Rate Concerns

[hyperminimalism]

Hi there. I'm planning a trip for September (the week after labor day) and have been doing research on where to stay. My budget is under $100, preferably even closer to $85-90, and I've been seeing a mix of different places. My main concern is when to book my hotel stay. With it being essentially 2 months to the day before we leave, I'm not entirely sure when the best time to look for good rates would be. The rates I'm seeing now are not what I've been told I can book and I feel like I have limited choices. I even checked online for specific rates and then called the hotel to ask if I could get a better rate, but they quoted me $20 more. So my question is...are the rates I'm seeing now, despite wanting to book 2 months in advance, a fairly accurate representation of what I'll be paying in September? Should I wait another month closer to the end of summer and check rates then? Should I book now and snatch up what I've been considering (still haven't made a decision)? It's just all very confusing, the lack of consistency with rates for booking a few months out. I don't want to pay summer prices when I'll be staying there pretty much during a slower season. Any suggestions would help!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I would book the best rate you can find now (make sure you read and understand the cancellation policy). Then, keep checking for better rates. If you find one, book it and cancel your original reservation. Sometimes you can call the hotel directly to ask them to honor the lower rate. But if you see a low rate, grab it! September isn't necessarily a slower season anymore. Depending on when you go, there is the half marathon weekend, Labor Day weekend, Halloween Time, the start of MHP, etc. For your budget limits, have you looked at Priceline or Hotwire? Also looking a little further away from the parks can lower the rates. Look in Garden Grove, about a mile south of the parks. Most hotels there are on the ART routes or have their own shared shuttles.

 

[disneychrista]

The closer it gets the more expensive, in general, it will be. Two months out a lot of the hotels are already near expected capacity some might even be sold out.

 

[DLmama]

Book now if you find a rate in your budget. We always look for rates like you and they're MUCH harder to find now than they used to be. We've stayed at a lot of the budget hotels that are close enough to walk since if you drive, you'd have to figure in about $20/day to park, unless you are an AP holder. We're currently booked at the Anaheim Discovery Inn on Katella for mid-August and that was still about $104/night total and I booked it in April. We've stayed at Anaheim Plaza, Motel 6, Super 8, Desert Inn (this is usually slightly more expensive, but can't beat the location), Ramada Inn North, Travelodge (you can walk to the Toy Story lot and take the shuttle bus from there). Good luck!

 

[3DisMunchkins]

I just saw rates at Grand Legacy for $65 during September. I think you may have to prepay to get that rate, but in my opinion is a great option. We are staying there next week and again possibly in November, so I've been watching their rates. This is by far the best I've seen!
Good Luck!

 

[bumbershoot]

The rates I'm seeing now are not what I've been told I can book and I feel like I have limited choices.

What does this mean, that what you're seeing isn't what you're told you can book?

Yes you have limited choices because you're booking rather late in the game.

With it being essentially 2 months to the day before we leave, I'm not entirely sure when the best time to look for good rates would be.

The best time to book for September would have been about 6 months ago. Find something at a rate you can live with and book it.

I would book the best rate you can find now (make sure you read and understand the cancellation policy). Then, keep checking for better rates. If you find one, book it and cancel your original reservation.

Yep.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The rates I'm seeing now are not what I've been told I can book and I feel like I have limited choices. I even checked online for specific rates and then called the hotel to ask if I could get a better rate, but they quoted me $20 more...

Agree with PP that if you see something that you can afford book it now as long as it's cancelable. Idk "what you've been told" but rates change each year & circumstances change for the hotels. The best rate is the lowest YOU can find. Common discounts/rates to look for are for booking online, AAA, AARP, Senior Citizen, early booking (that one is usually non-refundable so be sure!). Good luck

 

[DLmama]

I just saw rates at Grand Legacy for $65 during September. I think you may have to prepay to get that rate, but in my opinion is a great option. We are staying there next week and again possibly in November, so I've been watching their rates. This is by far the best I've seen!
Good Luck!

I would jump on that! Too bad I just checked for my dates and it's $123, which is still pretty good for the location.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I also notice sometimes they go down right before my trip. So definitely book cancelable at this point.

 

[3DisMunchkins]

I would jump on that! Too bad I just checked for my dates and it's $123, which is still pretty good for the location.

Unfortunately my dates in November are $220! Hence the "might" stay here again! I always have Motel 6 as a back up for cheap rates.

 

[hyperminimalism]

Clarification: The rates I'm seeing are not accurate in regards to what I've been told I can get them at, which I understand is going to be way different for everyone. I just didn't know that booking 2 months out was "late in the game". Yeesh! Have things changed in the last few years? In any case, I'll definitely try to find something I can manage and book soon. But I've been told several different things. Book a year out! Book one month before the trip! Book one day in advance! It's all very exhausting. Also, I'll be going the week after Labor Day as I was trying to avoid the holidays and the Half Marathon.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Clarification: The rates I'm seeing are not accurate in regards to what I've been told I can get them at, which I understand is going to be way different for everyone. I just didn't know that booking 2 months out was "late in the game". Yeesh! Have things changed in the last few years? In any case, I'll definitely try to find something I can manage and book soon. But I've been told several different things. Book a year out! Book one month before the trip! Book one day in advance! It's all very exhausting.

