Have you ever gotten a great rate as a walk-in?

[Wiggle]

Have you ever walked into a Disney resort and asked for a room for that night...and gotten a great rate? Is that reasonable to expect? We're headed down next week and staying off-site, but I'd be willing to stay onsite if a resort would give me a great rate without an advance reservation.

Has anyone ever done this? What's been your experience?

 

[chrisnjessie]

I don't recommend this at all. The only rate that the check in desk is authorized to give is the rack rate, they may call CRO or direct you to a phone to call CRO and make a reservation through them, but that's the only way you can get a rate other than rack rate walking in. I learned this the hard way, showing up at the Wilderness Lodge at 11 pm, on a spur of the moment trip, and we paid rack rate. The next morning we called CRO and got AKL discounted. Since CRO was closed the night before there was nothing they could do.

Now, any other hotel in the world the situation would be different. You can usually get cheaper rates by going directly to the hotel, whether calling or showing up, if it's not a busy time. Disney just doesn't work that way, though.

 

[>>^..^<<]

To discourage walk ins they will only offer you rack rates at the front desk.

You can actually pull out your cell phone and make a reservation at a lower rate while standing in front of the check in agent.

>>^..^<<

 

[Wiggle]

Hmmm...very in-ter-esting, indeed!

Thanks, guys!

 

[webray]

Not as a walk in, but same day, I have been able to secure AP or resident rates when we decide to drive up at the last minute. We have done this in the morning, and late afternoon..when we just have to grab stuff and get in the car...lol. Makes the trip exciting.

 

[Leigha]

If you're driving I think there is a Disney welcome type center in Ocala that might be what you're looking for. We tried to stop there once but it closed before we got there. We then went to DL where they first told us they had no rooms open, then directed me to a house phone to see if there was something else anywhere else. That person said reservations were available but no discounts!

 

[Robert P]

The Ocala Welcome Center can still book anything that CRO can, as it is the same system, and this was true as of Feb 03. What has changed is that years ago ('97 for sure, b/c we did it then), they were given access to the 'deep discounted surplus rooms', and you could get great deals there, but it had to be in person, and the rates were usually only available for the coming day(s).
At some point, WDW wisdom decided to discontinue that practice.

 

[Poohs Pal]

We stopped at the Ocala Welcome center in April 99. We allready had rooms at GF with an AP discount but had decided to leave 2 days early. The Center was unable to book a discount anywhere . We were able to get DL for rack rate. When I got in the car I called cro on my cell phone and got Contempory north wing for less then Dixie Landings. . It was a little bit of a hassle because the ressie had been made same day(of arrival) cro couldn't cancel and rebook. I was told I would have to call the manager at DL and cancel myself with an explanation why. The manager was great and said he'd call Contempory and tell them we'd arrive shortly. If you want a chance of a discount I'd call cro yourself once you decide your going. Susan

 

[Grumpy92]

Having worked at the FD at several of the Disney resorts I can tell you that sometimes they will offer a lower rate then rack. IT all depended on how close to sold out status we were. The less rooms available the more we charged. On other nights we wanted to sell as much as we could so we would lower the rate. This practice varies from resort to resort. The rate also would fluctuate with the time period. IF it is a holiday or a weekend your chances decrease. Middle of the week in Oct. you have a better chance of a lower rate.
We used to offer better rates directly from the hotel but over the years this practice has decreased. All Star specifically does not really do this anymore, but FW does. So take that into consideration. Really if you want to make sure you get a room call ahead. Check out mousesavers.com before you leave and jot down the discount codes. Then call before you arrive.
On the flipside I have gotten a great rate to extend my stay.