Tcd

[Natuk75]

Hi

I was hoping to book 7 nights IDrive 7 nights Disney for Sept 2008 but have since decided on 14 nights at POFQ.

So far the best quote I've had is with TCD who quoted £3091 leaving Glasgow on 22nd Sept 2008. The price includes 14 nights @ POFQ, flights + supp's, booking fees, return transfers and insurance and seems to be an excellent price!

I just want to know if anyone has had any dealings with them and if they are any good? Some reports I've heard are that the company is good but the flights (?plane's) are bad. Also, what is the difference between a 737, 747, 757 or 767?

Thanks,

Evelyn

 

[wayneg]

if you use the search box there are lots of threads on tcd. They are not the best but they get you A to B. If they save you a lot of money then ok but if its only £100 or so I would use a better airline.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

You will get conflicting reports. We had a horrendous 22 hour delay with them in Jul 2 years ago and wil never use them again. Some people have had a fantastic experience.

 

[ukdisneydreamer]

like previous posters have said you will never get the same answer - but we have travelled with them 3 times and will again in September and HAVE NEVER had a problem with them, never any delays from Scotland great service all the way - we just cannot afford the extra £1000 that the other companies seem to quote for our trips.

 

[UKDEB]

Have you looked at booking flights and accommodation separately? I ask because, if you book a Disney hotel through a UK Tour Operator, it's often difficult (or impossible) to then arrange some of the things you might read about on these boards. Disney will only deal with the TO, not with you. Say, for example, you read here that you should put in a request for a certain section of the resort, you could ring Disney and do that. If, say, you'd booked through Dreams Unlimited, they could, and would, do that for you. If you book a package with TCD, you've got no means of doing it. Admittedly, that might not seem like such a big deal, but what if you suddenly found you were eligible for free dining, but couldn't add it on because you'd booked through a UK Tour Operator? There's a good chance that Disney will announce Free Dining again next year, although, based on this year's dates, you'd probably have to bring your dates forward a couple of weeks to benefit. The same thing would apply to any other discount or benefit announced between the time you booked and the time of your arrival. If you've booked through Disney, or an agent such as Dreams, you can just switch the booking. You simply won't be able to do that with a Tour Operator. Another one which seems to crop up fairly regularly is folks wanting to upgrade to a better room - an easy thing to achieve at no additional cost, unless you've restricted yourself by booking through a UK Tour Operator when I'm guessing it's just not an option.

September is value season at POFQ (i.e. the cheapest time to go). A room there would cost you $145/night this September. That's just a little over £1,000 at current exchange rates for your 14 nights, which would leave £2000 for your flights. How many of you are travelling?

 

[fearfall]

WE WENT WITH THEM XMAS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND FOUND THEM FINE WE HAD NO PROBLEMS FLIGHTS WERE ON TIME AND WE SAVED OVER A £1000 COMPARED TO VIRGIN WE NOW ALWAYS COMPARE PRICES WITH VIRGIN WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM RECCOMENDING THEM

 

[Joanne UK]

We travelled with TCD in Feb and they were excellent. Would definately fly with them again.

 

[Natuk75]

Thanks for your comments everyone, I guess its one of those companies that seems to be a bit hit or miss. I noted that TCD don't use their own aircraft for Glasgow flights so I was a bit unsure as to whether to go ahead and book.

UKDEB - Twice before I booked flights and accommodation separately for 2 adults. This time there are 3 adults (I'm going with my mum and sister) as well as 1 child. I am paying my sister's hotel and flight so hence I'm trying to keep things as cheap as possible. Disney UK website quoted £1170 (£390 per adult) for 14 nights at POFQ and only £200 deposit. Unfortunately most companies for flights only either want it paid in full at time of booking or a deposit of about £500 which I don't have. I also don't want car hire but return transfers instead. Hence the deal TCD gave which included insurance etc seemed very good. Thomsom quoted me £3500.97 for a First Choice holiday which includes everything but is almost £500 dearer than TCD. Funnily enough First Choice still haven't got back to me with a price themselves. BA haven't got their prices yet so haven't called me back either. What is the definition of a tour operator? Aren't Dreamsunlimited a tour operator? (Sorry if I sound ignorant). I'm not going for the dining plans or anything, the only thing I want to request is a corner room which I was told I just needed to fax or phone the resort a few weeks before I go to request this as well as mentioning it when I book with whomever.

