The best UK traveler tips??!!

[AllisonG]

My cousin wants to go to Disney for Christmas 2007. She is traveling from England. I, being the resident Disney pro said I would help. Well, I live in Florida! I really have no idea about traveling from England and staying 2 weeks on Disney grounds!
Now, I am looking for suggestions, tips, advise? What have all you travelers out there done in the past that has worked so well?
What is the best tip, suggestion or advise we can give her?
Should she go through DisneyWorld.com? Use an agent? Book all inclusive? By everything seperate?(tickets, flight, room, food??)
I'd really like to get her the best deal possible and I am hoping you experts can help point me in the right direction.
Thank you so much for all your help. We will think back fondly on you all while we're on hoilday in WDW!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Allison and welcome to the UK side of the Dis

I think in order to help your cousin it would be good to have a little more information

If she is able to fly out as early as possible in December this will save them a lot of money. Chances are the flights are going to be a large chunk out of the budget so saving money there is always good Flying indirect often saves money too. Flying midweek instead of at the weekend is oftentimes cheaper

You mention they will be on Disney grounds - will they be wanting a value, Mod or deluxe? Or would they think about offsite? Will they be hiring a car? Happy in a hotel room or would they prefer a suite or a villa?
A lot of Brits love the space and freedom an offsite villa affords them.

It can be cheaper to book things all separately and indeed I always do this myself but a first timer may like the added "comfort" of booking a package through a tour operator.

Depending on how much their budget is will also affect advice here - for example some folks love to travel with the upgraded option of Premium seating for such a long flight.

Depending on where they live in the UK, different airports / operators will be the best option.

How many in her party and how old will the children be? This can affect her choices too as charter flights price children as children up to 18 or 16 years old (I forget which) whereas scheduled clas them as adults from 12 (I think). If children in her party are say 12, 13, 14 etc this may make a big difference to the cost.

I am so sorry to answer your question with so many questions

 

[AllisonG]

OK, I believe mid week flying is fine. Her daughter is 9 and it will be just the 2 of them. Either Gatewick ot Heathrow airport, she lives in Tadley, Hampshire. I know she wants to stay on Disney grounds. Moderate resort and no hired car, if possible. I know she wants to wait until her daughter's Christmas hoilday from school which starts around the 16th of December.

I hope this info helps and I want to thank you so much Miffy for all your help. How sweet!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Allison,

To do it without a car and at a Mod should be no problem at all. I would almost be inclined for her to book with www.disney.co.uk or even www.disney.com for the room rate (she should compare to see which gives her the better deal) and then do the flight separately. She can use DME to get from MCO to WDW, but don't let her leave Orlando without visiting one of the great shopping malls or outlets (Brits tend to love these as they are on a different scale to what we have here )

I recommend her filling out this online form at www.disney.co.uk to get a free DVD to help with her trip planning. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/index?bhcp=1 (then select holiday planner)
At the very least she can narrow down which Mod appeals to her most

For flights, I would use sites like:

www.opodo.com
www.expedia.co.uk
www.virgin.co.uk (then select flights "Virgin Atlantic" or holidays)
www.bon-voyage.co.uk

And literally play around with dates and times to secure the best flight at the best price

The ticket deals for UK visitors have slightly different options to those bought in the US so depending on her plans one might suit more than another.

9 is a wonderful age to visit Disney!

ETA: If she would rather go for a package holiday, she could try companies such as First Choice or Travel City Direct also.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi Allison

If your cousin is booking with Disney - why not use a TA such as Dreams and they will also book ADR's. You save on the phone calls from UK and do everything by e-mail. No extra cost & they can get discount rates.

We are going this December and apart from Virgin most flights are available to book 11 months beforehand. US Air just had some really good flight deals (including Xmas if you could fly a little earlier).

Hope this helps

 

[AllisonG]

Wow! Miffy and Mrs. Doubtfire!
Thank you so much for all that great information. I so appreciate you taking time out to help me and my cousin. So helpful!