Priceline Express Deals

[jbrinkm]

Yes, I did add the kids through Wholesale and then linked them by name through DME. I hope that is enough to override the King bed designation. When I called to request a daybed (my kids are 12 & 14 so we can do 2 queen beds but it is tight), that is when I found out that HW had assigned us a King bed. The CM said I had to work it out with Hotwire; that she couldn't do anything with a reservation that wasn't booked through them (even make a note on my reservation). DH says he doesn't mind a King bed with a daybed and a rollaway for the kids - we've done something similar at hotels before - but I don't know if YC would do this. With so few King rooms, you'd think the CM would have just told me not to worry about it and they'll take care of it when assigning rooms. Would Disney really put 4 (close to) adult-sized people into a room with only a King bed?

@The13thLetter, did you request a specific room/block of rooms through TP? How did you mention that you wanted extra beds? Is there a place for a note? I looked at TP but I really don't care where my room is - I just want 3 sleeping surfaces, if possible. The CM at Disney wouldn't let me add a note because my reservation was from HW and she couldn't change or add to it at all (she said). Can you report back what you find out when you call?

Also, what does the timeline look like for room reservations? Does anyone know when they start assigning rooms? When you would contact the hotel directly vs the room request line? Can chat help me, or do I have to call? Is there any way to know for sure before we arrive, what kind of room we have been assigned, or do we have to just deal with the front desk once we arrive?

Just checking back in to report that we had an absolutely perfect room at Yacht Club! I was stressed about that King bed issue after booking with Hotwire, but I added my kids through wholesale, linked their names in the app, made my room request through TP (and ONLY through TP, no other requests), and we got (almost) exactly the room I asked for - the most important being 3 sleeping spaces. We got a 4th floor room with a view of lake & Epcot fireworks, two queen beds AND the flip-over twin bed. So DH and I were able to take one queen and the kids each had a bed, we didn't have to do the parent/kid bed combo! I was so, so happy and relieved.

 

[ulcards99]

I feel like I keep seeing more and more availability the first week of October on the Disney site. Hoping that means there will be Disney rooms on HW soon

 

[Turk February]

I feel like I keep seeing more and more availability the first week of October on the Disney site. Hoping that means there will be Disney rooms on HW soon

I have an amazing refundable rate at Swan for Oct 6-12 through Costco but I’m also hoping to see some HW deals and maybe switch over to Yacht if the price is right!

 

[Tink3815]

Looking for something onsite at Universal for Thanksgiving time. Do these ever show up at a Hot rate?

 

[JJTNY]

Looking for something onsite at Universal for Thanksgiving time. Do these ever show up at a Hot rate?

The UOR resorts do show up, but usually much less often than Disney resorts and the savings is often minimal compared to the room rates.
But, once in awhile you'll see a decent one - just be sure to compare to the UOR direct refundable rates.

 

[cheshiregoofy22]

Just checking back in to report that we had an absolutely perfect room at Yacht Club! I was stressed about that King bed issue after booking with Hotwire, but I added my kids through wholesale, linked their names in the app, made my room request through TP (and ONLY through TP, no other requests), and we got (almost) exactly the room I asked for - the most important being 3 sleeping spaces. We got a 4th floor room with a view of lake & Epcot fireworks, two queen beds AND the flip-over twin bed. So DH and I were able to take one queen and the kids each had a bed, we didn't have to do the parent/kid bed combo! I was so, so happy and relieved.

We just returned from our stay at the Yacht Club too! We had booked for two through Priceline and were not able to add the third adult prior to the trip via Priceline nor Disney. I did request "at least two beds of any sort" via TP about 10 days prior to our arrival. At 10:30 PM on arrival day we still had no room assigned and I was in full panic mode (our flight didn't get in until 11:15 PM so I told myself that was the reason for the delay...) I called the hotel from the airport and received the room ready message shortly after (room 2043). We were beat from the late flight (after midnight when we got to the hotel) and headed directly to our room, opened the door and saw the king bed, desk, chair layout. Worst fear realized. We didn't enter the room - we went down to the check-in desk and spoke to THE BEST CASTMEMBER EVER! I explained the Priceline thing, my many phone calls with them and Disney wholesale and how I wanted to pay for the extra adult in the room but we needed another bed of any kind. This CM was 100% pixie dust, head to toe! Oh my! She asked if we would be okay with an accessible room - of course, that'd be fine! She asked if we'd be okay with a shower and no tub, yep, all good there too! She looked at my 62 year old friend (the name not on the reservation) and said "You don't look a day over 17 to me, and I'll be charging you one cent for the extra person!") Pretty sure had I not been wearing a mask, my jaw would've hit the floor! I said "no, no - I'm HAPPY to pay the extra $35 per person, per night" but she wouldn't have it. She got on the phone with housekeeping to see what was available and before she was off we had a new room text - Room 4063! Fourth floor, full view of the Boardwalk and Lake and the lighthouse boat dock and the EPCOT fireworks! It had two queens and a daybed (and a tub and shower combo, not an accessible room), and practically our own private elevator 10 steps away!! We were blown away! Pure unexpected magic.

 

[bunnm09]

I'm looking at express deals right now for my dates in mid october and think this is the Dolphin. 4 Star Guest rating 8+, 800+ reviews. Top amenities are beachfront, restaurant, spa, airport shuttle, pool, fitness center, internet. It's priced at $199

Anyone that's gotten the Dolphin before, does that sound right? If so I may switch from our Riverside room that is 350/night right now

 

[FinnsMom7]

I'm looking at express deals right now for my dates in mid october and think this is the Dolphin. 4 Star Guest rating 8+, 800+ reviews. Top amenities are beachfront, restaurant, spa, airport shuttle, pool, fitness center, internet. It's priced at $199

Anyone that's gotten the Dolphin before, does that sound right? If so I may switch from our Riverside room that is 350/night right now

Dolphin doesn't get DME so that makes me wonder, unless they now have their own airport shuttle.