I could just book the hotel through the Disney UK website and shop around for flights later but I'd also have to sort out transfers and insurance!

Any help would be appreciated.

Evelyn

 

[ukdisneydreamer]

eertime we have flown from Glasgow it has been a TCD plane - if that helps

 

[Natuk75]

Thanks Anne, that does help. I was going to post a message to you about that actually...lol!

 

[castanea1985]

You will get conflicting reports. We had a horrendous 22 hour delay with them in Jul 2 years ago and wil never use them again. Some people have had a fantastic experience.

Hi,
I'm in total agreement with Stitch's Greatest Fan! We had never used them before, and thought we would try them, basically to keep the cost down for other members of our party. Never again! We had a 24 hour delay last July! So its back to schedule and Virgin for us! Even using Sunshine First or whatever, doesn't avoid such long delays - they just don't seem to have the back up of scheduled flights.

Oh yes, in economy, they don't have seat back TV's either, which isn't ideal for a 9 hour flight, especially for young children.

Saying that, other people have no problems and use them year after year!

Hope this helps?
Tracy

 

[crabbie1]

Thanks for your comments everyone, I guess its one of those companies that seems to be a bit hit or miss. I noted that TCD don't use their own aircraft for Glasgow flights so I was a bit unsure as to whether to go ahead and book.

UKDEB - Twice before I booked flights and accommodation separately for 2 adults. This time there are 3 adults (I'm going with my mum and sister) as well as 1 child. I am paying my sister's hotel and flight so hence I'm trying to keep things as cheap as possible. Disney UK website quoted £1170 (£390 per adult) for 14 nights at POFQ and only £200 deposit. Unfortunately most companies for flights only either want it paid in full at time of booking or a deposit of about £500 which I don't have. I also don't want car hire but return transfers instead. Hence the deal TCD gave which included insurance etc seemed very good. Thomsom quoted me £3500.97 for a First Choice holiday which includes everything but is almost £500 dearer than TCD. Funnily enough First Choice still haven't got back to me with a price themselves. BA haven't got their prices yet so haven't called me back either. What is the definition of a tour operator? Aren't Dreamsunlimited a tour operator? (Sorry if I sound ignorant). I'm not going for the dining plans or anything, the only thing I want to request is a corner room which I was told I just needed to fax or phone the resort a few weeks before I go to request this as well as mentioning it when I book with whomever.

I could just book the hotel through the Disney UK website and shop around for flights later but I'd also have to sort out transfers and insurance!

Any help would be appreciated.

Evelyn

Evelyn
You can book your transfers through magical express free of charge as long as you stay on site .We have used them before and it is great.You will hear some people say they have had delayed baggage -what happens is disney take the bags from your flight direct to your resort.Problem is they don't tell you it could be a few hours.We were lucky and only waited 2 but I have heard people say 6 hrs before they get their bags.But you don't have to put the tags on the luggage.You can still book the transfers and collect your luggage as normal that way you have your bags with you.
Like deb says ,I agree that it is sometimes better to book seperate and as you are not going for 18 months you have plenty of time to shop around and save.I know it is tempting to pay a low deposit and know everything is booked but in the long run may cost you more because there is so much compatition out there.
Good luck and hope this answers your worry about the transfers.Even if you go with TCD,don't pay for the transfers and use ME. It will save a few more pounds. Pounds makes dollars!

