When/where to book for Aug 2011?

[Li-sa]

Hi

We're hoping to go on our holiday of a lifetime next summer, and want to get a good deal.
There will be 2 adults and 2 kids (10 and 12). We want to stay onsite in a Disney hotel (maybe POR) so that we get extra magic hours and want to get free dining too.

Any tips on which site/travel agent to book though and when to book for the best prices? Any other recommendations or tips?

Btw, we have to go in the school hols as I work in a school.

Thanks.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi the experts will be along shortly

I was the same as you this time last year.

If you book POR (I think), you only get quick counter service.

We booked saratoga springs, which meant we had one counter service, one table service and one snack daily and it was great. (they do discount during august). Within the free TS, you can use for character meals if the children would like that.

You could look at a price for the studio or the one bed. We had a two bed and found the villa to be of a great size.

We booked through WDW UK.

All I can say, is you will get hooked on this site, and everyone is so helpful, you will be planning for the next year - very jealous

 

[wayneg]

Many of us book direct with Disney.co.uk they have very good deals on Old Key West or Saratoga Springs Resort, 42% off & free regular DDP which makes it better value than POR.
You can then book your own flights, easy enough.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Many of us including me will be looking for flight deals, we want 4th-28th August and probably staying at OKW again as we have this Aug and last Aug.

 

[wayneg]

Just checked the price, OKW/SSR are £1/night less than POR and you get the better DDP.

 

[Howellsy]

I'm currently planning August 2011 too as I didn't get to go this year, hopefully for three weeks this time

I agree with Wayne, cheapest is usually booking accomodation/tickets direct with Disney.co.uk then getting your own flights.

The only flight only prices I've found so far are the First Choice/Thomson which are direct to Sanford for around £700 at the moment. Most major airlines won't have their prices out for the whole of August for a few weeks yet.

 

[wayneg]

I'm currently planning August 2011 too as I didn't get to go this year, hopefully for three weeks this time

Hi Danielle, What happened this year? you were missed at the DISmeet, a few asked where you were, had a name tag ready for you, will keep it for next year.

 

[irongirlof12]

we booked last time with disney and got a fab deal at OKW with free ddp and 14 nights ticket for price of 7. for next hol we have booked with complete orlando at pofq, also a good deal. booked flights separatley with virgin. you might prefer a package deal for peace of mind, if so try virgin holidays, they have some good deals with car upgrades etc.

we have done end of august as the crowds do thin out a bit as the usa kids return to school eariler than ours, just allow a few days to recover from the time difference.

 

[Howellsy]

Hi Danielle, What happened this year? you were missed at the DISmeet, a few asked where you were, had a name tag ready for you, will keep it for next year.

I was gutted I couldn't make it! Didn't quite manage to save up enough for a solo trip, and split up with my DGF who was out there on the College Program, so I wasn't so keen on going out alone in the end. But I'm currently planning three weeks for next year August 7th-21st (but hopefully til the 28th depending on how my student budget stretches) so I will see you there next year!

 

[wayneg]

you might prefer a package deal for peace of mind, if so try virgin holidays, they have some good deals with car upgrades etc.

Doubt there will be any good deals with Virgin in school hols next summer, just priced up POR for OP (2ad & 2 ch) random 21 nights before going as far as tickets and car rental just the flights and room come to £6055.40. Disney direct would charge £2,478.00 for the room for same dates (£21 less for OKW/SSR) meaning Virgin are including flights at about £1,000 per adult and £800 per child. Plus Virgin don't offer the 42% disc at OKW/SSR, they would be even better value direct with Disney(or Complete Orlando)
Check your dates but I can never find a Virgin deal for us in August.

 

[wayneg]

I was gutted I couldn't make it! Didn't quite manage to save up enough for a solo trip, and split up with my DGF who was out there on the College Program, so I wasn't so keen on going out alone in the end. But I'm currently planning three weeks for next year August 7th-21st (but hopefully til the 28th depending on how my student budget stretches) so I will see you there next year!

Fingers crossed you make it next year then, get saving

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I agree with wayneg.

For our first trip this august we booked hotel, disney tickets and free dining through disney.co.uk.

Booked our flights through first choice.

To be honest we saved ourselves thousands by booking it this way rather than a package. (8 of us)

I was nervous as first ever time as non package and to america but when I saw the amount we saved we just went for it.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Going in August is great as you do get the discount on hotels and free DDP as Wayne has said but do remember that the weather can be very unrealiable.

