Thanksgiving Weekend NO Reservations?

[Tootles]

Do I REALLY need to pre-book a hotel in Kissimmee for Saturday November 24th? I realize this is American Thanksgiving weekend and all, and is usually a very busy time at WDW. My DH says most people will be staying on-site and not to worry about it, but I do! I can't help thinking we're going to arrive in Kissimmee on that Saturday night (the day before we check into our Disney resort) to find no available vacancy, ANYWHERE! My DH says there are a million hotels in the area, and they won't all be booked up. I just don't want to end up sleeping in the car after a 19 hour drive to get there! My reasons for not wanting to pre-book? We do not have any credit cards. We had some financial struggles a few years ago, and our credit got out of control. I just don't trust myself with one anymore. Cut them up, tossed them away. Do any of you Disers have any experience with "trying to" get a local WDW area hotel during Thanksgiving weekend, with no reservations??

 

[Tootles]

Hello?

Anybody out there?

Anybody?

 

[Weegl]

Last time I checked, most places don't charge you to make a reservation unless you cancel within a certain window. For some chains, that's right up until 6PM of arrival day.

My question is: whay not get a reservation, then you can check availablity at other places as you get closer to your arrival date to see if you want to move, or cancel and take your chances.

And yes, that is a VERY busy weekend in Orlando...everywhere (not just the parks)

 

[gtalum]

Why risk it? You might find a room, but if you do the rate will be jacked way up. Find a reservation now at a good rate. You can generally cancel until the afternoon of scheduled arrival for no penalty, if you find you don't need it.

Keep in mind that unless you stay at a Motel 6 you will need a credit card or a debit card to check in to most properties anyway. You can use a debit card to secure a reservation too.

 

[AJKMOM]

The timeframe is busy in Disney and the Orlando area. don't forget that the Friday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and people come from all over the area to the malls and outlets in Orlando. I wouldn't take a chance, unless you think you could get lucky near the airport, or out in Kissimmee which is further from WDW.

 

[f7prez]

My guess is that you would be able to find a vacancy somewhere. However there is the possibility that everything is booked. Doubtful, but possible. My worry is that I would find myself in a motel room that you can't even take your shoes off in.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I would book just to make sure I don't end up in a dump...I have seen some days fully booked at places I would not stay.

I would go to CAA and buy a Visa cash card...works like a Visa so you could do a reservation but it's like a debit card because it is only worth the $$$ you load onto it. So if you put $200 on it, the limit is $200...No way of getting into trouble.

I hope that helps.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I believe holiday inn takes ressies without a credit card guarantee--provided a prior to 6pm check-in time. Another option would be to get a visa or mastercard check card from your bank. These cards can be used where ever a credit card is required.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Canada does not have Visa or Mastercard check cards...but the CAA one will work and there is NO chance of getting into trouble with it because it's not a credit card and cannot be linked to a bank account.

 

[theparsons]

Chiming in to agree with everyone else.....

yes, it's a holiday...and that makes it VERY busy everywhere

If you don't make a reservation now you will pay RACK RATE....that's the highest that they think they can charge. And it will be even HIGHER because it's considered a holiday. In other words...the $80 per night room that you could book now...will be $200 when you walk in off the street.

I applaud your financial responsibility....though it does make days like this a bit more difficult, it's not impossible. The other poster is from Canada and told you how to get a pre-paid credit card....I strongly urge you to do this. These cards are available "everywhere" here in the USA, including convenience store/gas stations like Circle K.....I'm not from Canada so don't know where else you can get one, but they've gotta be around, lol. Also, check with your bank....very often they offer things like this, though it may not be advertised widely, or you may have missed it since you are staying away from credit cards.

As a last resort....contact the hotel of your choice (call the actual hotel, not the chain headquarters or reservations) and ask them if you could send along a check or money order as security since you don't use credit cards. By calling the hotel itself you'll deal with a person who wants you in their facility and might be willing to bend the rules a little, rather than a reservation clerk in another state who doesn't want to go through those hassles, because they have a quota of calls to answer. I've gotten many different special requests handled by the local manager when the reservations people have told me no. Including allowing a 17 year old to check in by himself (he was driving to stay with his aunt for the summer and hotels require you to be over 18).

Another thought...if you have family who has a credit card, would they be willing to book the guarantee with the card for you? Most hotels don't charge your room until you arrive (it will say on their site)....so when you check in you simply tell them that you will be paying cash, not using the card. They may require a deposit to cover any "incidentals" like phone or room service, you can either pay that, or tell them to shut the phone off (yes, hotels have that ability, they just don't like to use it, because someone has to remember to turn it back on when you leave or the next guest will be mad when it doesn't work, lol).


If you wait you'll pay more....you're likely to have to try a few hotels (or the lower rung of hotels) before you find one with availablity....and after 19 hours in the car, wouldn't it be nice to have enjoyed the ride, not spent all 19 hours worrying about how you'll find a room?!! For me, that would be a tiring ride as it was, I wouldn't want any worries to add to it....I'd rather be thinking about how much fun we're going to have and what to go on first....those are the max worries I'd want!

 

[JennCa]

I find it is much cheaper to prebook something in the US and also there will be limited availability on Sat night.

Jenn

 

[Tootles]

Thanks so much to everyone who replied! I will be using a family member's credit card number to pre-book (or reserve) a room for that night. I will explain to them (reservations) that I wish to pay cash upon arrival. Thanks you so much everyone for the great advice! Yeah Dis!