Priceline Bids/results

[ge0rgette2]

Oopsie. I must have confused two different sites. I'm able to pull up hotels with names. Another site I was on you only saw pictures with no name til time of booking.

Lots came up for me tonight. Which should I choose!? I better do my homework.

Came up was
Hilton WDW
Westlakes
Wyndham LBV
Holiday inn the castle
Raids son LBV
Sheraton LBV
Doubletree at WDW

 

[MIChessGuy]

Would you mind letting us know how you make out on your bidding--I'm going mid Feb. and just got $5 bonus cash and will end up doing some bidding of my own.

You got it. I just finished a successful bidding session in which I got the Holiday Inn Maingate East, on U.S. 192, for $36 per night. That figure includes the $5/night bonus cash, meaning the actual cost to me was only $31 per night, plus Priceline taxes and fees, plus the dreaded nightly "resort fee" ($4.95). The all-inclusive grand total for five nights will be around $215. This place gets an excellent quality ranking in the 2012 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, incidentally. And I managed to avoid winning the Radisson Resort Celebration, which is a fine lodging except that I am not a fan of their $12.50 nightly resort fee.

 

[cherokeemamma]

I have never used HotWire or priceline before and thought I might give it a try before our Disney cruise.

We are looking for 3 nights near DTD. I have 2 teens and really need queen beds but we could manage with doubles. I saw on Hot Wire a 3 star DTD hotel for $52 a night. It includes breakfast daily, fitness center and pool. Could anyone give me a good guess as to which hotel this might be? Also is there a way to know if they have additional resort/parking fees?

Or should I give priceline a try and bid? If so what should I bid for a 3 -4*? Is there a way to assure the bed size with priceline? Also what about the parking and resort fees? Will they be disclosed prior to purchasing?

Thanks so much!

 

[MIChessGuy]

Or should I give priceline a try and bid? If so what should I bid for a 3 -4*? Is there a way to assure the bed size with priceline? Also what about the parking and resort fees? Will they be disclosed prior to purchasing?

Priceline is not a good choice for parties requiring a specific bedding configuration. The terms of service say that only bedding for two people is assured. If the hotel does not agree to provide the bedding you need (which could involve an additional charge), Priceline will not be obligated to do anything for you. I can report from personal experience that some hotels nick you for an additional $10 per night if you want two beds instead of one.

Also, due to the nature of Name-Your-Own-Price, any applicable parking and resort fees are not disclosed in advance. I am particularly incensed by "resort fees" myself, and so I try to bid in zones where the most commonly won hotels do not charge such fees. This is a bit of a gamble, though; zones can change, hotels can enter and leave the system at any time, etc.

I think Hotwire would work better in your situation. The deals are not quite as good, generally, but still better than ordinary published rates.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have never used HotWire or priceline before and thought I might give it a try before our Disney cruise.

We are looking for 3 nights near DTD. I have 2 teens and really need queen beds but we could manage with doubles. I saw on Hot Wire a 3 star DTD hotel for $52 a night. It includes breakfast daily, fitness center and pool. Could anyone give me a good guess as to which hotel this might be? Also is there a way to know if they have additional resort/parking fees?

Or should I give priceline a try and bid? If so what should I bid for a 3 -4*? Is there a way to assure the bed size with priceline? Also what about the parking and resort fees? Will they be disclosed prior to purchasing?

Thanks so much!

Here is a link to the FL forum of betterbidding.com.
http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=78
At the top there is a Hotwire list which keeps track of "wins". If the hotel you're seeing doesn't match one on the hotel list, you can ask and they'll help you. Read directions for posting 1st; they won't help if you don't follow directions. At first I thought he was too harsh but after a while he helped me so many times, not just Orlando but Ft. Lauderdale area too.

Priceline is not a good choice for parties requiring a specific bedding configuration. The terms of service say that only bedding for two people is assured. If the hotel does not agree to provide the bedding you need (which could involve an additional charge), Priceline will not be obligated to do anything for you. I can report from personal experience that some hotels nick you for an additional $10 per night if you want two beds instead of one.

