October half term this year - any availability / deals left out there?

[Hilary]

My SIL has just rung to say they're thinking of going to Orlando for October half term (2010) and asking if I know of any deals she should be looking out for! Obviously my years of obsessive planning haven't rubbed off on her!

Much as I love the idea of helping her find a bargain, my first reaction was to wonder if there's actually anything still available for half term and, based on a couple of searches I've just done, it looks as though I may have been right to be doubtful. So I thought I'd ask here if there's anywhere I should suggest she tries.

Is there any hope of finding flights at a decent price? Is the WDW dining / 42% discount still available anywhere? Anything else to check?

Thanks for any suggestion

 

[wayneg]

I have been looking myself this week, to go 23rd-30th there are no bargains, some Air Canada flights from Heathrow indirect just under £500pp but thats about it, from MAN or BHX £700-800-900+ crazy prices.
If you can find a flight(more chance if you don't go Sat-Sat maybe) then OKW is available at £777 for upto 4 people in a studio, then tix ontop to get free DDP.

 

[GibboFLA]

Hi I have used KLM before, Cardiff to MCO via Schipol and Atlanta/Detroit was £2,212.80 for two adults two children 14-28 Oct (thurs-thurs). Just picked those dates as we fly from Norwich on those dates.

It is a long day travelling but flying to your "local" airport is great coming back. The prices do seem to be high this year, good luck with your search.

 

[Hilary]

Thanks, both

I have been looking myself this week, to go 23rd-30th there are no bargains, some Air Canada flights from Heathrow indirect just under £500pp but thats about it, from MAN or BHX £700-800-900+ crazy prices.
If you can find a flight(more chance if you don't go Sat-Sat maybe) then OKW is available at £777 for upto 4 people in a studio, then tix ontop to get free DDP.

I know OKW is one of their preferred resorts, so this could be good for them. SIL didn't sound too excited at the idea of free dining , but if it's included in a resort/ticket package anyway, they could just use what they wanted from the dining plan, with nothing lost.

Hi I have used KLM before, Cardiff to MCO via Schipol and Atlanta/Detroit was £2,212.80 for two adults two children 14-28 Oct (thurs-thurs). Just picked those dates as we fly from Norwich on those dates.

It is a long day travelling but flying to your "local" airport is great coming back. The prices do seem to be high this year, good luck with your search.

We always prefer to fly from our local airports (Cardiff or Bristol) rather than face the trek back from Gatwick SIL lives in Luton so Gatwick isn't too bad for them.

 

[dixonsontour]

I thought we left it late for this Oct and we booked in March. It took me ages to find a flight from Manchester at a price we were willing to pay for half term dates - searched all the usual indirect and direct. In the end managed to get Virgin with jetsave but I know it is now sold out with them.

When I checked a couple of weeks ago OKW with free dining still had availabilty.

I'd see if she can find flights though first.

 

[T16GEM]

Continental have got some half decent prices for 23-30th, from Heathrow coming in at £540pp indirect via Newark.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

This sort of happened to us last year, we always book 18 months in advance (booked last April for 2011 and April 2009 for this October) but last year we suddenly had some extra money and decided to do the decent thing and travel to Florida for an additional trip (had already been in February and had already booked for October this year and we are not a more than every 18 months kind of earning family).

Started to look in May and were disappointed to find no direct flights never mind bargains. Spoke to a friend who is a travel agent and she suggested we start looking at 7 weeks out as she said that the package companies who haven't sold packages at 8 weeks out or have returned flights due to someone paying a deposit and then changing their mind when the balances are due suddenly means that the airlines may have spare seats.

Well it worked for us - I started checking at 7 weeks out - seriously checking and found tickets with BA at 3 1/2 weeks out. They weren't cheap however and cost the same as our package usually costs for the same week of the year.

It was ideal for us though and we were able to surprise the kids for a change. We didn't have to opt for any other resort than our preferred by booking with disney uk for resort, park tickets and free dining. Amazingly by being very little more flexible than usual we got all but one of our chose ADRs too.....................

 

[igk]

We're going in half term - 24th Oct - 5th Nov. We booked around Xmas time with Virgin LHR-MIA.
If you can face the drive it looks like AA indirect is about £440 LHR-Miami for Oct 23rd-30th or 24th-31st. Orlando seems always more expensive.

 

[PoppyAnna]

I'm looking for October hald term, but I'm hoping to extend it to 22oct - 5nov.
The cheapest I can get us there on a BA flight is £2558 for 2 adults and 2 children. However, a package with thomas cook staying at (the recently renovated) Doubletree universal for £3067 (one child free).

I'm quite happy with that price and if DD's can get the time off school, I think we'll book.

 

[aaronandterri]

were also thinking of a late booked oct break, seems like ages, jetsave had some good deals too x

 

[aaronandterri]

where did you get the free child offer...? was it the thomas cook site i didnt see it there.

 

[PoppyAnna]

where did you get the free child offer...? was it the thomas cook site i didnt see it there.

It's only on certain hotels Terri and I've only seen it for those dates...