Hotel Dilemma - What Would YOU DO?

[CanadianGuy]

Ok.. originally the plan was for us to arrive in Orlando on Monday the 29th. And we are booked at Pop Century from the 29th to June 03.

Problem : We are now arriving on Sunday, May 28th. My choice at this point are :

1) Hope something opens up at Pop and we can extend by one day. As of today, there is nothing available Sunday night.

2) Priceline a place for around 60$ and hope we can a decent place for that. I do not wanna fleabag place - not even for one night. So I figure 60 on Priceline would get me a decent place - would I be right?

3) Book nothing and just drive the strip looking for a place that doesn't look nasty upon arrival.

I'm torn.. What would you all do? I'm leaning towards combining # 1 and # 3. Basically keep checking with Central Reservations and if nothing opens up.. then just cruise the strip on Sunday looking for a place. Does that even make sense?

J

 

[kellyf2626]

Maybe check one of the All-Star Resorts? The price would be the same as Pop - and then at least you would have something, and can keep calling every day until you check in to see if something opens up at Pop. Worse case - you don't get in at Pop - Disney will move your luggage for you, and you can spend more time in the parks!

Good luck! Have fun!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Nothing at ANY value Disney resort as of today for Sunday night.. Believe me.. if it was avail - I'd be all over it.

As a matter of fact - just checked and for Sunday night - Coronado Springs comes for 189$ a night. Or OKW for 333$.

 

[nowellsl]

Do you have AAA - maybe you can book a room through them.

 

[spiceycat]

if you are using DME and still want too....

then I would get a hotel close to the airport that has a shuttle (priceline is nice for this)

and just take DME to Pop the next morning.

now if you are driving then you don't care anyway.....

I won't expect anything to open up at WDW - although you might be lucky....

It is Star War weekend and it MK EMH that night....both have a tendency to bring in lots of people.

good luck....

I would wait and kept trying for a value resort at WDW - but if nothing comes up go with priceline.

 

[runwad]

Maybe someone can help with the specifics as it's been awhile and my memory is failing me but somewhere in the Unofficial Guide I read where there is a place, welcome center??? can't remember what the place is but they get all last minute openings for hotels at disney and surrounding areas...there was a part in the book that said if you were adventurous you could try this place and there was a number for them too so you could call when you got close, but I'm sorry I don't know the specifics cause we didn't use this I just remember reading about it...anyone know what I'm talking about and can give Canadianguy more specifics??

 

[paladin]

Runwad, it sounds like you are thinking of the Ocala Welcome Center in Ocala, FL, however they closed about a year or so ago.

 

[sweet maxine]

Hope this might help you...

Comfort Suites Maingate East is showing up on Expedia for $86 for the night of the 28th. You can probably get it even cheaper through the 20% off link at smartertravel.com (look for Family Travel, then click on the link for 20% off stays at Comfort, Quality, etc.).

I've stayed there recently, and it's on the top of my list for a place I'd like to return to. Very clean, nice pool, spacious rooms, and a great free breakfast!
I'd book soon though if I were you, or at least look around for some of the other places in the Maingate or Lake Buena Vista area.

Good luck!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

Have you tried the hotels in Downtown Disney? If available maybe you can get a AAA rate (if you have membership) or a mousesavers rate. You could also call Disney on a daily basis hoping for a cancellation. You can also try Orbitz or Travelocity with your dates and see what hotels are available then call and see if you can get a better rate on your own. And find out what the cancellation policy is in case at some point Pop has a room available for that night. Good Luck! Linda

 

[CanadianGuy]

Wow.. great advice all. I think we're going to keep our options open right now. We're going to keep calling Pop every day thru Saturday (when we leave) if nothing has opened up by Saturday, we'll probably book a Priceline room then.

Thanks!

J

 

[rainy~daze]

I sent you a PM, I just found room on the disney website for asmo for that night.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Thanks for that.. it wasn't showing up earlier this morning at ALL.

 

[angwill]

We had the same situation last year and up till the day before we could not get into ASmo or any other value resort. We decided to wait and take a chance and the day we got there rooms opened up and all of the value resorts had rooms available. Worked out perfect. There is hope.

HTH,
Angela

 

[CanadianGuy]

Angela! I LOVE YOU! Seriously. I almost booked something yesterday somewhere else. But thank you!

I checked this morning and POP had availability now! We booked in the extra night and an extra day's park tickets. Wahoo!

 

[kellyf2626]

Congrats on everything working out! What a great feeling!! Enjoy your trip! The "magic" has already started!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Kelly:

Thanks! We're very excited... even tho we know the parks will be VERY busy on Sunday, the Magic Kingdom has regular operating hours ending at midnight AND then EMH till 3am... we figure that'll be a great start to our week!

J

 

[angwill]

I am so happy to hear that something I wrote had a positive outcome. I am even more happy to hear that you got your room at POP. It is funny how when we go to Disney those little magical things just seem to fall right into place. Enjoy your trip!!!

Angela
75 days and counting down till we are at POP too!!!