Also, due to the nature of Name-Your-Own-Price, any applicable parking and resort fees are not disclosed in advance. I am particularly incensed by "resort fees" myself, and so I try to bid in zones where the most commonly won hotels do not charge such fees. This is a bit of a gamble, though; zones can change, hotels can enter and leave the system at any time, etc.

I think Hotwire would work better in your situation. The deals are not quite as good, generally, but still better than ordinary published rates.

I agree. We are a family of 4 and I wouldn't risk not getting all of us a bed by using PL. I've used Hotwire multiple times and always had a good experience though I don't buy below 4* anymore. The one time I got a 3*, I was disappointed and won't do that again.

 

[Crystal33]

Can someone tell me more about Priceline, when do they put out the best deals.

 

[Crystal33]

Can someone tell me more about Priceline, when do they put out the best deals.

 

[cherokeemamma]

I wanted to give you guys an update...
I bit the bullet and purchased the 3* on HW for $53. per night. After doing some research and thanks to ruadisneyfan2 I spent some time on betterbidding I felt confident that I was getting a Holiday Inn Express. I was looking in the DTD area and thought it would be the one by DTD.

I did get a Holiday Inn Express but it was LBV East. I feel that the location was somewhat misrepresented and I am a bit disappointed with that. I called the hotel directly and found there are no resort fees and no parking fees and all the rooms have 2 Q beds. The hotel is 2.5 miles from WDW so I guess that isn't too bad, I can live with it. We are only doing 1 day at MK before a Disney cruise, and since we are driving it's fine. We did have reservation with a room only discount at POR, which was about $445 for 3 nights...the HIE LBV East for 3 nights is $189. It saves us enough money to do a fun snorkeling excursion on the cruise.

I will say it made me very sad to cancel POR...I love that resort.

FYI....It is represented on HW as a 3*, DTD area, Free Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool(s)

Thanks again for your help!

TTFN
Darlene

 

[ejrj]

Thanks for sharing your results! I too would have been initially disapointed with that property but agree that the no fees make up for it mostly. Wishing you a great trip!

 

[SamSam]

I wanted to give you guys an update...
I bit the bullet and purchased the 3* on HW for $53. per night. After doing some research and thanks to ruadisneyfan2 I spent some time on betterbidding I felt confident that I was getting a Holiday Inn Express. I was looking in the DTD area and thought it would be the one by DTD.

I did get a Holiday Inn Express but it was LBV East. I feel that the location was somewhat misrepresented and I am a bit disappointed with that. I called the hotel directly and found there are no resort fees and no parking fees and all the rooms have 2 Q beds. The hotel is 2.5 miles from WDW so I guess that isn't too bad, I can live with it. We are only doing 1 day at MK before a Disney cruise, and since we are driving it's fine. We did have reservation with a room only discount at POR, which was about $445 for 3 nights...the HIE LBV East for 3 nights is $189. It saves us enough money to do a fun snorkeling excursion on the cruise.

I will say it made me very sad to cancel POR...I love that resort.

FYI....It is represented on HW as a 3*, DTD area, Free Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool(s)

Thanks again for your help!

TTFN
Darlene

I believe this is the location of the one we've stayed at (twice). Reasonably nice, the service last time was outstanding. The front desk was over the top professional and friendly. Hope I'm right and it's the same one we stayed at, if so, it's only a hop and a skip to WDW.

 

[BobbyBudnick]

I wanted to give you guys an update...
I bit the bullet and purchased the 3* on HW for $53. per night. After doing some research and thanks to ruadisneyfan2 I spent some time on betterbidding I felt confident that I was getting a Holiday Inn Express. I was looking in the DTD area and thought it would be the one by DTD.

I did get a Holiday Inn Express but it was LBV East. I feel that the location was somewhat misrepresented and I am a bit disappointed with that. I called the hotel directly and found there are no resort fees and no parking fees and all the rooms have 2 Q beds. The hotel is 2.5 miles from WDW so I guess that isn't too bad, I can live with it. We are only doing 1 day at MK before a Disney cruise, and since we are driving it's fine. We did have reservation with a room only discount at POR, which was about $445 for 3 nights...the HIE LBV East for 3 nights is $189. It saves us enough money to do a fun snorkeling excursion on the cruise.

