frustration with prices and priceline!

[firecracker]

We're looking for inexpensive accommodations for our first night in Orlando. Sat. 4/1. We've bid all the way up to $55 for a 3* on Priceline with no success. I understand it's a Saturday night and that may affect things, but we've never paid over $35 for a 3* in Orlando in the last 5 years!

Any suggestions? We're currently considering staying in Gainesville and coming in on Sunday morning.

Has anyone stayed in other areas of Orlando for cheaper? We're only looking at WDW and Universal areas right now.

TIA.

 

[dylansmom1]

It's possible that the inventory for priceline is not there, especially for a saturday night. There may be a convention going on too, which means rooms are just not available.

I checked Hotwire and they have several hotels in the Universal and Disney Maingate area for under $70. It's worth a look see. You may also want to go to Betterbidding.com or Biddingfortravel and ask on the mesageboards for some help.

Also indtead of WDW area, try Disney Maingate area.

Jane

 

[CarolA]

Over on www.biddingfortravel.com they have an entire thread on the Sat night issue. Basically, what they claim is that in some cities (including) Orlando it's hard to get a hotel for check in on Sat night.

Also, my review over there notes a steady increase in prices. You may be too low. I just scanned the front page for Orlando, prices for 3* range from $43 to $62. The Disney area was the high end of that. Travel is up and the hotels aren't giving the deals to PL they were a year ago. I have backed off using it for Resort hotels in Orlando because of the price increase. I am not saving enough to bother.

 

[kilee]

That is the same price range we used to pay for our 3* priceline bids in Orlando too. However, it seems too low now. Seems they've risen a good $15-30 from that. I'm thinking it's a combo of it being Saturday night and peak season.

I'm thinking you may need to start looking for a cheap hotel another route.

I'd check www.travelzoo.com . Last week they had a great deal for a Comfort Inn in the Universal area.

 

[tlynk]

I've used Priceline and Hotwire many times. With Hotwire we always choose a 3 star (or higher) hotel and get exactly a 3 star or higher. With Priceline we always bid on a 3 star or higher and have been dissatisfied- the rooms seem to be run down or the hotel is going through renovations each time. We have learned to stick with Hotwire! Hotwire shows the rating and full list of amenities before bidding. We may not know what hotel we will end up with, but we know what to consistently expect.

 

[Robinrs]

Many schools in Georgia are off that week and while planning my trip this past month I saw the availability in Orlando all but DISAPPEAR. The rates for air travel and hotels skyrocketed and I was lucky to find a place anywhere! Priceline is going to reflect this without a doubt.

 

[firecracker]

it was a great rate ($59), but it was a "secret saver" or something like that. We're waiting for our confirmation where we'll find out which hotel it is....it's a DTD area hotel. I think it's the Comfort Inn LBV, which we've stayed at before.

THanks for the advice...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have been on Priceline all afternoon & am finding the same thing too. I even changed my dates.. dropped the Saturday check in & extended my stay bascially for Sun-Thrus and am getting nothing.. even tried new bid & lowered my star to a 2 and a half... (just going to be sleeping in the room), went up to $48 & nothing... I tried last Sunday as well. I will try again this coming Sunday. I really wanted the Universal zone, but even decided to put in the WDW one (I don't like doing 2 1/2 for WDW.. I hate the Nikki Bird after my last stay there yuk).