Well what do you know....

[mkingdon]

Both Louise and I are feeling a little down atm.

Post holiday blues, Louise is drowning in course work from college, and I'm doing nothing but work.

Our countdown stretches into an unending abyss, and the bank account resembles the Mary Celeste.

I did get Louise to agree to another trip in 2005. However, I was chatting with her on the phone at lunch time, telling her how a colleague had just got back from WDW today.

She asked if I'd told this friend that we were going again next year. I took that as a slip of the tongue, thinking she meant 2005. But no, she didn't. She meant 2004.

She wants to go next year. YAY!!!!

Now, as much as I would LOVE to go next summer, I really cannot see a way of affording this. This hasn't stopped me going to Expedia and travel city (who's site was down!!) to get prices for a cheap and cheerful 2 week trip.

Staying in a hotel with flights from Manchester, around the 20th of August, I'm being quoted £2300ish.

I know everyone asks this question, but has anyone got a secret source for killer deals or any tips on how to get there for less?

I know this is an often asked question, so apologies but I know many of you have been getting prices for next year already.

Many Thanks

Craig

 

[Melcatfish]

YAY! I am so pleased you are going again soon - I just finished reading your trip reports and they are great to read aswell as helping "paint the WDW picture" in my head while we wait for our first trip next August. No doubt by the time your next lot of trip reports come online they will be helping me get over post WDW blues.

Good luck finding your killer deal.
Regards
Mel

 

[Squidge]

Hi Craig - very happy that you are planning your next trip!

have you tried www.onlinetravel.co.uk - now dont just recommend this because my boyf is a programmer for the website LOL - It is actually very good!

Hope you find a bargain!

Kirsty xx

 

[Mike Jones]

Hi Craig! Glad to hear you're going back... that didn't take long, did it? I now know that my master plan to get this 'extra' xmas trip out of the way this year, to free us from the annual, regular disney commitment, so that we can repair the house (or move) and attend to our kids' educational needs is just a load of hot-air! I've no doubt we'll be on-line in January, asking the same questions! Seriously, though, I just don't believe it can be done economically.. sure, we can save 'modest' sums, even a grand or so, by booking the trip in bits, direct with owners etc, but it still costs around £5,000+ for 4 people to 'do' orlando properly, including decent accommodation, food and park tickets! We have a mortgage department at work.. shall I ask them to give you a call regarding a further advance?!! Best of luck! Mike

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Wahhaaayyyy!!!!!

Does it absolutely have to be August? We're going next october (half term) and the flight prices are significantly lower, ours are around the £1500 mark for 4 seats with BA, Virgin was cheaper still.

 

[marlouwrig]

Jo

Do you mind me asking - have you booked scheduled flights or a package?

We are planning for next October half term as well but everywhere I try for a direct scheduled quote tells me I can't book until 11 months out.

This is the first time we have ever tried to book flight only so I am feeling a bit bewildered.


Mary

 

[mkingdon]

Mike

Hmmm...remortgage...now there's a thought

Jo

I would go in October if I could save a grand or so. It's Louise who hates the thought of the whole summer holiday with the kids at home. She says that would drive her nuts.

I'll do some browsing based on those dates and see how good it gets.

Cheers

Craig

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Mary,

Our flights are scheduled but they're not booked, we're on the system and as soon as they're released at 11 months then they're booked, so we're not yet guarenteed to get them at the price we've been quoted.

I found both Bon Voyage and USAirtours willing to do this pre-booking and as we are specific about travel dates and airline (DH favours BA) then it's worth it to us to try and get to the front of the queue.

LOL Craig, maybe you should tempt Louise with the extra grand to get her through the summer holidays? That's a fair bit of retail therapy!

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

We haven't even gone on our January trip yet and I got tempted and booked again for 27th Dec 04. Just couldn't help myself.
DH just looked at me and said " What happened to our summer holiday to Rhodes?"
I just looked at him with that mesmerising look ( like the snake in Jungle Book) and brainwashed him into repeating continuously.
" BACK TO MICKEY, BACK TO MICKEY"
Of course my persuasive charm ( + the fact that he does as he is told ) worked a treat.
I HAVE THE POWER!!!!!!!!!
Lin xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[marlouwrig]

Could you possibly bottle that power and send it on to your DIS friends as I certainly don't seem to have it as sad to say DH does not yet seem trained to the right degree!

Any tips you can pass on??

 

[Stuartpaul]

When I first stared to use this site I used to think 'all those sad people going back to the same place time after time, - get a life!!'

As we shortly set off on our third trip with plans for the fourth under way I now know what its all about.

The saying 'If I had to explain you wouldn't understand' springs to mind. Its also trite to say we're only here once so make the most of it.

In answer to Craigs question the time of year really does seem to make a difference, so does a remortgage!

 

[FloJo]

It's true - once you've been to disney you just can't stop.

We first went in 2000 and it was supposed to be a special once in a lifetime trip for the millennium.

It was so good we just had to share it with my mum, dad and nephew so we went back in 2002 (18m later). Explained away the cost as 'well it's not like we'll ever do it again'.

Guess what - we're going back 18th Dec this year for 2 christmas weeks (I know we're mad!!) and yet again I keep telling Hubby and Mum to forget the cost - this is the trip of a lifetime, as it's Christmas and will probably be the last time we go to disney.



Trouble is even as I say those words, I just can't imagine my future without another trip to see mickey and friends and no doubt we'll go back in the next couple of years - although I might combine it with a Caribbean Cruise next time.

I think I just might be a Disney Fanatic...................

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

How to get THE POWER!!!
1) Get one male
2)Talk non-stop about WDW
3) continuously remind him how expensive Euope is now the Euro is in force and how much cheaper things are in the States.
4) turn your nose up to all other destinations suggested.
5) Bombard him with pleading eyes of small children- If you have none, borrow the neighbours.
6)Promise him a night to remember and while he is in the bathroom, be waiting in bed with your Mickey ears on!( much more effective than a headache)
7)Sigh a lot while watching the travel channel.
8)Remind him of the great times you have had at WDW.
9)Cry, rant and rave and howl like a lunatic while stamping your feet ( one for the kids to join in with)
10)As a last resort, large rolling pin to the head should do it.
Hope this helps you to get back to the best place on earth
Lin xxxxxxxxxx

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

If you are going in 2004 and 2005 have you thought about buying annual passes? If you can time your visits so that one annual pass covers both holidays you will save money on two seperate hooper tickets, plus have unlimited access to the parks for both your holidays. If you are stayting on-site you will also be eligible for any AP discounts that become available (sometimes 40% discount).

Regards

Rob

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

Well, I personally had bought all my tickets and then decided to book another trip at the end of 04 so what I'm going to do is use these for January and then get annual passes at the end of 04 to cover Christmas and another trip for Christmas 2005!!
Lin xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Woohoo!!
The best way to beat the blues is to book again lol
We have been planning/then unplanning our trip next year! today we have decided to go next year but its going to need alot of SAVING! (which i hate!).
I dont really have any tips, but im going to watch this thread and see if theres any we can use

Just think (like dp always tells me) its worth it in the long run! you have such an amazing time!!

Happy Planning,and I hope you get sorted.