planning a DIY holiday

[tmp]

Had planned to take DH and DSs to WDW in February but lots of things happened and we had to forget the idea.
However it looks like we will be able to go next May(2006)so I am starting to look at package prices versus booking it all independently.
Have managed to price up flydrives for end of April-Virgin £2056 and TCD £1490.
I would be grateful if anyone could give me any websites they have used to book hotels with.Not decided yet if we want on or offsite but would prefer a suite rather than just a room.
If we were to decide to book onsite can you recommend the best and cheapest way to go about it?
Thanks

 

[vernon]

http://www.hotwire.com Great rates, but you don't know the actual hotel/condo until after you commit to the booking. For a longer stay it may be too much of a gamble for some people. I use them a lot for short (2-4 day stays ) as they have always provided me with clean, comfortable accommodation that has been excellent value. But I'm not sure I'd feel completely comfortable committing my whole holiday to a hotel that I don't know which one it is until after I commit my money to. I tend to use this company last minute ( or couple of weeks) before I travel when I'm reasonably certain I'm not going to have to change my plans. I wouldn't use them to book 6 months in advance as bookings are non refundable.

 

[rosiejo]

We just booked our hotel - the Radisson Worldgate through FindOrlandoRomms.com - they're based in London. We got a great price - had to put a deposit down and then pay the balance a few weeks before we travel.

Can highly recommend this hotel we stayed there two weeks ago - it's offsite but right on the edge of Disney property - opposite one of their offices. There's a short cut that gets you to Animal Kingdom in five minutes and it's just off the 192 near an IHOP. We had a room with two double beds - not sure if they do suites. The hotel is lovely and there are fridges in the rooms.

Can't say whether on site is better as we haven't done it before - will let you know when we get back from our trip in November :0)

 

[Pootle]

Hawthorn Suites do well in the Unofficial Guide and although I haven't stayed there, I did go for a look (they let me see a suite) and it seemed nice. http://www.hawthornsuiteslbv.com/

I have stayed at Sierra Suites http://www.sierrasuites.com/ when they were new, but not recently so I don't know how they are now.

The big hotel chains have suites too; Hilton has Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites etc, Marriott has SpringHill Suites and InterContinental (www.ichotelsgroup.com) has Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

The advantage of booking directly is that usually you can cancel, penalty-free (subject to a period of notice).

For tips on booking onsite, try www.mousesavers.com for details of codes, Annual Pass discounts etc. If it is a suite onsite you want, then you might like to consider renting points from a DVC member - definitely not from me though, I never have enough for myself

Hope this helps.

 

[alisonbestford]

'MyTravel' have a US link on their website that you can book hotels / suites etc through.
Never actually booked through them but looked and the prices seem good.
Also, it might be worth checking Virgin's accommodation only search. I looked for a hotel at the beach for Aug 2006 and was surprised it came out at about £300 for the week for 4 of us. I expected them to be extortionate!

 

[tartangirl]

Have you considered getting a villa instead of a hotel room?

You should be able to pick up a 3 bed villa for about £350 at that time of year so may work out cheaper and you'll get a load more space than a suite in a hotel.

 

[tmp]

Thanks everyone.
Have considered a villa tartangirl but don't want to be too far away from the action.Any hints on best villa locations?
Just found hotelkingdom.com and they have condos at Cypress Pointe for £540 for two weeks this May so it gives me an idea of prices.However it doesn't include tax.How much is that?

 

[tmp]

bumping this up.Can anyone help?

 

[rosiejo]

Thanks everyone.
Have considered a villa tartangirl but don't want to be too far away from the action.Any hints on best villa locations?
Just found hotelkingdom.com and they have condos at Cypress Pointe for £540 for two weeks this May so it gives me an idea of prices.However it doesn't include tax.How much is that?

I thought tax in Fl was 6% - but I could be mistaken... makes it about 573 quid