Package Or D.i.y???????????

[Debbie2]

Having been to WDW twice now, I am feeling confident enough to spread my wings and arrange our 2006 trip myself if it will save me a decent amount of money.

I have priced trip up using 2005 prices with Virgin and cost is looking at around £6000. No doubt will be more expensive for 2006 even with their Frequent Virgin discount of 10%. I am looking to book in April when the summer 2006 dates go on sale. I know exactly where and when we want to go - GF 2 weeks comm around 22 July 2006.

I have read up a little about AP's which are currently around $400 and would have the potential to use them twice in 12 months if we are clever with the dates (assuming we can afford a second trip!!)

If I understand correctly booking rooms direct with WDW are priced per room and not per person and that discounts are available for AP holders. There seems to be other benefits to AP including food discounts too - hence saving further. I also understand that you don't need to have AP at time of booking.
How far in advance can you book hotels with discounts as you would need to book flights well in advance to guarantee seats?

The most complicated part seems to be getting your flight and accommodation dates to match without any problems. Quite happy with arranging own transport from airport - would use Quicksilver.

What do you experts think - what are your experiences of doing this??

I am happy enough to give it a try as long as the saving is worth the work and it doesn't become too stressful.

Over to the experts....................advice please!!!!!!

Thanks

Deb

[PaulaK]

First question, do you have an AA card? This will enable you to book a room using a AAA rate. The AP rates often don't come out until just a few months before and then, they're not always guaranteed. I *highly* recommend asking a US travel agent like Cinderella or Mickeymac to handle yor room booking, they have access to the codes and know in advance when the rates will come out. They will be on that phone the day they're released trying to apply the best discount to your booking! :D

The AAA rates are often released further in advance but are not so readily available. At the moment we have a room at Beach Club booked at full rate, but maybe we'll get an AP rate nearer the time and we have a room at the GF on a AAA rate, again, this could go lower if the AP rates are good and are available nearer the time. It is best to book your room in advance and then try for the reduced rate. It does mean you have to be prepared to pay full rate if you don't get a discount of any sort, but at least you have your room held. Another way of doing it is to book a room at a price you're happy with elsewhere as a back up, then asking to swap to your preffered choice if a room comes available at the AP rate.

I find the best way to look at it is to be prepared to pay full rate and then anything you save is a bonus! Hope you understood my waffle! :lol:

[tajainaz]

Have a feeling that arranging international holidays is a bit more complex than domestic ones, but the basic principles should still apply.

1. Determine your budget
2. Determine your dates and alternates
3. Book your airfare
4. Book your resort
5. Book remaining items and prepay large ones, if possible
6. Enjoy your holiday and savings!

Room rates when booking direct at WDW are for the room with TWO adult occupants. Depending on the resort, there is additional charge of about $25 per day (check the resort link on this site) in standard rooms for each adult over that to a maximum of FOUR adults per room. The additional charge does not apply to children in the room with parents--I think up to age 17. There may be exceptions for suites, which are designed for higher occupancy.

There is no guarantee that WDW will offer special room only rates at any time in the future, even for AP holders. They use that as an incentive for slow times, and availability is limited. It's probably best to plan full price, then apply any discounts as they become available--and be prepared to change resorts if the discount isn't available at your first choice.

[Meezers]

MickeyMac did our last room reservations! She got us a GREAT rate and kept checking back to see if she could do any better!

We did our own tickets thru Maple Leaf. They came in the mail the next week!

Best of Luck!

[Debbie2]

Thanks for your replies

Oh Oh - this seems more tricky than I thought!!

No Paula - not an AA member have RAC with one car and Merc Breakdown on the other so that isn't an option. Interested to hear you have a booking for GF which is where we want to stay. Even at top rate is it cheaper than a package here?? Once you have a booking can you ask for a discount to be applied if one becomes available. Will definitely take your advice about the US travel agent - Cinderella or Mickeymac - HELP!!!

My life is pretty stressful what with working full time and two kids - DS9 is disabled and Virgin made the 2004 trip so easy it would have to be a good saving to make me arrange it myself.

