Priceline Express Deals

[Tom_E_D]

I'll have to look at the differences in more detail. We're fairly new to Disney World so we don't have anything to compare to/any expectations so far, which is why I'd be open to almost any resort.

FWIW, I just looked on disneyworld.com for your dates. A Deluxe Studio Savannah View at AKV-Kidani is $454 per night. That's probably cheaper than the Priceline Express deals you're looking at when you factor in the Priceline fees, and it presumably comes with the usual Disney cancellation policy, a definite benefit over a Priceline Express non-refundable reservation. There are deluxe studios at other DVC resorts, and rooms at other Disney deluxe hotels, that are even cheaper. (If you can't guess, I would not book that Priceline Express deal.)

Edit to add: If you do book the Priceline Express deal, I think there's a good chance the Deluxe Studio is at one of the Animal Kingdom Villas. If you were assured it was at the Grand Floridian for a lower price than you have now, it might be different.

 

[JJTNY]

Sorry JJTNY, I've tried to reply to your message but any response keeps getting flagged as spam. I evidently can't message anyone yet. Maybe this works? just type in the regular .com with this attached (sorry, being vague bc of the bots)
/relax/in/3000003349/from/20210424/to/20210430/rooms/1/sopq?amenities=AIRSHUTTL&clusters=910054926&vrid=abc1f4ffd53019ccb1f5a815796ad866

OK, good idea!
I visted the link and think I learned something new! I don't usually check off any amenities because other factors tend to ID resorts more accurately. But with your search you have Airport Shuttle checked and that shows deals that don't otherwise appear in the initial results. Pretty neat.

So, I see the 4*8 with 300 reviews now for $431 - the only resort with those 3 factors in Bonnet Creek is plain vanilla AK Lodge (not Kidani or Jambo) as you initially said. But, AKL is not open!

Over the last year they've had a few instances where resorts showed up in hidden deals even though the resort was closed. We even had someone test booking a Wilderness Lodge deal last Fall - the booking went through but was then immediately cancelled.

For the 4.5* 9 resort that is also $431 - note that in the results it doesn't have any reviews listed even though it is a full size box? PE rounds reviews down to the nearest hundred if over 100, down to the nearest 10 if under 100, and if under 10 it rounds down to zero on hidden deals.

So, that pretty much makes that deal for AK Villas Jambo House - except it also is not open or has any scheduled opening date.

So, I suspect one of two things: these are completely bogus listings posted in error, or there's a double secret opening of the other AKL resorts coming up. I don't think it is the latter.
If you search on the Disney site for your dates, neither resort appears in results.

Personally, I would not book a non-refundable deal with this much cloudiness about it.

 

[jamy57]

FWIW, I just looked on disneyworld.com for your dates. A Deluxe Studio Savannah View at AKV-Kidani is $454 per night. That's probably cheaper than the Priceline Express deals you're looking at when you factor in the Priceline fees, and it presumably comes with the usual Disney cancellation policy, a definite benefit over a Priceline Express non-refundable reservation. There are deluxe studios at other DVC resorts, and rooms at other Disney deluxe hotels, that are even cheaper. (If you can't guess, I would not book that Priceline Express deal.)

Edit to add: If you do book the Priceline Express deal, I think there's a good chance the Deluxe Studio is at one of the Animal Kingdom Villas. If you were assured it was at the Grand Floridian for a lower price than you have now, it might be different.

Thank you, I’ll take yours and JTTNY’s advice and not book the Priceline “deal.” I didn’t realize a deluxe savannah view was $454 through Disney directly. I had been using Undercover Tourist primarily to look for rooms. Something to consider, although I think I’ll probably just stick with the GF.

 

[jamy57]

OK, good idea!
I visted the link and think I learned something new! I don't usually check off any amenities because other factors tend to ID resorts more accurately. But with your search you have Airport Shuttle checked and that shows deals that don't otherwise appear in the initial results. Pretty neat.

So, I see the 4*8 with 300 reviews now for $431 - the only resort with those 3 factors in Bonnet Creek is plain vanilla AK Lodge (not Kidani or Jambo) as you initially said. But, AKL is not open!

