Travel Expo coming up soon

[Meemoo]

The annual Travel Expo is on in Sydney 31st January. (Other states also included at different times) Is anyone planning on going? I noticed that The Walt Disney Travel Company is not on the list this time, a little disappointing.

To anyone who has attended expos before, do the airlines offer anything special on the day? Should I be prepared to book or just look?

 

[PrincessInOz]

I went to a Flight Centre Travel Expo in July/August last year. I bought my tickets for the October trip at the Expo. I saved $600 per ticket on the day. It could have been even better....they did offer an expo deal of $999 return to LA; but the date restrictions didn't suit my travel.

If you are going to go, I would recommend that you be prepared to book.

 

[Meemoo]

I heard that the deals they offer are only for say 6 months ahead maximum, I'm hoping my trip in October isn't too far off for something good to be offered. I'm not sure if I will wait until the July/August expo, i think I would get nervous leaving it so late!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I heard that the deals they offer are only for say 6 months ahead maximum, I'm hoping my trip in October isn't too far off for something good to be offered. I'm not sure if I will wait until the July/August expo, i think I would get nervous leaving it so late!

I didn't plan the October trip.

My cousin in San Diego sent us a save the date in July, 10 weeks out from the wedding date. We checked the flights and they were "full retail price". The travel expo happened to be on two weeks from when we received that notice and I was thankful to be able to snag the flights at the price we did.

I hope that you get the deals for your time period. Good luck with it!

 

[jacs1234]

I booked at the travel show in february for a trip in November. I'm hoping to do it again this year but I don't think I'll have the cash to pay in full

 

[Meemoo]

I am heading to the expo this morning - I will let you know if I find it worth while. I saw a giant Olaf in the advertisements so that alone should be worth the trip

 

[LivingforDisney]

Great, will be interested to know. I was going to head out there, but don't think I will as I asked at flight centre yesterday and was told that. Probably wouldn't find any flights as I am coming home late Jan.
In the Telegraph last week there was details about the Expo and Disney did have a stand.

 

[travelwith4kids]

We went down for our local instore specials this morning and no sale
I can find cheaper on helloworld

 

[Meemoo]

Well, I'm back from my Travel Expo experience. If you are after a trip LA return, they have some good prices. Air NZ being the best, was $918 return, Qantas and Virgin under $1000 also. We didn't have luck with our airfares to LA with stop overs in Hawaii both ways, we decided to wait a bit more as I have seen good prices. We got our 10 day Disneyland passes, they had some specials buy 3 days get 5, buy 5 days get 10. The thing is, after buying the buy 5 get 10 days it only works out about $12 cheaper than just buying a 10 day pass. Because the prices keep increasing this year due to the exchange rate so i decided to lock that part in and buy it. They told me its 100% refundable if we don't use them so we didn't have much to lose. I am guessing this deal might be available at Escape Travel or Flight Centre anyway this weekend, as they told me it was valid until tomorrow. They did have the Disney stand cute blow up Baymax, a big Dusty, Olaf and Sully made me excited to see it all and I got given a nice brochure and planning DVD. It was fun I guess to go but no major savings!

 

[lffam]

Well, I'm back from my Travel Expo experience. If you are after a trip LA return, they have some good prices. Air NZ being the best, was $918 return, Qantas and Virgin under $1000 also. We didn't have luck with our airfares to LA with stop overs in Hawaii both ways, we decided to wait a bit more as I have seen good prices. We got our 10 day Disneyland passes, they had some specials buy 3 days get 5, buy 5 days get 10. The thing is, after buying the buy 5 get 10 days it only works out about $12 cheaper than just buying a 10 day pass. Because the prices keep increasing this year due to the exchange rate so i decided to lock that part in and buy it. They told me its 100% refundable if we don't use them so we didn't have much to lose. I am guessing this deal might be available at Escape Travel or Flight Centre anyway this weekend, as they told me it was valid until tomorrow. They did have the Disney stand cute blow up Baymax, a big Dusty, Olaf and Sully made me excited to see it all and I got given a nice brochure and planning DVD. It was fun I guess to go but no major savings!

shame you weren't able to secure your flights, but good news about DL tickets

 

[Babysaurs]

Plan on going to the Adelaide one in feb, do you remember what dates those la flights were for? Also what was the cost of the Disneyland passes?

 

[mum2fourkids]

I'm considering heading to the Gold Coast one tomorrow. Were there sales for wdw too, or just dL?

