The Sweet Meet - Dis'ers do Hershey

[kimisabella]

I don't think we can make it, but I'll go to work on the wife. Maybe if Paul tells her to go she will listen, we love Hershey. We are going to Holiday World for our Summer Trip this year, so two trips will be tought.....anyway.


We stayed at the Homewood Suites in Harrisburg last time we went. Next to a nice mall (big Bass Pro Shop) and 8 miles from the Park. It was excellent!! Advanced price for a studeo suite is 152 and 1 bd 169. Just a little something to check out. I know with 5 in my family we need more room.

Who would make inappropriate remarks or get us into trouble without you there???

Thanks for the info on the hotel - I got some info and it looks like it would be about $135/night, it's another option to consider
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/e.../en/hw/&xch=566769024,VQS1RPUV1X0BWCSGBJC32EQ

 

[sshaw10060]

Who would make inappropriate remarks or get us into trouble without you there???

Thanks for the info on the hotel - I got some info and it looks like it would be about $135/night, it's another option to consider
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/e.../en/hw/&xch=566769024,VQS1RPUV1X0BWCSGBJC32EQ

It looks like that hotel is a pretty good distance from the parks. I would be tempted to go with the Comfort Suites even at the higher $$$. It gets reasonable reviews on trip advisor and seems well located.

 

[OKW Lover]

If Val & I go, we'll probably look for a Marriott property that's fairly close since we have "status" with Marriott.

But its also looking like we probably won't be going anyway since thats the time of year that we have visitors from Houston.

 

[kimisabella]

It looks like that hotel is a pretty good distance from the parks. I would be tempted to go with the Comfort Suites even at the higher $$$. It gets reasonable reviews on trip advisor and seems well located.

I agree with you, even though it burns me that they gave me a lower price initially, I am still inclined to stay there.

If Val & I go, we'll probably look for a Marriott property that's fairly close since we have "status" with Marriott.

But its also looking like we probably won't be going anyway since thats the time of year that we have visitors from Houston.

It would be great if you guys can come, but, family is more important.

 

[pal-mickey]

Not sure if you have tried this site, but you can put in a group request for rooms and hotels bid on the reservation. It sounds like you need to have an idea of how many rooms are needed. The site is hotelguides.com and the link to the group page is below.



http://hotelguides.com/group-reservations.html

 

[mousesweetie]

Is it ok if I come? I don't live that far from there and have been wanting to meet some fellow Dis'ers for awhile now!

 

[kimisabella]

Not sure if you have tried this site, but you can put in a group request for rooms and hotels bid on the reservation. It sounds like you need to have an idea of how many rooms are needed. The site is hotelguides.com and the link to the group page is below.



http://hotelguides.com/group-reservations.html

I used hotelplanner.com first and that is where Comfort Suites emailed me with the rate that they now rescinded so I'm very leary of those sites now.

Is it ok if I come? I don't live that far from there and have been wanting to meet some fellow Dis'ers for awhile now!

Sure, all are welcome!

 

[dpuck1998]

Who would make inappropriate remarks or get us into trouble without you there???

Thanks for the info on the hotel - I got some info and it looks like it would be about $135/night, it's another option to consider
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/e.../en/hw/&xch=566769024,VQS1RPUV1X0BWCSGBJC32EQ

The hotel was great, plus breakfast is included, that saves my family a lot of money per night.

It looks like that hotel is a pretty good distance from the parks. I would be tempted to go with the Comfort Suites even at the higher $$$. It gets reasonable reviews on trip advisor and seems well located.

The Homewood is 8 miles to the park and it was a quick and easy drive. Just my 2 cents, whats a couple extra miles once you are already in the car. A really good mexican restaurant in the parking lot of the hotel too

 

[dpuck1998]

Just so there isn't confusion, we stayed at the Homewood Hershey East in Harrisburg. There are two apparently near each other. The one we stayed in is also the top rated on trip advisor right now.

 

[georgemoe]

Does anybody who's attending have teen-age kids. My grandsons are 13 and 15 and I'm considering bringing them for the weekend. (Don't worry yet Greg....I told you, they're good when they're out in publc )

Hi Lois. I'll be taking my grandson son on the trip. He'll be 11.

Comfort Suites Hershey - $129/night
Hummelstown, PA
This hotel is brand new - looks nice on the website

http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-hummelstown-pennsylvania-PA554

Thoughts/preferences?

