What up with Orbitz and help me find my sanity again!!

[calablovedisney]

Does anyone have any insight as to why Orbitz has AKL with Disney discounts, so that you can then use an Orbitz code and save even more, but POR is NOT showing up with the Disney discount on Orbitz, but it is on the Disney site? I am making myself sick comparing to the deal I got 2 years ago: POR, standard garden view 8 nights for $1368 and this year, I am looking at 6 nights standard pool view (cheapest available) for $1497. So that is 2 LESS nights for almost $200 more. That seems like such a huge increase.
Anyone who is able to help me stop making myself crazy trying to recreate some better prices, feel free!!!

 

[cmarsh31]

I can find POR for some random dates and the discount - probably not available for your dates.

 

[calablovedisney]

I can find POR for some random dates and the discount - probably not available for your dates.

On Orbitz or on the Disney site? I just realized my post was not very clear so I just edited it. I can find discounts for my dates on the Disney site, so I know the discount is available, but when I check on Orbitz, they have rack rate. I can then put in my Orbitz code, but it is a better deal on the Disney site. However, not a great deal. I do have a room booked for Orbitz, but I will be rebooking something a bit better. My dates for POR are July1-7. We are going to do AKL for 3 nights first-my anniversary gift to me! lol

 

[emmabelle]

Disney must give Orbitz different inventory. I have searched for rooms many times in the past and have found rooms available on Disney that weren't on Orbitz and vice versa. For my trip in July, Orbitz has inventory for some deluxes but nothing for value or moderate. ughh...I need three rooms so deluxe rooms are just way too much cash to spend.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

What are the benefits of booking with Orbitz over Disney,? What are the disadvantages?

 

[calablovedisney]

Disney must give Orbitz different inventory. I have searched for rooms many times in the past and have found rooms available on Disney that weren't on Orbitz and vice versa. For my trip in July, Orbitz has inventory for some deluxes but nothing for value or moderate. ughh...I need three rooms so deluxe rooms are just way too much cash to spend.

Oh gosh, expensive enough with just 1 room! This is a big celebration trip for us, several things happening and I am having to figure out what to cut out now. It is soooo much more than what I paid 2 years ago for the same time of year and number of days. This will be our last trip for a while now. With discounts not being what they were, and my first dd off to college in the Fall, financial times are changing at our house! My younger dd says since it's our last trip before college begins we should go for it all-she opted out of a sweet 16 party and told us to put any money we would have spent towards Disney(so sweet). I kind of agree, but the other side of my brain is shouting "college costs, college costs"!!

 

[Doug S]

What are the benefits of booking with Orbitz over Disney,? What are the disadvantages?

I book with CheapTickets, but they run on the same inventory as Orbitz as they're both owned by Expedia. If you play your cards right, they will get Disney's discounted rate and let you use their coupon (15% on Orbitz and 16% on CheapTickets) on top of the discounted rate. Depending on how good the discounts are, you can possibly get 45% off. There's a little bit of extra work, as you have to call or email CT/Orbitz support to get the Disney confirmation number. Once you have that number you can plug it into My Disney Experience and it works like any other WDW hotel stay. You can customize your bands, book FP+ 60 days (you have to buy tickets separately) and schedule Magical Express. It's important to note that the Orbitz/CT coupons only work on room only bookings, not packages (hotel+air, hotel+air+car).

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

I book with CheapTickets, but they run on the same inventory as Orbitz as they're both owned by Expedia. You can customize your bands, book FP+ 60 days (you have to buy tickets separately) and schedule Magical Express. It's important to note that the Orbitz/CT coupons only work on room only bookings, not packages (hotel+air, hotel+air+car).

Great info thank you. Can you still add dining plan?

 

[elaine amj]

I book with CheapTickets, but they run on the same inventory as Orbitz as they're both owned by Expedia. If you play your cards right, they will get Disney's discounted rate and let you use their coupon (15% on Orbitz and 16% on CheapTickets) on top of the discounted rate. Depending on how good the discounts are, you can possibly get 45% off. There's a little bit of extra work, as you have to call or email CT/Orbitz support to get the Disney confirmation number. Once you have that number you can plug it into My Disney Experience and it works like any other WDW hotel stay. You can customize your bands, book FP+ 60 days (you have to buy tickets separately) and schedule Magical Express. It's important to note that the Orbitz/CT coupons only work on room only bookings, not packages (hotel+air, hotel+air+car).

When I checked Cheaptickets yesterday for All Star Movies, it didn't look like they were offering Disney's summertime discount. So I couldn't stack Cheapticket's 16% off with the summer discount. I ended up booking with Disney. Still open to booking there if I can get it cheaper though.

 

[Doug S]

Great info thank you. Can you still add dining plan?

No, you must buy a package through Disney or a TA to get the dining plan.

 

[Doug S]

When I checked Cheaptickets yesterday for All Star Movies, it didn't look like they were offering Disney's summertime discount. So I couldn't stack Cheapticket's 16% off with the summer discount. I ended up booking with Disney. Still open to booking there if I can get it cheaper though.

It may take a few days, or even weeks, for them to get the discounted rates. They could not even get them at all. It's a good strategy to get the discounted rate with Disney then cancel and rebook with Orbitz/CT if they do get the discounted rates.

