Some (ok maybe alot) advice needed please!

[scottishgirl87]

Ok, OH (I'll be 22 when we go, he'll be 24) and I have started saving for WDW 2010, we currently have probably enough for a deposit so I wanna start looking around for some deals. However, looking for some advice on the following.....

We were planning to go in May next year but I've now read there's some school holidays around this time We can go anytime of the year really as we're not confined to school holidays or anything so would like to make the most of that and book a time that's not going to be as busy. Last time I went was October 2003 and loved that time of year (HHN at Universal is thee best thing I've ever been to), but OH has never been. I've been thinking really May/September or possibly even August, what'd you guys think in terms of cheapest/quietest etc.

Also struggling to find somewhere reasonably priced to stay! I stayed in the Enclave Suites last time and LOVED it, but the reviews of it these days are awful that I dunno if I'd wanna risk it. Definitely wanna stay on I Drive as we won't have a car and not that fussed about staying at Disney unless there was a really good offer or something.

Also want to fly from Glasgow, preferably direct but doesn't have to be. Currently cheapest I've found for flights is around £450 each, which isn't too bad and I'm unsure if I'd get it cheaper.

So looking for any words of wisdom guys!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

We went mid September last year and loved it. It was so quite an most rides at Disney were pretty much walk ons.

We have traditionally always stayed on International Drive until we bought DVC in November 2007 and had our first stay at Disney last September. We love the International Plaza Resort and Spa on the corner of Westwood Boulevard and International Drive. It has an I Ride stop in front on one side, a stop for the Lynx number 50 bus (for Downtown Disney and Transportation and Ticket Centre) on the other and is walking distance to Seaworld. They also have some great pools.

Corinna

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah the International Plaza Resort & Spa is one of the few places I've looked at that I think we'd be happy staying at. First Choice are quoting £928 each for flights and staying there for the 2 weeks beginning 8th May 2010. I just can't decide which area of I Drive would be best for us! The Enclave was pretty in the middle between Universal and SeaWorld but I suppose it's six and a half dozen!

 

[wayneg]

If you don't mind indirect I would look at DIY rather than package.
Just looked for this year, fly May 13th for 14 days from Glasgow with Continental £322, International Plaza Resort & Spa £492, total £568

Its just too early to be looking for next May yet.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Wow, that is really good! Yeah I'm not fussed about DIY if it's gonna save us money! I'm waiting for Expedia to launch their May dates for next year hopefully this month, as so far it's only all the proper travel agents.

I still dunno whether to do the early booking thing as it seems to bite so many people in the backside as you then see prices falling, to be honest, I think we'd ideally wait till around January to book. Unless I see an awesome deal. We paid £750 each last time for direct flights/Enclave suites for 2 weeks and I'm aiming for as close to that as possible! But I have found cheaper for September this year. Guess it's just your luck really.

 

[dolphingirl47]

If you want to me more central on International Drive then the Wyndham Orlando might be for you. It is quite similar to the International Plaza, but bigger. It is on the junction with Sandlake Road and has access to International Drive at the front and Universal Boulevard at the back.

Corinna

 

[Natasha&Matt]

Hey hun i have been twice and both time have gone in May usually 2nd/3rd week and its great never waited more than 15 mins for a ride ( you have to plan this though ) and weather was so beautiful loved it so going back again next May, We are staying at the Enclave suites for our first 9 nights there i hope its ok but not to bothered not gunna be spending most my time there =)

 

[~Piglet~]

We're also going back in May '10, and have been before (also in May) and as the PP says the weather is great and there is not a lot of queues.

I've also checked out School hols for next year (we didn't want to go when crowd numbers would be up) and as far as I can gather most Schools are closed 29th Mar - 12th April for Easter and 29th May - 7th June for half term. I think the US Schools break up around the last week in May.

Definitely a nice time of year to go, we only had one spell of rain for about an hour - can't wait to go back!

 

[wayneg]

Wow, that is really good! Yeah I'm not fussed about DIY if it's gonna save us money! I'm waiting for Expedia to launch their May dates for next year hopefully this month, as so far it's only all the proper travel agents.

I still dunno whether to do the early booking thing as it seems to bite so many people in the backside as you then see prices falling, to be honest, I think we'd ideally wait till around January to book. Unless I see an awesome deal. We paid £750 each last time for direct flights/Enclave suites for 2 weeks and I'm aiming for as close to that as possible! But I have found cheaper for September this year. Guess it's just your luck really.

May is all about booking at the price you want, its low season and as you can see still lots of cheap flights if you book now for this month. Personally I would look every day from them being released and as soon as they are under £350pp for good flight times book them.
One thing I would not rely on is a good price from Expedia, they have got very expensive last year or 2. Use the 3 sites below they scan most seats and one of them usually finds the best price.
travelsupermarket.com
kayak.co.uk
kelkoo.co.uk

 

[abbadabbadoo]

We went last year toward the end of September, and are going back this year at the same time! It would be a great time to go, especially if you can get Free Dining! We are fortunate enough to get that this year! In September, it's still hot (but not like 100 degrees - it was in the 80's the week we were there) and the crowds don't seem to be so heavy.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks once again guys! I'm normally pretty good at these kinda things, we just got back from DLRP the other day and I managed to book all that separately at a price we were really chuffed with!

I suppose my 1st point of call should be narrowing down where we want to stay, which is proving to be the most difficult! Like I said we'd like to get flights/accommodation for around £750 each. There doesn't seem to be many Glasgow people kicking about here but I'd be really interested in what other people have paid from Glasgow, do you really think we'd be able to get flights for £350 each from here? I find Virgin are the most expensive (doesn't really matter anyway as they only fly from here in high season) but most people here seem to book with them

I just wanna get a move on deciding things so we can keep an eye on prices that suit our needs.

 

[wayneg]

I suppose my 1st point of call should be narrowing down where we want to stay, which is proving to be the most difficult! Like I said we'd like to get flights/accommodation for around £750 each. There doesn't seem to be many Glasgow people kicking about here but I'd be really interested in what other people have paid from Glasgow, do you really think we'd be able to get flights for £350 each from here? I find Virgin are the most expensive (doesn't really matter anyway as they only fly from here in high season) but most people here seem to book with them

I just wanna get a move on deciding things so we can keep an eye on prices that suit our needs.

If you look at this site http://www.kayak.co.uk/ enter Glasgow and MCO it will show you a table on right with recent searches and price guide what is available(or has been) for this month its showing a few dates under £350, change the month and it shows they go up for August then Sept back down again. I would be 99% certain of a sub £350 indirect flight, unless the economy makes a miraculous recovery and people start paying top price again.
Another option from Glasgow is FlyGlobeSpan.com They got a lot of bad press last year but not heard much about them recently. They fly direct to Sanford.

Hotels are always available. We prefer LBV area to Idrive but everyones likes different things. We are paying £28/night incl breakfast this Month to stay here http://www.countryinns.com/orlandofl_wdwresort

We stayed at International Plaza Resort & Spa a few years ago, it was OK within walking distance of SeaWorld but not much else around. I believe the Tower rooms get better reviews than the outer rooms.

 

[orangetiggs]

free dining is on for next year, we priced up with disney uk and travel city direct and both are pretty good

We got flights this year with virgin atlantic for 635 for two of us going out 27th aug to 12th sept