Booking through Priceline

[MissSaraMangel]

Hey everybody! I'm a newbie here and am going to book my first trip as an adult to DW through Priceline. Has anyone ever done this? Were you happy with booking through Priceline or did you wish you went a different route? I'm looking to save a few bucks doing so but I don't know if more people have more hassle in the end than its worth. Thanks for all the input! Greatly appreciated!

 

[sissy_ib]

Hey everybody! I'm a newbie here and am going to book my first trip as an adult to DW through Priceline. Has anyone ever done this? Were you happy with booking through Priceline or did you wish you went a different route? I'm looking to save a few bucks doing so but I don't know if more people have more hassle in the end than its worth. Thanks for all the input! Greatly appreciated!

I have used Priceline many times for plane tickets but that is all I have used it for. Make sure you shop around and make sure you really are getting the best price. When ever I buy plane tickets I always double check directly with the airlines to see what is cheaper. Many times it is less to book directly with the airline. If you are flexible on the times of your flights you can try the "name you own price".

 

[vicki_c]

What specifically are you planning on booking through Priceline? I have not heard of anyone booking a Disney package through Priceline.

Is this through the "name your price" part of Priceline (I'm guessing not) or the regular reservations area? I'd be surprised if you would get much of a discount for a Disney package, if that's even available.

I have used Priceline's name your own price feature, but only for booking a rental car.

Booking directly through Disney with any available discounts that are available is often just as cheap as any other option. You really need to be careful with 3rd party bookings, mainly surrounding cancellation policies and penalties. Disney is very flexible in that regard.

 

[sissy_ib]

What specifically are you planning on booking through Priceline? I have not heard of anyone booking a Disney package through Priceline.

Is this through the "name your price" part of Priceline (I'm guessing not) or the regular reservations area? I'd be surprised if you would get much of a discount for a Disney package, if that's even available.

I have used Priceline's name your own price feature, but only for booking a rental car.

Booking directly through Disney with any available discounts that are available is often just as cheap as any other option. You really need to be careful with 3rd party bookings, mainly surrounding cancellation policies and penalties. Disney is very flexible in that regard.

Priceline offers air fair/hotel packages. It would not be a regular Disney package with tickets and/or dinning. But yes, you can use Priceline to book a Disney resort.

 

[MissSaraMangel]

I am booking my stay at the ASMu and my flight to/from, no rental car. Comparing it to the quote Disney gave me I'd be saving hundreds. I'm not looking into doing the Name your own price for this trip

 

[vicki_c]

In my experience, to get the best prices and cancellation policies:

Airfare - price things out on the various consolidator sites, but book directly with the airline.

Hotels - you can do okay with hotels on sites like Priceline, Expedia. But sometimes they require payment in advance and have stringent cancellation policies.

Cars - same thing - third party sites are good for saving money. If you're willing to pay up front in full, you can save more.

Before you book on Priceline, I would compare it to more than just what Disney quoted you (sometimes airfare thru Disney is crazy high), but compare it to other websites you could book through, on an a la carte basis.

 

[vicki_c]

Priceline offers air fair/hotel packages. It would not be a regular Disney package with tickets and/or dinning. But yes, you can use Priceline to book a Disney resort.

And I never said you could not. I said I wasn't aware of Disney packages (=room + tickets) being available there, which you have confirmed. I have booked airfare / resort packages through other sites as well (we just came back from a trip like that thru Expedia @ the Swan).

As I said - I think it would be a mistake, OP, to use Disney's quote as your only comparison. You may be getting a good deal thru Priceline, or you might not be. That's all.

 

[IDoDis]

I don't think I'd do a package deal through priceline due to the stringent cancellation policy should you need to change your dates or cancel. Also, you need to check on parking fees. Whenever I've booked with priceline at resorts, I have always had to pay a parking fee which is not part of the price you are quoted. It's a nice surprise add-on that you find out about when you arrive. I've since learned how to find hotels that don't charge parking or I park at a nearby garage for less $$. I"m not sure how Disney handles priceline rooms as far as parking goes, but if you have to pay for parking, factor that into your overall cost.

I've used priceline many times for rentals and hotels, but stay away from their package deals.

 

[MissSaraMangel]

Thanks much to everyone for your advice, I'm going to look elsewhere. Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[Lewisc]

PL has the "name your own price" product. You can get some good prices but you won't know your exact hotel until your credit card is charged in full. Possible resort fees and parking fees means you won't know your exact price in advance.

PL also has a retail operation. Similar to Expedia, travelocity etc. The retail operation can book a WDW hotel. I don't know if you can add a dining package to a PL booked reservation. I don't know how much money (if any) you'll save booking through PL.

AFAIK Disney owned hotels don't currently participate with PLs NYOP product.