Disneyworld/Universal 2022

Fox1978

Hi guys,

I'm trying to do research on booking a holiday end of 2022 to Orlando for three families. Doing directly on the official websites is challenging for a larger group, plus they won't display dates into 2023 yet (which our trip would be extending in to).

Tempted to go into one of the travel agents but my fear is whether they are knowledgable enough about all the ins and outs of the resort hotels, best way to construct the holiday package etc, but are there any you might recommend? There are international numbers I see you can call via Disney's site too and talk to someone.

Bit vague I admit, but just keen to find out other people's experiences and if they would go travel agent vs doing your own research and trying to organise yourself (I should also say I've been there a few times before but been ten years since).

Thanks so much!

Mickyjoek

In my experience using a travel agent will get you a better deal for flights and accommodation as using the theme park websites does not give you the flexibility and deals as you are going to the big 2 parks, buying your theme park tickets in Ireland before you go again in my experience gives you a better deal then buying over there. Your flights will be the most expensive part of your holiday followed by your theme park tickets, there's a huge range to fit all budgets whe it comes to accommodation, the most expensive been that at the theme parks.

naughtysmurf

You can book for 8 adults & 7 kids on one booking directly on WDW website, have you more than that travelling?

If you are all planning on staying onsite at WDW in the same accommodation, I’d book accommodation or accommodation & tickets directly with them, everything else I’d book myself, flights, car hire, etc

loads of information & reviews on trip advisor as regards hotels to help you choose

when you’ve decided your top 2 / 3 choices call the freephone number, they are pretty helpful

what do you mean by construct the holiday package?

How long is the trip?

what age are the kids?

Travel insurance - Flights - Car hire / Airport transfer - Accommodation - Park tickets

Are you thinking of a split stay Disney + Villa, Disney + Universal + Villa, Disney + Universal?

you’ve loads of time to plan which is good,

Fox1978

Thanks for the comments guys.

Our plan would be a week at Disney in a on-site hotel, followed by a week at Universal at an on-site hotel. We'd usually rent a car when travelling to the States but for this type of holiday might be a waste and can uber places if needs be I guess.

There's 5 adults and 5 kids (11, 10, 8, 6, 5)

I guess I'll just look at both options (travel agent as well as call the two parks reservations teams directly) and see what is the best deals and scenarios. We just need to get our dates sorted. Either Dec 22nd or 27th. The 22nd allows the "magic" of being there on Christmas Day (although that does bring with it the added complications of Santa and presents and then getting all those presents back to Dublin!) and 27th gives you something to look forward to after Christmas plus we'd get more January time which will be quieter.

naughtysmurf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117732655#Comment_117732655

First thing I’d say is prepare for Disney to be absolutely rammed at Christmas, personally I wouldn’t visit at that time because you’ll have long lines for EVERYTHING, internal bus system, rides, dining etc.

Onsite guests at Disney can book restaurants 180 or 190 days in advance & they will, the more popular restaurants may be very difficult to reserve especially at Xmas so my advice is have your Disney accommodation booked well in advance so you are in their system & you are ready to book your dining options as soon as your window opens, this is why I’d book direct and not be worrying about a third party registering your booking with Disney & if there is an issue you can call them direct, they will also book your dining for you if you wish.

We chose Sarratoga Springs because it’s the only Disney resort that’s walkable to Disney Springs, they have boat transport too, other hotels / resorts , you’ll be on the bus or using Uber & that can eat up a lot of time.

For Universal, by far and away for the best experience book one of their Delux hotels, all guests will get UNLIMITED express pass from check in for the duration, that will be pricey but if possible book at least 2 nights, check in at 7am & you’ll have your express passes for 3 full days, you can then move to a less expensive hotel if you wish, I’d expect Universal to be rammed too.

naughtysmurf

I’ll just add, a huge amount especially at Disney has changed in ten years, including how they operate so don’t depend on your memory for information

The Dibb is a good forum for WDW, any questions you may have are probably answered there, definitely read any Christmas related ones

Fox1978

Cheers, thanks naughtysmurf.

Yeah will definitely be getting those express passes. That's our plan for Universal.

Unfortunately, it's the only time of year we can get the three families guaranteed time-off.

Thanks for the heads up on the booking dining stuff. The downside with all that is you gotta be so super-organised in advance, trying to plan each day so far in advance. Does take a little of the spontanaity and flexibility out, but appreciate if you don't book you're running a risk. For sure if we were there on Christmas Day itself we'd 100% need to book the meal.

Yeah I might just call Disney and Universal directly as you mention. Unless a travel agent can also look after the dining reservations etc but I imagine they can't.

Thanks again.

naughtysmurf

You’ll should set up a mydisneyexperience account & download their app, once you make your accommodation booking, you can then make all your dining reservations when your window opens & they will all show up on your account, along with your accommodation details, you’ll be able to cancel & make changes etc, I’ve read it’s very busy there right now & those without dining reservations are facing long waits for a table or just been turned away, tired hungry kids are no craic so I’d advise looking at the restaurant menu’s now, make a shortlist of what you fancy & making a reservation for every night your there , more difficult to wing it without kids in tow, restaurants menu’s are all on the WDW site

as regards Universal, I’d just book the room if staying at one of the Delux hotels, guests have priority seating at the restaurants in Citywalk , we never waited long for a table plus you’ve plenty of options on Idrive a short Uber drive away

Icsics

We spent Xmas in Orlando one year, said we’d go to Disney Xmas day since it would be quiet…..we hadn’t left the hotel & there were alerts on tv….Disney was closed…full to capacity!

Fox1978

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117739017#Comment_117739017

Wow that's crazy! We went once on Christmas Day in Paris (was snowing, which was unique!). Was busy, but not too bad. Worse was we went two years ago first week of August in a crazy 35-40degree heatwave which was painful!

Fox1978

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117738014#Comment_117738014

Cool definitely will get that app. To be honest, we never really tried to do sit-down meals in Disney that much. We were always running around like maniacs but I know from hearing from others people do like to book into restaurants in the parks. Would be nice to try.