Vacation Trips from UK

[sabre460]

Help!
I have a family of 5, husband, wife and 3 girls (11, 8 & 5) planning a 2 week Disney trip from the UK in August. Can anyone help with transportation suggestions? Charter flights? Tours? Places to stay? Anything economical!
Thanks!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi and welcome.

We go in August too, it is very hot at that time of the year, but with good planning you will have a brilliant time.

Is it your first time in Orlando?
What accomodation are you looking at, hotel/villa or on site at one of the more 'economical' Disney resorts?

Have you any dates in mind, just that from mid-August onwards the parks are a lot quieter as a lot of the US schools return, it does make it a lot easier touring the parks.

I am sure you will get plenty of help here anyway so ask away

 

[sabre460]

Hi, Johnny!
Thanks for the quick reply! This will be the first trip! I am the Dad of the family referred to and am trying to assist them in finding transportation and accomodations at the most reasonable price. I know they would prefer a villa with a pool. Right now, they're more concerned with booking a decent flight out of the UK. Target dates are the first three weeks of August. Any suggestions??

 

[JohnnySharp2]

There are many flights to Orlando at various prices.

The one thing though, August is one of the more expensive times for flight prices (something that annoys many of us), for example our Virgin fly drive price is £849 adult price.
I have never flown with anyone else, but I know that TCD (Travel City Direct) are cheaper, and possibly also the likes of First Choice also.

The one thing to be aware of is there are 2 airports, MCO Orlando International and Sanford International, SI is a good hour or so travelling time away from Orlando itself, so you would need to be careful when booking a flight that you know which airport is used.

To be honest there are many more people on these boards who know more about the different flight operators than I do, so I am sure you will get more suggestions and feedback.

As for villas, there are thousands to choose from, I presume that you will be renting a car though? you will need one if staying in a villa.

We always stay in Kissimmee which gives us easy access to restaurants/supermarkets/ plus all the attractions etc

You can view villa examples on these sites:

www.vr360homes.co.uk
www.villas2000.com
www.holiday-rentals.com

Are you buying theme park tickets before you go?

 

[carolfoy]

There aren't many packages that allow a 21 night stay during the summer months, unless you go with travel city direct you may have to book everything seperately. This isn't a problem and would probably work out cheaper anyway. Thomas Cook do have a flight only for 21 nights available from gatwick on the 28th july at a whopping £639 per head. You could also try virgin holidays, either as a package or as seperate components: you'll need virgin atlantic for the flight only sector. If you want me to search for you pm me.

 

[sabre460]

Wow, Johnny!
Thanks so much for the info! In your opinion, would it be more affordable to go for a villa or on of the "econonomical" resorts? I notice the quote marks so maybe that was tongue in cheek??
Definately planning for a car. Is it better to rent there or get a fly and drive package?
Starting the air booking search now!

Sabre

 

[carolfoy]

With 5 people you can't fit into a value disney resort unless you book two rooms (might be worthwhile to get them as they interconnect and you'll get two bathrooms) If you are on site at disney and intend to do just disney its really not worth while hiring a car at all. Even if you plan on only 2 or 3 days outside of disney it probably won't be economical to hire, a taxi would be cheaper. If you plan on spending several days outside then a car will be a lot more convenient. There are a lot of fairly cheap hotels and apartment style hotels along i-drive and kissimee that can fit 5 in a room and have self catering style facilities. It probably would work better to have a car in these areas although a lot of people go car less (including myself) and rely on the hotels shuttle busses etc.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Wow, Johnny!
Thanks so much for the info! In your opinion, would it be more affordable to go for a villa or on of the "econonomical" resorts? I notice the quote marks so maybe that was tongue in cheek??
Definately planning for a car. Is it better to rent there or get a fly and drive package?
Starting the air booking search now!

Sabre

I have never actually stayed on-site at Disney, yeah sort of tongue in cheek, I guess it's difficult to 'do Orlando' really cheap, I am not really sure of the prices of staying at a Disney hotel but even the moderate priced one's are certainly not very cheap.

I think a villa would be a good idea, costs can vary but expect generally to pay at least £400 per week for a villa.

You will get many different opinions I am sure on renting a car, we always choose a fly-drive package for the convenience, but you can I guess save money if you do it independantly, I can only go off what works for us.

Carol's suggestions are good too - I think she works in a travel agent so if she has offered you the chance to send her a PM then I would take it as I am sure the advice would be good.

 

[AlanUK]

Hi Sabre,

Welcome to the DIS and UK Trip Planning

Looking at your original post you say that you are looking to go for 2 weeks, but have a choice of three weeks in early August to choose the 14 nights from - is that right??

As Johnny has said it's probably the most expensive time to be travelling and I would agree that you will probably find it cheaper to hire a villa for the duration of your stay rather than staying on site, although some of the off site hotels would offer the villa option a bit more competition on the price front if you decided you would rather stay in a hotel.

I would also recommend you taking Carol up on her offer, working in the industry she has a lot of information at her fingertips and might just be able to help you find a killer deal

 

[Disney owl]

We are a family of 5 & stay in a villa, we love the space & privacy a villa gives plus your own pool.

Can't see us staying any where else until we go without the kids.(if ever!)

We booked flights with TCD & the villa separately , so we knew exactly where we were staying.
we went in late August & didn't find it as busy as we'd expected. As johnny said a lot of US schools had gone back.

Be prepared for rain, it did every day but remember it's warm/hot too. The weather never stopped us doing anything.

No problems with Sanford airport, it's a very easy airport to use & it's not that far away.

 

[scojos]

like alot of people on this site we are limited to going school hols too, as im a teacher, i got a deal through virgin for 2 adults and 3 kids staying off site on 192 for £3.200, in a three star hotel, although I think its more of a motel
If this is the sort of price you re looking for PM me and ill send you the phone numbers of the agency we used, and they were fab!!
tracy and her mice
ps This is for a three week stay flying manchester to orlando international, room only...

 

[sabre460]

Dear ALANUK and DISNEYOWL!!

Many, many thanks for your responses and comments and hints! I'm studiously making notes! And since the family lives near Derry, CAROLFOY has already handed me off to her Irish compatriot, Scottish Helen (?) in Dublin. I'm eagerly awaiting a note from her!
I hoe you don't mind if I come to you for advice/suggestions as this quest progresses! I never dreamed that a site as helpful as this one existed! Thank you so much!

Bill (sabre460)

 

[Miffy2003]

Bill - welcome to the Dis

You've come to the right place to help with trip planning

We usually travel in August too. The later you can go, the better in terms of the parks being more quiet.

It is extremely hot and humid, but we make sure we take lots of air conditioned breaks (lots of inside attractions), plenty of water to drink and chilling out round the pool too

The evenings are wonderfully warm and balmy