Looking to book our holiday independently ?

[SidB]

We're planning our next trip to Orlando. Last time we used a package and the operator did nothing for us at all, so we're looking at booking independently. Has anyone any advice to offer, especially with finding a villa ?

Thanks.

 

[signtalker]

We booked our holiday independantly this time, last time we went through a TA, never again!!!
The cost of DIY is so much better, we nailed down our flights first, Virgin do a fly drive package(not the cheapest), but we prefer to fly with them as we have a disabled child, fly drives can usually be booked 11 months in advance.
There are many sites for car rental, and im sure some of the others will give you links to these and good villa rentals.
Happy planning

Jules

 

[DisneyDes]

When preparing our own site we came upon a few sites worth visiting (along with loads not well presented) though as I haven't used them I can't say how good the service is :

orlando executive villas
Florida good times
Top notch villas

As you are looking we should be grateful for your comments on


Des

 

[neo's white rabbit]

We've booked our trip in May independantly - infact all our trips are researched and booked independantly by moi As a travel journalist I always expect to cut about 50% off any going rate by just knowing where to look.

I really, really like www.villas2000.com which is how we found our villa. Shall I tell you why? First up you deal with the owners direct (ours are really nice people) - so no payment to a middle man . Most importantly the rental rates, to me at least, seem to be realistic. A look at the boards for those who own, or are thinking of buying, a villa in Florida will bear out that there are lots of villas for rent in places like Orlando so competion is actually quite high to get you as a customer - especially outside of the main school hols and so on.

If you go to their map you can search for properties in particular areas and 'developements', is that what they call them? You know, like if you want to stay at Indian Lakes or Windsor Palms etc.

They also have a regular email that you can sign up for which alerts you to anyone with a cancellation or late availabilty.

Travel City Direct, who have been dicsussed here, look to do some good fly-drive packages. We booked our flights and car hire with www.expedia.co.uk this time as they came up with the best prices for what we wanted on this occasion.

I have a whole collection of sites I use for flights (just shaved £150 of one adult and one child fare to France at Easter for a friend of mine) which I can send you. PM me.

Happy planning

 

[kazzie]

Hi Sid,

If you are booking flight only these can be booked 11 months before your travel date.But you can book a fly-drive,flight and car hire quite a bit earlier than this.When the new Virgin brochure comes out in about May/June, in this brochure you will be able to book fly-drives up until October next year This is a really good idea if you plan to go at a busy time of year or in the school holidays.

Another good company to try is www.bon-voyage.co.uk ,I have used them for October and many other DISers have had great prices with them.They will make note of the the flights you want even if it is outside the 11 month wondow, and then book them for you as soon as they are released.Their Virgin prices are so much cheaper than even Virgin can come up with!

 

[kazzie]

Sid,

Re the villa,there are two magazines you can buy in WH Smith where you can book the villas direct from owner,there is loads in them on Orlando.I can't remeber excatly what they are called one is Private Villas I think?

There is a site where you can book villas direct from the owner,I can spend many a happy hour on here www.vrbo.com and another site www.villadirect.com

Good Luck!

 

[Enright78]

Another vote for VRBO, we found a great guy on there who actually lives near us and we have rented from him since 1996 with no com,plaints at all. He and his brother have a variety of properties for rent, all immaculate. PM me for further details. Independent every time for us! I love the challenge. I also know a good local car hire guy if you need that too, again just pm for details. Happy planning!