Using PriceLine.Com...

[dabrnigrl]

I am leaving in 6 short days for WDW All Stars Movies Resort, but my husband decided at the last minute that we could stay longer than the 5 night stay I have booked there.

We were thinking of staying closer to Seaworld, but I wanted to use priceline.com.

I am nevous to use it, because it would be a must that we have double beds or at least a king size bed.

Does anyone have experience with using priceline.com with families?

Do you think I would get a king size bed or double beds?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DianeV]

Priceline in the Orlando area is probably one of the most likely to get 2 beds in a hotel area..most of the hotels have them as they are family oriented so your chances are pretty good. Check out www..biddingfortravel.com for ideas on what people are getting and for how much..I wouldnt suggest posting there because if you dont do it all correctly you can get yelled at..the other site to check is www.betterbidding.com

 

[JennSaint]

I've used priceline many times as a family of four. I take my chances. While they don't guarantee for more than 2 people I've never had a problem getting 2 beds.
I just bid on priceline on Sunday for a last minute trip we decided to take and we got the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for $145 per night our dates are 2/18-2/23 (President's week).
I've stayed at some great hotels through priceline. Places I would never book at full price.
Biddingfortravel.com is very helpful with free rebid zones.
Good luck!

 

[dabrnigrl]

I've used priceline many times as a family of four. I take my chances. While they don't guarantee for more than 2 people I've never had a problem getting 2 beds.
I just bid on priceline on Sunday for a last minute trip we decided to take and we got the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for $145 per night our dates are 2/18-2/23 (President's week).
I've stayed at some great hotels through priceline. Places I would never book at full price.
Biddingfortravel.com is very helpful with free rebid zones.
Good luck!

I looked at that site and it looked like french to me. LOL!

I didn't quite understand how to use it.

What is rebid zone?

Any help would be great.

So, my odds are very strong to get at least double beds?

 

[dabrnigrl]

What is a-b link?

 

[abca]

a-b link is "amazing-bargains" link which will run the Priceline bid. You do not have to use the a-b link and it is easier to just go to Priceline. A re-bid zone is one which does not have room in the category in which you are bidding. If you bid for a resort, the only 2 zones which have a resort is the Disney World Vicinity and the Universal/Seaworld Area. For each re-bid zone, you can increase your bid for free and not have to wait for another 3 days to try again. I got the Omni Championsgate for 135 a night over Easter. The biddingfortravel site will give you an idea of what hotels you may get for specific areas, dates and prices. You can look at the hotel list to see which hotels have been recently successfully bid. They even have reviews and links to the hotel websites. Overall, I think it is a great bargain if you don't have your heart set in a specific hotel. Good Luck!

 

[dabrnigrl]

a-b link is "amazing-bargains" link which will run the Priceline bid. You do not have to use the a-b link and it is easier to just go to Priceline. A re-bid zone is one which does not have room in the category in which you are bidding. If you bid for a resort, the only 2 zones which have a resort is the Disney World Vicinity and the Universal/Seaworld Area. For each re-bid zone, you can increase your bid for free and not have to wait for another 3 days to try again. I got the Omni Championsgate for 135 a night over Easter. The biddingfortravel site will give you an idea of what hotels you may get for specific areas, dates and prices. You can look at the hotel list to see which hotels have been recently successfully bid. They even have reviews and links to the hotel websites. Overall, I think it is a great bargain if you don't have your heart set in a specific hotel. Good Luck!

So, you think I should bid for all zones in the resort catagory, and that way I will get all the other zones on free rebids?

Do you prefer the resorts??

And out of curiosity, why?

What do they offer more than the 4 star or 3 star?

Thanks for the help.

 

[abca]

We like the resorts because of the great pools, nicer and larger rooms, restaurants and other amenities. Do not bid "All Zones" or select all the areas at the same time. Bid them one at a time picking your first choice first. For example, I wanted the Disney World Zone as a resort, but did not want the SeaWorld Area, therefore, I did not use the SeaWorld Area at all for a bid, but used the other zones for free re-bids, increasing the price each time I added a zone until my bid was accepted or I topped out on what I was willing to pay. On Priceline I have been able to get a resort room for the price of a Disney Value resort in the past. I hope this helps.

