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Old 20 Aug 18, 11:44 AM  
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abfatboy
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Join Date: Jul 18
Location: North Wales
Mid Aug 2020 - too early to plan?

Hi there, its a long time to August 2020 but its best to start early I suppose! Looking at mid to late August to travel coming back as late as mid Sept.

We have some early ideas but would appreciate any opinions and advice.

There are 4 of us, and at the time of travel 3 adults (daughter1 will be 18) and one child (daughter2 will be 7).

Last trip to Florida was 2008 so a lot has changed! We are looking for a 21 day, multi centre trip with 8 to 10 days in a Disney resort inc free dining mid range option (wife likes Saragota Springs!) (daughter2 has never been so trying to cover the Disney parks during this period) then some time in the universal area (universal associated hotel?) covering the universal parks as well as exploring international drive area. Finally some time on the beach to wind down, I've been to Sarasota in the past which was really nice, but maybe Clearwater or similar as a choice.


Its a bit of a mix but what do you think, I have a few questions?

Should we try and research as much as possible and plan and book this ourselves or do we use a specialist or high street travel agent - any recommendations?

Timings to book for best offers? Flights are about 12 months from travel i think, so when Disney release accom and free dining plan offers, book that first and get flights later?

Any suggestions on accommodation? Wife seems set on staying at a Disney hotel during the first phase of the holiday to take advantage of the early park entry, Disney travel between parks, dining etc.

We have a budget in mind so may need to compromise on accommodation.

Many Thanks
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Old 20 Aug 18, 01:49 PM  
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BirdsluvDisney
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Hi I dont think it ever to early to start planning, I started in 2014 for our 2016 holiday, 2016 for our 2018 holiday and now I am planning again for our 2019 holiday.

I booked our Dibb villa 2 years before travel.

Although you can get more choice some flights do come out earlier than the 12 months like TC, TUI, Virgin. You just may get a better deal waiting.

I would say as a family write down everything you want. Then decide when you want to book each part of the holiday.

I would book DIY that way you can tailor it to what you really want as a family. With planning it is very easy to do and good fun IMO.

If you want to do 21 day you can plan exactly what you want. Like say 2 weeks staying on Disney with the free DDP you will be able to book this around middle of Apr next year, So maybe research resort, Port Orleans is my fav Mod and you get the free QSM but we always upgrade to the full DDP.
If you didnt want car hire at this point saving money you could get the free Disney transport from airport and use free disney transport for parks and resort, The maybe just hire a car for the final week.

Maybe if it is in your price range stay on site at Universal we stayed at HRH and it was amazing this way you get early entry into parks and free FOLP which are great. It is also very easy to get to international drive from here.

Then have you looked at Anna Marie Island it really is beautiful there and the sunsets second to none. Maybe do a coupe of days there. There are lots of companies where you can hire little beach front home and very reasonable prices.

The good thing about starting to plan now, You can start researching and planning where you want to stay, Do dummy bookings for 2019 so you can get an idea of prices.

2020 may seem a long way off but it really does come around quick, Enjoy your planning and any questions ask away there is always someone that usually has the advice or answer.
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Old 20 Aug 18, 01:53 PM  
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BirdsluvDisney
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I forgot to say welcome to the DIBB
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Old 21 Aug 18, 08:13 AM  
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abfatboy
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Join Date: Jul 18
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Hi, thanks for the welcome and the advice, as you say I think we should decide how and where we are splitting the trip and continue with the researching.

I think your suggestion of Anna Marie Island looks lovely, we had a look last night.

Thanks again, I'm sure I'll be back on hear with more questions in the coming months.
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Old 21 Aug 18, 08:20 AM  
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kennycapes
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We plan to go mid aug 2020 and started planning last week.

This will be our 3rd trip but our first on site with the DDP.

This site is a fantastic source of inspiration and great advice.

Everyone that has helped me had been great.

Enjoy your planning and ask away.

I am starting early because we never used the Disney restaurants much as we have always been off site.

Excited to be planning new places to eat and explore.

I'm going to stay picking the places we want to eat at by looking through menus and reviews on this site.

Happy planning
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November 2000 - Holiday inn, iDrive - quick weekend with the wife whilst she worked in Florida
October 2014 - Watersong DIY first family holiday.
October 2016 - Windsor Palms DIY second family holiday of a life time.
August 2020 CANCELLED AKL, Aug 2023 - First time on site, lets try this again
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Old 21 Aug 18, 08:21 AM  
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gjdjud
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No way too early. We are going next may but we have tentative plans for August 2021. I'm going to be looking over the next few weeks at flight prices to get a rough idea for then.
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Old 22 Aug 18, 09:27 AM  
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Flo
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I'm just starting to look for Aug 2020 and although have been before during this time it has been a few years so lots will have changed. Hoping that its gotten cheaper and quieter, lol
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Old 22 Aug 18, 09:27 AM  
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Flo
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Originally Posted by kennycapes View Post
We plan to go mid aug 2020 and started planning last week.

This will be our 3rd trip but our first on site with the DDP.

This site is a fantastic source of inspiration and great advice.

Everyone that has helped me had been great.

Enjoy your planning and ask away.

I am starting early because we never used the Disney restaurants much as we have always been off site.

Excited to be planning new places to eat and explore.

I'm going to stay picking the places we want to eat at by looking through menus and reviews on this site.

Happy planning
Have you booked yet?
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Old 22 Aug 18, 10:05 AM  
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kennycapes
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Originally Posted by Flo View Post
Have you booked yet?
The plan is to book with free DDP in April 2019 (assuming it's run again). With Disney direct then flights end of 2019.

I'm just starting to get to grips with what the DDP plan means and how to get best use of it.

Planning which restaurants to visit.

Reading other blogs to see what being on site means and using the transport.

We have been twice off site and done alot of stuff off site.

Wanted to change it up alot and thought do onsite and visit lots of the restaurants using the DDP.

Excited already to try and do something so differently.
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November 2000 - Holiday inn, iDrive - quick weekend with the wife whilst she worked in Florida
October 2014 - Watersong DIY first family holiday.
October 2016 - Windsor Palms DIY second family holiday of a life time.
August 2020 CANCELLED AKL, Aug 2023 - First time on site, lets try this again
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Old 22 Aug 18, 10:08 AM  
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Fimble
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It's never too early to plan for Florida I find. We're going in April 2021 and being able to plan ahead that far lets you know how much you need to be saving and budget life accordingly.
You're less likely to suffer from set backs and can plan for contingencies if things go wrong between now and then.

What activities are you looking at doing? Will you be strictly Disney or are you planning on doing Universal, Busch, Sea world etc?

What budget are you setting? that will help us give you our opinions on how to balance it out.
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