Tell Us Your Priceline/Howire Deal

[AMaloy314]

Please share your Priceline or Hotwire deal.

What hotel did you get?
What did you pay?
What did amenities did you request?
When did you go?
How far in advance did you bid?
Were you happy with the results?

I know there are great deals to be had, but let's hear some specifics!

Thanks everyone!

[Lewisc]

Check www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com

[AMaloy314]

Most of the information on those sites seems to be old (in some cases several years old). I was looking for some recent anecdotal information, specifically from the helpful people here on the DisBoards!

Thanks

[richs52]

Actually the current bidding information on biddingfortravel.com is always VERY current. Try the specific Florida Orlando/Disney World thread. It seems to be updated almost daily with winning and not winning bids.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Please share your Priceline or Hotwire deal.

What hotel did you get? Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
What did you pay? $100 a night x 2 +$34.47 tax
What did amenities did you request? Resort Disney area
When did you go? going 6/17 to 6/19
How far in advance did you bid? 3 months
Were you happy with the results? absolutely

I know there are great deals to be had, but let's hear some specifics!

Thanks everyone!

Hope this helps...

Bill

[Aurora63]

We once got Gaylord Palms :love: for $90 on Priceline. We requested a resort in the Disney area...very happy with the results...I think we bid about three months out, and this was for 6/30-7/4 2005.

Gaylord Palms was incredible. Stay there if you can someday. Get an atrium view room.

[kilee]

We haven't done priceline in the WDW area since 2004. When we did though we got some really incredible deals- like the one was the Sheraton Safari for $37 a night.

[SoNotAPrincess]

Please share your Priceline or Hotwire deal.

What hotel did you get?
What did you pay?
What did amenities did you request?
When did you go?
How far in advance did you bid?
Were you happy with the results?

I know there are great deals to be had, but let's hear some specifics!

Thanks everyone!

Hotel: Sheraton Safari
Rate: $50
Amenities: I bid on a 2.5* and was upgraded to a 3*
When: March 3, 2006
Advance: 4 days
Happy: Yes. However, after bidding, I learned that $50 is too high to bid on a 2.5* hotel, so I was lucky to get upgraded. The lobby, restaurant, and pool areas were VERY nice; however, the room itself was a wee bit on the shabby chic side. Had I paid full price, I would have been disappointed.

HTH

[BonnieA]

In Feb I used Hotwire to get a room for 3 nights in May. It was 2 1/2* w/restaurant, pool, fitness, business and laundry for $31/night. I checked with betterbidding.com and figured out it could possibly be the Best Western Lakeside. I had stayed there previously when it was La Quinta and would be very happy to stay there again at that great price. So I took a chance and accepted it. It was the Best Western Lakeside and I'm thrilled to death with it. :woohoo:

[zenshome]

The information on biddingfortravel.com is very up to date. Make sure you read the FAQ's on the site before posting and then post your request. The moderators on the board are very busy and like the questions in a specific way. Sheryl does a great job in answering your questions once posted. It is a GREAT site and has saved me an incredible amount of money. We have a stay at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Holiday Inn this weekend. I got the reservation for $45, at the time I made the reservation the price on the Holiday Inn Site was $129. Good Luck on your planning!! Feel free to PM me with other questions. :cool1:

[A Mickeyfan]

Most of the information on those sites seems to be old (in some cases several years old). I was looking for some recent anecdotal information, specifically from the helpful people here on the DisBoards!

Thanks
Old :confused3 When was the last time you looked at Biddingfortravel.com? I was just on there to see what has been coming up & at what rate. The latest post from there is today :confused3
I use that site as my bible about a month before I want to bid. I watch what has been coming up, what price, what dates etc... then I plan my bidding. Maybe some of the reviews are old but most of them are updated. They do keep the reviews in date order, oldest is first. Maybe you didn't scroll all the way through?

[DawnM]

Priceline: We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard at Little Lake Bryan for $39 per night. Then we got the Doubletree suites for $41 per night (2 bedroom condo).

We also have stayed onsite renting vacation club points for $99 per night.

The last 2 times we have used SkyAuction and stayed in a 1 bedroom for $215 for 7 nights.

Dawn

[AMaloy314]

Thanks for everyone posting about the updated info on the other sites. I figured out what I was doing wrong and you are very right. It is VERY up to date. My apologies are sent to them!

Thanks for the help! And congrats on the great deals!

A

[maiyasgram]

What hotel did you get? Sheraton Safari
What did you pay? $58.00 through Priceline
What did amenities did you request? I bid for a 3* Disney Resort Area
When did you go? 3/4-3/9
How far in advance did you bid? 5 weeks
Were you happy with the results? Very happy considering the rack rates

All in all it was an OK place and I agree with SoNotAPrincess about the pool area which we had a great view of. We checked in late on the day of our arrival and were told that the rooms (2 standard) were unavailable, so they were upgrading us to suites.


Cherie

[pilgrimage]

I bid 4 weeks in advance for Comfort Suites Orlando South, for $27March 7-10
(just there). Bid 2 * for Universal Zone. Very happy with the property, great big pool and nice continental breakfast. Crowded lobby, but we ate in the room.

