Last minute discounts

[mamacass]

Does disney ever offer last minute discounts on unused rooms?

 

[dansdad]

Not that I know of.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Does disney ever offer last minute discounts on unused rooms?

If you show up without a reservation, you will pay rack rate.

 

[mamacass]

We have reservations at AoA but wanted to upgrade. Didn't know if there were rooms sitting empty (which there are as of today) if they would offer a discount similar to a pin code (which I didn't get this year). Thanks!

 

[davedmaine]

Does disney ever offer last minute discounts on unused rooms?

Nope

 

[Lynne M]

We have reservations at AoA but wanted to upgrade. Didn't know if there were rooms sitting empty (which there are as of today) if they would offer a discount similar to a pin code (which I didn't get this year). Thanks!

No, they don't do that. Sorry.

Generally, Disney offers their discounts some time in advance, not last minute. It never hurts to call, though, and see if there are any active discount codes.

 

[fla4fun]

I watched an interesting program about the hotel business (not Disney) and they were specifically asked if a guest walked in, and the room was $300 and the guest offered $200 cash, would they take it? They said no, even if it meant the room went empty. They specifically said they did not want to train their guests to think that by waiting until the last minute they could get a deal. They wanted them to book as early as possible. It was an interesting program, especially the parts about room rates (and how they fluctuate) and how hotels monitor their competitors occupancy hoping they will be the LAST hotel with availability on any given day.

 

[OnTheMoon]

I watched an interesting program about the hotel business (not Disney) and they were specifically asked if a guest walked in, and the room was $300 and the guest offered $200 cash, would they take it? They said no, even if it meant the room went empty. They specifically said they did not want to train their guests to think that by waiting until the last minute they could get a deal. They wanted them to book as early as possible. It was an interesting program, especially the parts about room rates (and how they fluctuate) and how hotels monitor their competitors occupancy hoping they will be the LAST hotel with availability on any given day.

That is interesting, I thought thats how cheaprooms.com worked, selling unused inventory at the last minute. That being said, there is a difference between online booking - dayof, vs walking in and asking.

 

[fla4fun]

That is interesting, I thought thats how cheaprooms.com worked, selling unused inventory at the last minute. That being said, there is a difference between online booking - dayof, vs walking in and asking.

They really didn't get into the opaque websites on the program at all - but I think the hotels don't really view the opaque websites the same way as they would a guest walking in at the last minute. With the opaque sites you don't know for sure what hotel you have until after you book it. So you might get the hotel chain they were talking to, and you might get the not so nice hotel in the middle of the industrial district. There is a certain amount of risk involved, and I think the hotels are counting on that risk to prevent their regular guests from booking via that route on a regular basis. But it does bring into play that the common advice given to "book with the hotel direct" may not be the best advice if you are doing a last minute booking and want the best price.

Of course, a lot depends on your definition of "last minute". When it comes to WDW, a discount released six months before check in is considered by many on this board to be "last minute", lol!

 

[JustBusiness]

Last minute on site deals can be had when renting from a DVC member. If another renter has to cancel, or the lessor forgot to rent points expiring soon, you can get a good discount, usually $8-10/pt for expiring points.

You might have to stay at SSR, OKW, Or AKL though.

We just stayed at SSR for 8.50/pt booking 3 weeks in advance, here on the rent/trade dvc board.