Holiday 2006

[blott]

Normally, the best prices for flights are when they're first available on the internet, which is around 11 months prior to departure, ie in September or October, depending on the date you want to travel. You may be lucky and find a last minute bargain but don't count on it as prices do tend to go up the nearer to the date you get.

You'll probably be looking at scheduled airlines as few charter airlines have 21 nights available.

As has already been suggested, try the link for flights at the top of the forum as they usually have very competitive prices.

Then you can come back here and rent your ideal villa for your holiday!

[steph_goodrum]

Unfortunately Nigel the only thing is grit your teeth and grin and bear it. Either saving for an extra year to be able to afford the summer flights or find the money somehow. We've just finished with being held to ransom by flight operators for peak summer as our daughter has just finished her first year at uni, so can now be a bit more flexible in our trips but I do know some people managed to get bargain flights so you could be lucky.

[Ray&Sarah]

We flew out to Orlando last Sunday, stuck with the school hols too at the moment. The weather is lovely, its hot but not over powering and with all the air-conditioning we hardly notice it unless we are out by the pool. We stick with August as we want three weeks if possible. Our flights were with Virgin I think they started at GBP699 for an economy seat.[msnsmile2]

[Tonish]

I sympathise with the predicament. I've got exactly the same myself. I've tried everywhere over the past couple of months to book next year's flights in the vain hope that I could get something cheaper. Waiting for a last minute bargain is a possibility, but I think unlikely - while surfing for prices in July I had a look to see what it would cost for a last minute booking this August and was quoted some ridiculous figures - £1800 per seat economy was not unusual.

The only place I could book this far ahead was with Virgin. I have 4 kids, the quoted price for economy flights for 6 of us came to over £5,000. I'm hoping that come September when more become available online I may find something more reasonable. It's hard to take when you see all those who can go at different (and more pleasant) times of the year going for half the cost.

On your other point about the weather - I'm just back and it was OK. Yes, it's hot, but not unbearably and air con everywhere does help. Yes, there are lots of thunderstorms (basically every day), but honestly, we hardly noticed. They start and stop quickly and sometimes provide a welcome cooling.

If you find some cheap flights, I would love to know about it.

Tonish

[Steve and Dawn]

Why not look at half term in October. Generally it is not as expensive as July/August but still lovely weather?

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by NigelM
Hi'all

Just returned form two weeks in the Med which was great. But now have a yearning for Florida again. (Been 6 times in last 10 years)

Trouble is money and timing of travel. We can no longer go in May/June as our eldest is at senior school and taking him out of school for two weeks would be too disruptive .

So advice please.

Is it really that bad (hot, humid, thundery) in August?

Can I achieve good savings by booking now. I have already enquired as to flights only and find them going at £700 each which is way way too high. Any tips to find a reasonable price this far ahead?

Thanks
[/quote]

It is hot and humid.....but I find it OK....better than were I live anyway...I even did the parks last Aug.....I did find myself leaving the parks a bit earlier than I would in Dec......but that could of been because I've been to them way too many time over the last 3 years......

[orlandodaze]

Its most unfortunate because the vast majority of families who travel to Frorida have school going kids and are penalised by having to pay the high season fares. This year we travelled june 22nd, a week before school broke up for Summer , but that was the latest day I could get a cheap Aer lingus rate and I had to take it. I wrote a letter to the childs headmistress and she was most understanding. The last week was mainly fun and games, as the school course had already been covered.

[Kazzie]

I think Nigel wants to go for 3 weeks and at my daughters school she only gets one week in October[msnsad] Some schools do get 2 weeks in October but I dont know of any that get 3 weeks.

Karen

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Steve and Dawn
Why not look at half term in October. Generally it is not as expensive as July/August but still lovely weather?
[/quote]

[Maz]

I coped with the weather in August in Florida twice, lots of air conditioning, ride queues in shade etc - the humidity in Cheltenham where we live has been unbearable this week especailly after 10 days in south west france where it was hot - but fresh.

As to flight prices - we all see in the papers £299 for fly drives etc. but they will never be in schools hols and are probably only for a few flights per ad.

Debbie

[DisneyDreamer]

I have only been able to book this early with Virgin, you will probably get a better deal for such a busy time by booking it all independently perhaps through the links on this site. Unfortunately, for those of us stuck with the school holidays the cheap deals seem to be impossible to get hold of, as they have know they will have plenty of business for that period.[msnsad]