[jtopicz1]

Some notable deals I've got recently (go to Univ/WDW a lot as a FL resident):

Sheraton Safari - 3* WDW Zone - Numerous times in '05 / '06 - $38-$48 (rack rate is generally $119 - 199)

Crowne Plaza Universal - 3* Universal - 2/26-26/06 - $48 - Rack rate was right at $220 - Everything in Orlando was SOLD OUT that weekend - bid two days before. Upgraded to a Jr. Suite at check-in!!


Not in Orlando

Grand Hyatt Atlanta / Buckhead - 4* Buckhead / Atlanta, GA - 12/30/04 - 1/2/05 - $55 - Best internet rate was $329! Got a room on a upper floor with great view.

Hyatt Regency Chicago - 4* NMA - 7/1/05-7/4/05 - $59 - Fourth of July Stay

I've often thought of starting a biddingfortravel style forum just for the Orlando area, and not just doing priceline/hotwire, but other deals as well (and perhaps Orlando News, etc.) Sort of a BFT, TravelZoo.com, Trip Advisor all in one place.

Don't know if it's worthwile or useful enough however.

jim

[saab]

i just had my first experience of bidding at priceline , it was just for a one night stay since we are heading to cocoa the next day and then will come back and see all the parks. so i thought of starting my bidding experience with one night stay and i got an awesome deal.

it was comfort suites orlando- for just 25 dollars... the rate is 80 dollars at their website... i think this is an awesome deal... thanks to this board.... :cheer2: :woohoo:

Thanks Guys!!!!

[bstnsprts]

The Peabody on International Drive is a great deal on Priceline. Being a convention area hotel you can normally get rooms on the weekend for $75. Rack rates pushes $300. It's the only Priceline rated four star hotel in the International Drive/Seaworld area. We will be staying there May 5th and 6th before heading BCV. I booked this about one month in advance.

[Lewisc]

The Peabody on International Drive is a great deal on Priceline. Being a convention area hotel you can normally get rooms on the weekend for $75. Rack rates pushes $300. It's the only Priceline rated four star hotel in the International Drive/Seaworld area. We will be staying there May 5th and 6th before heading BCV. I booked this about one month in advance.

Just a warning to anyone using PL who has to stay in the Peabody (convention perhaps). New hotels can always come up without any notice and PL could upgrade you to a resort hotel and there are a few resorts in that zone.

[snappy]

this thread sure has a high view to reply count. WOW!!! :eek:

[ciship]

I just got burned on Priceline. Bid $45 in the Sea World/I-Drive area and ended up with the dreaded Radisson Barcelo Hotel. Reviews say it is a dirty, disgusting hotel. I will end up "eating" my 3 night stay there because I refuse to subject my kids to cockroaches and crime. Now I'm trying to find somewhere else near Sea World with better reviews.......but, I guess I won't be able to use Priceline.

I have never had a bad experience on Priceline. I am really disappointed with this one:(

[lunsusie]

What hotel did you get? Gaylord Palms Resort
What did you pay? $91 + tax, etc.
What did amenities did you request? Resort WDW Area
When did you go? We will be there 5/5 - 5/6/06
How far in advance did you bid? <2 weeks (I placed the bid today!)
Were you happy with the results? Absolutely - we have stayed there before without Priceline and paid much more $$ :banana: :banana:



I

[DawnM]

I got burned once. Thankfully it was such a horrible deal that I finally got my money back from Priceline.

I haven't used priceline for a while now.

Dawn

I just got burned on Priceline. Bid $45 in the Sea World/I-Drive area and ended up with the dreaded Radisson Barcelo Hotel. Reviews say it is a dirty, disgusting hotel. I will end up "eating" my 3 night stay there because I refuse to subject my kids to cockroaches and crime. Now I'm trying to find somewhere else near Sea World with better reviews.......but, I guess I won't be able to use Priceline.

I have never had a bad experience on Priceline. I am really disappointed with this one:(

[tweetylori]

I just got burned on Priceline. Bid $45 in the Sea World/I-Drive area and ended up with the dreaded Radisson Barcelo Hotel. Reviews say it is a dirty, disgusting hotel. I will end up "eating" my 3 night stay there because I refuse to subject my kids to cockroaches and crime. Now I'm trying to find somewhere else near Sea World with better reviews.......but, I guess I won't be able to use Priceline.

I have never had a bad experience on Priceline. I am really disappointed with this one:(

I have a friend who I helped do Hotwire for a night in Orlando and she ended up at this hotel that was considered a 3 star. While she was on her trip an email came from Hotwire downgrading the hotel to 2 1/2 stars. Priceline needs to hear the complaints so they can fix this, too.
She actually said the hotel wasn't totally awful.

[tweetylori]

Some notable deals I've got recently (go to Univ/WDW a lot as a FL resident):

Sheraton Safari - 3* WDW Zone - Numerous times in '05 / '06 - $38-$48 (rack rate is generally $119 - 199)

Crowne Plaza Universal - 3* Universal - 2/26-26/06 - $48 - Rack rate was right at $220 - Everything in Orlando was SOLD OUT that weekend - bid two days before. Upgraded to a Jr. Suite at check-in!!


