Would a kind Diser take me through the basics?!

[WSussex]

Hi,

Been to Disney 7 times but never stayed onsite - would like to stay at AKL Aug 2017 for 5 nights with free dining offer hopefully!

Could someone please take me through the basics for the free dining offer like:

When would I need to look out for the offer for August 2017?

Is it better to book direct with Disney if booking flights etc independently (I'm guessing Virgin/Thompson etc will sell as package only)?

Booking flights independantly so I'm thinking can't book those until 11 months out is this right?

Price for this Aug at AKL for 5 nights standard room with free dining is approx £1100 does that sound about right price wise (I'm sure will increase slightly for 2017 though)?

Sally xx

 

[Elise79]

Middle to end of April has been the realease of the following years free dining for the last few years so at this stage that is what we would expect.

If you looking at a split stay I would book DIY.

As far a flights go there are 3 options:

• Direct with a scheduled carrier as flight only which go on sale 11 months from return dates
• Charter flights - these are realeased earlier and in seasonal blocks
• Fly drive - again realeased earlier than flight only and generally in seasonal blocks

I have never priced up AKL so have no idea on the price - sorry.

One thing to note is if you book free dining you have to book your tickets at the same time and they can not be used until your check in date so you might want to make sure your Disney booking is at the start of the trip.

 

[WSussex]

Middle to end of April has been the realease of the following years free dining for the last few years so at this stage that is what we would expect.

If you looking at a split stay I would book DIY.

As far a flights go there are 3 options:

• Direct with a scheduled carrier as flight only which go on sale 11 months from return dates
• Charter flights - these are realeased earlier and in seasonal blocks
• Fly drive - again realeased earlier than flight only and generally in seasonal blocks

I have never priced up AKL so have no idea on the price - sorry.

One thing to note is if you book free dining you have to book your tickets at the same time and they can not be used until your check in date so you might want to make sure your Disney booking is at the start of the trip.

Thank you Elise that's really helpful - if I was going to book Virgin flights are they either flydrive or scheduled is that right?

Sally xx

 

[dixonsontour]

Just to add we book Disney first then flights 11 months out. Check kayak or skyscanner. Disney are v good at moving dates to fit flights and no fee as long as price is same or higher.

 

[Elise79]

Thank you Elise that's really helpful - if I was going to book Virgin flights are they either flydrive or scheduled is that right?

Sally xx

Yes you can Virgin flights as a fly drive or flight only (they are a scheduled carrier). VH offer VS flights but will usually be the most expensive option.

You can VS flights through other agents as a fly drive as well so if that's an option you want to look it would be worth shopping around.

Personally, we book everything separately as just seems to work out best for us.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We have booked as a package and separately in the past. The price for AKL seems very low - are you a sole traveller and are you including your theme park ticket (which you have to if you wish to qualify for free dining).

We book for 4 and the accommodation attracts the same price as for one/two people for two weeks at a moderate it comes out at about £2000 plus tickets so for one person for five days I guess the moderate would be about £700 plus £300 ticket making the price of £1100 for AKL a real bargain.

We have stayed at AKL and would highly recommend it although take bug cream as it is the only place we have ever experienced a real problem with insect bites. The transport leaves a little to be desired from there too although you might be driving and it wouldn't be a deal breaker for us personally but of all the resorts we have visited it was definitely the worst.

If you book with WDW you also pay a significantly lower deposit of £50 per personal rather than the £175-£250 usually required with a package holiday.

You can supposedly add flights with them too (subject to an increase in deposit) but we have never done this.

You also get a lot of discounts with Disney direct that you don't get with other sellers.

 

[WSussex]

Hi Chocolateminnie

Thank you for your reply - the £1100 is for 4 without the tickets - are you able to tell me how comfortable the sofa bed is at AKL? I didn't realise this was the set up I had assumed it would be two doubles but realised otherwise tonight - not sure I can justify that amount of money for 2 out of the 4 to be on a sofa bed (

Sally