It doesn't have to be so overwhelming. You've already stated what your budget range is. Now start looking for your dates. You will have to be flexible about location and amenities. But as soon as you find something that fits your requirements, book it. And you don't have to book a year out unless you will be visiting at a high peak time, like the holidays. But two months out with such tight budget requirements is cutting it rather close.

 

[bardays]

If you have AAA, we booked Courtyard Anaheim Resort/Convention Center for 89.00/night. Across from Toy Story lot.

 

[hyperminimalism]

If you have AAA, we booked Courtyard Anaheim Resort/Convention Center for 89.00/night. Across from Toy Story lot.

Holy smokes! I do have AAA but the rate is telling me it's 116 with my AAA discount. Could possibly be the time I intend to go...

 

[bardays]

Holy smokes! I do have AAA but the rate is telling me it's 116 with my AAA discount. Could possibly be the time I intend to go...

It was a "hot deal" maybe if you call?

 

[bumbershoot]

But I've been told several different things. Book a year out! Book one month before the trip! Book one day in advance! It's all very exhausting.

There's no red to be exhausted. Stop taking everything people tell you to heart. Look at rates. Book something that works *that can be cancelled with no fees*. Keep checking. If a hotel gets desperate and drops rates for your time, change it. Not exhausting.

As far as I can tell nothing has changed in terms of when to book. I've booked early for gateway rates. I've booked late at less great rates. I've been lucky and booked late for good rates! But I always book a rate that can be cancelled just in case I see a drop.

Also, I'll be going the week after Labor Day as I was trying to avoid the holidays and the Half Marathon

You know that's still summer, yes? It's summer until it's Fall, and it's not Fall until 3 weeks into September.

That said hotels don't just put the same rates up regardless of season. I can look now and find July rates, August rates, December rates, etc, all specific for the month's timeframe. The sites aren't showing you something wrong.

And...3 weeks into September is generally right around the start of Halloweentime at Disneyland. Not a slow time.

 

[hyperminimalism]

There's no red to be exhausted. Stop taking everything people tell you to heart. Look at rates. Book something that works *that can be cancelled with no fees*. Keep checking. If a hotel gets desperate and drops rates for your time, change it. Not exhausting.

As far as I can tell nothing has changed in terms of when to book. I've booked early for gateway rates. I've booked late at less great rates. I've been lucky and booked late for good rates! But I always book a rate that can be cancelled just in case I see a drop.



You know that's still summer, yes? It's summer until it's Fall, and it's not Fall until 3 weeks into September.

That said hotels don't just put the same rates up regardless of season. I can look now and find July rates, August rates, December rates, etc, all specific for the month's timeframe. The sites aren't showing you something wrong.

And...3 weeks into September is generally right around the start of Halloweentime at Disneyland. Not a slow time.

I understand this. You don't need to talk to me like I'm 3 years old, but thank you for your concern.

 

[Malcon10t]

Clarification: The rates I'm seeing are not accurate in regards to what I've been told I can get them at, which I understand is going to be way different for everyone. I just didn't know that booking 2 months out was "late in the game". Yeesh! Have things changed in the last few years? In any case, I'll definitely try to find something I can manage and book soon. But I've been told several different things. Book a year out! Book one month before the trip! Book one day in advance! It's all very exhausting. Also, I'll be going the week after Labor Day as I was trying to avoid the holidays and the Half Marathon.

Yes, 2 months out is late in the game. Good rates are usually 4-6 mos out. Unless there are last minute specials. And the rates aren't inaccurate, it is more the information you have received is inaccurate for your situation.

Some places I am seeing in that timeframe with prices under $100 are Travel Lodge, Discovery Inn, the Super 8, and Motel 6. Check some of those and see if you can get something there.

 

[hyperminimalism]

Yes, 2 months out is late in the game. Good rates are usually 4-6 mos out. Unless there are last minute specials. And the rates aren't inaccurate, it is more the information you have received is inaccurate for your situation.

Some places I am seeing in that timeframe with prices under $100 are Travel Lodge, Discovery Inn, the Super 8, and Motel 6. Check some of those and see if you can get something there.

That's what I was looking at, which is totally fine with me. The Super 8 south of the park has some great reviews, so I'm keeping my eye on that one. It's well within my budget and it'll mostly just be a room to shower, change, and sleep in. Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[Malcon10t]

That's what I was looking at, which is totally fine with me. The Super 8 south of the park has some great reviews, so I'm keeping my eye on that one. It's well within my budget and it'll mostly just be a room to shower, change, and sleep in. Thank you for the suggestions!

I would suggest booking something, because the rooms go fast. Travel Lodge noted they only had 3 rooms left.