Not in Orlando

Grand Hyatt Atlanta / Buckhead - 4* Buckhead / Atlanta, GA - 12/30/04 - 1/2/05 - $55 - Best internet rate was $329! Got a room on a upper floor with great view.

Hyatt Regency Chicago - 4* NMA - 7/1/05-7/4/05 - $59 - Fourth of July Stay

I've often thought of starting a biddingfortravel style forum just for the Orlando area, and not just doing priceline/hotwire, but other deals as well (and perhaps Orlando News, etc.) Sort of a BFT, TravelZoo.com, Trip Advisor all in one place.

Don't know if it's worthwile or useful enough however.

jim


I don't know if it's the same hotel, but I got a Crowne Plaza in the Universal area for about $56 off Hotwire. On their site it was considered 3 1/2 stars. It was a wonderful hotel, and I've tried to get the deal again, but have not seen it offered again.
I have travelled all over the place using both Hotwire and Priceline for hotels, and the hardest city, by far, imo, to predict things is Orlando. A three-star in Orlando is not necessarily comparable to a three-star in another city. The rooms in Orlando get much more use and abuse. It's not just a bidding-for-travel issue for Orlando, imo, but the hotels there in general. I booked a three-star one time, straight up, no bidding site and it was AWFUL.
My latest steal is far away from Orlando, but a four-star in downtown Toronto for $67 a night. It turned out to be a Westin, with prices on their website starting at $235 a night. I haven't paid full price for a hotel in years. And only been mildly disappointed a couple times. Most of the time I'm happy with the quality and bargains.

[ciship]

I have a friend who I helped do Hotwire for a night in Orlando and she ended up at this hotel that was considered a 3 star. While she was on her trip an email came from Hotwire downgrading the hotel to 2 1/2 stars. Priceline needs to hear the complaints so they can fix this, too.
She actually said the hotel wasn't totally awful.

tweetylori,

Did your friend get assigned the old motor inn part of the hotel, or did she get the new north tower part of the hotel? If she was assigned a room in the older part of the hotel, did they offer to let her pay for an upgrade to the new part?

[ciship]

I got burned once. Thankfully it was such a horrible deal that I finally got my money back from Priceline.

I haven't used priceline for a while now.

Dawn


I have been battling it out with Priceline all week now. Customer Service finally turned me over to someone else in management. I havent given up, but I doubt they will give me my money back.

[tweetylori]

tweetylori,

Did your friend get assigned the old motor inn part of the hotel, or did she get the new north tower part of the hotel? If she was assigned a room in the older part of the hotel, did they offer to let her pay for an upgrade to the new part?


She got the older part, and didn't upgrade. She said the room was large and not that bad. The only problem they had was with the water. She said they couldn't get it off scalding. They only spent one night, so it wasn't a huge deal to them, but they wouldn't stay there again.

[ciship]

She got the older part, and didn't upgrade. She said the room was large and not that bad. The only problem they had was with the water. She said they couldn't get it off scalding. They only spent one night, so it wasn't a huge deal to them, but they wouldn't stay there again.


tweetylori...........did they even "offer" to allow her to upgrade? I am trying to find out if they "allow" upgrading when a customer has purchased their room through Priceline/Hotwire. I read somewhere that they won't allow you to.

[christygobar]

I've gotten some wonderful rates in Miami before!! For this upcoming Orlando trip however, my flights using miles worked out best if I came in on the last flight on Thursday night, but I didn't want to spend another $300 at the Beach Club for a 4 hour period of sleep. Plus my first day will be spent at Universal Studios.

So....

What hotel did you get? Radisson Barcleo
What did you pay? $44.00 through Priceline
What did amenities did you request? I bid for a 2.5* Universal/Sea World area
When do you go? 9/28/06 (one night only)
How far in advance did you bid? hehe, I think we are lookin at 6 months here
Were you happy with the results? It's a Radisson, it's less than $50, and it's for a short amount of sleep. The answer is definitely.

Edited because I couldn't spell the word Radisson.

[ciship]

I've gotten some wonderful rates in Miami before!! For this upcoming Orlando trip however, my flights using miles worked out best if I came in on the last flight on Thursday night, but I didn't want to spend another $300 at the Beach Club for a 4 hour period of sleep. Plus my first day will be spent at Universal Studios.

So....

What hotel did you get? Radisson Barcleo
What did you pay? $44.00 through Priceline
What did amenities did you request? I bid for a 2.5* Universal/Sea World area
When do you go? 9/28/06 (one night only)
How far in advance did you bid? hehe, I think we are lookin at 6 months here
Were you happy with the results? It's a Radisson, it's less than $50, and it's for a short amount of sleep. The answer is definitely.

Edited because I couldn't spell the word Radisson.


Hmmm, at one night at the Radisson Barcelo, I might subject my family to it....but, we will have 3 nights there. The reviews are FAR to grim and disgusting. I don't like living with bugs either.......oh.....and this hotel may have the Radisson name.......but, they are NOT Radisson quality. Good luck, I hope your experience in Sept. will be a good one.

