Package v DIY..HELP...PLEASE !!

[scotlass]

We have tried to go to WDW every two years and we have always booked package.

But after reading posts about DIY trips and because money is a wee bit tight I would be very grateful for some advice about where to start.

We are looking to go to a Disney value in OCT 09 from Glasgow.

I am a bit or a feardy so i will still look at package prices but if any one could help it would be great.



Thanks Vickie.

 

[suzycute]

October is a good time to be booking an independent trip as it's generally a bit quieter and cheaper - although with Epcot F&W, not so much as it used to be. I got a great deal for flights for October 2008 in the BA January (2008) sale (£318 each). Although I now own at SSR, I have previously booked an independent trip at POP with Dreams Unlimited and got a very good price - may be worth asking them for a quote and pricing your flights independently. If you fly with Virgin or BA in to MCO (rather than Sanford with charter airlines), you can get the free Magical Express bus (but you need to book this). Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[Callum]

Hi Vickie

We tend to book everything ourselves when visiting Florida.

As we usually go out of season (January this year) the only direct flight from Glasgow is usually Globespan. Saying that, we haven't used them but made our last few trips via Gatwick or Manchester. The prices generally come out cheaper than flying from Glasgow. Beware the hanging around at LGW after the overnight flight back Worse still, the drive back from Manchester

Not sure what will be available in early October but we have also considered going via New York with Continental. Have good look at all the different sites and get an idea of prices for this October.

If you are hiring a car, book and pay everything from this side of the pond. Some websites offer Alamo, Dollar and Avis at good rates. We pay around £250 for 14 days rental although some other DISers can do better - Wayneg especially

We used the WDW UK site to book a few days at POFQ in January. Cost was around £70 per night and we were happy with that (October will be a bit cheaper) although I am sure someone might be able to advise you of a better way to get a Value resort.

Hope this helps.

 

[bazzanoid]

Start with a search on Expedia.co.uk for flight + hotel as a good starting point, and check out uscarhire.co.uk or usrentacar.co.uk for car hire - this should provide a good foundation for your costs.

For tickets, try themeparkticketsdirect.com or floridatix, they generally can't be beaten on price

 

[Bishop Pluto]

Hi,

I have been lucky enough to vist Disney numerous times and 2 weeks ago for the first time, I booked on my own and not through a UK tour operator.

I have managed to get 2 weeks in September staying at the Allstars with the free dining plan, 10 day multi park pass and free transfers for £880.00 for 2 adults.

I booked this through Dreams Unlimited.

I then went on 'travel supermarket .com and managed to get 2 return Vigin Atlantic flights for £660.00 from Manchester. This was through Wefly.com.

I was amazed at this because on Virgins own site it was £1440.00!!

All in all its cost us £1500.00 aprox for all that - saving about £2000.00 if you add the dining plan option we got for free.

This deal has now stopped but Dreams Unlimited are affering the value resorts for about £30.00 per night per room if you travel on certain dates in September.

From now on I will be booking this way.

Let me know what you decide but I know what I would try be brave and give it a go!

Regards

Andrew

 

[scotlass]

Thanks for the advice guys.....but I must be doing it wrong !!!

Ive gone on the sites you guys said and the prices are mad.

Am i just thick.......

Vickie.

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for the advice guys.....but I must be doing it wrong !!!

Ive gone on the sites you guys said and the prices are mad.

Am i just thick.......

Vickie.

No, you just need lots of time and patience, hold out until you get a price you want.
I have just booked flights for Oct half term, spent maybe 6-8 hours over the past week looking for them and that is nowhere near as much as some flights take to find. Soemtimes it can take me 4-5 months of searching every day 5 and 6 times a day. But the rewards are great, just paid £241 return, for a school hol its a great price. You also need to be flexible I wanted direct from Manchester to MCO, now going indirect from Heathrow but direct from MAN are about £1,000 each compared to the £241 I paid.
For flights I find best sites are
Travelsupermarket.com
Expedia.co.uk
Orbitz.com (this is who I just used today)
http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch/login (login as guest and change sales city to LON) this is a site that finds the airlines best prices you then have to find an agent selling at that price, sometimes very good other times rubbish.

I have saved £1000's doing DIY but never rule out a package, Xmas trip is a Virgin Package, way cheaper than Virgin flight only