Let's talk hotel deals...

[aymekae]

So we have annual passes and will be taking several weekend trips over the next year. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to find the right hotel for a budget-friendly price. We've stayed at several nearby hotels in the past (VGC, Park Vue, Del Sol, Ramada Inn Maingate, Anaheim Plaza Inn, Staybridge, Hotel Menage, etc.) But for our dates coming up next month (3/12-3/15), I'm having some difficulty finding good deals, and I can't shake the feeling that other people are saving money by looking in places I haven't thought of yet.

So what do you guys do? Bid on Priceline/Hotwire? Join mailing lists? Use discount codes (found where?) Constantly check rates on a particular website? I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to know!

 

[Angrose]

I will be there 3/14-3/16 and I'm also a new AP holder, woo hoo! I'm also interested in hearing about budget hotel options. For this trip I booked the Tropicana a few weeks ago. When I pulled up our dates yesterday there was no availability, so glad I booked when i did. Try Orbitz, they have a 15% off promo code right now. Sign up for LMTClub. They often have good discount rates. There is a $50 fee to join, but you can search google for a promo code. I think you may just have to expand your search beyond Harbor and be willing to take a shuttle. You could also call hotels to see if they offer AP discounts. Good luck!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I've had the best luck finding deals at Hojo. This is my first year staying offsite since we have a much bigger family than we did before. Hojo has 20% off for AP holders and I know they still have rooms left in March (a friend of mine just booked a trip there).

 

[Plutos Mommy]

As an AP holder I get a discount at the Candy Cane Inn of $10 a night and as a repeat customer get a $10 a night discount coupon that I can use at check out (they give you one on your first stay good for the next stay within a year). I also take into consideration that parking is free, their continental breakfast is pretty decent, and they have their own free dedicated shuttle that runs on time, but its close enough to walk if you don't feel like waiting for the shuttle.

 

[Nicolette11785]

I usually use priceline and bid or do the express deal if I am able to figure out which hotel it is. I got the Marriott Suites for $75 a night and had a great stay there. I got the Red Lion for $65 a night for my upcoming stay. I got the Days Inn in Garden Grove for $52 a night. Priceline can be good but it also has its cons. You cant always figure out which hotel you will get. There are usually extra charges for parking and also a resort fee for some hotels.

You can also look on Groupon for deals. Make sure you read the fine print to make sure your travel days are valid.

I personally would love to stay at HoJo's sometime because my son would love their pool but even with the 20% discount it is too high. I have signed up for their emails though because I know they offer a really cheap rate occasionally

In addition to bidding on priceline, I got through the swagbucks shop links to earn points for gift cards.

 

[sophies*mom]

Thanks to a tip from another DISer, I booked the Super 8 on Katella for under $80/night on Orbitz, when I was sure I was gonna have to suck it up and pay $90/100 a night. We are arriving 3/16. I do know that is a busy week, there's cheerleading convention in town so keep in mind that you may not find a super amazing deal now. I booked a couple weeks ago.
But sign up for all travel sites' mailing lists. There are always sales.

 

[I<3MyGoldMiner]

Keep checking prices. I booked ramada maingate for $101/nt with ap rate and just found a prepay rate for $74/nt! I went thru ebates and booked directly with ramada.com

 

[SMD]

If you book far enough in advance, the AP rates at the Harbor places are usually not as good as just booking early or AAA/AARP/etc. Last minute, 15-20% can be a deal. Especially if it's a holiday or event. My AP has the parking add on. In January I found out last minute I was not going to be able to go down As planned Thursday morning for 5K packet pickup, And instead would be arriving the last hour of the Expo. So I booked a room last minute. Originally I was looking for walking distance to DLH, but then I realized... I can park at M&F for free! That really expanded my options. And then after the race we checked out and re-parked at Toy Story. The shuttle took longer, but there was no wait for the booth and no line of cars to trail to the parking spot. Totally worth it for ease of access.

