Package Holidays Vs DIY holidays

[Clairef27]

We are planning our third trip to Disney in 2017 and I've been looking at costs for August 2016 to get an idea of costs.

Previously we have always gone with Virgin but they seem to be very expensive.

I just wondered do many of you book things independently - such as hotel direct (we want to stay on International Drive), flights when you can and then hire cars?

Does it all work ok?

The cheapest flights seem to be with a stop - does anyone find this a pain and does it work ok with children?

Thank you

 

[scottishgirl87]

I have always found it cheaper to book it myself rather than via a travel agent. Prefer to book flights first as you know you'll always be able to find a hotel somewhere. I also quite enjoy booking it myself as you can tailor it exactly how you want it.

Can't comment on indirect with children but as 2 adults we happily go indirect. I find direct expensive from Glasgow and flying is really just a means to an end for us so not all that fussed as long as the price is right! Personally I stick to one stop though, don't really want to do anymore than that but again would consider it if the price was right.

 

[Kath2003]

We usually stay on I Drive, fly indirect and do it all ourselves. I Drive has some great deals on hotels so there's always plenty in every budget.

In terms of flying indirect, it does add some time but remember that if you connect through a US city (or a number of Canadian cities, or Dublin) you clear US immigration at your first stop. Since this usually takes at least an hour, you essentially "gain" back this time when you land in Orlando by just walking out of the airport. I have cities I'd rather connect through than others but ultimately it's about the right price and the right flight times (I try to be at Orlando by 6pm if I can). That said, we don't have children so I've no idea how yours would cope - but every indirect flight we go on seems packed with British families so it can't be that bad!

My tip is - book the flights first, and be flexible with dates. Adding or losing a day can save hundreds (e.g. 12 nights rather than 14). We look for 9-14 days typically. From there, you can then sort hotels etc.

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd start with flights. I use skyscanner or kayak. Released 11 months from return date. Do consider indirect, key is decent flight times and at least 2 hours to change plane on way out.

We've done indirect since DD was small and it is fine. You clear immigration at first place you land. Plus chance to stretch legs, go to real toilet and DD usually gets a happy meal.

Hotels I'd look on expedia, booking.com etc. If I have one in mind I check dates on trip advisor and it brings prices up for about 8 different companies. Remember quidco.

Car we use USrentacar mainly.

 

[BagOLaughs]

I've done extensive research (don't judge ) on booking separately vs. booking a package and in my honest opinion the results vary so much its hard to say its cheaper to do x and not cheaper to do y...

Generally (although not all the time) I've found:

• If you're booking for Universal/Disney specifically wait for one of the package "deals" to roll around and book then. We did dining plan at Disney 2013 and this year we got free 14 day universal tickets when we booked cabana bay through Virgin. In both these cases it was a package deal and we were happy to stay mostly within the respective resorts and not do too much exploring.
• However if you plan on doing disney and sea world and universal and stuff outside of the theme parks. I'd say book flights and hotel (and Hire car if you want one) separately.
• Sometimes it cheaper to book a hire car once you're in the US if you can find another way of getting from the airport to your hotel.

Like I said there is no paint by numbers guide here but I hope this is useful.

Good luck planning

 

[chocolateMinnie]

priced up every trip except for the first two and has been roughly a 50/50 split. We know what we want and price it up and then go with the cheapest as we need Disney accommodation/tickets/free dining, use DME no transport and flights so it's the same requirements either way. Just go on price.

 

[petals]

I usually research it all first and then go to my travel agent going this is what I want please book it as i think having the travel agent is just an extra bit of security if anything goes wrong.

Regarding changing over flights it's never to much hassle that i've found anyway. Sometimes you get lucky and get off one plane beside all the gates you need to go to next. It is also a bit of a break for everyone from one continuous long flight.

 

[bex7583]

yes we did the indirect with 3 young kids and it was nice it broke up what would have felt like a long flight we had a nice toilet break and freshen up , dh got to have a cigarette then we had some cocktails and milkshakes for the kids in a tgi fridays

i do have a brief look at packages but not found any within the range i can get diy , and i dont even bother looking on virgin anymore after the crazy 27k quote they came back to me with !!

i find the disney hotel and packages when with free dining are a good option for our family and book that direct with disney

 

[tinkerpea]

I've booked seperate For the last 4 trips, before that it was always package!

We get flights with Virgin, and book resort directly with either disney, or dreams depending on when we want to go, as dreams can get me the US prices and there free dining and resort rates can be different.

I've has really good success doing it on my own. And feel actually far better and in control.

 

[Julia Ann]

I can only comment for package as not done diy. We went last October (1of the weeks being half term) I found that the best package was with Thomas Cook. 14nights direct Manchester to Mco, car included but we declined it and took magical express instead. Art of animation. 2adults and 1 child £2900. Happy planning