View Full Version : help - potential first timer
taff1789
11-06-2003, 00:55
Hi everybody
I am considering taking the family to Florida next year - 2004
does anybody have tips, tricks, shortcuts etc
I'm a little bit wary (afraid) of going all that way under my own steam, you know booking the flight, villa, car etc
any help welcome
Tony
Welcome Tony.
You have made an excellent start to your first trip by joining us here.There is a wealth of knowledge and help available to you.Start by deciding when you want to go and base your decision on things like are you tied to school holidays or a works closure.If you are flexible even by a few dates you may see difference in the prices for flights.Try the links on this forum to flights and cars both give good service and value .You should be aware that in general you cannot book flights more than 11 months ahead .You can ec=ven get your Park tickets from here as well-there is everything under on roof .
Having decided on when you can start on the where and put in an enquiry to both http://www.vacation-rental-villas.com and the sister site here of http://www.orlandovillas.com where owners who have your dates free will answer your query.
I a sure that should you decide to "DIY" then everyone here will hold your hand as you go along to ensure it all goes well. Don't be afraid to ask anything someone will know the answer.
HI
you can get all the help you need from this forum
booking the whole holiday yourself gives you more options
and best of all you get to browse through the villas and pick the one
that would suit your family the best
you can also get carhire and flight info from here as well
hope this helps :D
The other big advantage if booking everything yourself is in the money you save and the satisfaction in choosing the components of the holida that you want, and not those that the tour operator wishes you to take.
You are sure to love it and just ask and you will get a wealth of responses.
Best wishes,
Euan
I was first forced to DIY arrange a holiday as the Tour Operator couldn't get 5 seats going out on the same plane. I can honestly say that it was the least stressful holiday I've ever had, and I haven't used an agent since.
As more people find that booking direct & on-line works (and saved us about £1K) the Travel Agent's days are numbered :)
On a practical note - get your flights booked first (you can always find accommodation at a good location near to Disney as many of the owners here will testify [}:)]
Then book your villa - this a superb site if you read the details of each community. We were in Whispering Oaks first time, and it was OK, but there is much better, and the views here are fair and balanced.
Next arrange the Car, and finally the attraction tickets. Some of the guide books say wain until you get there as the tickets are cheaper. They aren't. Some of the guide books also say you can buy "unused days" of other people's tickets. Don't be tempted to do this. Disney use finger print recognition to make sure that only the original user can gain access with that ticket.
Tony
This site is brilliant for help and advice, I went alone this year and have found this
site has given me so much advice. So ask away and people here will help you. Dont worry
about asking silly questions, Ive asked a few and got very good answers.
Chris
Chris7,
Off topic:
Is it fingerprint recognition that disney use? We got annual passes on our last holiday and I couldn't decide whether it was fingerprint recognition or just looking at the shape of your fingers. A fair amount of the time it didn't seem to work for one of our party (usually my wife) and the CM just reset it or let us in, without asking for further ID. But in saying that it was perhaps obvious that we were going through as a group and my ticket had worked fine.
As I love gadgets, etc, I was dying to ask what the finger checkers were checking, but I didn't think that this was really a politically correct thing to do given the heightened security.
Best wishes,
Euan
taff1789
11-06-2003, 11:39
quote:Originally posted by Chris7
I was first forced to DIY arrange a holiday as the Tour Operator couldn't get 5 seats going out on the same plane. I can honestly say that it was the least stressful holiday I've ever had, and I haven't used an agent since.
As more people find that booking direct & on-line works (and saved us about £1K) the Travel Agent's days are numbered :)
On a practical note - get your flights booked first (you can always find accommodation at a good location near to Disney as many of the owners here will testify [}:)]
Then book your villa - this a superb site if you read the details of each community. We were in Whispering Oaks first time, and it was OK, but there is much better, and the views here are fair and balanced.
Next arrange the Car, and finally the attraction tickets. Some of the guide books say wain until you get there as the tickets are cheaper. They aren't. Some of the guide books also say you can buy "unused days" of other people's tickets. Don't be tempted to do this. Disney use finger print recognition to make sure that only the original user can gain access with that ticket.
taff1789
11-06-2003, 11:40
quote:Originally posted by Chris7
I was first forced to DIY arrange a holiday as the Tour Operator couldn't get 5 seats going out on the same plane. I can honestly say that it was the least stressful holiday I've ever had, and I haven't used an agent since.
As more people find that booking direct & on-line works (and saved us about £1K) the Travel Agent's days are numbered :)
On a practical note - get your flights booked first (you can always find accommodation at a good location near to Disney as many of the owners here will testify [}:)]
Then book your villa - this a superb site if you read the details of each community. We were in Whispering Oaks first time, and it was OK, but there is much better, and the views here are fair and balanced.
Next arrange the Car, and finally the attraction tickets. Some of the guide books say wain until you get there as the tickets are cheaper. They aren't. Some of the guide books also say you can buy "unused days" of other people's tickets. Don't be tempted to do this. Disney use finger print recognition to make sure that only the original user can gain access with that ticket.
you say whispering oaks were ok but there was better - can you let me know where yu found a better location
It all depends on what YOU want. Our villa is in Crescent Lakes surrounded by conservation land. Quiet, peaceful and relaxing unyet only 10/15 mins from Shops/ Rest/ Disney etc. Great If you want somewhere to chillout after the theme parks.
However somepeople prefer to be right in the thick of things and like to be on Disney's doorstep. Take a look at the communities pages on this web site and decide what is best for you.
When you know where you want to stay an enquiry through this site will get you offers of accommodation from villa owners who have all been verifed and are completely trustworthy. You can book with confidence with any of the owners on here.
Good luck with your plans and if you have any questions do post them on here and we will be only too glad to help you.
All the best Jeff
MTP - it is fingerprint recognition. If you are interested I found the supplier who manufactures a door lock with FR built in (let me know and I'll trawl my files to find their web site).
I didn't go ahead with one as it was £500 and I think the price will come down in the next couple of years. Incidentally the manufacturers data sheet reckons that they have 99% accuracy, but that it will fail safe. ie one in a hundered permitted users will be rejected, but it will NEVER open for an unauthorised user
taff 1789,
Whispering Oaks was OK, and we had a brilliant holiday. It's shaded at the back so it doesn't get too hot, but there is plenty of sun too (isn't there everywhere in Florida).
I guess it's just that while we were out there we looked at a number of communities and if I was buying, I wouldn't buy there as the properties are older (aprox 10 years?), there is no golf course (not that we play), there are no community facilities (kids play area, jogging track, tennis couts etc), and it isn't on a lake (for theose into sailing, fishing etc).
If I was buying I'd look at Esprit, Davenport Lakes, Indian Ridge etc