We were in WDW just last week and the weather was shocking with monsoon like rain EVERY day for hours on end, thunder storms and when it wasn't raining the humidity was 70% - 80%. This meant that we could only spend a couple of dry hours at the park each day as even with rain macs and the fact we're are British and used to the rain it was just not possible to enjoy the parks. If this is as you say a holiday of a lifetime please bear this in mind.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Going in August is great as you do get the discount on hotels and free DDP as Wayne has said but do remember that the weather can be very unrealiable.

We were in WDW just last week and the weather was shocking with monsoon like rain EVERY day for hours on end, thunder storms and when it wasn't raining the humidity was 70% - 80%. This meant that we could only spend a couple of dry hours at the park each day as even with rain macs and the fact we're are British and used to the rain it was just not possible to enjoy the parks. If this is as you say a holiday of a lifetime please bear this in mind.

That was what worried me when we booked last year, but we wanted three weeks, and could not go out of school holidays.

That is why we ended up going 1st august, we thought if the weather was going to get worse it would be later in august, which we did find, the weather was much more changeable our last week of three and yes the humidity knocked us for six, but we had a magical time

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi the experts will be along shortly

What's so funny? You're one of the experts now .... remember?!!!


Disney UK and Complete Orlando have had some good deals quite often this year. Regarding packages, what everyone is saying is so true. I got a flight inclusive package again for our upcoming trip. I booked it last April/May and while it was a fairly good deal at the time, I could have done better DIY. However once the flight prices went silly at the end of last year, my package suddenly started looking like a very good deal indeed.

Bottom line is, do some research, find out what others are paying/being quoted for similar dates as you are looking at and then when you see a price you are happy with, go for it. Always keep in mind that there may possibly be better deals after you book and likewise there will always be many people who pay a lot more and who envy your bargain. Try not to knock yourself if you do happen to spot something better later on. Same goes for exchange rates by the way.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

one thing just thought of the ESTA.

from early september you have to pay, so if you do book it before the date the charge comes in i would think you would be able to do your esta now (think it lasts for two years - someone can confirm that to you) - save you £14 per person

 

[DjdBrit]

I booked this week for Aug 2011 Originally booked POR with FD for the regular plan NOT QS and I just switch to YC, as I was a bit stressed about space as we have 3 kids.

Look at the US disney site. Start researching now

Good luck and Happy Planning.

 

[Li-sa]

Thanks for all the tips. Looks like booking the flights separately is the way to go! I have a few more questions if anyone has time to answer..

I hadn't realised that we could get Saratoga Springs on our budget, so looking into that option now...do the rooms have air con?

We're prepared for heat/humidity/rain/storms, as August is the only time we can do a 2 week break. Would early or late Aug be the best bet? I think the Florida schools go back in late Aug, so wondered if the queues are shorter then?

Can you get a shuttle bus from Sandford Airport to Disney?

TIA

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Thanks for all the tips. Looks like booking the flights separately is the way to go! I have a few more questions if anyone has time to answer..

I hadn't realised that we could get Saratoga Springs on our budget, so looking into that option now...do the rooms have air con?

We're prepared for heat/humidity/rain/storms, as August is the only time we can do a 2 week break. Would early or late Aug be the best bet? I think the Florida schools go back in late Aug, so wondered if the queues are shorter then?

Can you get a shuttle bus from Sandford Airport to Disney?

TIA

Yes saratoga has air conditioning, and also has ceiling fans. TBH we were never hot in our villa.

When we looked into it, we went on the 1st august, as i understood the weather got worse as the month goes on. The other side is that the school go back around mid august. TBH i was expecting worse queues for rides than we had.

You cannot use the disney bus transport from sanford but i am sure someone will come along shortly with names of companies you can use.

We hired a car, and it was so easy, we got through customs, walked few minutes to the car hire company, it took minutes to sort and then we were driving away. We loved sanford, for us it was much calmer and quieter and we were through customs in no time, and got our baggage very quickly.

 

[wayneg]

Yes all the rooms have aircon, even offsite in a £20/night motel I have never found a room in Florida without aircon.

Its a bit difficult to advice, generally later in August is quieter but this trip we found the restaurants quiter(some like Captains Grille half empty) early August then once US free DDP started on the 18th they were all packed out with no walk up reservations. Parks were mixed all August for us, some days short lines others normal August lines. If you can cope with early mornings usually the parks are quieter before lunch.

You can get shuttles/taxis/towncars from Sanford but not cheap, MCO has free Magical Express service.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

We have booked our accomodation as we are tied to exact days (well, to get the longest time poss on free dining). 2nd to 20th August

On the hunt for flights!

So if anyone hears of any bargains from Belfast ( yeah, right) !!!!