Say You Have A Reservation but show up in the middle of the night?HELP

[DonaldsGrl103]

We are arriving in Orlando at about 1 am and the person I am coming with is refusing to book a hotel for such a few hrs. So my question to you is if we try to check into the airports hotel will they give us a discount or charge us full rack rate even though we will only be in the hotel for about 5 hrs the most? or should we check into the dolphin early and see if they give us a break? I really need your help as the person I am coming with doesnt see the point. THANKS

 

[Kevenswife2]

My experience has been they charge full price (minus any discounts like AAA, etc). Even though you're staying for such a short time, they still have to clean the room in the morning.

I would try Priceline for a hotel near the airport. You might find one very inexpensive.

On my honeymoon we actually slept in our car at the IHOP on Irlo-Bronson. Washed up at the Super Walmart down the street. DH didn't want to make ressies and it wasn't until we got to Jacksonville that we realized the Daytona 500 was going on! Everything was booked in Orlando (except the 'cheapo' hotel across the street which had 'saved' rooms and was now charging over $200 a night for what usually goes for $45)! Live and learn. At least we have a good laugh when we think back...and DH ALWAYS has me make ressies when we travel now.

 

[zaxmom]

I bet you will get charged full price. You might want to try your luck at the Swan, but it would be risky. Sometimes you can get away with things with the night manager. A lot of times there is only a couple of people at the desk and one is a manager on the graveyard shift and they are able to tipped for things. If you do not get there until around 6:00 am, maybe they can just check you in early. Good Luck. I know I would not be comfortable without a place to sleep.

 

[Gillian]

Are you renting a car?

Book something ahead of time to get the best price.

I would check into using Priceline for an airport hotel (3*). It shouldn't be very expensive. Under $50? Look on biddingofrtravel.com for winning bid amounts.

If you don't have somewhere to go you'll be exhausted the next day!

I hope you can work it out with your friend.

 

[safetymom]

Yes they will charge the going rate as if you were there for the day. Follow the other posters suggestions and get a cheap room.

 

[Lewisc]

You're getting in at 1:00a and you need a place to stay. You don't have a place to stay until 4:00p. What does your friend propose doing if you don't get a room by the airport and S/D won't give you a room before your check-in? What is your plan?
Sleep in the lobby of the S/D? Security may very well throw you out? Sleep in the airport? Security will probably throw you out. Walk around the boardwalk area all night? What would you do with your luggage?

Many of the people staying in the airport hotels are getting in after 11:00P and leaving early the next day. The airport hotels are designed for either business travelers or people just looking for a place to stay. What your're paying for is a clean room not a resort. One of the reasons he airport hotels are inexpensive is they don't include many resort amenities. The discounted rates reflect this. If there are extra rooms you MIGHT get a discount rate but a PL or hotwire rate is likely to be better than any walk-in rate. You should be able to get an airport area hotel for under $50.

If you were going to Vegas you could check your luggage and spend the night gambling but not in Disney.

Someone (not sure if it was you) asked almost the exact same question a month or so ago. People use the airport hotels so they pay under $50 for a few nights sleep as opposed to paying 2-4X that price at the S/D. The only hotels that charge by the hour are hotels that really aren't what you're looking for.

1:00P ISN'T REALLY THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I've checked in to Disney hotels at midnight (after a day in the parks). It isn't that rare for people to be checking in after 11:00p, anyone who gets a flight after work is in that category. Think of the airport hotel as being the price of maximizing your stay in the S/D.

 

[hercamore]

I'd do a airport hotel thru Priceline. Good room for about $30 or less.

herc.

 

[disneysteve]

Definitely pay for the room. You'll be miserable if you get stuck sitting around somewhere all nite into the next afternoon without a place to rest. That happened to us the first time we drove to WDW. We thought we'd stop overnite on the road but ended up driving straight thru and got to Orlando at 7 am. By the time we checked in around 2pm, we were like the walking dead. It really ruined the first day or 2 of vacation because we were so exhausted. Make sure you have a place to check in and crash when you get there.