during month end ) so we are planning on doing 11 days so we can do DDP then moving on and doing 7 days elsewhere.

If we were to book via the US boards, do we still get the UK DDP as I am sure I have read that the DDP hasn't been announced for our US Disney counterparts

The US free dining deal is usually even more restrictive than UK dates and won't be available until a lot closer to the time, the current US free DDP deal is only available August 28 – September 24 2011. released about 1 month ago, they don't get to book a year in advance like us in the UK.

The SSR/OKW discount is available 6th-17th June with free DDP so thats the best deal around, £1,880.75 for 11 nights incl 2 x 14 day tickets & free DDP, slightly cheaper on Complete Orlando at £1,765