We have already booked again for March next year, going the same way as before. Glasgow to Gatwick, then to Orlando.

Hi Wilma9000 - spoke to Virgin and they said it is a completely new check-in at Gatwick as the connection from Glasgow uses a different airline and it is law that you check in with the individual airline.

Am still looking to try and get exactly what we want but not easy - may need to wait a couple of weeks for all the airlines to open up their flights - would prefer to go into Orlando but BA are looking to be about £800 more expensive!!

Mandy

Virgin use British Airways on the way down to Gatwick. So you pick up your bags and take them to the Virgin Desk. If you check in online for both flights before leaving home, its just a case of picking them up at Gatwick and putting luggage in drop off point at Virgin. Honestly, its really not that bad. No queues.

Thank you Wilma - think we are going with Virgin as they are working out quite good with the 3 week package that we want - have tried doing it DIY with a fly-drive but it works out at nearly £1,000 more expensive and that's based on 2006 prices!! We are having 1 week in Animal Kingdom then want 2 weeks in a Suite with sep bedroom and Fairfield Inn & Suites on Canada Ave seems a good deal.

Thanks for all your help - am even gonna get the transfer from Edinburgh to save the hours trip to Glasgow!!

Mandy
x

I'm just doing some (extensive!) research before booking our DIY ( ) holiday to Florida for August 2007....

Having never been to Florida, or even on a long distance flight before, I have no idea which airline to use, or which airport to land in....

I want to go for 3 weeks in August 2007 (2 persons) and would really prefer a direct flight, although one stop wouldnt bother me if it affected the cost dramatically...... my budget is £600pp - is this realistic for August??
But, all I need is a flight as I dont need a flydrive - we wont be driving whilst in Florida.....

I hear TCD is quite cheap, but also heard some negative things about them....

Can someone please enlighten me!!

Thanks,
PLW

You could wait for First Choice to release there flight only program at

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/flights/

You could still book a fly drive, car comes free just don't book the car insurance and just don't pick up the car.

All charter flights go into Orlando Sanford which is about an hours drive from Orlando this is only a small airport and you quickly get through customs etc.

The scheduled flights fly into Orlando International which is about 20 mins drive to Orlando. This is a much bigger airport and can take anything up to 2 hours to get through all the security checks go over on the monorail and claim luggage etc. so although much nearer it often takes longer.

You don't say which airport you want to fly from. If London you have a wide choice of both scheduled and charter. If Manchester and you want a direct flight it is either charter or Virgin atlantic scheduled. Other operatos fly scheduled from Manchester via one of the main American gateways such at Atlanta or Chigago

hello there pinklady
we have done DIY to florida a few times and a package deal once (airtours, never again!) have you tried the flight centre?
that is who we booked with and although we had a connection it was well priced and a great service. got a deal with them to fly with continental changed in Newark, USa and on the flight home came directly back with virgin. One of the benefits of scheduled is more luggage allowance and in my opinion, more comfort. they are on line but its sometimes worth ringing and speaking to them as they will try around for the best deal for you. we also got the quality inn plaza on international drive for £35 per room per night. if you would like any other info please ask away and i will try to help.
hugs
la x

sorry forgot to mention the schedules all fly into orlando international, which is a much nicer airport than sanford, yes there are security checks but there are at sanford also.
hugs la x

Thank you so much everyone! Such great advice, I am taking on board!! (and a hotel recommendation too!!)

Silly me, I would be flying from Manchester, unless there is drastic reduction in the prices then I would consider flying from London....

TBH I dont *really* understand the difference between chartered and scheduled and I dont mind flying into Orlando International or Sanford... But I suppose as Orlando International is closest, it would be easier and cheaper to get a shuttle or a taxi to I-Drive (and from Disney to MCO)

I have never tried the flight centre, I'll Google them now

TBH I dont *really* understand the difference between chartered and scheduled

I'll try and keep this fairly simple as it can get quite involved. Basically the distinction is how an airline makes its business:

- A scheduled airline operates routes and sells seats directly to the public (or via a travel agent). The airline decides which routes it will operate and publishes timetables. It then sells seats directly to the public, perhaps through a travel agent or travel website, but ultimately your contract is with that airline and their contract is with you.

- Charter airlines cannot sell directly to the public. Their flying is dictated by the tour operator who charter the aircraft. Charter airlines have a fleet of aircraft available, and tour operators pay them to operate a route on their behalf. It is then the job iof the tour operator to sell the seats. You buy seats through a tour operator, and your contract is with the tour operator.

The disctinction is becoming constantly more blurred, most charter airlines are now part of the same company as the respective tour operator and operate the same routes and timetable week in week out, but legally it still stands as above. Even if your book a flight only on MyTravel.com fior a MyTravel Airways flight, you will have booked through Airtours/Direct Travel, same for thomsonfly.com, your booking through Thomson Holidays not the airline direct.

There is also the view that scheduled airlines offer better service but that is not always the case anymore either.

Thank you
So all the companies e.g. Thomson etc... will fly into Sanford??
I think I've got it.....

I've checked first choice, and they seem really expensive even for April 2007 (over £700 with tax) - I was hoping for £500 max!!

I've also had a look at Flight centre, but can't seem to find any deal for Orlando... I dont want to call, as I dont want to book now, just want a rough idea of prices....

How about Delta?? Are they any good on prices etc..??

can any of you lovely people tell me if its possible to book last minute flights to orlando?we have been 4 times before but always booked well in advance but budget tells me its not possible this year.there are 5 of us 2 adults 2teens and a 6 year old.around the 18th of october for 10 to 14 days...am i wasting my time?no more than 300 each for flights..help!!!

Scheduled get more expensive the closer that you get to the date by charter get cheaper. You will have to watch that you aren't going in half term though as they may be sold out.

I'm planning my 40th bash in Florida next year and want to make the best of it. Who does the best economy plus deals. Virgin look OK, BA are way expensive.

Any help appreciated, thanks.

Have you considered using first choice. We went with them last month in there star class premier seating and it was very good.

has anyone booked flights to orlando with either skybargains.com ? or flydeals ???

for 2 adults 2 children they are both coming in at around £1500 which is the cheapest ive found by far !!

any experience of using either to florida???

Hoping to book to go to Orlando in early Feb 2008 and want cheap as possible 14 night fly drive from Manchester.

We are 2 adults /2 children (economy car)

Some prices are just being released now -TCD for example ;

Total £1643 flying 7th Feb 2008 - our preferred date

and £1442 for 1st Feb 2008.

Our dates are reasonably flexible for the right deal within that first week.

If any one knows / sees any better offers, or has any tips for getting better prices, will they please post here.

Have you tried booking thru Opodo, we saved £490 booking our Virgin flights with them for next August.