 

[calablovedisney]

When I checked Cheaptickets yesterday for All Star Movies, it didn't look like they were offering Disney's summertime discount. So I couldn't stack Cheapticket's 16% off with the summer discount. I ended up booking with Disney. Still open to booking there if I can get it cheaper though.

Yes, this is what I did as well. Sometimes I find that Cheaptickets has a smaller "maximum $$" off than Orbitz. So, for example, for my original booking I got $200 off with Orbitz 15%, but when checking Cheaptickets, I would only get $150 off. Cheaptickets recently offered 20% and it would still only max me out at $150. Of course, like you, I rebooked that portion of our trip with Disney directly since the discount hasn't appeared on Orbitz or Cheaptickets and the Disney total was a better deal. If my trip was for less nights, though, Cheaptickets might get me a better deal with a better code. You have to compare. I will also continue to stalk those sites!
But, for my AKL portion of my stay, I booked with Orbitz. If a better coupon comes out, I might rebook that as well. It really is like a game, but not always a fun one!

 

[markb681]

Well I booked a POR standard view room for early May 2015...for $168 per night tax included....the same trip at the same time this year for the same room at POR is $192 per night tax included.....so that's a $24 increase! So yes the prices have went up...and I booked both years thru the un-named TA which is STILL the best prices I've found

 

[emmabelle]

Orbitz got some more Disney inventory for my dates. They now have some values and mods. Wish I could get mine vacay to lower but I'm still cheaper going through the TA for a mod.

 

[elaine amj]

It may take a few days, or even weeks, for them to get the discounted rates. They could not even get them at all. It's a good strategy to get the discounted rate with Disney then cancel and rebook with Orbitz/CT if they do get the discounted rates.

Good to know - thanks so much! I've only used Orbitz a few times so not very familiar with how they handle their discounts and their Disney inventory.

 

[shoreward]

Yes, this is what I did as well. Sometimes I find that Cheaptickets has a smaller "maximum $$" off than Orbitz. So, for example, for my original booking I got $200 off with Orbitz 15%, but when checking Cheaptickets, I would only get $150 off. Cheaptickets recently offered 20% and it would still only max me out at $150. Of course, like you, I rebooked that portion of our trip with Disney directly since the discount hasn't appeared on Orbitz or Cheaptickets and the Disney total was a better deal. If my trip was for less nights, though, Cheaptickets might get me a better deal with a better code. You have to compare. I will also continue to stalk those sites!
But, for my AKL portion of my stay, I booked with Orbitz. If a better coupon comes out, I might rebook that as well. It really is like a game, but not always a fun one!

Doesn't Orbitz charge a $25 fee for each change or cancellation at Disney resorts?

 

[Doug S]

Doesn't Orbitz charge a $25 fee for each change or cancellation at Disney resorts?

Some bookings have a cancellation charge, some don't. It's very wonky.

 

[elaine amj]

Some bookings have a cancellation charge, some don't. It's very wonky.

I don't believe Orbitz itself charges (not an expert though!). My understanding is that some hotels charge and then Orbitz passes on the fees. I know I used them for my Hard Rock Hotel booking a couple of years ago and I'm almost certain I didn't have a cancellation fee as I was still looking at other options for a while after booking.

 

[shoreward]

I don't believe Orbitz itself charges (not an expert though!). My understanding is that some hotels charge and then Orbitz passes on the fees. I know I used them for my Hard Rock Hotel booking a couple of years ago and I'm almost certain I didn't have a cancellation fee as I was still looking at other options for a while after booking.

The $25 fee is specific to Disney resorts and did not seem to be charged uniformly, till Orbitz was purchased and their new website came out. Before then, I could escape the risk of the cancellation/change fee by booking on their app.

This is what appears on Orbitz's payment page for a Disney resort today:

Cancellations or changes made before 1:00PM (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on Apr 25, 2017 or no-shows are subject to a $25.00 property fee. Cancellations or changes made after 1:00PM (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on ...(five days before check-in) or no-shows are subject to a property fee equal to the first nights rate plus taxes and fees.

They call the charge a "property fee." Disney does not charge a change/cancellation fee on a room, only, reservation, as long as you give a minimum five day notice.

 

[bryanb]

The $25 fee is specific to Disney resorts and did not seem to be charged uniformly, till Orbitz was purchased and their new website came out. Before then, I could escape the risk of the cancellation/change fee by booking on their app.

This is what appears on Orbitz's payment page for a Disney resort today:

(quote)

They call the charge a "property fee." Disney does not charge a change/cancellation fee on a room, only, reservation, as long as you give a minimum five day notice.

Interesting... I'm getting a different message for a room at the Pop Century. There's no mention of the $25 fee. Here's what it says under the Rules & Restrictions:

• We understand that sometimes plans fall through. We do not charge a cancel or change fee. When the property charges such fees in accordance with its own policies, the cost will be passed on to you. Disney's Pop Century Resort charges the following cancellation and change fees.
• Cancellations or changes made after 4:00PM (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on Jun 1, 2017 or no-shows are subject to a property fee equal to the first nights rate plus taxes and fees.

One important difference between booking on Orbitz and booking with Disney, however, is that Orbitz collected the cost for my entire stay in full when I reserved the room. Disney takes a partial deposit at the time of booking... at least in my experience.