The Big Return - ** Updated **

[Bilboo]

Hello All,

It's been quite a while since I've posted on this board, as you can see from my signature I've been sampling the delights of DLP for the last few years.

However, next year hopefully marks the return to Florida and some advice would be much appreciated.

This will be the first trip to WDW for my son (who has justed turned 4) and I'm thinking of going over one of the three Half Terms in 2007. I hate to take him out of school but Easter is already spoken for and the Summer Holidays is just far to hot for him.

So, does anyone have any thoughts of which is the best one to go on, February, May or October. Any ideas on weather, cost, crowds would be much appreciated.

Also, I sorted my last trip myself rather than use a package and I was thinking of giving that another go, but as it was 5 years ago I'm a bit out of touch with the sites to use for flights, hotels and car hire - can anyone help please?

One last question, is DIY still the best way to go or do the likes of TCD offer just a good a deal?

Many thanks

John.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi John,

Personally we book a fly-drive with Virgin and then our accomodation seperate, just find it works for us.
I think you need to look at where you want to stay and if you need to book that independantly then fine, this works better especially if you are staying in a villa.

TCD do offer good deals yes, although we have never used them, I guess all you can do is price them up if you find they offer your desired accomodation etc

www.expedia.com and www.tripadvisor.com offer good rates/reviews of hotels all over.

As for when to go, personally I wouldn't choose February for 2 reasons, firstly the weather is very unpredictable this time of the year and can be fairly cool in the mornings & evenings.
Secondly May and October are probably 2 of the best months to go for a good combination of ideal weather and low(ish) crowds, either is a good choice. October is extremely popular to do Halloween etc, a lot of people on the DIS go then.

 

[Disney owl]

We've been at Spring Bank end of May beg of June & had great weather. Didn't find it too busy either.

Most schools only have a week then so you may have to take your DS out of school. I have no problems with this & do it most years but realise other people have different views. But you may be lucky as my kids got 2 weeks then when they were in Junior school & I see you are in West Yorks too.

On our last trip we booked Diy. flights wifth TCD & the villa from an agency in Leeds. We were very impressed with the villa. With 3 teenagers we don't stay in hotels! TCD were the cheapest I could find for direct flights (though it was 3 yrs ago) & we had no problem with them.

 

[ely3857]

Hey John

We have just returned and the weather and crowds were perfect. I have never been at early in the year so dont know how it would compare but would never go in the summer holidays again!

Last year my fil booked it independantley, private villa (there were 11 of us) car with Dollar and Flights with Travel City Direct. This year we booked a package with Travel City Direct for the two of us as despite major research we couldnt beat it. I would never assume TCD are always going to have the best deal in every circumstance though, I would always look around.

I would guess for price and how to book and who with your going to have to start crunching numbers!



Jodie

 

[Bilboo]

Hello All,

Thanks for getting back with the advice much appreciated.

I've pretty discounted February due to the weather comments, which leaves May and October, and at the minute October is sounding good.

I can't get prices on scheduled flights yet but had this quote from TCD:-

- 11th October 2007 for 14 nights

- 3 Adults, 4 Children

- Flights, 8 seater car/van, Villa = £3817

- Flights, 8 seater car/van, Quality Inn Plaza = £3747

- Flights, 8 seater car/van, Best Western Lakeside = £3663


Any thoughts on these prices, do they sound reasonable or would I be better waiting for the scheduled flights to come on-line and book the rest independantly?

Any help would by much appreciated.

Thanks
John

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi John,

All the quotes seem pretty good, although I have never booked with TCD.

The 1st option in my opinion , given the size of your party, is the obvious choice, a villa just caters for a larger group of people much easier.
If there is 1 downside it would be you do not get to choose the home itself, I would imagine though any villa booked through a travel company would be very nice.

It's option 1 for me

 

[ely3857]

I agree a villa would be better for a large group but personally I would book the villa independantley, primarily so I know exactly what I was getting and where it was.



Jodie

 

[Scotfan]

Drive up to glasgow and get the Globespan flight - you will save a packet!

 

[lizbro]

hi can i recommend giving our local travel agents a look as they have started a new company called www.morefloridavillas.com and the prices are really good,you never know they may have something for you!!we are booking with them and i know the guy who runs the agents is going to stay in one of their villas himself soon,the larger villas are in good areas but the 3 beds aren`t so good locations