Any chance the premium resorts will wheel & deal on a day-of booking?

[LauraMc]

I know in lots of other cities, hotels will sometimes be able to authorize a bottom of the barrel price if you walk in day of and ask for their best rate. We have a spare night that I'd love to spend on-premise if possible - even at the AKL - but can't afford to drop a ton for a single night.

Anyone have any luck with something like this?

Laura

 

[LadyLt]

If you walk into a Disney deluxe resort with no reservation, you will pay rack rate. No haggling.

If you want to check on any special deal, you need to call Disney reservations or travel company and see if they have anything available.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi,,

I have heard people say they went to the front desk and were quoted astronomical rates - then they called on their cell from the lobby or car and booked a better rate with reservations - then went back to the front desk moments later to check in - with the same CM - at the lower rate!

>>^..^<<

 

[Kitten516]

We have found most Disney lobbies tell you to call CRO, and then they will deal with you. They will even have you call CRO from the lobby. They either will not or can not look up what seems like anything at their terminals. They only have been able to check us in IF we have a CRO reservation. Fairly usless as far as hotel lobbies go, but they are normally quick at what they do.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

I know it's not the same thing, but we were able to negotiate a code rate that had expired at the GF. We had booked with last years fall room only code which expired in July or August for a September stay. When we were there, we asked about the possibility of staying another night at the same code rate and were told that would be OK subject to room availability.

This was handled by concierge, so it mightn't be the same as front desk, but she phoned up someone for us who okayed the rate. Unfortunately when she tried to get us a room the hotel was full except for main building concierge (I know she was telling the truth- there was a big conference on and we had been upgraded) which couldn't be discounted.

It was strange, when she was talking to the original person to okay the rate, he gave her a code to use for her computer- AB or BC or something, so I guess there is some sort of system in place to give 'on the day rates'.

Good Luck!

 

[skiwee1]

Last month we were at the Polynesian for 10 days. On one of the days DD got sick so I wanted to add another day at the end. I called down to the front desk and was told that they can only give a room out at rack rate and they are not allowed to "bargain". I had to call CRO for that. So I called CRO and got the extra day at my postcard rate. CRO then called the front desk for me and got them to allow me one day longer at postcard rates and without having to check in and out like they do if you add a day. So all I had to to do was pick up a new extended roomkey and parking pass.

 

[ducklite]

Agree with the other posters--the only thing front desk can offer at a discount on check-in is upgrades.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

At one time Disney had a welcome center in Ocala (for people driving down) that offered some "bargains". Supposed to be very hit and miss.

I agree with the others, once you get there the rates won't be any better than the rates that might be available if you call now.

 

[ducklite]

Actually the Ocala Welcome Center there are still room discounts available on a hit or miss basis.

The 2003 Birnbaums book has a coupon in the back for a "Free gift" if you stop in.

Anne

 

[GeorgeY]

It is a shame, that it is gone now, but a few years ago, in the Car Care Center they had an office that would sell same day rooms at a large discount. They usually only did it for 1 night, but the discounts were in teh 50% range. We live very close and it used to be fun to just pack up and go over to the parks for a while then took a gamble on staying the night, you never knew were you might have ended up.

George

 

[siouxi31]

Two years ago in July I walked into BC and asked what the rate would be for a room that evening. They quoted rack rate and I told the lady I was suprised since about a month earlier I had seen the rates at 169.00. She said she would ask the manager--went through a door, came back a minute later and said they would offer 189.00 (also a good price)since they had no record of a 169.00 deal. Apparently at that time they were able to wheel and deal at the desk because they did do it. I didn't take it because I was hoping for much cheaper since I just walked in but it was a good rate.

 

[Lewisc]

I may have given you bad advice on Ocala, mousesavers says the only discounts they've been giving recently are the same AP and FL resident discounts you could get by calling CRO. If you're driving in that direction you may give it a shot.

 

[magicmouse2]

Why should premium resorts give you a great deal on the day?.If they did that, anyone with a reservation at any Disney resort would try and upgrade....They would never be able to fill the value resorts

 

[>>^..^<<]

magicmouse you are right - Disney wants people to book in advance - think of all that interest on money in the bank.

They will want to discourage people from "walking in"

If they started giving deals then everyone would be doing it. Generally most hotels make people pay through the nose.

>>^..^<<

 

[magicmouse2]

WDW used, to do last minute deals through Ocala,,,,though that seems to have phased out......

There are awesome deals for AP holders (which seem to beat the fairytale deals...for long stays)

IMHO, if you want a good deal at WDW, on rooms you need a code or to be an AP holder - believe me - I have tried !!!!

 

[magicmouse2]

I have booked for both our September 2003 trips and our April 2004 trips now. That way I hope we get what we want. WDW is Magical wherever you stay

 

[ozziewags]

I talked to a cm the other day about checking in Ocala for a one night stay should I come a day early and she said that they now call them(CRO and WDTC) anyway. I agree that the AP rates are pretty good.

 

[Disney Cape Codder]

I wanted to check into AKL over February vacation for the special rate I received by using an e-mail code. When I called CRO that morning, they advised there were rooms available but not at that rate. I called AKL directly and they gave me my e-mail rate and confirmed I would be upgraded from standard to pool view. They told me they could do this since the resort was not even close to full. I was thrilled.

 

[magicmouse2]

When I had first booked I was told the rate - AP - was only available for so many nights of our stay, so I had booked offsite for the remainder of our vacation. Once at WDW I made enquiries on extending my stay at the resort fron desk. After numerous phone calls to somewhere they gave me the AP rate, so I was able to cancel the offsite and stay onsite for the whole trip. This is the only way I have experienced geting a good rate when CRO tells you no rooms available at that rate.