[laginog001]

What hotel did you get? Hyatt Regency MCO

What did you pay? $77 per night

What did amenities did you request? 2 rooms but will call and request Doubles

When did you go? will go May 21st

How far in advance did you bid? 2 weeks (have been watching and noticed that at about 2 weeks prior to trip is when price drops for this hotel on Hotwire)

Were you happy with the results? VERY! Wanted this hotel for an early flight and knew that on Priceline we would be taking a chance. Verified Hotwire hotel icons on betterbidding and won!!

[cinjam]

What hotel did you get? Gaylord Plams
What did you pay? $93.00 (plus tax & resort fees) through Priceline
What did amenities did you request? I bid for a resort*, Disney Resort Area
When did you go? We will be there 6/29-7/2
How far in advance did you bid? 6 weeks
Were you happy with the results? extremely happy considering the rack rates

[ZPT1022]

I'm just subscribing- I've never done priceline or hotwire but I am interested for when we (gasp!shock!horror!) actually take a few non- WDW vacations.

[Hockeymommy]

Just did my first priceline bid 2 days ago. I needed a hotel by MCO for the last night. I put in 2.5 stars and got Amerisuites for $39/$51 after taxes and fees. It sound like a good deal. Much better than the $145 or $154 they told me it was when I called to request non smoking. :)

[bellelinus]

I bid last week for a WDW resort for Aug. 23-27 (before our Disney Wonder cruise leaving 8/27), and got the Hilton in Downtown Disney for $60 per night. I was very happy.

[ZPT1022]

For those of you priceline experts out there I am thinking of using it to reserve two hotel rooms on my way to FL this August. We're driving from CT to FL and I was thinking 1 night in Virginia or North Carolina and then the next in Georgia. Can I get something 3* or above for about $50/night or is thta just a crazy dream? I want something safe, clean, and with indoor corridors. Oh and non smoking but since that is a medical one I am hoping that will be easy enough to have honored. Thanks!

[keishashadow]

Not Priceline but 3 other suggestions:

1) Do you have the entertainment book, they have discounted listings (up to 1/2 off rack) that I've used to great success on I-95 corrider & even @ BW maingate.

2) If you're feeling somewhat adventurous/traveling off season & will be stopping early; the welcome/rest stops in VA & NC have tourism desks to help find available rooms. They also have the booklets w/special pricing.

3) If you belong to AAA, grab the appropriate guidebooks - detailed descriptions & lots of specials.

BTW, Lumberton, NC is not the place to stop - very run-down around the exits. We actually liked staying @ South of the Border (clean, cheap, spacious room w/lots of patrolling security). Good luck.



For those of you priceline experts out there I am thinking of using it to reserve two hotel rooms on my way to FL this August. We're driving from CT to FL and I was thinking 1 night in Virginia or North Carolina and then the next in Georgia. Can I get something 3* or above for about $50/night or is thta just a crazy dream? I want something safe, clean, and with indoor corridors. Oh and non smoking but since that is a medical one I am hoping that will be easy enough to have honored. Thanks!

[ZPT1022]

Thanks Keisha :hug:

We do have the Entertainment book but for some reason I never think about it. Do those rates have to be booked in advance or can we decide on the road and call them and secure one of their rates?

We do have AAA but the card is in DH's name. Maybe if I grab his Mastercard I will just be Ryan. :rotfl2: Or do you have to show picture ID to check into a hotel?

I'm reasonably adventurous but not sure that August would be considered off season since all the kids are still off of school. I've never thought to use the rest stop tourism areas- usually we stop and potty and get back on the road ASAP

Thanks for the warning on Lumberton, NC. I will definitely avoid that. The kids and I are traveling alone so that is good advice and much appreciated. DH gets limited vacation time and I am a stay at home mom so the kids and I are heading down and visiting my grandparents who live 2 hours south of WDW on the gulf coast :cloud9: We're going to visit them and then DH will meet us in Orlando for the WDW portion of the trip. I've never traveled this far alone with the kids so safety is more on my mind than normal. Thanks again!


Becky

[swilshire]

We have found that it doesn't work very well for us to reserve interim stops along the way, so we just get the discount books from the rest areas and look for something. Usually we get into the first one we try, though coming back from Florida the last time we had to try three or four before we found something and it wasn't great.

If we reserve in advance, either we get there way too early and aren't really ready to stop for the night or weather and/or traffic delays make us exhausted when we arrive.

Priceline reservations can not be refunded, so if you had auto trouble or something, you would be out the dough. I'd be more inclined to look for a refundable rate if I did reserve. You just never know what's going to delay you along the way.

Sheila

[ZPT1022]

We have found that it doesn't work very well for us to reserve interim stops along the way, so we just get the discount books from the rest areas and look for something. Usually we get into the first one we try, though coming back from Florida the last time we had to try three or four before we found something and it wasn't great.


I don't know if we'll be stopping on the way back since we'll have DH with us on the trip home. It's the way down that I'm really concerned about since it will be just me and the kids

If we reserve in advance, either we get there way too early and aren't really ready to stop for the night or weather and/or traffic delays make us exhausted when we arrive.