 

[jenjersnap]

I have had zero luck finding a true deal at any hotel I want to consider for that week and now there isn't much availability. Tried every website. Pretty much nothing appears eligible for the orbitz code that is within walking distance. Best I could do is was 15% off at Hojo's (and it looks like their prices have risen since I booked a month ago) and AAA rate at CCI, neither eligible for the orbitz code either.

Note: we are a family of 5 which is why we are having a bit tougher time.

 

[Diszona]

Orbitz has a 30% off deal at the Carousel Inn for the dates you mentioned.

Ramada was having a 15% off deal for AP holders using code LPW3. I don't know if it is still going on or how good the deals ultimately are.

 

[jenjersnap]

I get no availability at Carousel Inn for those exact dates on Orbitz and their website, not 2 people, 4 people or 5 people.

 

[crystal1313]

Jenjersnap, have you tried calling the hotels directly? Sometimes, I have called directly and was able to get better deals or they could find a room when the website was showing it was booked. It's worth a try.

If we are going without the kids, we will use hotwire or priceline if we don't mind not being within walking distance. But, like a PP said, there are usually more fees, like parking, added on.

LMT is a great site too! We scored a great deal at the Hilton, even with the added parking fee.

We also have stayed a the Ramada a lot and racked up a ton of Wyndham points, and our last stay was free on points at the Hojo.

 

[kris14]

the best deal ive found for a hotel on harbor is to book early and through the hotel website. the price goes up the closer your dates are. i know that wont help with your trip next month but something to consider for the coming year. my cousin has always had luck booking the stanford last min for a reasonable price. its farther away so unless your AP has free parking, you'll have to use the ART or pay to park.

 

[jenjersnap]

Jenjersnap, have you tried calling the hotels directly? Sometimes, I have called directly and was able to get better deals or they could find a room when the website was showing it was booked. It's worth a try.

If we are going without the kids, we will use hotwire or priceline if we don't mind not being within walking distance. But, like a PP said, there are usually more fees, like parking, added on.

LMT is a great site too! We scored a great deal at the Hilton, even with the added parking fee.

We also have stayed a the Ramada a lot and racked up a ton of Wyndham points, and our last stay was free on points at the Hojo.

Thanks, I will do that, for BWPPI specifically! I did call Park Vue Inn because I read in reviews that they allowed 5 people in some room categories but it doesn't show that online. They confirmed this, but their rate was still $160 night with AAA discount and my husband felt that Hojo's or CCI, for nearly the same price, was a better value. Next time I will plan much better and book a suite so someone doesn't have to sleep on an air mattress/rollaway! We have free nights at Hyatt hotels but my husband feels it is too far to walk (do you sense a pattern here? He clearly wants GCH - where we stayed last time - for Good Neighbor prices, LOL. You should hear him moan about the tiny pools.) - new Hyatt Place is the one we considered most but it is unavailable now and I hear their parking is way inadequate anyway (we are arriving late at night). I think we will just have to be ok with what we have got, but I keep searching just in case...

 

[crystal1313]

Jenjersnap, are you staying at CCI or Hojo? I've stayed at both and they are great! CCI includes breakfast though, and will give you a voucher for $10 off a night in the future. Hojo, I just stayed there for the first time and I have officially added it to my list of go to hotels at DL. We loved it!! It was super clean, the room was big! (2 queen view room-only because we had points and it was the same amount of points for that room as a lower level room) I loved that there was sink outside the bathroom too. Customer service was great too. Both hotels were super clean and quiet. Have fun on your trip!

 

[jenjersnap]

We haven't decided between the two yet. We stayed at Hojo's our first trip and really enjoyed it. We have a premium disney view room booked but, yes, no breakfast and plus our late arrival = likelihood of getting a tree blocked view is holding me back. CCI only had premium accessible rooms available which means first floor which I hate. But I wonder if the shuttle will help our energy levels if we use it for our afternoon breaks which is a plus. Glad you like them both!

 

[Davey Jones II]

We always book on Expedia. Works for us.

 

[rentayenta]

Subbing! We upgraded to APs this past December and have 4 trips planned for this year.