 

[dabrnigrl]

We like the resorts because of the great pools, nicer and larger rooms, restaurants and other amenities. Do not bid "All Zones" or select all the areas at the same time. Bid them one at a time picking your first choice first. For example, I wanted the Disney World Zone as a resort, but did not want the SeaWorld Area, therefore, I did not use the SeaWorld Area at all for a bid, but used the other zones for free re-bids, increasing the price each time I added a zone until my bid was accepted or I topped out on what I was willing to pay. On Priceline I have been able to get a resort room for the price of a Disney Value resort in the past. I hope this helps.

So, last night, I attempted to take the risk.

I figured out that you do not select all so I selected just the WDW Vicinty and the Seaworld and Universal at first.

And I selected resorts, and started at at 75, but when I got my rebid I clicked the 4 star resorts in the next selection not realizing that it was no longer going to be searchng for a resort for that price.

So, I guess I learn as I got, but after about 6 rebids and going down to 3 * I got nothing.

I guess I will try again today.

Yeah, I would like to get a resort.

That would be lovely.

:0)

Thanks again for the detailed explanation.

 

[jsmla]

Maybe I can help. With Priceline you may choose the option of bidding for only certain areas of Orlando. Within those areas only the Disney World Vicinity and the Universal/Seaworld Area have Resort level hotels. So, let's say you want to stay near Seaworld. You bid $90 for a Resort hotel in the Universal/Seaworld area. Priceline rejects your bid. Now you must either wait 24 hours to up your bid or change one of your parameters (other than the price). You up your bid to $95 and add the Kissimmee area to your selection. Since there are no Resort level hotels in Kissimmee, you will not recieve a hotel in that area. Priceline will never "downgrade" your request to a hotel with a lower star level. In effect, you will then still be bidding only for the Universal/Seaworld area. If you are rejected again you could add, say, the West Disney area and up your bid again. That's what the previous poster means by lots of "free" re-bids in the Orlando area.

The bidding for travel list is very thorough but Priceline is always adding hotels to its inventory. I am naturally paranoid so I always check to make sure nothing is available in my free re-bid zones. To do this I would submit a new bid for $1 for a Resort level hotel in the Kissimmee area. If there are no Resort level hotels in Priceline's Kissimmee inventory Priceline will inform me and I'll know that I can then use Kissimmee as a free re-bid without worry.

Priceline is a great way to get a fantastic resort-quality hotel without paying the resort prices but you need to be willing to put in the time and do your homework. Look at bidding for travel's hotel list and read the reviews of each hotel at your star level on Tripadvisor.com If you see one there that would ruin your trip don't bid for that area/star level.

We use Priceline almost monthly so please let me know if you have any questions.

Hope this helps!

Jennifer

 

[dabrnigrl]

Maybe I can help. With Priceline you may choose the option of bidding for only certain areas of Orlando. Within those areas only the Disney World Vicinity and the Universal/Seaworld Area have Resort level hotels. So, let's say you want to stay near Seaworld. You bid $90 for a Resort hotel in the Universal/Seaworld area. Priceline rejects your bid. Now you must either wait 24 hours to up your bid or change one of your parameters (other than the price). You up your bid to $95 and add the Kissimmee area to your selection. Since there are no Resort level hotels in Kissimmee, you will not recieve a hotel in that area. Priceline will never "downgrade" your request to a hotel with a lower star level. In effect, you will then still be bidding only for the Universal/Seaworld area. If you are rejected again you could add, say, the West Disney area and up your bid again. That's what the previous poster means by lots of "free" re-bids in the Orlando area.

The bidding for travel list is very thorough but Priceline is always adding hotels to its inventory. I am naturally paranoid so I always check to make sure nothing is available in my free re-bid zones. To do this I would submit a new bid for $1 for a Resort level hotel in the Kissimmee area. If there are no Resort level hotels in Priceline's Kissimmee inventory Priceline will inform me and I'll know that I can then use Kissimmee as a free re-bid without worry.

Priceline is a great way to get a fantastic resort-quality hotel without paying the resort prices but you need to be willing to put in the time and do your homework. Look at bidding for travel's hotel list and read the reviews of each hotel at your star level on Tripadvisor.com If you see one there that would ruin your trip don't bid for that area/star level.

We use Priceline almost monthly so please let me know if you have any questions.

Hope this helps!

Jennifer

WOW.

That helps.

LOL!

I was just trying it again.

I did the same thing as before not even realizing that those were the only two places with resorts.

So, I can use all the others as free rebids to up my price without having to wait 24 hours, because the other places don't have resorts.

Geeezzz....