That's what I was thinking- if we're making good time and it's still relatively early, it seems silly to be locked in to a stop. When we could keep going and then have that much less driving the next day. Or on the flipside of that we could get stuck in traffic for hours and hours and just be ready to stop and be done and yet our reserved room is still 2 hours away. Yuck



Priceline reservations can not be refunded, so if you had auto trouble or something, you would be out the dough. I'd be more inclined to look for a refundable rate if I did reserve. You just never know what's going to delay you along the way.

I'm hoping we won't have car trouble since our car is fairly new, and I'm not even going to say the "A" word since I've been in one and it already makes me nervous :scared: As for refundable rates don't the typically have to be cancelled more like 24 hours or more in advance? So that wouldn't necessarily help me on that day if we change our mind for whatever reason.

I guess in the end it will come down to price and safety. I don't want to spend more than I have to since it is basically just to sleep and then shower in the am. We don't need any frills but clean and safe and preferably indoor corridors. I don't want to get stuck in some seedy place because we waited either though. What to do, what to do :confused3

[swilshire]

As for refundable rates don't the typically have to be cancelled more like 24 hours or more in advance?

Most of the chains will take a reservation with just a credit card guarantee and allow you to cancel until 6PM of the day of checkin. Usually by then, you'd have at least a pretty good idea of how the day is going.

I'm thinking of Marriotts, Hiltons, etc, but even some of the less expensive chains allow the same. We stayed in a Days Inn not too long ago that had this policy.

Sheila

[mjmcca]

For those of you priceline experts out there I am thinking of using it to reserve two hotel rooms on my way to FL this August. We're driving from CT to FL and I was thinking 1 night in Virginia or North Carolina and then the next in Georgia. Can I get something 3* or above for about $50/night or is thta just a crazy dream? I want something safe, clean, and with indoor corridors. Oh and non smoking but since that is a medical one I am hoping that will be easy enough to have honored. Thanks!
I drive from Brooklyn NY to Orlando a lot and never stop more than one night. ( well at least I don't now that the kids are no longer babies). I also am the only driver sometimes. I can also like to stop at South of the Border because they allow you to pull the car up to the door to the room. very convenient

[ZPT1022]

I drive from Brooklyn NY to Orlando a lot and never stop more than one night. ( well at least I don't now that the kids are no longer babies). I also am the only driver sometimes. I can also like to stop at South of the Border because they allow you to pull the car up to the door to the room. very convenient

Normally if DH was along we would drive straight through. However it will be just me and the kids. The kids will be 25 months, 25 months and 5, so not old enough to really be helpful or anything. Also the kids and I are driving farther south in FL to visit my grandparents before meeting DH in Orlando. A visit with the grandparents is not the thing to start already stressed out. They're great people but they can be stressful in and of themselves. Last year when we drove to WDW it took us literally 24 hours from our house to Pop Century. I'm thinking if I break it up into 8-10 hour blocks that we should all arrive fairly well rested. If that means that the last night we stop in FL and then arrive earlier in the day at my grandparents that's fine too. Maybe I should pull out my old trip tik from AAA and see exactly what we're dealing with. BTW- how did you feel going as the only driver? DH thinks I'm nuts.

[mjmcca]

I have driven it a lot starting when I was single. I have driven with then 6 times as the only driver only twice with another adult. I have also gone 2 other times with DH who did most of the driving. I like long road trips. With the kids you will have to make more stops. I like taking them to places like cracker barrel fro dinner where they can get out and walk a little instead of doing drive through. If you are planning on making it a longer trip you can make some stops that will allow them to stretch their legs.


I always bring things to keep them occupied. They each have a travel backpack that I put some toys and coloring books in. some of the stuff is old and a lot of it is new. I take gameboy and v smile pocket for them to play with. On my last trip we had a new car and we have XM radio in it and the kids channel is great mine loved it.

I had bought a portable DVD player but the sound was broken so we didn't get to use it.

I think it would be a lot easier to drive even making all of those stops with 3 kids by myself than trying to take a plane and lugging them and all of their stuff through the airport.

[keishashadow]

I drive from Brooklyn NY to Orlando a lot and never stop more than one night. ( well at least I don't now that the kids are no longer babies). I also am the only driver sometimes. I can also like to stop at South of the Border because they allow you to pull the car up to the door to the room. very convenient
Finally, someone else gives a :thumbsup2 to South of the Border accommodations.

Entertainment 50% off rates book up fast & must be guaranteed w/CC - their cancellation policy varies.

I do recall being asked for DL id when checking into hotels along I-95, even when I have CC guarantee.

I was nervous the 1st time I was the only adult driving on vacation too but, muddled through; even when my new car broke down & I had to parts shipped from back home to fix it (@ least we were already @ our destination). Things are safer with the advent of cellphones IMO. Enjoy!

[mjmcca]

Finally, someone else gives a :thumbsup2 to South of the Border accommodations.

Entertainment 50% off rates book up fast & must be guaranteed w/CC - their cancellation policy varies.

I do recall being asked for DL id when checking into hotels along I-95, even when I have CC guarantee.

