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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 2, 2024 16:16:40 GMT -5
Starting to plan for our spring break. Unfortunately my eldest kid's college calendar does not align with my two HS students so we'll be taking the trip without him, just the four of us. The options are WDW, Hawaii or London. DD17 is really pulling for London and given how much cheaper it will be, London it is.
Non-stop flights from SFO to either MCO or HNL during that week are over $1k which is way more than normal. However, a non-stop to London is less than $700.
I booked two adjoining rooms at a Hilton at great location in London near the West End. If I compare that to a 1bd at BWV, figuring value of $18/pt, the two rooms in London come in at about $700 less over 6 nights. Plus this way I don't need to hear the kids complain about having to share a sofa bed. Each will get their own bed.
If I were to book park hoppers with Genie plus, I'd be looking at nearly $170 per person/per day. Meanwhile, stage shows in the West End will run around $50pp.
I suspect food is going to be much cheaper as well. Overall, London is looking like a bargain in comparison. Though granted, the weather will likely be better at WDW.
I'll do a deeper dive in costs as the planning and trip progress.
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Post by baymaxfan on Oct 2, 2024 17:37:56 GMT -5
London is the correct choice. Your numbers show the problem WDW has and will have going forward. An international trip to Europe or Asia can be had for less.
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Post by helenabear on Oct 3, 2024 6:34:02 GMT -5
Sounds like a great trip! Many have said international travel is really not bad comparatively now. Enjoy London!
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Post by tomandrobin on Oct 3, 2024 7:28:05 GMT -5
I am going to echo the other two.....A trip to Europe for a family of four is much cheaper, than a comparable Disney World trip. When you think about that....its really sad how out of control Disney pricing has become.
Next summer, for our family vacation, we are going to Atlantis. We have a 3-bedroom villa that cost $5000. I am expecting airfare to to be around $500 pp, but will average out less with our points and companion status. Food costs will be way cheaper than WDW. Access to Atlantis is included in our rental. My guess is that the Atlantis trip will cost us about half of what the WDW trip would cost for the eight of us.
This is also why the cruise business has been booming.
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Post by skywatcher1206 on Oct 3, 2024 7:55:16 GMT -5
I think you made the right decision. London is awesome! If you still wanted a sprinkling of Disney, we thought that DLP was much cheaper than WDW for hotel and ticket cost and may be worth a look. It is a quick train ride via Eurostar from London. We stayed at Sequoia Lodge.
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Post by brp on Oct 3, 2024 8:22:19 GMT -5
There is no choice here. We love our time at WDW but, while England in Epcot does have a London vibe, it is an amusement park. Real London is one of our favorite places and has so much more to offer. As others have said, the cost is comparable in either case but I'd suggest that even for up to 50% more London (or anywhere real world) is the better choice.
As for SFO-MCO, it's best to try to book that AS flight as close to 11 months out as possible. Living in the South Bay, we take that flight all the time. And we can typically get F for well under $1K
Cheers. |
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Post by melk on Oct 3, 2024 8:49:12 GMT -5
You chose wisely. Last year we skipped WDW and instead spent two weeks in Ireland and Scotland for about the same amount.It was fantastic.
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Post by johnb on Oct 3, 2024 10:07:28 GMT -5
I'd be thrilled with a few good non-touristy pubs and football (soccer) games.
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Post by baymaxfan on Oct 3, 2024 10:44:20 GMT -5
I am going to echo the other two.....A trip to Europe for a family of four is much cheaper, than a comparable Disney World trip. When you think about that....its really sad how out of control Disney pricing has become. Next summer, for our family vacation, we are going to Atlantis. We have a 3-bedroom villa that cost $5000. I am expecting airfare to to be around $500 pp, but will average out less with our points and companion status. Food costs will be way cheaper than WDW. Access to Atlantis is included in our rental. My guess is that the Atlantis trip will cost us about half of what the WDW trip would cost for the eight of us. This is also why the cruise business has been booming. I agree with you on everything except, "food costs will be way cheaper than WDW." I had to chuckle at that one. If you are getting your meals from one of the restaurants at Atlantis, you will not be saving on food over WDW. |
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Post by baymaxfan on Oct 3, 2024 10:45:26 GMT -5
There is no choice here. We love our time at WDW but, while England in Epcot does have a London vibe, it is an amusement park. Real London is one of our favorite places and has so much more to offer. As others have said, the cost is comparable in either case but I'd suggest that even for up to 50% more London (or anywhere real world) is the better choice.
