Planning 101

[small]

Hi,

I am getting a little excited. We are looking to plan our first family trip in 2010. I am after some basic help, hints and tips. Is there a useful thread to help me get started?
There are 4 of us (me 37, Wife 40, Son 7, Daughter 5). We would be flying from London and we like the idea of a villa as it gives us space of veg out for a day if the kids (or us) get too tired.

Thanks for any help you can give

 

[juliebro]

I would suggest you start by buying a good guide book to WDW & Orlando, if you haven't already done so. I recommend the Brit's Guide by Simon & Susan Veness, who also contribute to these boards.

Are you looking for a package or are you happy to book everything separately yourself? Do you want to travel direct? Or would you consider indirect, which may save you some money?

There are experts on these boards who can offer advice on flights, villas, car hire and packages.

Ask away and I'm sure your questions will be answered!

 

[natalielongstaff]

i second the brits guide and ask away .....we are all here to help xx

 

[small]

Are you looking for a package or are you happy to book everything separately yourself? Do you want to travel direct? Or would you consider indirect, which may save you some money?

I am open to all suggestions - of course if it saves money!!! But also that doesn't help with advice. I'm not sure about indirect with 2 kids!! It would have to be worth it.

I have a few miles with Virgin and BA from business travel but not much status.

Ask away and I'm sure your questions will be answered!

Great! I am sure I will have a few.

 

[Karenpowley]

ersonally i would never travel indirect with children - no matter how much cheaper it is - altho alot on the DIS boards do, and it doesn't bother them at all.

I just think the flights long enough anyway, without adding on the extra time your at the airport etc aswell. As adults its a tiring day, and if the kids get cranky and you get a delay...well to me it would just spoil things.

It really is easy doing everything DIY and you usually save alot of money.

This time ive booked flights, villa, cruise and 2 hotel stays while we're there, and ive enjoyed doing all the research and doing it all myself- and the book you've been advised to get, and this board is fantastic for all the information you could ever need.

Good Luck!

Kx

 

[wayneg]

I have a different view on Indrect flights, been taking DS since he was 3, never had a single problem indirect. From Manchester we only have Virgin direct, their service and quality of aircraft has gone downhill so much over the years I now prefer the indirect airlines, BMI, NWA both knock spots off Virgin. So yes its still great to go direct but in the past I would pay a premium to fly Virgin I won't anymore, only use them if I get offers with my airmiles.
Hopefully new planes in the pipeline for Virgin, time will tell with that.

 

[Disbabe]

I have 3 children and have never had a problem with them with indirect flights. It breaks up the flight and we find that its quicker getting through immigration going through a different airport than MCO as there are always queue's - last time we went through Philadelphia we went straight through and then bypassed all the queue's.
When you save over £1000 by going indirect - no contest!

I recommend reading the unofficial guide - jam packed full of information - and then of course the disboards are an invaluable resource.

 

[loobylou44]

As pp's have said 'The Brits Guide to Orlando' is a great book to use to research your holiday.
We stayed in the Marriot Springhill Suites at LBV the first time we went in '03(our children were 7 and 9 at the time), we had a mini kitchen, seating area, desk, and 2 tv's and it was good but when went in '06 we had a villa with pool(which we are returning to this Christmas) and that was fantastic so I would highly recommend a villa with children, it is great if they are young so that they can have some down time, also great when they are teens (ours will be 14 and 16 this time) there is room to get away from each other!!!

With regard to flights I'm not really keen on indirect flights, however the price does makes them very attractive, and we will be flying via Philadelphia this December at a price of £316 each - wouldn't be going otherwise!!

Whatever you decide to do you will have an amazing holiday and will be counting the days to your second trip!!