Swan/Dolphin on Skyauction site

[dclfun]

Saw this yesterday...it was a bid per night at SWDO for various dates throughout the end of the year. With the additional tax charge the rooms were going for a total of $110 per night. I've used Skyauction before for weekly condo rentals in the WDW area and have always had a positive experience so I thought I'd pass this along.---Kathy

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I really appreciate you posting this! We are going in Sept (after a WONDERFUL first time stay there this past weekend) and our rate is $159 per night, but after taxes and fees it is $179 a night, I think.

Can you please explain how this auction works? I see the minimum bid is $106. Should I just bid that amount? When you say $110 "total", how did you get that number? What is the amount to bid to make the GRAND TOTAL per night $110?

You can PM me if you wish. Once again, thanks for the post. I need to get DD to school and run some errands, but I will do this as soon as I get home, so I hope to hear from you soon!

 

[Tiffany]

Saw this yesterday...it was a bid per night at SWDO for various dates throughout the end of the year. With the additional tax charge the rooms were going for a total of $110 per night. I've used Skyauction before for weekly condo rentals in the WDW area and have always had a positive experience so I thought I'd pass this along.---Kathy

I just checked out the site and put a bid in for a max of $120 a night plus the taxes and fees which would make it a max of $159 a night. Still less then I can book with any of my discounts. Right now I am at $106 a night plus the taxes and fees. We will see what happens.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Do you have to pay for the trip in full at the time of the auction's end? Thanks.

 

[Tiffany]

Do you have to pay for the trip in full at the time of the auction's end? Thanks.

Yes. That is how I understand the process. You bid if you win they contact you then you have 72hrs to fill out the travel information and pay. I am paying via credit card. There is a $20 fee pre won auction. So right now I am at $106 a night plus what they have noted for taxes and fees on the auction which is $32 a night so for a three night stay including all the fess right now will only run me $435 or $145 inc. taxes and fees. Considering the best price I can currently find from my December long weekend trip is $179 plus 11.5% tax for a rate of $199.59 a night I will take the savings.

 

[spiceycat]

you are bidding too early.

the best time is the last few minutes. you have got 3 days.

remember to add all the charges
$120
$32
$10.95
$8
$9
$179.95 -okay you did it.

 

[G8r4evr]

Saw this yesterday...it was a bid per night at SWDO for various dates throughout the end of the year. With the additional tax charge the rooms were going for a total of $110 per night. I've used Skyauction before for weekly condo rentals in the WDW area and have always had a positive experience so I thought I'd pass this along.---Kathy

Very cool! Im going to check that out! Ive never heard of Sky Auction before) Thanks for the heads up

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Spiceycat-Can you break down all those charges? It seems she can save $20 a night. I am not sure if you are adding the $9 parking. Maybe she is not going to have a car there?

Right now, I have a rate of $159 a night. I was told on the phone that with all taxes and final charges it would be $179 a night, and for the 4 night stay it will be $715 total. Even if I can save $10 per night, it is worth it to me...that would equal free parking or lunch at ESPN, ya know?

And are you saying it is to your benefit to wait until the end of the auction? Why?

Thanks!

 

[kimpossible]

Does Sw/DO include the ME and luggage transfers to another Dis hotel for a split stay?

 

[Tiffany]

Does Sw/DO include the ME and luggage transfers to another Dis hotel for a split stay?

The S/D does not participate in ME or the luggage transfer.

 

[swilphil]

In the past, Swan/Dolphin has participated in transferring luggage to Disney resorts (call hotel directly, they are very nice). There is no ME though.