The two most economical choices include breakfast, and are about the same distance (6 miles) from Hershey Park:

Comfort Suites Hershey @ $129/night
320 Milroy Road
Hummelstown, PA

They both do not need deposits, and reservations can be cancelled by arrival day. Doesn't matter to me which one we go to. I guess it will be put to a good old fashioned vote - unless anyone has a problem with both and don't want to stay at either one.

Thanks George, I knew you would go with the flow.... When it's time to call to reserve rooms, I believe the group rate will be under the group of "The Dis"....how original, lol.....

I will let everyone know when you can start reserving rooms.

Hi everyone - I did hear from group sales at Hershey, they gave me prices for one day tickets for adults/children. They can be purchased beforehand or at the ticket window. The discount for the tickets looks pretty good to me. Problem is, a single payment must be used at the time of purchase, so, not sure how that is going to work out for us. We have plenty of time for that.

We do have a problem with the accomodations. I contacted Comfort Suites to get contract info and was told I was initially given the wrong rates- first they told me that we all had to stay over the Sunday night to get the $129/night rate, and if you didn't stay the Sunday, the rate was $189/night...

Then she told me that we could stay over any combination of nights we wanted (Fri/Sat - Sat/Sun - Fri/Sat/Sun) with no minimum # of nights, but, the price is $152.15/night. I explained that I have emails from them with the $129/night rate, but, of course they claim they never heard of the person that sent me the email...even though the email provides their first and last name and their phone number

So......now we are back to square one. Do we go with the original hotel (Country Inn) for $109/night, do we go with Comfort Suites for now $152.15/night, or she gave me another offer - The Comfort Suites Harrisburg which would be $127.49/night.http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-harrisburg-pennsylvania-PA029?promo=gglocal

I am sooo mad that Comfort Suites isn't honoring the $129/night rate they gave me originally.

Even though the rate is about $25 higher per night than originally quoted, I'm still in support of the Comfort Suites in Hummelstown.

I actually went ahead and booked this morning at the AAA rate which is pretty much the same as the group rate at $152.10. I was mostly checking rates but them saw in red "only 1 room left at this rate", etc. So I just decided to book it. Probably just a ploy but I'm guessing the hotel has only so many rooms available at group rates and being prime time I didn't want to wait.

Sorry if I'm jumping the gun Andrea. If you decide to move DIS HQ hotel I can always cancel and rebook.

 

[kimisabella]

Hi Lois. I'll be taking my grandson son on the trip. He'll be 11.









Even though the rate is about $25 higher per night than originally quoted, I'm still in support of the Comfort Suites in Hummelstown.

I actually went ahead and booked this morning at the AAA rate which is pretty much the same as the group rate at $152.10. I was mostly checking rates but them saw in red "only 1 room left at this rate", etc. So I just decided to book it. Probably just a ploy but I'm guessing the hotel has only so many rooms available at group rates and being prime time I didn't want to wait.

Sorry if I'm jumping the gun Andrea. If you decide to move DIS HQ hotel I can always cancel and rebook.

No problem at all!!!! I'm so glad you booked! The last time I spoke w/a rep from the hotel she wanted to set aside the block of hotel rooms and send me a contract at the $152/night rate and I told her I would get back to her since I wasn't sure if everyone was OK w/the new price. I'm a little bummed that the group rate isn't that great, but, I guess we aren't that big of a group, and it is a weekend in August, so.....

I didn't know you had an 11 year old grandson - that's awesome that you are bringing him!

I think I am going to go ahead and ask the hotel to send me a contract so I can look it over and see what all the particulars are, then I can have more details for everyone else.

 

[donatalie]

Hi all!
This looks like so much fun.... I live about 10 miles from Hershey so my daughter and I would love to drop in.

As far as the hotels are concerned.... even though the Harrisburg Comfort Inn seems a little further....there will be a lot less traffic getting back and forth. It is right off the interstate (I 81) so finding it should be a breeze for everyone. The stretch of highway (RT 322) between the Hummelstown Comfort Inn and Hersheypark can be VERY conjested during this time of the summer. There is a Sam's Club and a Walmart very close that also drums up a lot of traffic. This is really not an opinion as to hotel choice, some some factors to consider!

Also the Giant (a local Grocery store) offers discount tickets. Traveling from the Harrisburg, Comfort Inn toward Hershey, there is a Giant on the right hand side on Route 39. From the Comfort Inn in Hummelstown, there is a Giant on Cocoa Ave in Hershey.

 

[chaoscent]

Hey thre Natalie - I knew you would have some advice being a Hershey Person. Looking forward to seeing you and the kidlets there. P

 

[DisneyFanInPA]

Hi all!
This looks like so much fun.... I live about 10 miles from Hershey so my daughter and I would love to drop in.

