Got Back from Gaylord Palms via Priceline

[lat]

We stayed one night via Priceline on 4/30.

It is a very nice hotel with a great kids pool, warm and shallow, with an octopus slide.

The night we stayed had a big thunder storm. With all the glass on top, we could see the lightening and the rain coming down.

My 2 year old was a little scared at night walking through the atrium because the lighting is low.

Did not try any of their restaurants.

I still prefer Disney hotels though. Was told that more than 90% of their business is related to conferences.

 

[spiceycat]

can I ask how much you bid?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome back! We'll be staying at GP in a couple months. Did you have an atrium view? Also, what section was your room in? Thanks!

 

[lat]

I paid $85 plus fees and taxes for 2 rooms for 1 night.

We did get an atrium view room in the Everglades section. It is a very nice hotel, but it is just kind of dark in the atrium at night.

 

[ccalip]

We will be staying there for part of our stay ($85/night also thru Priceline). It looks like a huge property, was the Everglades section a long way away from the pool with the Octopus slide? I don't want to drag all the kids and gear through areas where we may feel underdressed and overexcited, so was thinking of asking for Key West (or Emerald Bay, though I don't expect much since we got thru Priceline).

How did you score the atrium view?

Where is the best location nearby for eating?

They have refrigerators in the rooms, right?

Thanks!

 

[26555]

What do you enter to go about getting Gaylord specifically? Priceline doesn't seem to let you choose the hotel.

 

[lat]

I just asked for atrium view and it happened that a convention was just over 2 days ago so they had plenty of rooms.

However, when we checked in, I asked for 2 connecting and non-smoking rooms. When I got up, I found out the rooms were adjoining, but not connecting, also, one of the rooms had a smoking smell. I called to ask for a room change and had this woman who was quite unwilling to help.

I was told initially at the front desk that they had plenty of rooms available that night (we were only staying for 1 night) and this woman was telling me that the only place she had rooms available was on the first floor.

I said that I would want a room on a higher floor and she told me they were not available and they would not know if there would be any availability. She even further stated that they did not know when their guest check in or out to know if there will be any availability. That was when it got to me. I asked to speak to a manager and she put me on hold. 5 minutes later, I got 2 rooms (with the same woman) connecting with Everglades atrium view.

To make the long story short, I had the feeling it was because of a priceline rate, I felt she was trying to give me rooms that would somewhat match the rate until I refused. There was plenty of availability and they should really try to make their guests happy so that people may come back.

The hotel is not THAT large. You can walk either from the inside (which is filled with plants and various paths), or the outside to the pool. I am not sure how compliant they will give you Key West. You can certainly try. To me, I just asked for an atrium view, non-smoking, and connecting rooms.

They do have a refrigirator in the room, with water and OJ in there, supposedly they restock them too.

About food - we checked the prices in the hotel and it was pricey. We just drove out on I4 to get to Rt. 536 I think (one exit over or something like that) and ate at Bahama Breeze. I have heard people talking about it but never ate offsite. This was our first time and LOVED it. Will definitely go back.

Gaylord is really close to Pop Century. However, when you try to get to Disney, you have to make a left from the resort onto a huge highway. There is no traffic light and I think it is really dangerous. Our car almost got hit when we turned on to this road (Oceola Parkway). DH just told me to fllor it to keep going and get the speed up once we turn. A bit scary for me. The car that almost hit me was a sports car and was going really fast. I did not even see her until she almost hit me from behind.

 

[ceopamom3]

Have stayed lots of different places on and off Disney property, and this hotel is just fabulous - absolutely top of the line. The atrium is phenomenal. I did not ask for an atrium view - just a nice room with a king bed and non-smoking. We received an atrium view in the St. Augustine section on the fourth floor. The room was just lovely. When we were there, the hotel was almost fully booked due to a convention - but it was never noisy, and the pools were virtually empty when we visited in the evening and during the day. The room does have a refrigerator, and the OJ and water are restocked daily. This is part of the $10/day resort fee which also includes high speed interent access and the USA today.

You can walk through the atrium quickly to virtually all the pools, so I wouldn't worry much about what section you receive. There were kids in swim trunks about - but with shirts and shoes.. It is a bit more upscale in this way than other places, but there are families there nonetheless - and I wouldn't feel a bit awkward walking with them to the pool.

I tried the Octopus slide, and it is great!

Enjoy your stay!

 

[26555]

What do you enter on Priceline to get Gaylord? Does it have to be relatively close to your travel dates to get a Gaylord through Priceline? (ie once they are certain they will not fill up with their rack room rates they take their extra nights to Priceline?) Thanks for your help. I plan on going to Orlando a lot with a pass, guess I need to get educated in skyauction, priceline and condo rentals!

