Virgin vs. First Choice

[fizz13]

I'm in a bit of a quandry. i want to book 1/2 term next october for me and DD, 1 week at CSR. First Choice are coming out cheaper than Virgin, about £100. However, am i crazy to consider first choice over Virgin? Is Sanford nicer than MCO? Is Virgin always the better service? help please

Claire

 

[trevorsem]

Sanford is about an hour North of Orlando International. Take that into account as it means you have a longer drive upon arrival.

Virgin Atlantic is also well known for it's in-flight entertainment, etc.

I'd go for Virgin any day. Having said that, I booked with Funways for exactly the same hotel, flights, etc and it was hundreds of pounds cheaper than the Virgin brochure.

T

 

[daywalker]

First Choice now offer a better in flight service and more legroom than they used to..
Sanford is an easier airport to get through than MCO, all in from landing to gettign to your hotel it'll probably take the same time.

 

[alisonbestford]

Do you have to pay for drinks etc on the First Choice flight?
Not major costs but little bits still add up
We flew with Thomson into Sanford a couple of years ago as I said the £100 price difference wasn't worth paying just to watch a backseat movie
We flew Virgin last time, and are doing so next year so, go figure.....
Virgin isn't always the best option but I, personally, prefer it-and the flight into MCO

 

[Sue88UK]

I know First Choice are using new planes which might be nicer and better or similar pitch. £100 may not be enough difference for me to use them however when you consider having to pay for drinks on board and their luggage allowance is only 20kg to Virgin's two suitcases up to 32kg each!

 

[mark&sue]

We flew airtours into Sanford one year and I didn't think there was any difference in the flight. It seemed a bit quicker picking up the hire car though. I like Virgin's day before check in though.

As we always go at half term I am more worried about the flight availability than anything else. There are millions of Brits all wanting to fly that same flight on that same day!!!!!!

Good luck


Susan

 

[dynamite100]

I'm in a bit of a quandry. i want to book 1/2 term next october for me and DD, 1 week at CSR. First Choice are coming out cheaper than Virgin, about £100. However, am i crazy to consider first choice over Virgin? Is Sanford nicer than MCO? Is Virgin always the better service? help please

Claire

Check out the Jetsave brochure at Thomson. Again, flights are with Virgin, but vastly cheaper than the Virgin brochure (in fact, vastly cheaper than any other brochure price anywhere). Virgin's twilight check-in the day before is a big bonus, and the service can't be faulted.

 

[gilld]

Virgin's twilight check-in the day before is a big bonus, and the service can't be faulted.

And also the DTD check-in on the last day. It really does add another day to your holiday, particularly if on a later flight.

 

[sharon-o]

We fly first choice in july and we have a day before check in which is quite cool, you feel like the holidays already started a day early!

 

[50bear]

Hope you are not flying from Glasgow.....
Just bog standard 757 not new star service

 

[Cochise]

Check out the Jetsave brochure at Thomson. Again, flights are with Virgin, but vastly cheaper than the Virgin brochure (in fact, vastly cheaper than any other brochure price anywhere). Virgin's twilight check-in the day before is a big bonus, and the service can't be faulted.

Be very careful with this. We booked with Tradewinds who "offer" Virgin flights. But they bumped us to a US Airways flights when the Virgin flights become full. There is nothing you can do to prevent them from doing this, why do you think these firms show multiple carriers in their brochures. We managed to cancel with a full refund but not all may allow this.

 

[fizz13]

Thankyou for all your replies, some interesting information. Anyway, the result is that I booked with Virgin Holidays direct and got 10% off everything including dining plan and park tickets using my frequent flyers membership. I will be staying at CSR waterview next oct. half term for the price of £1818 for me and DD. I think this is an ok deal. I think flying into MCO will be better as well.
Thanks guys,
Claire

 

[vinny1971]

I went with Virgin last year and upgraded to premier seats. Yes it was fantastic and the staff were really nice. However never again. We were wet behind the ears and never knew no better. If you have money to burn then book with Virgin.

Last year I stayed at a Disney Hotel and the full package came to £4000.00 the seats we sat on were a 38inch pitch and the TV Screens were much bigger. Like I said before the whole trip was great.

This time we are going with First Choice. We have again up graded our seats which are the same pitch sizes as virgin and the TV Screen is the same to. All the benefits we got last time we are getting the same this time. But the big difference is, this holiday is costing us £2300.00. And we are doing the exact same holiday.

Get a quote off Virgin for your holiday and then ring around. Every time I spoke to a travel agent I told them that I wanted the best price as I had a few people coming back to me with quotes. Everytime I got a quote I knocked £50/£100.00 off it and told the next travel agent that price. I bet you that by the time you have finished you will be able to go almost first class with another airline for the same money you were quoted with Virgin for basic seats. If you can, try and upgrade. It means you dont have to queue up when you get to the airport to check in and they put you on the plane first and let you off first. Also the seats and the treatment are so much better.