I was nervous the 1st time I was the only adult driving on vacation too but, muddled through; even when my new car broke down & I had to parts shipped from back home to fix it (@ least we were already @ our destination). Things are safer with the advent of cellphones IMO. Enjoy!
Yup if i get there at the right time to stop that is the place I am going to stay the night.

[swilshire]

The kids will be 25 months, 25 months and 5, so not old enough to really be helpful or anything. how did you feel going as the only driver? DH thinks I'm nuts.

Got to admit, when I saw those ages, I thought you were a brave soul. The driving wouldn't be as bad as the other logistics.

How do you get them all to the bathroom, for example? Thank goodness family restrooms are showing up at more rest areas.

How do you get them into the hotel room along with the bags.

How do you take a shower without being concerned that one of them will manage to escape? I'm serious on this one. I guess most hotels have something up high that they couldn't reach to secure the door. Our last resort had no chain or anything. The deadbolt would open when you turned the door knob (not really a knob, more of a long skinny lever). We were terrified that our disabled 7yo would escape during the night. We stacked chairs in front of the door while we slept. He might of been hurt by the falling chairs, but at least it would have awakened the rest of us. I have distinct memories of my daughter, now 20, trying to get out of a room in Georgia when she was a babe. Luckily, the chain was attached and she made noise when it hit.

I'm exhausted just thinking about your trip. I would drive it with older kids, but would be WAY too chicken with the small ones.

My first babysitter's husband (20 years ago) refused to ever take his two small daughters anywhere alone. His position was, if somebody grabbed one, what would I do with the other one while I chased the bad guy? Sad that anyone would even consider such a thing, but it's a crazy World.

Sheila

[ZPT1022]

Sheila I totally hear what you are saying with the kids. I guess the first step is that we go plenty of places here and while it's a logistical PITA sometimes we are used to it. As for stops- rest stops won't be too bad. First off if we keep the driving to around 8 or so hours a day I shouldn't have to stop more than two, maybe three times. The twins will not likely be potty trained before we go. So that just leaves me and DD who will be 5. I don't think it will be too hard to wait a few hours. Last year on the way down we didn't care for the lack of sanitariness of the baby changers so we just changed the twins on the front seat of the car and will probably do that again. Then they can go in the double stroller. DD 5 will walk and we will use a handicap restroom. This is basically my life every day so we are used to it. Actually it's a treat if DH is with us and we don't have to. If there are family restrooms it will be that much easier. Also one more reason to not drive too much during the night. Daytime feels quite a bit safer for stops than some of those late at night ones we've made in the past.

The hotel room with the bags is a teensy bit trickier but I figured we would put most of our trip luggage in the clamshell on the roof rack and then all we need to grab is the duffel for overnight which I can carry while pushing the stroller and a bag for cosmetics and meds which I can stuff under the stroller. The stroller is key for keeping the twins contained. If there is bell services then I will use them and tip well.

The shower does make me nervous but most hotels have those latching things that will catch 2 inches out and not really allow anyone through. I can also either keep them in the pack & plays or stack the pack & plays in front of the door and let them be TV zombies. Take as quick a shower as possible and then get dressed in the room with them. It will be easy to be quick since I'll be paranoid.

As for being too chicken, I do have my moments when I question it but if we drive with DH it will stink. We would have to drive straight through, arrive exhausted, pay for a hotel the first night and then pay to fly DH home the first flight out the next day to have him home in time for work. No time to slow down and relax. And I also don't get to stop and visit my cousin in NJ and her new baby that way either. Honestly I'm more worried about keeping them away from my grandparents Hummels for a week. LOL

As far as the not taking kids out alone, unfortunately I don't have the luxury of waiting for DH for everything. I understand the reasoning behind it but if I waited to have another adult to help nothing would ever get done. Until the twins are old enough to listen and listen well that double stroller is our best friend. ;) And then it will be time for another little one and it will all start again. LOL

[swilshire]

I've always had a lot of admiration for the parents of multiples. It must be EXHAUSTING! Certainly, the logistics are quite the challenge.

We scattered our brood out, not necessarily by choice, but it worked out that way. Ours are now 20, 18, 12, and 7. The older two were great help with the two younger. Now that they're not around much, the 12yo is stepping up to fill in the gap.

Eight hours with only two or three stops would never work for me, but then I'm not the best traveller. I stop about once an hour, even when I'm just the passenger, for a restroom break and to reload my caffeine. Maybe if I cut back on the drinks, I could spread out the stops, but I'd certainly be less alert. Also, anything more than an hour and my back and legs get very stiff. Old age, I guess.

Hope you have a great time on your trip. It is certainly how memories are made.

Sheila

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Please share your Priceline or Hotwire deal.

What hotel did you get? LaQuinta Miami Airport North
What did you pay? $50.00
What did amenities did you request? 2 beds and non-smoking
When did you go? May 9, 2006
How far in advance did you bid? Feb. 25, 2006
Were you happy with the results? Wasn't sure if $50 was too high but for
that region, maybe it wasn't. The hotel was nice - typical LaQuinta -
and the staff was excellent. Just not sure about the high price.