As far as the hotels are concerned.... even though the Harrisburg Comfort Inn seems a little further....there will be a lot less traffic getting back and forth. It is right off the interstate (I 81) so finding it should be a breeze for everyone. The stretch of highway (RT 322) between the Hummelstown Comfort Inn and Hersheypark can be VERY conjested during this time of the summer. There is a Sam's Club and a Walmart very close that also drums up a lot of traffic. This is really not an opinion as to hotel choice, some some factors to consider!

Also the Giant (a local Grocery store) offers discount tickets. Traveling from the Harrisburg, Comfort Inn toward Hershey, there is a Giant on the right hand side on Route 39. From the Comfort Inn in Hummelstown, there is a Giant on Cocoa Ave in Hershey.

I don't know much about the hotels in the area since I haven't stayed in any, but I do agree that Rt. 322 can be really hectic. That's usually the way we go to Hershey and if there is a concert or anything special that weekend, it can get very congested!

I'm not sure what Hersheypark's group rates are for tickets, but I definitely suggest checking out the Giant for ticket prices. They usually have good deals. Of course, if you live close like we do, season tickets are a great deal when you get them early. If we go 3 times, they pay for themselves.

Since I haven't been able to go to any of the podcast cruises or meets before, I'm really looking forward to meeting some of my fellow Disers at my second favorite park (Disney World being first of course!).

 

[kimisabella]

I don't know much about the hotels in the area since I haven't stayed in any, but I do agree that Rt. 322 can be really hectic. That's usually the way we go to Hershey and if there is a concert or anything special that weekend, it can get very congested!

I'm not sure what Hersheypark's group rates are for tickets, but I definitely suggest checking out the Giant for ticket prices. They usually have good deals. Of course, if you live close like we do, season tickets are a great deal when you get them early. If we go 3 times, they pay for themselves.

Since I haven't been able to go to any of the podcast cruises or meets before, I'm really looking forward to meeting some of my fellow Disers at my second favorite park (Disney World being first of course!).

Thanks for the information. The hotel we are leaning towards staying at is brand new, has a large breakfast area, and has good reviews and near restaurants so it looks like the positives may outweigh the negative of traffic. If anyone would like to stay at a different hotel, it's no problem, we'll all just meet up at the park.

There are no Giant supermarkets around here, but I have seen the discount ticket papers in Dunkin Donuts. We have some time to decide about the tickets.

 

[klam_chowder]

I'd be inclined to not stay at the place that rescinded their offer. It'd be one thing if someone just quoted you over the phone and the hotel thought you got it wrong (which we know you wouldn't! ) but you have it via e-mail and they should have honored it. I think the place lacks integrity and if they treat customers like that when they're just prospects, I think it only gets worse when you're locked in with an agreement - lost rezzies, etc. Doesn't show much consideration for their guests...IMVHO

However, wherever you choose Andrea, will be fine with us - thx again for all your efforts on this.

cheers,

 

[kimisabella]

I'd be inclined to not stay at the place that rescinded their offer. It'd be one thing if someone just quoted you over the phone and the hotel thought you got it wrong (which we know you wouldn't! ) but you have it via e-mail and they should have honored it. I think the place lacks integrity and if they treat customers like that when they're just prospects, I think it only gets worse when you're locked in with an agreement - lost rezzies, etc. Doesn't show much consideration for their guests...IMVHO

However, wherever you choose Andrea, will be fine with us - thx again for all your efforts on this.

cheers,

Hi Karen
Trust me, I was annoyed, mad, ticked, upset, ect... when I found out the rate went up. I did call the hotel directly again today and I think the problem was from when I originally put in the request with hotelplanner.com and not the hotel itself. The rep at the hotel said hotelplanner sends out email offers with certain rates on it, but, the hotel itself is not putting that rate out there. The hotel rep said they are not legally responsible for the rates that hotelplanner sends out to anyone - which I still don't quite understand, but, it is what it is. The two times I've called the hotel directly they have really been nice and more than helpful in trying to set this up for me.

I requested a pre-contract, in writing, as to the rates they have quoted me for the group. They said I should get this in the mail within 5 business days, so, we'll see what happens. As of right now, the rates they have quoted me are:

8/13 $152.15
8/14 $152.15
8/15 $135.15

 

[georgemoe]

I'm already booked.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

This sounds fun and not that far from me - a definite weekend possibility. It's a bit early to commit, but it's on my radar. It would be great to put some faces with names!! Consider me subscribed and interested

 

[tickledtink33]

I'm already booked.

You just wanted to be first.