Hotwire changed offerings for WDW

[epcotitis]

When I try to check for hotels in the DTD area I just get a choice of WDW. Now I can't tell which hotels are what? Does anybody have experience here? I posted on the Orlando hotels and attractions board but got no responses.

 

[MermaidsMom]

Jtropiz (sp) had a wonderful thread going about Hotwire and it sounded like Hotwire got many bookings from this information. I believe he then posted that Hotwire contacted him and asked him to stop. Since then they have changed their site. Who knows? Wonder if their bookings will slow down now?

 

[bridgettesmom]

For me it sounds absurd that Hotwire will contact someone who's helping their business and tell them to stop doing it(????).If you read Jtropiz thread you would see how many bookings Hotwire was getting daily.I was considering renting a car and a hotel from Hotwire for my upcoming trip,even though I work for the travel industry and could get a cheaper rate for the car.Now, I was just thinking of getting a discounted rate and not have to deal with Hotwire at all.If Jtropiz was the reason for them changing their website and removing Swan and Dolphin from the hotel only page,then it confirms that Jtropiz was doing a wonderful job and that Hotwire's management has a problem running a profitable business and making money.Maybe,they are all in the wrong line of work.

 

[Jaynerita]

This makes me wonder if Swan and Dolphin as well as other DTD Hotels got wind of this and could have contacted Hotwire. Perhaps people were cancelling their reservations, thinking they could do better with Hotwire. I know that was my plan!!!! I cancelled my Swan reservations, booked the Marriot for their cheap plan, rented a car instead. We'll see....
I'm new to this board. Thanks so much for all the info and help so far.

 

[CarolA]

Personally even when the board was up the Priceline bids come in much cheaper. Granted you don't know where you are staying but the "Worst" is the Marriott or Gaylord both of which are EXCELLENT properties and with the savings you can afford to rent a car.

 

[peachgirl]

We had originally planned for an overnight stay at the beach before getting to WDW and checking into OKW. We had decided to skip the beach and stay at a DD hotel for the first night and after reading so much about Hotwire, I was thinking of using them



Since they've decided to change things and apparently don't want business that badly, I'll just contact the hotel directly or use one of the mousesaver codes. I don't think I'd want to use them now.

 

[maggiew]

So the Swan and Dolphin are no longer on Hotwire?

Maggie

 

[CarolA]

I think the problem is that since they have changed the locations you don't know what you are getting. You might still get the Swan/Dolphin but you might not.

 

[f-LORI-da]

I, too, have been following the jtropiz (sp) thread, and was considering trying hotwire for a future trip.

With this latest development, however, , I think I'll stick with Priceline.

Like CarolA said, the bids come in cheaper with Priceline. Plus, I've always been pleased with the results.

 

[freediverdude]

I noticed this too, and it looks like what they've done is combine the two areas called "Disney Area-Lake Buena Vista" and "Disney Area-Maingate" into one area. This is probably supposedly to make it more difficult to know what you're getting, but, especially for the 4 star level, the amenity icon combinations look the same. I don't think the maingate area even had 4 star ones, so the same icon combinations that I looked for in the Lake Buena Vista area were still showing up under the new area, and I bet the hotels are the same ones. The hotels probably got upset because that thread was listing specific icon combinations and listing what the hotel was, which kind of defeats the purpose of Hotwire of not knowing what you're getting in exchange for the cheaper rate. However if you've used Hotwire a lot for a certain area, you kind of know what the combinations are anyway, but it does take some experience. I haven't seen the Swan or Dolphin come up for the next few months ever since this change happened, though, which makes me wonder if they pulled out because of it, or if they are going to change their listings.

 

[prncess674]

could someone point me to the Hotwire thread mentioned here.

Thanks

 

[epcotitis]

Thanks for all the replies. I wondered if it was something like that. As usual people here are in the know. I have never used priceline for a hotel so I guess I'll have to do some studying. Can you get DTD hotels and pretty much know the area you are going to get? From what I have read it seems a bit more risky.

Carol A--Did you bid a resort or star to get the wonderful hotels you have talked about? I don't mind trying something new. My sister loves Royal Plaza. The big rooms sounded nice. As long as I get what I pay for...or in pricelines book more than I pay for

 

[CarolA]

I bid resort. I follow the www.biddingfortravel.com board and have found their hotel listings of availalbe hotels to be very reliable. (I have also used PL in other cities).

By the way, there is a 4 star maingate. There is speculation that it is the Celebaration hotel, but....

The thing to remember on either Priceline and/or Hotwire is just because you "think" you know which hotel it is, you could be wrong. I have had great results. However, if you must be at the Swan/Dolphin or in DTD these are NOT for you.

 

[jtopicz1]

The 4*, Boutique in Main Gate was confirmed to be the Celebration Hotel.

As stated Hotwire has changed their zones during their latest site revamp (other things have changed to, Universal is now just 1 zone, you no longer have to log in to check rates, etc!). Swan/Dolphin has been coming up again, but I haven't been able to confirm ammenities with the new zones for sure (YET! )

Jim

 

[sherry8253]

Hi Jim - Glad to see your posts again! If it wasn't for you I would never have been able to get the Swan for our Thanksgiving at the House of Mouse. Thanks again!