I know there are great deals to be had, but let's hear some specifics!

Thanks everyone!

We only stayed one night because we were leaving the next morning for home. We also bid on a three star in Orlando and got

Holiday Inn International Drive Resort
Same price - $50.00
Bid at the same time Feb. 25, 2006
For May 8, 2006

We were happy with this one and it was only for one night. Again, the staff was excellent.

I've never been really displeased with my PL wins. I've gotten some real nice ones for a small bid and some not so nice for a higher bid, but still never paid close to the price on the web sites or the price I would have gotten, even with discounts. All in all, I'm happy with PL and have already booked 6 nights in CA and will book again for 6 nights in WDL in December.

Edited for spelling, naturally!!

[ohiomom28]

What hotel did you get? Amerisuites Convention Center
What did you pay? $40 plus tax
What did amenities did you request? 2.5*
When did you go? Mar 5-12
How far in advance did you bid? 5 weeks
Were you happy with the results? yes very

[chobie]

:bounce: Bumping this up. I just got Gaylord Palms for $96 a night July 27-29. We're are going for DS birthday. He wants to go to Disney Quest and IOA for a day each since we will not be able to use our FLA seasonal passes at WDW.

[mamalle]

chobie- how did you bid to get gaylord mind I ask? disney resort area and what star rating? I have been lurking on priceline and the bidding one but not so sure if I should give it a try to get one night there.

[queenof2princesses]

I hate to jinx everyone, but I just won a bid on Priceline for 3* at Hotel Royal Plaza on 8/4/06 for $55. I was too chicken to book our entire 4 night stay-thought I could just add extra nights..now I find out extra nights are not available at my rate. Great...so now I have 1 night in the middle of our stay here..Bad bidding decision. Anyway, does anyone know what Priceline(or the hotel), does if there is a H#%&cane? I can't bring myself to say the word. I have always stayed on property and could cancel within few days..This is prepaid. If we can't get there due to evacuations, do we get to change our ressies? Hoping for the best.. TIA

[chobie]

chobie- how did you bid to get gaylord mind I ask? disney resort area and what star rating? I have been lurking on priceline and the bidding one but not so sure if I should give it a try to get one night there.

Resort in Disney area. I bid 89 and it was rejected, but they said if I added like $22 it would be accepted. Sop I changed the date (we had some flexibility) and raised the bid to $96 and it came up as Gaylord Palms. I've been watching Bidding for Travel and Gaylord and Hyatt Grand Cypress have been coming up a lot for around $96-99 and either one of those would have been fine with me.

[mamalle]

thank you!

[shondad]

I got the Wyndham Orlando International Drive, today, for $55.00 for one night in August before our onsite vacation starts. Perhaps I could have gotten it cheaper, but I did save $24 from the lowest rate I saw and that was on Expedia.

This was through Priceline with an option to extend my stay, before and/or after. I did not look at biddingfortravel.com first, I just went for it. My DH and I have used Priceline several times in the past and have gotten great rates. So far we have not been disappointed and I have no reason to believe that we will.

We've booked rooms for Austin (Marriott near the Capital), San Antonio (Hilton Airport), New Orleans twice (Doubletree Lakeside) pre Katrina, and Orlando (Renaissance, Airport I think). Each stay was great, except that Hilton did not seem to have Bell Services, which I found odd.

I, personally would not hesitate to use them, especially for our hotel needs.:goodvibes

[kidsister]

Although I've always come out ok with Priceline...I stilll get a wee bit nervous when I do it!

Best deals were:
Sheraton Resort Hotel in N.Miami Beach : a delux room with all the bells and whistles recently remodeled: $45 bucks a night!!!!!!

The Westin at LAX: $45 a night!!!!!

I researched 'resort' hotels in the location I was bidding and knew that they were the only ones...so that if I won, chances were high that it would be that specific hotel.

Around Disney, I got the HI that was just off World Drive but is now some other resort. Despite all the complaints here on the Dis, our room was well worth the $36 (inc tax) I liked the duvets on the beds and the fact that the beds were triple sheeted.

I haven't tried getting a luxury hotel near Disney, just because if I am going to pay that then I would rather stay DVC. Of course that doesn't work well on weekends.

Wondering if the Portifino or HRH are ever on Priceline? Anybody know????

[AdventurerKat]

I have used Priceline a few times and plan to again for a stay in a couple weeks. I usually bid less than two weeks out.

What hotel did you get? Gaylord Palms
What did you pay? $80.00 plus tax and fees
What did amenities did you request? Resort
When did you go? April 1-3 2005
How far in advance did you bid? 3 days
Were you happy with the results? Yes! I love this hotel.

What hotel did you get? Sheraton Safari
What did you pay? $36 + tax and fees
What did amenities did you request? 3 star
When did you go? November 10-12
How far in advance did you bid? night before. This was a last minute trip.
Were you happy with the results? yes


What hotel did you get? Wyndham DTD (now Buena Vista Palace or something. I also think it has been downgraded recently)
What did you pay? $56 + tax and fees
What did amenities did you request? Resort
When did you go? July 15-16 2005
How far in advance did you bid? About a week before
Were you happy with the results? yes

I will update this after I bid for my next trip.