 

[Meemoo]

Plan on going to the Adelaide one in feb, do you remember what dates those la flights were for? Also what was the cost of the Disneyland passes?

I'm not sure re, the dates as I wasn't particularly interested in the flights. Check the Facebook page Travelexpo they keep adding details as the day goes on about all the specials available, it might give you a better idea.

We paid $1522 for 2 adults and 2 kids for the buy 5 day get 5 day free pass.

 

[Meemoo]

I'm considering heading to the Gold Coast one tomorrow. Was there sales for wdw too, or just dL?

The Walt Disney Travel Company was there, they actually tried to make me see how WDW was just as affordable, the lady mentioned flights around $1500 return from SYD to Orlando....but didn't go into much detail with it.

 

[Aust]

I made use of some of the Expo specials on Friday - my sister in law works at Flight Centre and I decided Friday afternoon to take the kids on a quick trip to DL in the September holidays (very spontaneous for me, usually I have these things planned 2 years in advance) - I didn't get a fantastic deal on airfares as I am locked into dates Saturday to Saturday in the school holidays, but got 2 adults 2 kids on Virgin for $5,500. . Also got the 10 day passes for 5 day price and 10% off travel insurance. So not huge savings but that's mainly due to the dates.

 

[Luisa]

Went to the Melbourne one today, best deal I saw was Melbourne to LA on Air New Zealand for $899 but it didn't fit my dates. Qantas also had $987 return but again didn't suit. I ended up getting them to price match Air NZ only to realise when I got home it was the wrong day! I'd been playing around with either the Friday or the Saturday on all the different airlines and some were cheaper on one over the other, when I finally decided just to get it over with and book Air NZ (I don't mind the layover coming home) I wanted the Saturday as it gets in to LA a bit earlier so easier with a connection to Atlanta. With all the stress organising for others instead of just myself I buggered up the day! I've emailed my TA as all she did was lock them in, I haven't signed the paperwork or paid yet (she said to drop in and do it Monday) and now I'm hoping and praying she can change it- have had a stress headache all day worrying about it

 

[PrincessInOz]

Went to the Melbourne one today, best deal I saw was Melbourne to LA on Air New Zealand for $899 but it didn't fit my dates. Qantas also had $987 return but again didn't suit. I ended up getting them to price match Air NZ only to realise when I got home it was the wrong day! I'd been playing around with either the Friday or the Saturday on all the different airlines and some were cheaper on one over the other, when I finally decided just to get it over with and book Air NZ (I don't mind the layover coming home) I wanted the Saturday as it gets in to LA a bit earlier so easier with a connection to Atlanta. With all the stress organising for others instead of just myself I buggered up the day! I've emailed my TA as all she did was lock them in, I haven't signed the paperwork or paid yet (she said to drop in and do it Monday) and now I'm hoping and praying she can change it- have had a stress headache all day worrying about it

Luisa....can I ask....what were the dates for those deals?

I hope your TA sorts it out.

Thanks for sharing, BTW.

 

[Luisa]

I'm not 100% but I think the Air NZ travel had to be completed by Nov 30 and it was odd dates between I think March and November skipping around school holidays. Qantas is for 5/10-30/11 on the QF95 departures (Wed, Fri & Sun evening departure on a 747 instead of A380)- I've actually queried this one with the TA too as the travel has to be completed by 10/12 and we're coming back 05/12, if the flight back isn't the early evening one I'd be tempted to grab that one instead. Fingers crossed I hear back from her with good news.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm not 100% but I think the Air NZ travel had to be completed by Nov 30 and it was odd dates between I think March and November skipping around school holidays. Qantas is for 5/10-30/11 on the QF95 departures (Wed, Fri & Sun evening departure on a 747 instead of A380)- I've actually queried this one with the TA too as the travel has to be completed by 10/12 and we're coming back 05/12, if the flight back isn't the early evening one I'd be tempted to grab that one instead. Fingers crossed I hear back from her with good news.

Thank you.

Hope you'll check back in and let us know when it all works out for you.

 

[Luisa]

Got it all sorted, they kept the price match with Air NZ and switched to the Saturday flights. Not the cheapest fare I've had but four adults for $4800 is not bad and I'm just relieved to get it done!
I forgot to mention the Disney people at the expo were incredibly unhelpful about ticket info, I actually felt they were there just for decoration! They did have the planning cd though so I grabbed one for my mum so she can get even more excited for her visit.