It must be great to live in Florida, what with AP and room discounts, plus no flights we would be there all the time!!!!

Deb

[JuniorMickey]

PM Mickeymac or Cinderella with what your looking for. They are both WONDERFUL and extremely helpful :)

You can book your room now and apply a discount should it become available at a later date. Many of our members do that on a regular basis :)

[Meezers]

PS....plus Candyman just did a trip with his DD who is disabled....I am sure he will along shortly with some answers! He even arranged for Heather's special food to be delivered stateside! All this in addition to planning his wedding!

[Keith]

Oh Oh - this seems more tricky than I thought!!


It really isn't ! I promise!

I've done package holidays, booked using various travel agents and done it myself and it's easy.

I do this:-
Decide when I want to go.

Look at airline fares & discounts. places like www.cheapestflights.co.uk can help as can expedia.co.uk sometimes. I may alter my plans if the flights are silly prices and by being a bit flexible, often only a few days, I can save lots of money. It's VERY easy to play about online to find good flights with availabilty. Once found, I write the date/flights down but I dont book them yet.

Then go to www.disney.co.uk and see what hotels are available. chances are, all of them will be (or if not, most). Get the price but dont book yet.

Go back to expedia.co.uk , virgin holidays and so on and even phone them. See if they can do you a price that's better than the prices you found for flights + hotel + perhaps tickets. If they can do it and save you hundreds at this point, for the convenience, just book it. Don't get tempted to book if they can't save you money or cost a bit more, remember that with an AP or even buying an AA account just for this purpose, you'll be able to knock some money off for yourself anyway.

Assuming you got this far..... book the flights you found first (they'll disappear before the hotels at disney will), then book the hotels (at full rate at the moment).

Look at this site and you'll see people post when the rates are coming out. Be ready and on the day they come out, phone up and get an AP rate if available on your hotel.. if its not available, ask what else is.. often they'll come up with a better suggestion. Remember, you dont need your AP to book, only when you checkin to the hotel.


It's not hard and you can save loads :) If you do want someone else to work it all out for you then on top of all the suggestions, then this site is sponsored by a bunch of really excellent people who can help with discount tickets, towncars and so on (just look at the banners at the top of the page). There's also the official travel agency sponsor who will look out for discounts and so on for you without charging you any extra for doing it http://www.dwuog.com/travel/


*AND* as if that wasn't enough, you can keep asking us :))

[Debbie2]

Cheers Keith - feel more positive now as you make it sound so easy!!

We arrange our own trips to DLRP everytime now and do save hundreds of pounds so I am sure there must be savings to make arranging it yourself.

Guess I have just found out how I will be spending my time during the next half-term holiday!!

Thanks for the tips - I'll keep you posted

Deb

[Fran]

Except for our first trip in 1993 we've always done DIY, although last year we booked a last minute cheap package. We find you can move between resorts and get a much better trip - the planning's a lot of fun too

[uscwest]

The room price is indeed the price for the room, not per person. However, that price assumes no more than 2 adults and 2 children in the room. If there are more then 2 adults then there is an additional charge.

[simbo]

Debbie


I notice that you diy for your trips to DLP. We live in Morecambe so not that far away from you . I would be really interested to find out how you get the best deals for DLP as I think we will have to go there next year as Florida is not going to be financially viable:( . Do you fly or drive? Please give me the details.

Thanks very much.

Simbo

[AlecK]

We have found the best deals by simply ringing DLP direct. The best way to save money is to become a shareholder. You can join here (http://www.eurodisney.com/en/0321.php) . Shares are very cheap at the moment and if you buy 1-349 you pay €15 to join otherwise it's free if you hold more shares. You get 10% of all packages except peak season when it's 5%. You also get 10% off all merchandise in the parks and Disney Village and 10% off all sit down restaurants except Panet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe. Our shares cost £25 with the brokers fee and €15 to join. In the two years we have been members we have saved well over £700 in three trips.

[Debbie2]

Simbo have PM'd you about this.

[simbo]

cheers deb I got it and will be using the info