Over the last year they've had a few instances where resorts showed up in hidden deals even though the resort was closed. We even had someone test booking a Wilderness Lodge deal last Fall - the booking went through but was then immediately cancelled.

For the 4.5* 9 resort that is also $431 - note that in the results it doesn't have any reviews listed even though it is a full size box? PE rounds reviews down to the nearest hundred if over 100, down to the nearest 10 if under 100, and if under 10 it rounds down to zero on hidden deals.

So, that pretty much makes that deal for AK Villas Jambo House - except it also is not open or has any scheduled opening date.

So, I suspect one of two things: these are completely bogus listings posted in error, or there's a double secret opening of the other AKL resorts coming up. I don't think it is the latter.
If you search on the Disney site for your dates, neither resort appears in results.

Personally, I would not book a non-refundable deal with this much cloudiness about it.

View attachment 554485

Thank you for all the info. So strange that these would be listed by mistake but sounds like that’s what happened. Best case scenario, it sounds like I could just get a better deal by just booking AKV directly. I’m a little sad that I won’t get to see what one of these is, lol, but it’s clear I shouldn’t take this risk.

 

[keishashadow]

I just purchased airfare for a quick weekend getaway 3/5-3/7. Not seeing any good deals on basically anything. Still too early or should I just accept that it might be a bad time for deals?

The mr surprised me with an anniversary long-weekend trip today.

Secured decent airfare, now the hunt begins for a resort. Striking out

Book a refundable reservation at Swan/Dolphin or a Disney promo and watch for priceline/hotwire deals.

My dates few choices for AP or 35%, even rack is skimpy @ WDW

Special rates at swolfin are no deal at all. Might be our year to finally try Gaylord Palms

Nope. If any are going to drop I'd expect them over the next week or two. Guess we'll see!

Oh i hope so! Guess i’ll Book a placeholder w/WDW direct just to make park reservations.

Need 4 day’s of park reservations. Our APs would give us ability to book 3. Hate to have to wait to try & book a Saturday the prior Wednesday night.

Hoping some things for March start popping up other than the 14% off CSR currently on Priceline, should be sometime this week hopefully?

Thought spring break was cancelled most places??? Didn’t expect past pricing/popularity would continue over this year.

Here majority of schools/colleges just got going again (cyber) & moving straight thru the semester, no major breaks.

I’m not seeing CSR on priceline my dates. More familiar with hotwire bookings, nothing there either.

The below is likely Wyndham grand BC, not the WBC condos. We love both of them. Believe it includes the resort fee, not parking.

Finding it very difficult to believe i’m Seeing for 4 nights:

AoALM $830,

pop (on 3rd party sites only close to $1,000 for standard room). Ugh. Had no problem getting it when so crowded first week in Oct at a great price.

 

[VAlegacy]

If you suspect a hidden deal is for the CR, for example but aren't feeling super sure about it, then book a REFUNDABLE room at the CR for some time out in the future. Then, while still logged in to the account you used to book that refundable deal, go back into the Priceline Express results and check out the deal you are trying to identify and look for the "You've booked Here Before!" hint.

This is brilliant

 

[Leigh L]

I'm looking to book a 1-night stay on 2/18 before my family arrives and we (likely) go rent a house. The rates, even at the Visa rate, are too high for what I want to pay for just one night. But what I do want is DME lol.

@JJTNY thank you for sharing your spreadsheets here, you rock! I used your Hotwire sheet for the 1st or 2nd time and I see what I think is Pop Century and if I did it correctly, your spreadsheet agrees. (What I am worried about though is if I did it correctly before I pull the trigger).

Does anyone know if this is Pop? Or really any Disney hotel on Hotwire or PLE for 2/18? I'm not picky as long as it gets us DME and DD can have reliable WiFi to log into classes on Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Lately, I can't figure out PLE, or just there is nothing on Disney property I'm seeing for any dates I pick in February (or January!)

Thanks for any advice or confirmations!

