Is this a good price?!

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I just got the following quote from Virgin . . . do you think its a good price? I have only booked packages before, but am trying to be a little wiser this year . . .!

May 13th 2011 fly to Orlando, then catch internal flight to New Orleans same day (all flights included in quote price)
4 nights New Orleans (haven't included hotel as not big selection in brochure)
Hire car (also not included in quote as I always see people on here get hire bargains!!) and drive to Orlando
12 nights Disney's CSR, with free dining plan (upgarded to regular plan), and 14 day park tickets for price of 7 day.
Flights home on 28th (land on BH Monday, which could put price up if booking them seperately?)

This is all for two adults and with my 10% FV discount off comes to £3456.

So the only things not included are car hire and hotel in New Orleans.

As a comparison a quote from Disney UK (I don't really want to book with Complete Orlando, tho' its sooo much cheaper) for hotel, tickets and meal plan comes in at £2282, so its costing me £1174 for 3 flights for two adults (Oralndo returns and one internal). How does that compare? I have literally never booked flights before, so have no idea!!!!!!!!!!

Is there aanother way you would do it?

Thanks!!

 

[Young Pooh]

I think that it sounds reasonable although I don't know what you could expect to pay for flights in May as we tend to travel in August. I am sure someone will be able to let you know.

Another suggestion would be check on Kayak and Expedia etc and see what the cost of the internal flight is for your dates this year. This will help you to decide if the flight cost is reasonable from VH.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Oh yes, that's a good idea, thanks!

 

[Lizzybear]

Pricewise it sounds a tad high IMO, but probably about right for a package... We did 19 nights last year in New York (4), Boston (6) and Orlando (9) but this was in October and I booked all the bits separately. Total was £3600 for flights (Manchester-New York, Boston-Orlando and Orlando-Manchester), all hotels including CSR at WDW, Disney 14 day tickets and free dining, insurance and 2 lots of car hire (one way from New York to Boston and just in Orlando) I know it's not exactly the same holiday but thought it might give an idea of price when combining WDW with one or more other places in the US for a similar duration
One thing I would watch out for is the one way fee for car hire if you plan on driving from New Orleans to Orlando. I found Hertz was the cheapest but New York and Boston aren't as far apart. We paid £200 for 7 days hire (midsize car) and most of the other companies were charging a lot more.
I know it's a bit overwhelming when you haven't done it before but I would look into DIY booking, for multi-centre holidays it almost always works out cheaper and you have more flexibility (not limited to a tour operator's choice of hotels etc)

 

[dixonsontour]

Not sure on price, have always DIY'd.

Is New Orleans to Orlando definitely drivable in a day or will you need to build in a stop?

We did a deep south trip a few years ago. I remember leaving New Orleans after breakfast, a shopping stop at the outlet mall at gulfport then arriving at Pensacola at the evening. Weather was heavy rain though which may have slowed us down.

I'd recommend the southern comfort walking tour in new orleans. You were taken around different bars and had the 'signature' drink in each one. Don't do what I did though, found out I was pregnant a couple of days before so no drinks for me - hubbie didn't complain at having 2 at each stop!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Thanks everyone. I still can't decide what to do . . . still haven't booked!!!

 

[les2425]

i think virgin is increasing it prices at the moment as i found one holiday had gone up by £100 this morning.

just got to keep checking and dive in when you feel ok

les & bev

 

[Clare D]

Aren't Virgin able to quote you direct to New Orleans and then an internal flight to Orlando and fly home from there?
Last year when we went to Chicago I asked Virgin for a price as we also are FVC members. It was so expensive with them that I booked it DIY and saved a fortune.
Saying that I have been nosey at VH for a 14 night stay in Disney and to stay at the Beach Club is much cheaper booking with Virgin than it is to do DIY once I add the flights on. Strange as Virgin do seem to be getting more expensive.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Virgin could fly me direct to New Orleans, but the flight would be with Delta. I would fly home with virgin as would be flying from Orlando... And there we have the problem! Virgin apparently have a new rule where they won't return you by a different airline that who you fly out with, which is a little annoying. So it's this way or no way with them! Am tempted to book diy but have never done it before, and the flight prices worry me. Whenever I get any quoted online they always seem so high!