How good are their chances?? *Updated*

[melk]

Just got a call from some friends who are vacationing down in Florida. They've decided they want to take a drive over to WDW on this coming Monday and try to get a room for three or four nights, in the park. I know it is mega-crowded on Christmas week. How good do you think their chances are for getting an on-site room next week? If they manage to get one, do you think they will get a good deal because it is last minute or do you think they'll pay top dollar? They do know they will probably end up outside the park but they will be calling me this weekend so I thought I would get some opinions from you all and maybe I can pass it along to them before head over there.

*Update*
Heard from them today. They drove up to WDW yesterday (12/29) and got a room at the All Star Sports for $114. I believe they're staying through Thursday. They had also inquired about a FW cabin and CBR and could have gotten either, but for substantially more money. Just thought any of you who saw the original thread might be interested!

 

[Jinnyboom]

No idea what their chances are...CBR has just reopened so (maybe)...I would think that they might be paying top dollar however as Value season ended on 12/24 I believe....

Irregardless....I would suggest that they call ahead...I wouldn't just "show up" with hopes of getting a room....

Just my opinion tho....best of luck to them!!

 

[anniet]

I doubt they'll get anything in the park and if they do get IN the park, I highly doubt they will get any type of discount. You can ALWAYS find SOMETHING outside of the park, and almost always something reasonably priced, but because of the timing I think rooms that they could probably get a week later at $40 per night will be going for $60. IMHO, I don't think their timing could be worse.

 

[melk]

The reason I asked whether they might get a discount is because sometimes you can make out alright just "showing up." A co-worker went down with her family a couple of years ago and walked into the WL. He said he would like to have a room for two nights and they gave him the price. He said that it was too high and said what he would pay for it (nothing ridiculously low), and basically said that either they could give him a discounted room or chances are, it would remain empty for the night. He got the room! So that's why I wonder if sometimes you can get last-minute deals (similar to the ones you get if you stop in Ocala).

 

[Trekker]

Where in Florida are your friends driving in from. There is a visitor center in Ocala that has always been mentioned as having great last minute rates for WDW resorts or off property locations. They could give that a try.

 

[anniet]

That is probably the case when it is off season, and there is nothing going on at Disney. I have heard of that happening, and have actually done that in Kissimmee, but not on Disney property. But December 31-through January 2nd or so? I doubt Disney would let those rooms go at a discounted price since I would imagine their occupancy rate would be high enough that they wouldn't have to let the rooms go for any less.

I would be willing to bet they would have really good luck doing that sometime mid January though!

Just my opinion, which means absolutely nothing by the way!

 

[BrianD]

First of all, IMHO, it's never a bad time to go to WDW!!! Anyway, there will probably be rooms available at some resorts, but the chances of a discount would be very slim, just due to the time of year. I would agree with others saying that stopping in at Ocala might be their best bet. But it's probably still a long shot.

 

[Ziggie]

Just booked our reservation this morning for NYE. The "high prices" for resorts go into effect today and they are charging us $124 just to stay at "Movies".

They told us we got the last room, but you know how that goes. Just hang up and call again in a few minutes.

 

[VickiVM]

$124!! OUCH. We paid less than that for ASMu for TWO rooms last September. Would this be a case where perhaps an Annual Passholder might get a discounted rate and maybe the difference between rack rate and the discounted rate may offset the cost between a 4 day pass and the AP??

 

[Ziggie]

Hi VickiVM, nice to meet you!

We have AP's plus we are Florida residents and they told me that was the "best" price they could give me on ASMu. We just returned from WDW 2 weeks ago and we paid under $55/room.

I'm with you though.. the $124 hurts!

 

[melk]

 

[anniet]

Glad to hear there was availability...too bad it's top dollar. Ouch!


Happy New Year!