 

[Tom_E_D]

I'm looking to book a 1-night stay on 2/18 before my family arrives and we (likely) go rent a house. The rates, even at the Visa rate, are too high for what I want to pay for just one night. But what I do want is DME lol.

@JJTNY thank you for sharing your spreadsheets here, you rock! I used your Hotwire sheet for the 1st or 2nd time and I see what I think is Pop Century and if I did it correctly, your spreadsheet agrees. (What I am worried about though is if I did it correctly before I pull the trigger).

Does anyone know if this is Pop? Or really any Disney hotel on Hotwire or PLE for 2/18? I'm not picky as long as it gets us DME and DD can have reliable WiFi to log into classes on Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Lately, I can't figure out PLE, or just there is nothing on Disney property I'm seeing for any dates I pick in February (or January!)

Thanks for any advice or confirmations!

I don't see your "this." But when I do a Hotwire search for 2/18-19 for Walt Disney World location and choose Amenities: Airport Shuttle, and Areas: Bonnet Creek, I find one Hotwire Hot Rate Deal. It's for a 3* 4.4 rated hotel, number of reviews not stated, marked down to $122 from $205+. When you click on it and look for Choose your room, it says an option is 1 queen and 1 murphy bed. That's Pop Century all right. I'm 99.9% certain.

 

[Leigh L]

I don't see your "this." But when I do a Hotwire search for 2/18-19 for Walt Disney World location and choose Amenities: Airport Shuttle, and Areas: Bonnet Creek, I find one Hotwire Hot Rate Deal. It's for a 3* 4.4 rated hotel, number of reviews not stated, marked down to $122 from $205+. When you click on it and look for Choose your room, it says an option is 1 queen and 1 murphy bed. That's Pop Century all right. I'm 99.9% certain.

Thank you Tom! Much appreciated. (Those are the filters I used).

 

[Leigh L]

I got Pop! Thanks again Tom.

Also, if anyone else is booking Hotwire, I Google'd for coupon codes and found one that saved about 7%
HOTELPROMO7

Also, I wasn't eligible for these, but also found:
HOTELPROMO30 ($30 off but I think it had to be $200 or $250 spent to qualify)
(There is also other one out there for $20 off but I can't find it again, it was a minimum spend that I didn't qualify for)

 

[Heather07438]

Hi all,

I'm new to posting so please forgive me if I'm not following the correct protocol. We're planning a Disney World vacation to take the place of our canceled cruise(s) April 24th-30th. I've booked Grand Floridian that is 100% refundable but I've been looking at the Priceline Express deals because we don't have a strong preference of where we stay (as long as it's a Disney property) and who doesn't like saving $?! I was using the Priceline Express matcher (thank you to the creator!!) to help but I was wondering if anyone had additional input b/c the 2 deals I'm interested in seem like they might be for the same thing? One is 4 stars, 8+, 300 reviews which seems to be Animal Kingdom Lodge? And the other is 4.5 stars, 9+, no review numbers given, which according to the matcher could be Animal Kingdom Jambo or Grand Floridian? Is there any way either of these is not a Disney property? I only see the 4.5 star, 9+ property on a computer, not mobile.

Thank you in advance!

Hi I just want to throw this out there...DVC rental. It may feel a bit advanced WDW 101 but it's not bad, especially if you're savvy enough to learn how to use PL/HW for Disney. This is an odd year with many cancellations so renting close to the date has better availability than normal. Your reservation is in the 7 month DVC window so it doesn't matter where the owner has a contract, you can rent their points and use at any DVC resort with availability. If you google DVC availability tool there's a good page that keeps info very up to date to see what's open.

If you like AK Savannah View studio (it's great! we tried in April '18 and loved it) it is available for your dates April 24-30 and comes out to 111 points. Renters here on the DIS (look in the DVC forum) are frequently putting boards up at $16 per point, which makes this reservation $1776 or just under $300 per night. That would include everything... fees, taxes and even parking is free thru DVC (normally $25/nt on the hotel side).

AKV Standard View Studio is available too on those dates for 92 points ($1472 or almost $250/nt). Poly also has great availability currently, would be 141/162pts for standard or lake view respectively ($2256/$2592).

