Where do you book your trip?

[pumpkin7]

hey
next year (2013) we're planning on going to florida for 2 weeks starting on the 21st june. it's a bit of a bummer we have to go while the 4th july celebrations are on but still.
i am going with my husband and my parents, who are also paying to actually get over there. we are providing the spends.
now, where do you find is the best place to book your holiday? we've booked via expedia for our past 2 trips but even they are looking to be a bit expensive.
does anyone know of a good operator or website like expedia that isn't too expensive?
thanks



edit: oh i need to change my ticker!

 

[AmyLand98]

I personally do research and book everything myself, unsure about anyone else. I had an old friend who I hadn't talked to in a long time who went about 2 months ago and she used a travel agent. I just like to handle it myself.

 

[Vixster]

I have done package and used travel city direct flying with virgin where you wanting to stay

 

[laura_<3]

I'm old fashioned and always book with a travel agent. May branch out and book it all myself next year when hunting for a late deal!

 

[wayneg]

I usually find booking everthing seperate the cheapest way to go but you have to do your reserach and book everything at the right time, don't just get up one day and book or you will probably pay top price.
I used to use Expedia, still do sometimes for flights but their hotels have got way too expensive, for example I am looking for Fairfield Inn LBV for Nov, can get it for £36/nt from 3 or 4 websites, Expedia's price £71/nt, almost double the cost.
Our next trip is costing £4,500 DIY, VH's quote over £12,000 so its worth putting time an effort into it.

 

[Julia Ann]

hey wayneg, I will certainly be asking your advise when I come to book our next trip (2015) as we are going on a very tight budget, having to save the pennies for it now. I have always booked via travel agent-virgin, but i know we will get it much cheaper DIY, which i've never done before but will do next time.....with the much needed help of my expert friends on this forum

 

[zippy99]

I have found 'Complete Orlando' good for prices.

You get the benefit of package protection and one point of contact/coordination yet the prices are closer to DIY.

Worth a look on their site or giving them a call. Booked with them twice before. This is my first year fully DIY

Trip has cost £5200 (15 nights - 6 at Universal RPR & 9 at Carribbean Beach with Dining Plan - plus tickets for Dis/Universal) - we are 2 adults & 2 Teens. We only booked early April - Had we booked with Virgin the same holiday would have cost £9800!!

 

[pumpkin7]

we're looking to stay on I-Drive, or perhaps a villa if we can get one at a decent price. it also depends on how much car hire would be for my dad because he'd be driving. i've been looking at booking it myself to be honest, it's a lot of leg work but i suppose if you get a better deal then i don't see why not.
i've noticed expedia has become very expensive recently. we booked our honeymoon through them staying for 14 nights at the Pointe Orlando Resort, which is just opposite the pirates dinner show. it came to about £2500 for the 2 of us and we had a luxury suite.
my mom is looking to pay about £700 per person for flights and accommodation. (not including park tickets. .. we are buying those).

 

[Snow8882]

We looked at loads of traditional agents comparing hotels and deals against each other.

We eventually booked with Cosmos for the Peabody hotel on IDrive - near the Pointe - for 14 nights flying from Manchester. I found their deal competitive for the quality of hotel (it's conference rather than resort) and that they had more choice of accommodation than the high street agents.

 

[bex7583]

I usually find booking everthing seperate the cheapest way to go but you have to do your reserach and book everything at the right time, don't just get up one day and book or you will probably pay top price.
I used to use Expedia, still do sometimes for flights but their hotels have got way too expensive, for example I am looking for Fairfield Inn LBV for Nov, can get it for £36/nt from 3 or 4 websites, Expedia's price £71/nt, almost double the cost.
Our next trip is costing £4,500 DIY, VH's quote over £12,000 so its worth putting time an effort into it.

which websites do u reccomend for looking at hotels, i know i havent booked anything yet but have been using expedia to price up all our non disney parts

 

[wayneg]

which websites do u reccomend for looking at hotels, i know i havent booked anything yet but have been using expedia to price up all our non disney parts

There are so many, Travelsupermarket.com is a good starting point. It searches mutiple sites.
Best thing to do is when you are ready for booking post the hotel, dates and price then if anyone sees cheaper they will let you know.

 

[bex7583]

thats that great , im miles away from booking yet , but have started making a short list of hotels i liek that it 5 and are within our budget for when we are doing our non disney part

 

[Chilly]

which websites do u reccomend for looking at hotels, i know i havent booked anything yet but have been using expedia to price up all our non disney parts

thats that great , im miles away from booking yet , but have started making a short list of hotels i liek that it 5 and are within our budget for when we are doing our non disney part

Trip advisor is good as well becuase you can look up a hotel you like the look of, see how its rated and then search multiple sites to see where is cheapest to book.

 

[wayneg]

Trip advisor is good as well becuase you can look up a hotel you like the look of, see how its rated and then search multiple sites to see where is cheapest to book.

I find tripadvisor gives a very limited search, just searched for hotel I am wanting in Nov which I can get at £36/nt.
Tripadvisor lists Marriott direct(£65/nt) Thompson (no availability) and 4 more all at the same price which is not suprising as they are all the same company, they all show £57. None anywhere near £36/nt.
Always worth checking though, a low price can come from anywhere.

 

[Tink1987]

I have used a company called Pillinger Travel for my partners 30th West Coast trip in December 2013/January 2014. They are fantastic! They are so helpful and the Virgin flights booked with them which are cheaper then Virgin's offerings for December this year!

They are Florida specialists and are currently taking bookings up until Summer 2014. They are ATOL and ABTA protected. Cannot recommend them enough.

 

[Plum85]

I always book everything myself and I go with whomever is cheapest. I booked my flights through www.onthebeach.com (with BA) i booked my accommodation through a previous contact who owns a home over there and I booked the YC through www.greatorlandodiscounts.com If you're prepared to scour the internet and make calls etc, then you'll always get the best deal (in my opinion) by booking separately.