I will say it made me very sad to cancel POR...I love that resort.

FYI....It is represented on HW as a 3*, DTD area, Free Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool(s)

Thanks again for your help!

TTFN
Darlene

whats the address? I have stayed at a few of the holiday inns in that area.

 

[cherokeemamma]

The address:
3484 POLYNESIAN ISLES BLVD, Kissimmee,FL 34746

I really appreciate your input.
I am mainly concerned that it is a clean and safe hotel in safe location. I think one of the reviews I read said it is across from an outlet mall and a walmart.

I am curious if there are places in the area to purchase decent snorkeling equipment for a good price. I cannot find any such equipment in Atlanta at this time of year.

Thanks again!
Darlene

 

[BobbyBudnick]

The address:
3484 POLYNESIAN ISLES BLVD, Kissimmee,FL 34746

I really appreciate your input.
I am mainly concerned that it is a clean and safe hotel in safe location. I think one of the reviews I read said it is across from an outlet mall and a walmart.

I am curious if there are places in the area to purchase decent snorkeling equipment for a good price. I cannot find any such equipment in Atlanta at this time of year.

Thanks again!
Darlene

I haven't stayed at this hotel but I have drivin past it a million times. You are very close to Disney. The walmart is right accross the street from you. Just down the road is World Center Drive that will take you right into Disney. Or you can go down just a bit further into the downtown disney entrance. Lots of great restaurants down the road on Vineland in Lake Buena Vista. I recommend eating at Miller's Ale House and Bahama Breeze. You also have Wendys, Chick-Fil-A, Mcdonalds, Burger King and Taco Bell close. Plus soo many other great sit down restaurants. A Walgreens right down the road on Vineland as well. If you have any questions about whats in the area just let me know. I use to live in the Disney internship housing behind the Walgreens, and over by the prime outlets. So I know the area really well.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Thanks so much BobbyBudnick!
I am curious to know if I will be able to find snorkeling equipment at any of the local stores....not high end but not super cheap either....something decent for my kids to use at CC. Would Walmart carry this?

BTW...do you still work for Disney?

TTFN
Darlene

 

[BobbyBudnick]

Thanks so much BobbyBudnick!
I am curious to know if I will be able to find snorkeling equipment at any of the local stores....not high end but not super cheap either....something decent for my kids to use at CC. Would Walmart carry this?

BTW...do you still work for Disney?

TTFN
Darlene

Im not really sure where to find snorkeling stuff. i looked a place up for you its 18 miles away Divers Direct 5368 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819. Im sure you can prob find something closer. nope i dont work for disney anymore. my last internship ended last may it was time to move on.

 

[SamSam]

The address:
3484 POLYNESIAN ISLES BLVD, Kissimmee,FL 34746

I really appreciate your input.
I am mainly concerned that it is a clean and safe hotel in safe location. I think one of the reviews I read said it is across from an outlet mall and a walmart.

I am curious if there are places in the area to purchase decent snorkeling equipment for a good price. I cannot find any such equipment in Atlanta at this time of year.

Thanks again!
Darlene

Yes, this is where we stayed a couple of times but only for 1 night before transferring to a DVC stay. It's okay, clean, decent breakfast...superb front desk help. We felt safe in the area and would stay there again.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Thank you so much SamSam! I feel better knowing it is a safe location. We leave in 6 days so we're really excited!!! Hope you have a great day!

TTFN
Darlene

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Really lucked out with this bid... 2.5 * I-Drive South/Sea World zone.. $33 and got Hampton Inn Orlando Convention Center!!! I will be going for March 9 & 10th...

 

[travelfanatic]

Bid priceline for 3.5* in the sea world/international drive area and got the Radisson on International Drive for $48. Reserved for one night in June.

 

[mercydisney]

Doubletree By Hilton Orlando at Seaworld March 17th $69. + $16.72 fees= $85.72