[#1 TITANS FAN]

What hotel? Best Western Lakeside
What did you pay? $37/nt. + 2.50 resort fee
What ammenity level 2 1/2*
When 6/18 - 6/24
How far in advance? 4 days
Were you happy? yes

Got this through Hot Wire. Have used priceline in the past with good results, but recently have used Hot Wire in conjunction with the BetterBidding.com hotwire hotel list. You can almost always figure out which specific hotel you're being offered, at worst you can narrow it down to 2.

[Blondiex46]

What hotel did you get? Wynd. Plaza
What did you pay? 81.00 for one night
What did amenities did you request? not sure
When did you go? April 14th I think
How far in advance did you bid?2 days
Were you happy with the results?absolutely, I would do it again, great service, wonderful pool and couldn't believe how close to DTD.

NOt sure whether I did it through priceline or hotwire!!

[dgaston]

What hotel did you get? Amerisuites Orlando Airport
What did you pay? 35$ $46.52 with taxes and fees
What did amenities did you request? 2 1/2*
When did you go? June 29, 2006
How far in advance did you bid?3 days
Were you happy with the results?Absolutely, love the breakfast and it's near the airport for our 8:30 pm arrival

[lookingforward]

I am kind of bummed, found this thread AFTER I bid. I got the Hilton at Walt Disney World for $75 over the 4th of July week. But I see others got it for $60. When I called the hotel to ask for non smoking double beds I got MAJOR attitude from the women I spoke with. She said "WE DON'T REVISE RESERVATIONS MADE through Priceline" I kept saying that I was not asking her to revise it, just add it to my reservation, the room category was not changing. She was difficult. Sigh. :confused3

[Nala62]

What hotel? Wingate, MCO
How much? $48, $60 with taxes
Amenities level? 3*
How far in advance? 4 weeks

Don't know if we'll like it or not, as our visit is in August. Tried Hotwire for the first time and just needed one night to sleep for our 830 pm arrival. We head to our Beach Club Villa the next morning. :yay:

[westjones]

I have never tried Priceline, but we may be in Orlando in two weeks and am thinking of trying for a hotel for a couple of nights.

Is it a bad idea to try for a room just a few days before you need it? I still don't know if we will be there and probably won't know until 4-5 days before we are there.

Am I too late?

DJ

[yogibigdog]

Deal through Hotwire
What hotel did you get? Hyatt MCO
What did you pay? $72 w/tax total $ 85.96
What did amenities did you request?
When did you go? 06/22/06
How far in advance did you bid? 3 days
Were you happy with the results? yes! Rooms on website where going for $199.00

[cinjam]

chobie- how did you bid to get gaylord mind I ask? disney resort area and what star rating? I have been lurking on priceline and the bidding one but not so sure if I should give it a try to get one night there.

When I did priceline and got the Gaylord Palms back in May (for a July trip). I first bid $85 for WDW vacinity, resort. It was declined. I then bid $93, same dates, resort again, WDW vacinity again plus I added Winter Park. With this combination I got Gaylord Palms. I think if I had just bid $93 on my first try I would have got GP.

I was super pleased with this as GP's rack rate for a standard room was $199/night.

Good luck

[bctripp]

I bid for a resort in the DW area and tried like, $80 a night the first time and was rejected, and then upped it to $85 and got the Sheraton Safari. It was for this weekend, for one night (July 29 - 30), 2 rooms.

[Kay1]

BCTrip - Sheraton Safari is a 3-star, isn't it? Maybe you should double check because it sounds like you were overcharged. I'm pretty sure people are paying $45 for that ( according to Biddingfortravel.com)

[bctripp]

I don't know, I thought it sounded strange too, maybe i'll email priceline, i'm not sure what to do. the rooms start at $119 on the Sheraton website.

[MayMom]

In 2003 we bid $85.00 and won the Gaylord Palms...OMG! I loved this hotel. The rooms were huge and there was so many things for my DS to see! We were given an atrium view for no additional charge and it had a balcony. My DS just sat and stared at all the things going on in the atrium. They have an "octopus" kids pool area that is wonderful and so much fun. The hotel is literally right across the street from Disney and we used the hotel buses with no problems at all! We also ate ice cream at Ben and Jerry's one evening after swimming and my DS (who was 3 1/2 at the time) still remembers how much fun this was! I have read on these boards that people are still winning this gorgeous hotel for around $94.00. It is well-worth that amount! I used bidding for travel as my guide to see what to bid, I swear by that website. I use it all the time!

[spiceycat]

What hotel? Amerisuities at LBV
What did you pay? $35 with taxes $43.17

What ammenity level 2 1/2*
When 9/19- 9/21
How far in advance? 6/27
Were you happy? don't know yet....

[spiceycat]

I have never tried Priceline, but we may be in Orlando in two weeks and am thinking of trying for a hotel for a couple of nights.

Is it a bad idea to try for a room just a few days before you need it? I still don't know if we will be there and probably won't know until 4-5 days before we are there.

Am I too late?

DJ

Priceline was designed for this.