 

[ccalip]

I bid about two months before my travel dates. There's no way of assuring that you will get the hotel you are hoping for, but do some research on www.biddingfortravel.com, and also look at their message boards to see what hotels have been coming up recently.

Anyway, thanks so much for info provided in the posts above. I am totally stressed out over this trip (trying to be as prepared as I can since I anticipate heat, crowds, and overtired kids).

If you can think of any other tips about the Gaylord, please let me know!!!

Thanks!

 

[LaurieA]

I may try bidding through priceline for this hotel in November. There is a convention I want to attend. Anyone know if there is a shot at this since a lot of their rooms might be blocked for the conference? Sounds like a nice hotel!

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by LaurieA
I may try bidding through priceline for this hotel in November. There is a convention I want to attend. Anyone know if there is a shot at this since a lot of their rooms might be blocked for the conference? Sounds like a nice hotel!

THERE IS NO WAY TO GUARANTEE a particular hotel with PL. A large convention in the hotel might decrease the probability that the hotel will have PL rooms available. DON'T USE PL if you aren't willing to accept other resorts (S/D, Wyndham, Hilton, Marriot or even new hotels).

 

[MayMom]

We also stayed at the Gaylord Palms through Priceline last year. I used biddingfortravel.com also and won the hotel for $86.00/night. I was upgraded to an atrium view upon check-in and was never treated poorly in any way. We loved this hotel and would stay again without a doubt. It was very convenient and close to Disney as well as restaurants/shopping outside of Disney. I personally feel a little trapped in "Disney universe" when I stay onsite. This hotel is just as close as some of the All Stars, I thought. We also used the bus to travel to and from the parks, which was OK. It did take longer than Disney buses, but it wasn't that bad. The rooms were beautiful and very spacious. My son was 3 at the time and he really loved the octopus pool and the atriums. My only complaint was that the noise from the atrium was very loud at night. It kept us awake until very late (2 a.m.). I would have thought the french doors would have been more soundproof than they were.

 

[ccalip]

Originally posted by MayMom
...We also used the bus to travel to and from the parks, which was OK. It did take longer than Disney buses, but it wasn't that bad. ...

Thanks for sharing, MayMom. Every bit of info is helpful.... What do you mean when you said the bus takes longer? Do you mean the buses run less frequently, or the distance is further, or some other reason? Does it stop anywhere else besides the 4 theme parks?

Thanks

 

[MayMom]

This is only information from our visit last year - this may have changed in the past 12 months... The GP had one bus that took people to the parks. It would go to each park and pick up/drop off, then after going to all 4 parks would take you back to the hotel. Well - if you are picked up first it kinda gets on your nerves to have to go to 3 other parks before you get back to the hotel. It also takes around 45 minutes to get to all those parks. I also remember waiting around 15 - 20 minutes at MGM in the middle of a hot parking lot waiting on the bus. If you are spoiled by the Disney buses that travel to just one park and return you to the hotel, this may be an issue for you... Hope this helps!

 

[ccalip]

Got back from the GP a few days ago. They gave us a really nice room (atrium view) in Emerald Bay. Felt a little underdressed, though, walking thru the hotel. Seems like most people are there for conventions, not Disney. Parking was a bit of a hike, and we were very disappointed on our last night to learn that most of the parking on our side of the building was blocked off... reserved for valet parking (big convention starting the following day). We had to park on the Everglades side... big bummer when it was time to pack the car and leave. DH pulled car around to Key West.

Room was very, very nice, very luxurious (sp?)... very nice to have cold OJ and a warm bathrobe. Didn't know about the turndown service (though I could take it or leave it...). Only problem during our stay was the suite next to us... dude had a loud party on our last night, with lots of visitors. They were banging on the door, screaming in the halls, loud music etc. I finally called the front desk at midnight... they sent security up to quiet them down.

Overall, a very nice stay...

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Can you tell me what the bedding was in your room? We'll be staying at GP with Priceline, and hope to be able to upgrade to a suite with connecting room. Thanks!

 

[ccalip]

We had two queen beds. They were raised high off the floor (was a bit worried about the little one falling out of bed). They were a bit creaky (the headboard), no matter how quietly you try to climb into bed. My husband thought the beds were a little stiff. I didn't really notice because I attributed my discomfort to my very sunburned back. Pillows were a little stiff, but I'm used to down at home. I get cold easily (husband likes to crank the air) but was plenty warm with just the sheet and blanket.

We have a pillowtop mattress at home, which I love. I could easily imagine being uncomfortable in a strange bed. However, I slept fine (aside from feeling my sunburns)... but it could have been because I was so exhausted! We also stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza, and I slept fine there too (DH says the beds were more comfortable for him there).

Not sure if that helps or not... let me know if you have any other questions...