Need some more DISapalooza advice re: Thursday night lodging

[disneydreamgirl]

OK, my dilemma is getting lodging for Thursday night. I can switch flight (was arriving at MCO at 10 am on Friday) to arrive Thursday PM but am unable, so far, to secure POP for the 10th or anywhere else for that matter (that is in my budget ) Staying at POP would have been ideal because I have a room there for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

I don't want to rent a car if I can help it and am wondering if I stay near the airport Thursday night (any suggestions) can I then take ME to POP to check in very early Friday morning and get over for the seminar?

Advice, pretty please, from the travel planning gods of the boards...TIA

 

[mrzrich]

Having the same issue. We may have to stay off property that first night.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I'm thinking that too - my inexperience with anything non-Disney is becoming problematic! So hoping someone will weigh in with great advice!

 

[TSWJan78]

If it were me I would go on priceline and bid $50 for a 3* hotel in the airport area. All you really need is a bed and a free shuttle to and from the airport and with a 3* you know it will be someplace nice. We did this when we came down for the Daytona 500 and got the Crowne Plaza for $40 and it was really really nice. Just a different idea

 

[disneydreamgirl]

If it were me I would go on priceline and bid $50 for a 3* hotel in the airport area. All you really need is a bed and a free shuttle to and from the airport and with a 3* you know it will be someplace nice. We did this when we came down for the Daytona 500 and got the Crowne Plaza for $40 and it was really really nice. Just a different idea

Thanks for the suggestion...I've never used priceline so would you give me a little more info on how it works? Do you pay prior to knowing the property and is there any flexibility or are you locked in? Thanks!

 

[TSWJan78]

Thanks for the suggestion...I've never used priceline so would you give me a little more info on how it works? Do you pay prior to knowing the property and is there any flexibility or are you locked in? Thanks!

The biggest downside with priceline is it is a blind purchase.. You place a bid (say $50.00) and you tell them how many stars you want and what area (Orlando has 12 so in this case you pick the airport location). From there you put in your Credit card and hit bid. If you bid is accepted than they charge your card right then and there.. if not then there is no charge and they ask you if you want to adjust your bid.

I know it sounds scarry but it really is not that bad. We have used it a few times if there is not a specific hotel we are looking for and saved big bucks. For an idea of what hotels are in the area and star rating you can go to priceline and look like you are going to book regular (They do normal bookings like expedia) and put in your requirements. I will show you what hotels are in that area and class.. does that make sense???

Here is a link to a board on the Orlando hotels board that strictly deals with priceline bids... mainly in the WDW area but may be of assistance http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1559447

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Thanks so much for this advice, I think I will have to give this a try - I'm traveling on my own, so I really don't have to worry about anyone by myself...do you know if I stay at an airport hotel can I then take the ME early in the morning to POP, where I am staying the next night?

 

[spaddy]

There is also a lot of information about hotwire and priceline at betterbidding dot com. Do a search because I am not sure if that is the exact website. It is a discussion board similiar in format to the DIS. It will give you a pretty good idea of the hotels people are getting at differnt prices.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Well, I was able to get the Thursday night at POP!!!! Orbitz had a night available - I was so surprised I think I read it over about 10 times! Very happy about this!!! Thanks for all of the advice everyone offered and I may try the Priceline or Hotwire tactic when we go to NYC or Washington next year (haven't decided which destination as yet....went to Chicago last year and loved it, so we're trying somewhere different each year.