WDW Vet Looking for DLR Hotel discounts

[nwbearcat]

We have stayed several times at wdw and thought we would give Walt's original a try. I wanted to stay onsite if possible. I am looking at May dates. There are all kinds of sales going on at wdw for rooms in May, but nothing for dlr. Is this normal? Will there be discounts available at a later date? Seems like the rates are high for an off peak time. $330 dollars per night for the disneyland hotel?? $405 for Grand Californian???? Heck even paradise pier is $256 per night! And its not like my dates are anywhere close to memorial day. If they don't shoot some discount offers I either have to stay off property or go back to florida.

Seperate question.... does anyone have experience using priceline to secure a 4 star hotel in the area? Thanks in advance

 

[sonnyjane]

Yes, the on-sites are pricey WDW and DL differ in that there are SOOOO many WDW resorts, but only three DLR resorts. Because of that, there aren't as many rooms that need to be filled, and not as many cheap room promotions to bring in guests.

The best possible deal you'll find is about 30% off the rack-rate if they have some type of special. AP holders get 10%-35% off if it's during a particularly slow time. Those rack rates that you've posted are pretty standard though. Currently the farthest discount out is the 25% off one that ends April 14th, so I'd imagine we won't know about any new promotions until a bit closer to the end of that promotion. Depending on the progress/opening of Carsland, they may not need to offer as many promotions in May.

 

[skiingfast]

I would guess you need to read the DLR guide for WDW vets.

People don't plan DLR out as far as WDW which is why there currently aren't discounts. You will want to wait about 4 - 6 weeks to see if offers come out for your time.

You may find a slightly better deal at Orbitz or Expedia. Maybe, but it can happen.

For Priceline, look at betterbidding.com . Just be aware that you are likely to get a hotel far away that will require a shuttle to get to the parks. A big advantage at DLR is you can stay close and don't need to rely on buses like at WDW, because you can walk everywhere.

 

[Geemo]

Back in July (2011) I had the okay from my son to take the grankids. So I call Disney Travel and book our trip for January 2012 before he could change his mind.

I paid the deposit and all was set for the trip. 1-30-12, Four nights at the Grand Californian, five day hopper pass and a few other perks. No special rates for the dates at that time.

However, from experience, I knew there would be a special offer pop up in a few months.

Special Offers for January/February usually come out the first of November. In November a special savings offer came online. I called Disney Travel to modified my existing reservation to the special offer.

By doing it this way I knew I had a reservation locked in. Making another call and modifying to the special offer rate, I saved several hundred dollars.

Good luck in making your plans

Geemo

 

[sonnyjane]

Back in July (2011) I had the okay from my son to take the grankids. So I call Disney Travel and book our trip for January 2012 before he could change his mind.

I paid the deposit and all was set for the trip. 1-30-12, Four nights at the Grand Californian, five day hopper pass and a few other perks. No special rates for the dates at that time.

However, from experience, I knew there would be a special offer pop up in a few months.

Special Offers for January/February usually come out the first of November. In November a special savings offer came online. I called Disney Travel to modified my existing reservation to the special offer.

By doing it this way I knew I had a reservation locked in. Making another call and modifying to the special offer rate, I saved several hundred dollars.

Good luck in making your plans

Geemo

It is almost ALWAYS cheaper to book your room and tickets separately as opposed to booking a package through WDTC (or anyone else). You provide awesome advice about booking and then calling to change if rates go down, but I'd recommend getting a room-only reservation and then buying tickets separately closer to your travel dates. The difference between a package vs. booking separately can easily be hundreds of dollars!