Can someone please explain Expedia?

[MsLefty]

I keep hearing all the "great rates" for Disney hotels through Expedia, but when I search for what I want (AKL 1/22-1/29) it shows rack rate. What am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Expedia had purchased blocks of rooms to resell at the same discounted rate that Disney was offering, but those dates went through December 25th just like Disney's.

I'd imagine when the new codes come out for early next year that the same will happen so you could check back - but it'll be the same rate as calling Disney and getting the room. I think people were just having luck finding rooms in resorts that were sold out of the discounted rooms.

Carrie

 

[rileyroosmom]

I booked my upcoming trip through Expedia. Since we are going Thanksgiving week, that was a blackout time for Disney and I couldn't use the BAT code. I looked on Expedia and they were offering CSR for $85/night which I think was the same rate as the BAT code. I think this type of situation is when you get the good deals through Expedia.

 

[sorchamac]

I got the BAT rate on a blackout day (11/27) at WL through WDW CRO, so you should always try it out with WDW, no matter what the fine print says.

 

[lark]

When BAT and BAS rates came out, I could not get a discounted rate at the GF for the weekend just past -- the columbus day weekend. I checked early and frequently. It was, however, available as a "fall promo" rate -- for precisely the BAT rate -- on expedia. So I booked it that way.

The downside of expedia is that you have to pay the entire amount in advance, and you get charged $25 even if you cancel outside the 6 day window. There's also no feasible way to make room preference requests, since WDW reservations cannot (or says they cannot) pull up your reservations to add the requests.

For what it's worth, though, we just got back and were treated exactly the same as if we'd booked through WDW. In fact, we paid for a garden view, and we were upgraded to a great lagoon view with a panoramic view from the MK to the Poly from out balcony. I know there was some suggestion here when BAT rates first came out and people were discussing expedia reservations that they were not treated the same by disney, which wasn't our experience at all. (Your mileage, of course, may vary.)