Cost of pre/post night stays

[Miss SD]

Does ABD usually offer competitive rates for its for pre/post night stays? I considered piecing together my own Germany trip (eventually decided against it) and thought the Crowne Plaza Heidelberg was a good deal on Expedia for about $170/night (same travel date). ABD quoted me $462.73 as the rate. Is this because the price includes the airport transfers?

 

[sayhello]

Does ABD usually offer competitive rates for its for pre/post night stays? I considered piecing together my own Germany trip (eventually decided against it) and thought the Crowne Plaza Heidelberg was a good deal on Expedia for about $170/night (same travel date). ABD quoted me $462.73 as the rate. Is this because the price includes the airport transfers?

I have found that invariably, ABD's rates for pre- and post-nights are quite a bit higher than you could get on your own. Yes, it includes transfers, but your ABD includes transfers, anyways. I think, in general, Disney tends to charge a premium for this kind of thing just because they can. I've only once booked a pre-night through ABD, because I was arriving in Fairbanks in the middle of the night, and liked the idea of being picked up at the airport, already checked into my hotel, and not having to shift hotels the next day. The hotel we started in was fully booked for that night, so if I wanted to stay there, I had to book through Disney. You're really paying for the convenience.

Sayhello

 

[marcemch]

Yes, the ABD pre-night rate includes the hotel transfer (which is ESPECIALLY nice after an over-night flight) and also includes breakfast with your rate (may already be in the Expedia rate you are being quoted since it is more common for European hotels to include breakfast). I believe it also include all taxes, etc., but would double check on that.
Frankfurt to Heidleburg is around 40-50 miles, if I recall, so don't know what other options you might have. A taxi would surely be outrageous, and a train would be a hassle.
We did the pre-night in Heidelberg in 2008, and I recall it being MUCH more reasonable - like around $250. I was very glad we did a pre-night. When we went to Alaska in 2009, I recall that the pre-night was over-priced IMHO, and the ABD hotel in Fairbanks is close to the airport, so may not be worth the perk of being picked up by ABD. We instead went a day early, stayed overnight in Anchorage (at a hotel that offered airport transfers), then flew to Fairbanks the next morning and rented a car for the day. I loved all the things we did on our own before meeting up with ABD that night at the rental car return at Fairbanks airport!
So bottom line, I don't think the rates are very competitive, but if you want to stay at the hotel in Heidleberg, you may not have a lot of choice, given transportation complexities. Depending on how adventurous you are, another option might be to stay in Frankfurt near the airport, then meet up with ABD the next day at the airport.

 

[Miss SD]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I thought ABD's rate included a large helping of "convenience." (The Munich post-night stay was more in line with prevailing rates, but the hotel there is outrageously priced, even on Expedia.) I'm leaning toward hanging out in Frankfort for my pre-night since that city isn't included on our tour. Oh well, more research to do!

 

[tufbuf]

They also charge the amount per person, so if it is $170 a night, the $462? is for 3 people, I gather? I figured that out when I booked the pre-night for Egypt, one night is $489/night for a family of 3, which they said include transfers, breakfast, etc.

 

[Miss SD]

They also charge the amount per person, so if it is $170 a night, the $462? is for 3 people, I gather? I figured that out when I booked the pre-night for Egypt, one night is $489/night for a family of 3, which they said include transfers, breakfast, etc.

Wow, charging per person for the hotel never crossed my mind, but I guess you'd have to consider the cost of the transfer and breakfast.

 

[Tozzie]

I booked pre nights for my trip next year to Ireland through ABD. I went to the hotels website and the amount I was charged by ABD is practically the same as if I had booked throught the hotel directly, give or take a little due to the conversion rate. I would check the hotel website and see what the rate is and see how that compares to ABD.

 

[Miss SD]

I booked pre nights for my trip next year to Ireland through ABD. I went to the hotels website and the amount I was charged by ABD is practically the same as if I had booked throught the hotel directly, give or take a little due to the conversion rate. I would check the hotel website and see what the rate is and see how that compares to ABD.

Thanks, I just did. The hotel's website is about half ABD's price.

 

[Sharkbyte]

I don't think the airport transfer fees would be that much. I would plan out the trip both ways, using ABD and doing the same itinerary yourself. It will be cheaper if you do it yourself BUT without alot of convenience, weigh your options.