How do some of you get such fantastic rates?

[emer95]

Hi, I'm currently researching an off-site condo or similar to stay in for part of our vacation next August. I e-mailed one Windsor Hills owner, and the rate for a 2 bedroom was $125/night. I know I've read about people getting better rates than that. Is there some secret I don't know about? I'm open to other places as well. Ideally I would love a suite that was close, and offered free breakfast (which I know Windsor Hills and CP or CPGV probably wouldn't offer).

Any advice? Our last visit we stayed at Staybridge Suites, which was great. We'd stay there again, but I wouldn't mind checking out other places too.
Thank you!

 

[isla bonita]

I think you will find better deals off season just for that reason.

 

[emer95]

I wish so much that we could go off season, but we can't. I'm a teacher, and there's no way I could take a week off during the school year.

Perhaps that's when most people are going who get such great rates?

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I've used www.mousesavers.com to get codes in the past and got a rate of $109/night for port orleans in May 2003.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Have you considered renting a pool home? Many of them are less than that per night. Of course, breakfast is on you.

 

[spiceycat]

I love Mulan too!!!

my best bargin have probably been skyauction - well last call with RCI too - but they aren't open to the general public.

the early part of this year skyauction was not putting out any timeshares - well besides a couple of Sheraton Vistana on their site.

well they are back finally.... try for one in ready set go - but before you bid go place a hold on what you want....

they have increased their prices so it is $195 +$20 + the winning bid....

they no longer allow you to cancel....so be very, very sure of your dates.

if that is too uncertain for you.

then sometimes hotelkingdom has some nice rates.
www.hotelkingdom.com

also the interval international open to the public - you can't bid and the closer your can wait the better the prices will be.

www.condodirect.com

 

[Vivianne]

I found a good rate for our upcoming Vegas vacation at Southwest.com under Specials and then Hotel tabs. You'll find a list of locations coast to coast in addition to WDW.

I checked the hotel website for the one I chose. I even checked out Expedia and the rates were double for the same nights. Hope you have success in whatever you choose.

 

[jennobrn01]

We are going the week after T-giving. We are booking at 2 bed/bath condo at Windsor Hills for around $75- $80/night. I did a general inquiry on the site, and emailed probably 10 owners. In the past 24 hours I have received 20+ emails from owners wanting me to rent.

The great rates are in the off season. Even then you have to watch it. In our case, some owners are charging peak rates for the T-giving season through the Monday after T-giving.

 

[minnie29uk]

If you want to go for a private villa and prepared to take the risk- you could search a week before you wish to go and thats when you might get some last minute offers.But that is always a risk for peak season.

Try www.lastminutevillas.net

Good Luck,
Lynn

 

[crjack]

emer95, did you use the www.windsorhillsrent.com site? If not, give it a try...just be prepared for lots of responses! That can be a good thing though since it will give you a list of similar units to compare pricing. Each is individually owned and furnishings and certain ammenities will vary but you can certainly compare size of units and main info.

We have a large home rented in WH for July. I had "special" discounts listed under replies from owners after I used the site. I found some of the same homes listed on www.vrbo.com and the discounts weren't there so I am assuming some of the owners are really trying to promote their properties and get established. The resort is newer than others in the area such as Windsor Palms and Emerald Island so some owners may be doing some discounts as a way of advertising their unit and making it stand out a little.

Also, if you find a unit that you really like be open to discussing the pricing with the owner. Be realistic and fair and you might be surprised at the response. The worst they can say is no and if so you will still have endless choices available.

Good luck. We are really looking forward to visiting Windsor Hills this summer too!

 

[tortoni]

You might try some of the hotel chain condos like Mariott Horizons, Cypress Harbour. Use the flyertalk boards to get special rate codes for these.

 

[mareed]

One comment is not to limit yourself to the 2-bedroom condos. I've often found that the 3 bedroom condos aren't any more expensive than the 2-bed and there seem to be many more 3 bedroom ones to choose from, so odds are better of finding a few at a more reasonable price.

You might also consider Windsor Palms and/or Emerald Island. These are in the same general area as Windsor Hills, but they're just a bit older, so prices may be more reasonable.

We looked at these areas for an upcoming XMAS stay, and found several 3 bedroom ones to choose from at Windsor Palms for under $100 a night, even at the peak XMAS rates. Some owners just don't raise their peak rates up quite as much, and we had several from which to choose. I did receive many quotes between $125 & $150 also, but I pretty much disregarded those. We were looking at a full 2-week stay, so that may have helped with some of the relatively lower quotes also.

 

[momlvsdsny]

Hi, I am researching the same place!! I used wdwpackages.com and got a quote of 2142 for 7 nights there plus 5 day park hopper Magic Your Way tickets for all 6 of us. It listed the Windsor at 100.43 a night.

 

[momlvsdsny]

By the way, I am going July 29, so that is the rate I got for then.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We used Hotelkingdom.com to find a 2bdrm for -89/night for the 3rd week of August.
The season ends 3rd or start of 4th week of August usually because FL kids are already back in school and everybody else is gearing up for school. The site for Universal parks hours will tell you what it will be this year because the reduce hours based on expected attendance.

Added: Looked at USF hours. First week open 'till 10,2nd week 'till 9,3rd week until 8, then 7 then 6.

Also just the amount of time ahead reservation is booked. Usually the earlier the better until the last minute deals.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi there

I got 3 bed townhouse at Windsor Hills for under $100 per night over Christmas from VRBO. As other have said the advertised price can often be higher & once you e-mail the owner you may find the rate cheaper. Good luck!

 

[dgaston]

Cypress Pointe is also a good place just outside DTD. At hotelkingdom, 2br are often available for less than $94 per night.

HTH

 

[DawnM]

Do you need a 2 bedroom?

We are a family of 4 and have fit comfortably in a 1 bedroom as long as it sleeps 4.

We use SkyAuction.com and get everything fairly last minute but we got the condo for 7 nights for $249 including tax and then the 2nd trip got a 1 bedroom for 7 nights for $220 including tax.

Dawn

 

[djkeenan]

Looking for a better rate? Ask for it!

That's the best bit of advice I can give you. Once we thought we knew what we wanted in an offsite pool home we emailed several and asked for their best price. About one third held to their published price while the others offered a discount ranging from a little to a lot!

We started looking at 3 bedroom condos, ended up with a beautiful 6 bedroom home for what I was hoping to pay for the 3 bedroom.

Best of Luck!

 

[emer95]

Wow- thank you SO much, everyone! You have given me such great info. I've never met such helpful people. I'm going to do some more investigating!