I was going to book again with Virgin this year as I was so impressed with the service last year. But after a few wise words from some close friends who work in the travel business I soon woke up. Remember although it is a long flight it is only 8 hours of your holiday on the plane (16 in total) so look around.

I would never book with a back street firm but try ringing the big high street travel agents and play them off each other. You will be shocked with the end result. And always get the name and direct line number of the person you were dealing with.

People will say that Virgin planes are much better, How do the know? Do they work for Virgin? All the big companies are trust worthy and worth a phone call and lets face facts, a plane is a plane at the end of the day (with in reason of course)

Tell the travel agent you do not want there travel insurance. Look around and get your own. This is an area of your holiday where you will get screwed if your not careful. The lady at first choice told us not to book it with them as we could get it so much cheaper else where, she was right. But it was nice of her to tell us. Also First Choice do a service where you can book in your luggage the day before you go on holiday (I think that cost £5.00 extra) which is a good idea.

Tap in the company that your thinking of flying with in the search bar and see what people have to say about the airline.

I have also heard that Travel City Direct are really good but I have never used them.

I hope I have helped.

Vinny

PS. If you do go with Virgin you will have a nice flight.

 

[Candy]

Thankyou for all your replies, some interesting information. Anyway, the result is that I booked with Virgin Holidays direct and got 10% off everything including dining plan and park tickets using my frequent flyers membership. I will be staying at CSR waterview next oct. half term for the price of £1818 for me and DD. I think this is an ok deal. I think flying into MCO will be better as well.
Thanks guys,
Claire

Claire. can you please tell me about the dining plan you have booked with Virgin and if you dont mind how much did cost?

 

[fizz13]

Candy, I have booked the "disney dining plan" which offers you a 3 course sit-down meal, a 2 course counter service meal, and a snack per day from most of the disney restaurants. Sorry, I don't have the link to the full list. Disney list this as $35 per day for an adult and $10 per day for a child. This is not a seperate virgin plan but the official disney plan.

I haven't had the invoice from virgin yet so i don't have a proper breakdown in front of me but I think the girl said £27 per day for us. We had 10% taken off for frequent flyer programme. Sorry I can't be more accurate, this is just a guess till I get my invoice through. I will ring later and get the actual price and post it here.

Claire

 

[Candy]

Candy, I have booked the "disney dining plan" which offers you a 3 course sit-down meal, a 2 course counter service meal, and a snack per day from most of the disney restaurants. Sorry, I don't have the link to the full list. Disney list this as $35 per day for an adult and $10 per day for a child. This is not a seperate virgin plan but the official disney plan.

I haven't had the invoice from virgin yet so i don't have a proper breakdown in front of me but I think the girl said £27 per day for us. We had 10% taken off for frequent flyer programme. Sorry I can't be more accurate, this is just a guess till I get my invoice through. I will ring later and get the actual price and post it here.

Claire

Thanks for the reply claire. we have booked a holiday for october 06 staying on site with virgin.when i asked them about the disney dinning plan i was told by virgin i would have to book it direct with disney.we are also freguent flyers so the 10% discount we would receive off the dinning plan if we could book it through virgin would help reduce the cost i have looked in virgins new brochure and cant find any information on the dinning plan.

 

[tinkerbelluk]

I have flown to Florida a number of times now with different airlines etc. By fair the best journey has been with virgin, you don't have to get your purse out everytime you want a drink and their are no added fees for meals which are now becoming a common link on charter airlines. Also the inflight entertainment is excellent. (I only rate the entertainment on air jamaica better.)

Also though it is not definate shed airlines (BA, Virgin, US Airlines) are less likely to recieve major time changes or be cancelled due to low bookings, which is a more likely on charter airlines (First Choice, Thomson - formally Britannia, Mytravel.)

Therefore, i would fly virgin everytime.

 

[fizz13]

Just wanted to let you all know that virgin are selling the dining plan even though there is no mention of it in their brochure/ website. Price is £198 per adult for a week and £91 per child for a week. Not really the best deal,

Claire

 

[arieliwish]

I've seen it for £20 per day per adult and £6 per day per child (up to 9 years). I think this was on the disney uk site. DD is just 10 and eats very little so this wouldn't benefit us as she wouldn't eat £20 worth of food every day, she would usually choose the kids menu's. Also I'd feel we were missing out if we had a few days at Seaworld, Universal, etc. and then had to buy our meals there.
As far as I'm aware you have to purchase the plan for every day - any one know if this is wrong, or if I could buy child vouchers for DD???

 

[fizz13]

The plan has to be bought for everyone in your party and for every night of your stay on disney property.

Just to update, i rang Virgin about the extortionate price they have put on the dining plan as opposed to disney, and they are sticking by their prices of £27 per day per adult and £13 per day per child. i have asked to remove it from my booking which cost me £25 admin fee but i would rather do this than pay that much per day. I am now going to phone disney uk and find out about them adding it on to my package (don't know if they can do this). Will let you know how it goes.

Much love and pixiedust,
Claire