I blew it on priceline (long)

[LauraR]

Just got a room at Holiday Inn Nikki Bird from 4/4 to 4/7 for $36 a night on Priceline. I bid $35 for a 3* WDW hotel first with no bites, so then included 2 1/2* and bumped my offer up to $36. Duh! What was I thinking?? I was kind of in a rush because I was also cooking dinner, and I didn't have to be---I should have done it later. Anyway, when Holiday Inn Nikki Bird showed up, I realized I'd made a big mistake. Suddenly lots of bad things I've read on the disboards came back to me. A big mistake I made was just writing down the hotel list for Betterbidding.com which doesn't list Nikki Bird (and I would have been happy with any that they did list). If I had been more thorough and written down the additional ones listed on Biddingfortravel.com, which DID include Nikki Bird, I would probably not have taken the chance. Not to mention I probably could have gotten the hotel for $28 like alot of other people. Why did I start higher for a 2 1/2??? Also, I could have gotten the Holiday Inn on Hotel Plaza Blvd on Hotwire for $35 to 37 a few days before, but waited to discuss our trip plans with my husband, and then it disappeared. Now I'm trying to decide whether to make the best of it with Nikki Bird (my husband and kids don't know any better), or eat the cost and try again. Well, at least I can provide you with a good example of how NOT to bid on Priceline. I'm such a moron...Well, thanks for letting me get that off my chest (I can't exactly tell my husband )

 

[princessmomma]

Well, just chalk it up to experience and think about all the money you will be saving on your next trip now that you know how to use Priceline like an expert!

 

[KLAIT]

Look on the bright side. The location is good. We just got back from Disney and I did see it as we drove by.

 

[hockey mom]

We stayed there a few years back and it was fine. I have read a few other reports of people enjoying it so I say give it a try before you make another reservation. I made a similar screw up- I bid for a 21/2 star in a certain area and when I was denied I added another area that I did not want but because they did not have a 2/12 star I thought I was safe. Well I was bumped up to a 3 star in the area that was no good to me. If you really don't want it donate it to a childrens wish foundation and then you will come out feeling good about the whole thing.

 

[LauraR]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I will certainly chalk it up as a learning experience. Hockey mom, I probably will end up giving it a chance. It's good to know some people had good experiences there. But if not, I really like your suggestion about donating it to a Make-a-wish type foundation. I didn't know you could do that, but it would really make me feel much better about things if I decide not to go with Nikki Bird.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

LauraR, I would just accept it as you said as a learning experience. It is close to the Sherberth entrance to WDW via Animal Kingdom. You are going to be there 3 nights only at a rate of $36 a night.

I would think of it as a less expensive price for a motel that is close to WDW. Don't worry about the difference in price of around $25 for the three days between the lowest rate and your rate. Just enjoy the experience.

 

[kilarney]

I noticed that the Holiday Inn at Downtown Disney disappeared from Hotwire too! Grr... Fortunately I have some time before our next trip so I will keep my eyes open.
Sadly, the Holiday Inn Nikki Bird showed up for $22/night. Oh well... it's a learning experience... and it is a better hotel than you would have gotten for that price if you paid conventionally.

 

[LauraR]

$22??---Ackkk!!!
(It's O.K., I realize in the scheme of things, it's not that big a deal)

 

[denisenh]

LauraR....sounds like something I would do...LOL. And if you decide to "eat the cost" you are not alone! I have a one night priceline reservation in Fort Lauderdale for next month, which I believe I may have overbid for, and I won't be anywhere near Fort Lauderdale at that time. We switched destination airports after I had already started planning.
AND, last August, I used priceline for 4 nights, got the Hilton in downtown Disney and ended up staying there for the first and last nights due to a change in plans.
I really don't feel too bad about the "wasted money". I figure that if I don't do and/or stay where I want to, then it's all wasted anyway.
Despite my instances of changed plans, I have saved big bucks using priceline because we save big on 4* and resort level hotels and occasional 3* stays. I have our arrival and departure night accommodations through priceline for next months trip and I am pleased with both of the hotels at the 3* level.
If you are really unhappy about your reservation, why spend time, wasted time, being miserable and fretting? Educate yourself using Bidding For Travel and try again, if it is in the budget of course.
I didn't know that I could donate my unused priceline reservations and would be interested in finding out how to do that.

 

[kilee]

If you have a prepaid reservation you are not going to use you can call your local make-a-wish office. They can sometimes use them, especially in Disney area. I recently had a ressie in NYC I couldn't use-- however, I it was only a matter of a few days out so they couldn't use it. It is a tax write off, plus it is doing something really great!!