How are off site rates when you just show up?

[westjones]

How are the rates at the off site hotels when you just 'show up' one night.

We have reservations at BWVs, but we will get into Orlando on a Sunday night (checking into BWVs on Monday).

Can you just show up at a hotel and get a good rate near WDW? We only need a place to sleep that is safe and clean--we don't need anything fancy that night.

We will be going the first week of June.
Thanks,
DJ

 

[Seahunt]

Sorry this isn't much help, but as we were driving over to WDW the night before Thanksgiving, and were stuck in the holiday traffic (!), I had plenty of time to read all the electronic signs along I -4, and noticed PLENTY of hotels advertising "ROOMS AVAILABLE", especially around the I Drive (International Drive) exit area. Most were advertising $39.95, though I did see some as low as $29.95....I don't know how June would compare to this busy holiday eve, but I bet'cha you'd be safe finding something for the night

 

[InstImpres]

IMHO, if you know you need the room, why not just go for a cheap thing on priceline and have a destination?

There could always be the fluke of trouble getting a room at somewhere that is acceptable

 

[westjones]

IMHO, if you know you need the room, why not just go for a cheap thing on priceline and have a destination?

There could always be the fluke of trouble getting a room at somewhere that is acceptable

We didn't want to do that because we didn't know exactly when or where we would be there the first night, so we just wanted to be able to pull in somewhere (wherever we may be)--but near Disney, hopefully (unless we get too tired and have to stop ahead of time).

I know DH won't want to drive around looking for a place after driving all day.

But it is a good suggestion if we knew we would get in at an early time.

Thanks,
DJ

 

[InstImpres]

ok, now I get it....here's what I do when I drive on a long ride.

Pick a few possible stops. Go on-line to a few budget chains. These usually have a special phrase to get the low rate (it may be AAA, fall back rate, sunrise special, weekend getaway etc.). I travel with a list of possibilities (including mile markers from the highway) along with the reservation phone number & rates/codes. About 20 minutes out, call and make a reservation. This could save you $10-$60.

 

[Mich Mouse]

One time we "winged it" and planned to find a room on the road. Once we hit Florida, we began looking. All through Jacksonville, Daytona and Orlando.

It was The Daytona 500, and President's weekend, and we slept in the car.

I would never leave without a confirmed room again. If I were in your situation, I'd book two seperate locations, (Jacksonville and Daytona or where ever)that allow cancellations prior to 6:00 pm, and then wing it from there.

If you are travelling at an off time, it will not likely be a problem.

Have a Great trip!

 

[westjones]

Thanks! Great advice!
DJ

 

[SandrA9810]

For winging it. Pick up a travel saver book at McDonalds and those could save you a lot of money. Plus those don't allow reservations.
One year for christmas we stayed at a ramada hotel for 35$ a night with a coupon from the book. The funny thing was, we were gonna stay at a crappy one right next door for 30$, but they asked Kari for ID when she gave them her CC and saw she was under 21 (she was 20 and I was 19 at the time). So we hoped over and they never asked a question. Although it doesn't help that we look 15 and 16 years old. (I'm 21 and she's 22 now).

We didn't have a problem finding a cheap place in july when we could only get one night at disney.

 

[kilee]

Be sure there is nothing going on in the area's you may stay in. Then you could get the roomsavers coupons on the internet or at rest area's. I've had them work about 1/3 of the time.
I do find the internet rates are usually so much better that I hesitate to not book ahead anymore.

We once drove down to Orlando in April a week after Easter. We didn't book a room because we didn't know when or where we'd stop. We didn't even know if we were leaving in the afternoon or evening. Anyhow, I was sure there'd be rooms on our drive down because Easter was the previous weekend. Well, I didn't take into account that yep-- traffic going down was a breeze- however all the rooms were booked because everyone was stopping for the night on their way backs. To make matters worse, I had taken a pain pill because my back was bothering me from sitting for so long. It made me sick to my stomach, lightheaded, and gave me the shakes. I just wanted a room so bad, being in the car was making it worse. We ended up checking 11 hotels at 4 exits before we finally got a last room at a Marriott for 4x as much as I had budgeted.

 

[salmoneous]

My guess is you'll end up making a reservation somewhere - it just works better that way. But if you don't, one thing I would *strongly* suggest is calling (from your cellphone in the parking lot if necessary) rather than going into the lobby and asking if they have a room and what the price is. 9/10 you can get a better rate that way. Be sure to bring some phone numbers - the AAA book is great for that,.

 

[hercamore]

A couple of times on vacation (not in Orlando) I've just gone into a hotel and asked for the "walkin rate".

Got a discount.

herc.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've also done the call-from-the-car strategy; if you aren't going during a big big weekend, you should be okay. I second the recommendation for grabbing a TourBook for the state(s) you might stop in.

 

[spiceycat]

if you have AAA bring your card.

at the rest stops pick up all the discount pamplets that they have.

there are several.

then the non driver start looking. when you find one that is a possibly - then call them. (at the next rest stop if you don't have a cell phone)

most will tell you over the phone if they have rooms and your discount special is good. (once the hotel gets 75% full they don't allow discounts)