 

[bunnm09]

Dolphin doesn't get DME so that makes me wonder, unless they now have their own airport shuttle.

When you pull up the Dolphin on Priceline one of the amenities listed there is airport shuttle, so they must have their own I guess

 

[FinnsMom7]

When you pull up the Dolphin on Priceline one of the amenities listed there is airport shuttle, so they must have their own I guess

that is odd, since they don't list on on Marriot site

 

[bunnm09]

that is odd, since they don't list on on Marriot site

Everything matches up with the Google sheet shared here, including the resort fee but I’m scared to book and get something else haha

 

[JJTNY]

Everything matches up with the Google sheet shared here, including the resort fee but I’m scared to book and get something else haha

4-star, 8-guest, 800 reviews has to be Dolphin, it is the only resort with reviews in the 800s.

Overall, I do not recommend using amenities as helping Identify a Disney resort or not - especially on Priceline.

For example, there are Disney resorts that do not have Airport Shuttle on their Hotwire or Priceline Express listings, and there are non-Disney resorts that do.
Plus, both sites like to fiddle with the amenities that show up, even to the point of including ones that make no sense - like YC having Beachfront.

All of the other ratings are better indicators.

Also, when it comes to the Swan & Dolphin, you should see $35 resort fee on hidden deals. And it is usually a good idea to check the swandolphin.com site to compare rates - lately quite a few hidden deals on PE for those resorts aren't very much lower than the refundable rates at the resort's own site.

 

[The13thLetter]

how far in advance do deals show up? we are starting to look for our next trip in may 2022.

 

[The13thLetter]

We just returned from our stay at the Yacht Club too! We had booked for two through Priceline and were not able to add the third adult prior to the trip via Priceline nor Disney. I did request "at least two beds of any sort" via TP about 10 days prior to our arrival. At 10:30 PM on arrival day we still had no room assigned and I was in full panic mode (our flight didn't get in until 11:15 PM so I told myself that was the reason for the delay...) I called the hotel from the airport and received the room ready message shortly after (room 2043). We were beat from the late flight (after midnight when we got to the hotel) and headed directly to our room, opened the door and saw the king bed, desk, chair layout. Worst fear realized. We didn't enter the room - we went down to the check-in desk and spoke to THE BEST CASTMEMBER EVER! I explained the Priceline thing, my many phone calls with them and Disney wholesale and how I wanted to pay for the extra adult in the room but we needed another bed of any kind. This CM was 100% pixie dust, head to toe! Oh my! She asked if we would be okay with an accessible room - of course, that'd be fine! She asked if we'd be okay with a shower and no tub, yep, all good there too! She looked at my 62 year old friend (the name not on the reservation) and said "You don't look a day over 17 to me, and I'll be charging you one cent for the extra person!") Pretty sure had I not been wearing a mask, my jaw would've hit the floor! I said "no, no - I'm HAPPY to pay the extra $35 per person, per night" but she wouldn't have it. She got on the phone with housekeeping to see what was available and before she was off we had a new room text - Room 4063! Fourth floor, full view of the Boardwalk and Lake and the lighthouse boat dock and the EPCOT fireworks! It had two queens and a daybed (and a tub and shower combo, not an accessible room), and practically our own private elevator 10 steps away!! We were blown away! Pure unexpected magic.

We just got back from our PL YC trip as well. We got to the resort around 215pm and got am essage the room was not ready yet. there were about 6 cast memebers working at the entrance to great and help guests so i asked oe if they had any idea how long it might be so we could decide where to go while we wait. she began looking on the computer and found what i think was supposed to be our room, but it was a single king. we needed a bed for DS3 so figured we would just suck it up and go with a rollaway bed but after 10-15 minutes on the phone she got us a king and pull pout sofa room (5151) it was amazing. great water view, epcot forever fireworks, close to lobby and elevator. now i know YMMV but i wont hesitate to book again through PL thats for sure.

 

[FinnsMom7]

Everything matches up with the Google sheet shared here, including the resort fee but I’m scared to book and get something else haha

be interested to know if it is if you decide to take the plunge and book, I am now going for my bday and that rate is cheaper then Pop which is all i could snag under $300

 

[bunnm09]

The dolphin is on booking.com for $199 right now too I discovered. So I’d head over there and book

 

[JennSaint]

The dolphin is on booking.com for $199 right now too I discovered. So I’d head over there and book

I would check the final price to make sure there aren't any hidden fees and compare to booking direct on the Marriott site.

 

[FinnsMom7]

I would check the final price to make sure there aren't any hidden fees and compare to booking direct on the Marriott site.

I was just about to note that, I checked last night and it comes out slightly more than booking direct on Marriott

 

[FinnsMom7]

I'm looking at express deals right now for my dates in mid october and think this is the Dolphin. 4 Star Guest rating 8+, 800+ reviews. Top amenities are beachfront, restaurant, spa, airport shuttle, pool, fitness center, internet. It's priced at $199

Anyone that's gotten the Dolphin before, does that sound right? If so I may switch from our Riverside room that is 350/night right now

Just FYI I checked Marriot today and the Oct rates for my dates went down from yesterday. Non refundable is $273 per night (including all taxes and resort fees) I booked refundable for just under 299 a night

 

[aac2407]

Just got Coronado Springs for $126 a night via hotwire app for this weekend 9/3-9/6. 3.5 Star, 4.4 guest rating, other ratings checked out with the exception that resort cleanliness is now 4.7 (matches up with expedia as well).