As for SFO-MCO, it's best to try to book that AS flight as close to 11 months out as possible. Living in the South Bay, we take that flight all the time. And we can typically get F for well under $1K
Cheers. I doubt most people know what you mean when you say "F." |
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Post by brp on Oct 3, 2024 11:57:13 GMT -5
There is no choice here. We love our time at WDW but, while England in Epcot does have a London vibe, it is an amusement park. Real London is one of our favorite places and has so much more to offer. As others have said, the cost is comparable in either case but I'd suggest that even for up to 50% more London (or anywhere real world) is the better choice.
As for SFO-MCO, it's best to try to book that AS flight as close to 11 months out as possible. Living in the South Bay, we take that flight all the time. And we can typically get F for well under $1K
Cheers. I doubt most people know what you mean when you say "F." Fair enough. I'm used to commenting on travel boards. F is "First Class" and can be had relatively inexpensively in advance.
Cheers.
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Post by tomandrobin on Oct 3, 2024 12:33:26 GMT -5
I agree with you on everything except, "food costs will be way cheaper than WDW." I had to chuckle at that one. If you are getting your meals from one of the restaurants at Atlantis, you will not be saving on food over WDW. I get what you are saying.....
If I ate all our meals at Atlantis, you are right....they are on par with WDW. The difference is you can literally walk a block over and eat cheaper. When we are at Atlantis, we eat breakfast in the villa, pack lunch to eat at the pools on most days, and for dinners we usually eat around three meals at an Atlantis restaurant. When we are at Disney World almost all our meals are on property, whether is simple as a quick service or Topolino's or Steakhouse 71.....the overall cost at WDW is way higher.
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Post by tomandrobin on Oct 3, 2024 12:35:18 GMT -5
There is no choice here. We love our time at WDW but, while England in Epcot does have a London vibe, it is an amusement park. Real London is one of our favorite places and has so much more to offer. As others have said, the cost is comparable in either case but I'd suggest that even for up to 50% more London (or anywhere real world) is the better choice.
As for SFO-MCO, it's best to try to book that AS flight as close to 11 months out as possible. Living in the South Bay, we take that flight all the time. And we can typically get F for well under $1K
Cheers. First Class Round trip for under $1k from Cali to UK is really good. |
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Post by baymaxfan on Oct 3, 2024 12:42:54 GMT -5
There is no choice here. We love our time at WDW but, while England in Epcot does have a London vibe, it is an amusement park. Real London is one of our favorite places and has so much more to offer. As others have said, the cost is comparable in either case but I'd suggest that even for up to 50% more London (or anywhere real world) is the better choice.
As for SFO-MCO, it's best to try to book that AS flight as close to 11 months out as possible. Living in the South Bay, we take that flight all the time. And we can typically get F for well under $1K
Cheers. First Class Round trip for under $1k from Cali to UK is really good. I believe BRP is saying first class RT to MCO, not London. In my experience, business class on British Airlines can be had for $3200-$3800. Or, of course, redeem some points via transfers from Chase, AMEX, Capital One, etc. |
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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 3, 2024 12:52:16 GMT -5
Re: SFO to MCO, the AS flight is generally the best option but is insanely priced around Xmas and Spring Break. In a few more years we'll be free of the school calendar!
We'll have six days in London, so definitely not enough time to pop over to DLP. My wife said she spotted a Beauty and the Beast themed afternoon tea. If anyone else has any afternoon tea place recommendations, do tell.
Also would appreciate any suggestions on things to do in and around London with teenagers. It will be the first week of April so I would expect cool, rainy weather. The Globe Theater will not have any shows during this time. Not sure about soccer matches. I'll need to look into that.
We will definitely hit several West End stage shows. I saw several the last time I went on a business trip for amazingly low prices for last minute tickets.
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