Just booked Portofino Bay for January!

[momomonster]

Still, I am STEAMED that the same room is over $100 more per night when it's booked three days later. The season (value/etc) doesn't change as far as I am aware. Yeah, it's all clear now. But it makes me even MADDER to know this. I amost wish I didn't find out, because I just feel like that they are ripping people off. I know, I know... demand and all that. But it's no different than the gas stations hiking up the prices .20 just because it's a holiday weekend. It may be commerce, and it may be legal, but it's certainly not right. It's called price gouging.

The hotels are NOT price gouging by having higher rates on the weekends as opposed to the weekdays. It surprises me you do not know about price fluctuations depending on days of the week. Air travel is much cheaper mid-week compared to Fridays or Sundays. Hotels in downtowns or convention areas normally LOWER prices on weekends (when fewer people are there). Tourist areas and state parks raise prices on weekends because, again, this is when most folks are likely to visit.

Don't be mad. Just take this fact into consideration when booking vacations. I do and it works.

Happy travels!

 

[Lady from NYC]

Was supposed to go to PBH on NYE, but DH got sick and we had to cancel. The hotel was really nice about cancelling and refunded the deposit w/out question. We rebooked for the 3rd weekend in January. We know the parks will be closing early and it might not be as exiciting as over NYE's, but we got a great rate 149 for a bay view (on Friday and Saturday) the rate goes up to 149, but the average is 165. We have never been to the PBH or Universal--we are longtime Disney lovers (YC) who decided to try something new and got much better prices for Univeral. Can anyone give me some info about the PBH--what to do, what not to do, restaurants, etc. We have a Bay View King and would love to request a nice room--does anyone have any room assignment suggestions for a Bay View King-size in the West Wing (I heard the West is a lot closer to things)?

p.s. forgot to mention that we got the good rate with an Annual Pass rate.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We got a Bay View for $149.00 a night for 3 nights. Probably not the best deal, but I don't care, I love Universal Studios and just staying onsite makes it worth every penny!

It's the best deal I have ever seen!! I am paying $234 per night at RPR for Feb 14-18 std view, hoping for an upgrade to waterview/park. This is a weekday, not a weekend date. Can you imagine if that was a weekend date? Probably more! As you can see my tag..I love RPR, it's worth it.

 

[Beanie]

Telly, RPR will be the next place we stay...I have heard so much about the place! Ultimately I would like to stay in all three eventually!!

 

[Lady from NYC]

Oops, I had a typo in mine. I meant to say that we got a Bay View King size for 149 a night, but on 2 of the 4 nights (ie. the weekend), the rate goes up to 179. Even with the higher weekend price, the average was only 165 for a Bay View. I haven't got a deal like that at disney in years! Can anyone tell me more about the hotel and give some room assignment suggestions? Thanks so much.

 

[bjakmom]

Let us know how you enjoy PBH - I'm thinking of staying there in October - heading back to HRH in 2 weeks and, as much as the kids love it there, I'd like to try a stay at PBH for comparison (I like that fact that their std rooms are basically the size of HRH deluxe rooms) - and so I can say I've stayed at all 3 - lucky me !!
PS: Great rate !

 

[JessicaR]

Your trip is just about here, have a great vacation and enjoy Portofino, it's my favorite! After dinner one evening head to the piazza grab a cappuccino have a seat near the bay and take in the beautiful surroundings. Take some pictures for us! Oh and the kids can play on the while you relax.

 

[RyGuy]

The rates you are all talking about are for Annual Passholders (APH).

They are valid 1/9/05-2/17/05.

RPR: $119 Sun-Thurs & $149 Fri-Sat

HRH: $139 Sun-Thurs & $169 Fri-Sat

PBH: $149 Sun-Thurs & $179 Fri-Sat

These rates include a complimentary upgrade if available. So therefore at RPR, standard and water view are the same price. At HRH, garden and pool view are the same price and at PBH, garden and bay view are the same price.

 

[bjakmom]

RyGuy - those APH rates disappear for Fri and Sat nights unless you book 3 nights - I've been watching for 1/28 & 29 and the 169.00 you get for thurs - sun or Fri - Mon goes up to $234. gv for Fri and Sat only (that's APH rate!) The AAA rate for just 2 nights is actually cheaper than the APH rate (I think it was about 183.) TM told me the hotel was practically sold out - that really surprised me for the last weekend of January - guess things are changing - we'll see when we get there.

 

[Lady from NYC]

Wow, I am really suprised that you heard the hotel was almost all booked up for next weekend. I thought it was going to be really quiet while we were there. I wonder how the crowds at the park are?

Our v acation was for 4 nights, so were able to lock in that APH rate that RyGuy mentioned for a PBH Bay View King.

Any ideas on what room to request or to try for one? Any tips about the hotel?

Thanks.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Hi Beanie...YOu will love RPR...just wait and see! Even if I have to pay $179 for PBH..that is still a great deal! The PBH is the most expensive one out of the three, and $179 to me is cheap. Have a wonderful time at PBH!!

 

[EEyorelover22]

I checked the rate on the Universal site for HRH and it said $147 but when you go to check out it jumps back to the $295 price that is on Lowes. That is weird.

 

[Lady from NYC]

That is really strange. What dates were you using?

 

[EEyorelover22]

That is really strange. What dates were you using?

June 16th 05

it did it again...all the prices are very low and when you go to check out they jump to no discount!

 

[EEyorelover22]

here's the prices I get and then HRH garden view jumps to the 295 rate that I have booked. HUGE tax rate

- Universal Hotels

Royal Pacific Resort ( Standard Room ) 130.46 Y - Universal
Royal Pacific Resort ( Water View Room ) 147.19 Y - Universal
Royal Pacific Resort ( Royal Club Room ) 189.00 Y - Universal
Hard Rock Hotel ( Garden View ) 147.19 Y - Universal
Hard Rock Hotel ( Pool View ) 158.34 Y - Universal
Hard Rock Hotel ( Deluxe Room ) 191.79 Y - Universal
Hard Rock Hotel ( Hard Rock Club Room ) 208.51 Y - Universal
Portofino Bay Hotel ( Garden View ) 158.34 Y - Universal
Portofino Bay Hotel ( Bay View ) 169.49 Y - Universal
Portofino Bay Hotel ( Deluxe Room ) 180.64 Y - Universal
Portofino Bay Hotel ( Portofino Club Room ) 214.09 Y - Universal

 

[EEyorelover22]

I just reread the page and it indicates that it's PER PERSON.

 

[Lady from NYC]

I think you are doing the vacation packages on the univeral site. i had that too--it says it is available (has a little 'y' by a particular hotel and price), but then doesn't work when you try checkout/book it. Try to do just a room reservation through the website. go to the hotel you want and then click on check rates and availabilty. see if that helps--hope so!!

 

[EEyorelover22]

I think you are doing the vacation packages on the univeral site. i had that too--it says it is available (has a little 'y' by a particular hotel and price), but then doesn't work when you try checkout/book it. Try to do just a room reservation through the website. go to the hotel you want and then click on check rates and availabilty. see if that helps--hope so!!

I did just the room and it still doubled it. I called them and they said it was per person and it's based on adult double occupancy that's why it goes to the higher price. BUMMER!!

 

[Lady from NYC]

That's too bad. Since we have AP, I started looking ahead at some possible summer dates and found that it was extremely expensive as well. Keep looking, you never know when new deals will pop up. Good luck.