 

[kimpossible]

Thanks

 

[dclfun]

If you're participating in any online auction, whether Skyauction, Ebay, or another, it's best to wait til the last minute, at least in my past experience. Still, if someone outbids you and runs up the price to something you aren't willing to pay, then you can just stop bidding. Skyauction puts up new things daily. In an off-season we've gotten one of the newer timeshare/condo's right by WDW, a 2 bedroom that slept 8, for $195 a week( 7 nights) plus the fee of $20.00. Each one has been gorgeous and gave us a chance to try something new for a large family get-together. We are DVC members but at the time we had no points left to book a larger unit and were doing some off-site things so it was a great option. They didn't make us attend any timeshare presentation either ( although we were offered the opportunity) and we got to participate in all the free activities they had including a burger/hot dog cookout, an ice cream sundae night, movies at the pool, kids crafts, etc. I'd never seen an onsite WDW property before which is why I thought I'd mention the SWDO in case someone wanted to check it out. ---Kathy

 

[spiceycat]

$130 - bid price (over $120)
$32 - fees from skyauction includes taxes
$10.95 - internet access
$8 - health club
$9 - self parking
$189.95

now the ad says you don't have to add the internet access or health club - but sometimes the resort say you do. It is always best to call the resort. then you know exactly what the EXTRA charges will be. Lots of time these will hit you at the resort itself.

but if you don't know they are coming it can be a shock.

with these hotels bidding it is really best to wait until the last few moments - now definitely go ahead and register. but if you have a fast internet connection and fast computer - wait.

you can do a nice bid on the 2 minutes - then wait until the count is at seconds - then put it in.

Plus dclfun is correct. Wait!!! one time I saw a Ritz-Carlton - it was so over bid - like $650 before it ended. then less than a month later saw it again - with just a few bids $200.

hotels will come back if they get good bids.

 

[spiceycat]

If you're participating in any online auction, whether Skyauction, Ebay, or another, it's best to wait til the last minute, at least in my past experience. Still, if someone outbids you and runs up the price to something you aren't willing to pay, then you can just stop bidding. Skyauction puts up new things daily. In an off-season we've gotten one of the newer timeshare/condo's right by WDW, a 2 bedroom that slept 8, for $195 a week( 7 nights) plus the fee of $20.00. Each one has been gorgeous and gave us a chance to try something new for a large family get-together. We are DVC members but at the time we had no points left to book a larger unit and were doing some off-site things so it was a great option. They didn't make us attend any timeshare presentation either ( although we were offered the opportunity) and we got to participate in all the free activities they had including a burger/hot dog cookout, an ice cream sundae night, movies at the pool, kids crafts, etc. I'd never seen an onsite WDW property before which is why I thought I'd mention the SWDO in case someone wanted to check it out. ---Kathy

Kathy you were very nice to mention this.

are you mad (like I am) about the increase in fees - no longer $195 - but $295.

even the home away which had no fees are now $195.

boy I must sound horrible - getting a great condo for a week for around $313 (with a $1 bid) and still complaining.

but taking the fee from $195 to $295 in one month was not very nice. especially since most of the ads don't even mention the increase in price. a few do they were started before the price increase.

I still use it - especially when bring a pet - Celebration World resort allows pets. none of the DVC resort do...

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

$130 - bid price (over $120)
$32 - fees from skyauction includes taxes
$10.95 - internet access
$8 - health club
$9 - self parking
$189.95

now the ad says you don't have to add the internet access or health club - but sometimes the resort say you do. It is always best to call the resort. then you know exactly what the EXTRA charges will be. Lots of time these will hit you at the resort itself.

but if you don't know they are coming it can be a shock.

with these hotels bidding it is really best to wait until the last few moments - now definitely go ahead and register. but if you have a fast internet connection and fast computer - wait.

you can do a nice bid on the 2 minutes - then wait until the count is at seconds - then put it in.

Plus dclfun is correct. Wait!!! one time I saw a Ritz-Carlton - it was so over bid - like $650 before it ended. then less than a month later saw it again - with just a few bids $200.

hotels will come back if they get good bids.

Thanks spiceycat. We just got back from the Dolphin and did not have to pay internet and health club cuz we did not use them. We did pay parking. So if the OP does not have a car, then $152 a night is pretty good. Actually, I think she said her max was $120, so it would be $142 a night??? I think you are saying, though, that the resort may not add these extra items on for regular guests, but auction guests they may, correct? Just want to make sure I understand what you are saying. Anyway it is all very interesting. I always look around when staying at the resorts and wonder what everyone paid for their room.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

you are bidding too early.

the best time is the last few minutes. you have got 3 days.

remember to add all the charges
$120
$32
$10.95
$8
$9
$179.95 -okay you did it.

shhhh don't tell everyone our secret

but you are correct