Such a thing as last minute rates?

[mrsgthatsme]

Are Disney resorts always filled to capacity, or are there ever “Last minute rates” for rooms that did not get booked in advance? I know other vacation, cruise, etc... options offer these sort of discounts, but kind of guessing Disney may not have to due to popularity?

 

[Searc]

Nope.

 

[dansdad]

Are Disney resorts always filled to capacity,

Pretty close, yes.

Or are there ever “Last minute rates” for rooms that did not get booked in advance?

No.

I know other vacation, cruise, etc... options offer these sort of discounts, but kind of guessing Disney may not have to due to popularity?

You guessed correctly.

 

[Miffy]

Last-minute rates at WDW are otherwise known as "rack." However, there are sometimes AP rates, for example, that are available at the last minute, assuming the offer is still current. And of course you'd have to have an AP to book.

[Edited for clarity.]

 

[DisneyWishes14]

They aren't last minute rates, per se, but if there is a promo out that hasn't expired yet, sure, you can get "last minute" discounts. For example, the Gift of Magic discount is still available for rooms up until April 27, so, if you wanted to go this weekend, for example, you might possibly find a room under that discount. But, no, WDW does not slash rates at the last minute. You either book during a general discount time frame or you are out of luck.

 

[mrsgthatsme]

Sounds good! Thanks for confirming that.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Over the years, I have sometimes been able to get last minute-ish deals on WDW rooms, but it depends how you define 'last minute.'

As someone pointed out, often your best route to a last minute deal is the AP room discount. You don't have to have an AP to book with the discount, you just have to get an AP when you arrive. If you can manage more than one trip per year, then it may be worth getting an AP.

I wouldn't say WDW hotels are always full. If you want to go over Easter week or the week SW opens, then you may be out of luck.

That said, if you are looking at offsite hotels....there's pretty much always a ton of options, and last minute deals in the WDW area.

 

[RamblingMad]

I doubt it. According to Disney’s annual report, their hotels are at 88% occupancy rates.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Last minute rooms pop up but they don't suddenly drop the price.
The last couple years though I've been able to book my parents a room day of and using a discount that was still available.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

My in laws once got Animal Kingdom Lodge standard view for 1 night for around $225 the day of, but that could be an exaggeration as I never saw proof.

Most of the time the answer is no as other posters have stated.

 

[AndreaDanger]

If you're comfortable making opaque bookings, Disney does put rooms on Priceline as Express Deals, sometimes at a substantial discount. It's very hit-or-miss as to how much inventory they have up as Express Deals, and you need to put some effort into figuring out which Priceline offerings are actually on-site resorts. It's one way to potentially get a last-minute room discount though.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I was also going to suggest checking out the Priceline forum. To answer your question, YES, you most certainly can score “last minute” discounts there!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I doubt it. According to Disney’s annual report, their hotels are at 88% occupancy rates.

Well, I've gotten a few of those last minute-ish discounts before, so I know it happens.

They get to 88% by discounting rooms when needed.

Mind, they only discount just enough to keep that 88% rate. I wouldn't expect 90% off or anything.

More often they just adjust how many rooms are available with the 20-30% off they usually offer.

 

[RamblingMad]

Well, I've gotten a few of those last minute-ish discounts before, so I know it happens.

They get to 88% by discounting rooms when needed.

Mind, they only discount just enough to keep that 88% rate. I wouldn't expect 90% off or anything.

More often they just adjust how many rooms are available with the 20-30% off they usually offer.

A 20-30% discount off of a $500+ a night room is still expensive. They’re averaging almost $350 a night guest spend from occupied rooms across their resort. That’s a lot of money.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

A 20-30% discount off of a $500+ a night room is still expensive. They’re averaging almost $350 a night guest spend from occupied rooms across their resort. That’s a lot of money.

Huh?
The OP asked if WDW ever offered any type of last minute discounts.

They didn't ask if Poly's worth $350/night; that's a different question.