I've rented DVC points 3 times now and it felt like it would be too daunting before we actually tried it. Wasn't hard learning the ropes and renting my 3rd time last week was a breeze. Found availability at Boardwalk in Sept for a standard studio and then quickly found an owner that could book beyond 7 months (you won't need to do that for April). Got our room for $144/nt renting at $16 a point.

Thought it might help fill the gap for folks who like a good deal but not much is coming up on Hotwire or Priceline lately.

 

[Leigh L]

4CE8L979Q3 5% off PLE
*Coupon valid for Express Deals® hotels. Enter your coupon code at checkout. Book by 02/09/2021 23:59:59 EST, travel any time. Coupon valid for one-time use only, discount applies before taxes and fees.

 

[glitzybabes]

Today only: Hotwire app promo code 10% off $100+ ..... KICKINIT

 

[jamy57]

Hi I just want to throw this out there...DVC rental. It may feel a bit advanced WDW 101 but it's not bad, especially if you're savvy enough to learn how to use PL/HW for Disney. This is an odd year with many cancellations so renting close to the date has better availability than normal. Your reservation is in the 7 month DVC window so it doesn't matter where the owner has a contract, you can rent their points and use at any DVC resort with availability. If you google DVC availability tool there's a good page that keeps info very up to date to see what's open.

If you like AK Savannah View studio (it's great! we tried in April '18 and loved it) it is available for your dates April 24-30 and comes out to 111 points. Renters here on the DIS (look in the DVC forum) are frequently putting boards up at $16 per point, which makes this reservation $1776 or just under $300 per night. That would include everything... fees, taxes and even parking is free thru DVC (normally $25/nt on the hotel side).

AKV Standard View Studio is available too on those dates for 92 points ($1472 or almost $250/nt). Poly also has great availability currently, would be 141/162pts for standard or lake view respectively ($2256/$2592).

I've rented DVC points 3 times now and it felt like it would be too daunting before we actually tried it. Wasn't hard learning the ropes and renting my 3rd time last week was a breeze. Found availability at Boardwalk in Sept for a standard studio and then quickly found an owner that could book beyond 7 months (you won't need to do that for April). Got our room for $144/nt renting at $16 a point.

Thought it might help fill the gap for folks who like a good deal but not much is coming up on Hotwire or Priceline lately.

Thank you for your input! I had looked into renting points our last (first) trip but gave up bc it was a little too daunting. I’ll look into this option again - thank you!

 

[keishashadow]

DVC rental. It may feel a bit advanced WDW 101 but it's not bad, especially if you're savvy enough to learn how to use PL/HW for Disney. This is an odd year with many cancellations so renting close to the date has better availability than normal. Your reservation is in the 7 month DVC window so it doesn't matter where the owner has a contract, you can rent their points and use at any DVC resort with availability. If you google DVC availability tool there's a good page that keeps info very up to date to see what's open.

Jmho, as an owner, 2021 late spring forward = More competition to book popular resorts & categories (value & standard) for multiple weeks we normally book.

It’s more difficult since so many members have banked points (stretching back to 2019) to use or lose, despite DVC limiting # of points that can be borrowed

confirmed reservations may be an option thru the brokers & on rental board here. Have seen flash deals from brokers often enough thru end of February dates. Haven’t gotten any notices for a few weeks there.

 

[keishashadow]

Help, please! just popped up. any guesses? CSR?

 

[keishashadow]

&
Seeing Murphy bed for 3 star = pop I assume, approx $40 less

 

[bizeemom4]

Business Center makes my guess Coronado

 

[JJTNY]

Help, please! just popped up. any guesses? CSR?

Yep - Will very likely be Coronado Springs. I was just checking these out for a new post!
The only 2 resorts in BC with a 3.5* 4.3-guest rating are CSR and Wyndham BC. WBC will be listed as 3.5* CONDO.

 

[JJTNY]

&
Seeing Murphy bed for 3 star = pop I assume, approx $40 less
Yep - Pop is the only resort on HW with those ratings right now.