I wish I was as brilliant as you guys.

Ok, I am off to try it again.

Thanks so much.

 

[jsmla]

We must have been posting at the same time! One thing about the Resort hotels, their busy seasons don't necessarily correspond to Disney's. Most of them have huge convention facilities and I've found that conventions are more popular in the fall and the early months of the year, less so in the summer. A convention will put huge blocks of rooms on hold for their attendees. At some point many of these rooms will be released back into the inventory and will show-up on Priceline. I often make a fully refundable "regular" reservation at a hotel we can afford and then cancel it if I get lucky with Priceline later on.

Jennifer

 

[dabrnigrl]

We must have been posting at the same time! One thing about the Resort hotels, their busy seasons don't necessarily correspond to Disney's. Most of them have huge convention facilities and I've found that conventions are more popular in the fall and the early months of the year, less so in the summer. A convention will put huge blocks of rooms on hold for their attendees. At some point many of these rooms will be released back into the inventory and will show-up on Priceline. I often make a fully refundable "regular" reservation at a hotel we can afford and then cancel it if I get lucky with Priceline later on.

Jennifer

OMG! Jennifer.

I just got accepted for something.

But, I am scared to see what it is. LOL!

I did $110 for resorts and I just keep goinging down the areas.

Ok, let me see what I got.



Renaissance Orlando Resort

Do you know anything about that resort????

Haven't seen it listed on the boards yet.

OMG!

I can't believe I did it.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[dabrnigrl]

Sucks!

I just looked it up on trip advisor and it say that it is under construction.

So, I guess that is why I got it.

Oh, well it is right across the street from where I need to be.

And, because it is not a lot of people staying there I know I am sure to get a room to accomodate the family of 5.

Thanks, for everyones help.

Amber

 

[jsmla]

Check Tripadvisor.com.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...lando_Resort_at_SeaWorld-Orlando_Florida.html

Tripadvisor is a great site to look at reviews posted by hotel guests and it's usually very up-to-date. I think the Renaissance is very close to Seaworld, maybe walkable. They were having a lot of construction going on earlier. I don't know if they're finished with it or not. Otherwise I believe it's a pretty nice place with fairly large rooms.

Have Fun!

Jennifer

 

[dabrnigrl]

One more question, sorry.

Do, I need to do anything from here, or just show up to the resort and let them know I had reservation for the dates I booked?

Thanks Jennifer.

You have been great.

I love this board.

 

[jsmla]

They will have your reservation and it will be noted as prepaid. I always bring my Priceline confirmation just in case. The hotel may ask for a credit card on file just in case you trash the room or call Tahiti or something. I usually call the hotel in advance and put in any requests (For you, it would probably be for two beds) that I might have. The hotel is not bound to honor them but I've never had one not. Give them a day or so to put your ressie in the system before you call. You may want to ask for a room away from the construction. I always ask for an upper floor away from the elevators since I like a quiet room.

Jennifer

 

[dabrnigrl]

Just out of curiousity, where are you going in 9 days?

Allstar Movies??

We are going there in 5 days.

How ironic.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[jsmla]

Yep, I'll be at the All Star Movies all by my lonesome. I went on a solo trip sort of by accident last year when my hubby bailed on me after I had already rented points(and paid for them) for a DVC studio, no refund. This time I'm doing it on purpose! My kids are all college-aged now and everyone I know thinks I'm crazy skipping out on Mardi Gras! I sit at home six days a week to take care of DFIL who is an Alzheimer's patient and I need some serious me time.

Jennifer

 

[dabrnigrl]

I hear ya about a break.

This was a spur of the moment trip for us.

I just lost my mother on the 25th of November (we were out shopping for black friday and she had a massive stroke).

And, since then I have given up my career, staying home with my children (mom would keep them while I worked 4 hours a day).

And, I have been taking care of my father's affairs, my mom's estate, my younger siblings, and my father's business.

My father did nothing in the house, and has not a clue about how to handle finances or run his own business, he just made the money.

So, I have now taken on all of these duties and yet have even had the chance to grieve like I want to.

So, the last vacation we took was with my mother to Disney, so my husband booked it as a break for me.

So, if you see a person looking like they are losing their mind, it is probably me.

He thought was sweet, but he doesn't realize that a break for me would really be me being ALONE.

LOL!

God bless his soul for trying though.

I'll take it.

It has kept me distracted for the most part.

But, I want to grieve, truly.