 

[Natuk75]

Evelyn
You can book your transfers through magical express free of charge as long as you stay on site .We have used them before and it is great.You will hear some people say they have had delayed baggage -what happens is disney take the bags from your flight direct to your resort.Problem is they don't tell you it could be a few hours.We were lucky and only waited 2 but I have heard people say 6 hrs before they get their bags.But you don't have to put the tags on the luggage.You can still book the transfers and collect your luggage as normal that way you have your bags with you.
Like deb says ,I agree that it is sometimes better to book seperate and as you are not going for 18 months you have plenty of time to shop around and save.I know it is tempting to pay a low deposit and know everything is booked but in the long run may cost you more because there is so much compatition out there.
Good luck and hope this answers your worry about the transfers.Even if you go with TCD,don't pay for the transfers and use ME. It will save a few more pounds. Pounds makes dollars!

I know the Magical Express is free but I thought it only covered MCO. Do they cover Sanford for a fee? Most of the flights I've looked into arrive at Sanford? I'm looking to stay on-site at POFQ!

 

[Natuk75]

Hi,
I'm in total agreement with Stitch's Greatest Fan! We had never used them before, and thought we would try them, basically to keep the cost down for other members of our party. Never again! We had a 24 hour delay last July! So its back to schedule and Virgin for us! Even using Sunshine First or whatever, doesn't avoid such long delays - they just don't seem to have the back up of scheduled flights.

Oh yes, in economy, they don't have seat back TV's either, which isn't ideal for a 9 hour flight, especially for young children.

Saying that, other people have no problems and use them year after year!

Hope this helps?
Tracy

Hi Tracy

It does help, thanks. It seems to me that 9/10 reports are bad then there's a good report! In addition I'll be flying from Glasgow so these reports aren't as common although there has been a couple of good Glasgow reports.

Evelyn

 

[UKDEB]

I know the Magical Express is free but I thought it only covered MCO. Do they cover Sanford for a fee? Most of the flights I've looked into arrive at Sanford? I'm looking to stay on-site at POFQ!

You're right - ME only operates out of MCO.

 

[crabbie1]

You're right - ME only operates out of MCO.

Sorry evelyn thought you were going into Mco

 

[Natuk75]

No problem. I really would rather go in to MCO because it the only Orlando airport I'm used to but also it would mean I could make use of the Magical Express (its just so exciting thinking about it!!!!)


Evelyn

 

[Leiamichelle]

HI Natuk75 sorry we went to disney 18months ago with TCD and let me tell you DONT FLY WITH TCD.. we had a 24hour delay so we lost 1day off are hoilday also when we got to wdw all star movies they said TCD had not phoned them to let them no of the delay so they had cancelled are room.
we were so angry we got to r hotel at 11pm us time my kid who was 5 at the time was very upset. the hotel staff were really really nice after all of the mess they got us a room at all star muisc. the staff u not even get hold off TCD and they said this happens all the time with this company......

so i would try some other airline before going with this waste off time airline.

this year we are going with virgin and all is well so far..
before a go TCD never said sorry or offerd anything in return

DONT FLY WITH TCD

 

[Natuk75]

Hi Leiamichelle

Thanks for that. I think it looks like a no-go and as someone said if there isn't much of a difference in flight prices then its best to go with someone else. I'm considering First Choice because the flight prices aren't much more expensive than TCD and the flight times are good. I'm still waiting for BA's flight prices to come out.

Thanks again, all info is greatly appreciated.


Evelyn

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Leiamichelle

Thanks for that. I think it looks like a no-go and as someone said if there isn't much of a difference in flight prices then its best to go with someone else. I'm considering First Choice because the flight prices aren't much more expensive than TCD and the flight times are good. I'm still waiting for BA's flight prices to come out.

Thanks again, all info is greatly appreciated.


Evelyn

Hi Evelyn
You are best sticking with a schedule flight if you really want to fly into MCO.. like Virgin or BA (for direct flights), or Delta, Continental etc.. for indirect flights.
Charter flights, like First Choice, Monarch, TCD, Thomas Cook all fly into Sandford.
Hope this helps
Tracy