When to book hotels?

[Jaina]

Say we were going to try to visit some time in the next year and a half, during a non-busy time. Is there a "sweet spot" for getting the best hotel deals? We will probably need a suite-like setting since we will have 3-4 kids with us. I was looking at the Portofino and it's bunk bed set up. But it will be a super-budget trip, and I am not very smart about when to book. 6 months before? 2 months before? Help a girl out. (links, tutorials, etc...) We will want one of those within a couple blocks, and best bang for our buck (hoping to keep it under $150/room). We stayed at the Plaza Inn & Suites last time and were completely happy with it, especially with how spacious it was. But I don't think they'll be as excited about 5-6 of us in one room when at least 3 kids will be over 3...

 

[Aladora]

Generally, the earlier you book the better, I usually book 6+ months in advance. Have you looked at the Desert Inn & Suites? They have suites that sleep up to 10.

 

[Jaina]

I have stayed there before with my family. I'm finding several places on that same strip (across from the main gates) that will allow up to 6 guests for for seemingly less. Desert Inn & Suites would def be an option if we do the sofa bed option ($142/night), Portofino has bunk bed suites for $119, Del Sol Inn has a bunk bed suite for $132/night, Camelot Inn & Suites will allow 5 in the room for $119, and the Anaheim Plaza might be an option again for $119/night. We really liked how spacious their rooms were in the back building...

 

[Imdboss]

Once we figure out dates of a trip I get it booked, the sooner the better. I check prices pretty much daily to see if there are any price drops (part of the trip planning fun for me). I always book a hotel room that isn't paid up front and can be changed for this reason.

 

[Jaina]

Once we figure out dates of a trip I get it booked, the sooner the better. I check prices pretty much daily to see if there are any price drops (part of the trip planning fun for me). I always book a hotel room that isn't paid up front and can be changed for this reason.

Angela, how do you check for price drops? Directly on the hotel's site, or do you use a third party thing?

 

[Imdboss]

Angela, how do you check for price drops? Directly on the hotel's site, or do you use a third party thing?

I go to the hotel's site directly. DH is a Hilton member so we stay at their properties and their site is always the lowest. I also do this for Alaska Air, if there is a price drop after you purchase a ticket then you can get the difference back to your account to use on future tickets.

 

[Jaina]

So if I had already booked, and the price went down, I could call the hotel directly and ask for the new price maybe?

 

[Imdboss]

So if I had already booked, and the price went down, I could call the hotel directly and ask for the new price maybe?

You could do that or just make a new reservation online then cancel the other one.

 

[Butterfly123]

I once had the Best Western Park Place Inn email me and tell me their price had dropped since I booked, and told me what my new lower total would be! I was rather amazed...and happy! I think that must be an unusual thing to have happen.

 

[Angrose]

I would also check Orbitz and Cheaptickets. They often have 15-20% promo codes on certain hotels. I usually see Camelot and Tropicana as the ones where you can use the codes. The only thing there is that you have to pay the whole thing upfront. Camelot has that nice family suite with the 2 beds in one room and the adjoining room with one king and a sofa. I have never stayed there but have definitely considered it. You should also subscribe to the individual hotel mailing lists. I think Portofino has one and they send me a promo code when I signed up. I agree though, the earlier, the better for the best deal. Good luck!

 

[GenGen22]

I would check getawaytoday.com they have 3rd & 4th night free deals. Also if you have AAA most hotels give a discount. I would book about 6 months in advance as the closer to the date of travel rates seem to be higher.

 

[Jaina]

Thanks for that tip! I will definitely check there when we start looking!!

 

[kris14]

yep the earlier the better, i booked our trip 9 months out, and got the desert inn and suites for 98 a night. this was for the parlor suite. i booked directly with the hotel, and checked frequently for price drops, but they never did, only went up the closer to our trip it got.

 

[GenGen22]

Also, I would look for hotels that offer a free breakfast as that could be a huge savings for a whole family each day. I know it sure helps with our family of five.

 

[Minniekins]

So how early can you actually book? I was looking a bit a few days ago and I couldn't see dates to check prices past dec 2015. We are looking at a trip next May of 2016.

 

[offwithyourhead]

Book ASAP, you can always cancel or change a reservation if something better comes along. We were going to book a solid year in advance (that was as early as the website would allow) but waited until 11 months before and the prices already were going up. Do NOT wait.

If you're looking for super-budget, we stayed at the Stanford, which is further away but has an ART stop very close and isn't too far from the Toy Story lot if you wanted to use that instead. There are bunk bed suites with 1 or 2 bathrooms and 2 queens. We booked well in advance and got a rate of something like $80/night for a 2-bathroom suite. We also had a fridge and microwave. If it's 2 adults and 4 kids, you could still fit in one suite if 2 kids shared a queen. We stayed at the Portofino's kid suite in 2006 and the size of the room was about the same but we only had one bathroom.

Stanford also offers free breakfast, which includes freshly made waffles (DIY pour into the waffle machine, they were GREAT), sausage, egg patties, cereal, oatmeal, bread, condiments (make PB&Js!), OJ, milk, coffee, yogurt.... Just not having to buy breakfast for the group can save you $5-10 pp every single day.

 

[Jaina]

If you're looking for super-budget, we stayed at the Stanford, which is further away but has an ART stop very close and isn't too far from the Toy Story lot if you wanted to use that instead. There are bunk bed suites with 1 or 2 bathrooms and 2 queens. We booked well in advance and got a rate of something like $80/night for a 2-bathroom suite. We also had a fridge and microwave. If it's 2 adults and 4 kids, you could still fit in one suite if 2 kids shared a queen. We stayed at the Portofino's kid suite in 2006 and the size of the room was about the same but we only had one bathroom.

Stanford also offers free breakfast, which includes freshly made waffles (DIY pour into the waffle machine, they were GREAT), sausage, egg patties, cereal, oatmeal, bread, condiments (make PB&Js!), OJ, milk, coffee, yogurt.... Just not having to buy breakfast for the group can save you $5-10 pp every single day.

How do they feel about you taking the Toy Story buses when you're not actually parked there?

 

[GenGen22]

How do they feel about you taking the Toy Story buses when you're not actually parked there?

everybody does this. I have read it many times on here.

 

[Jaina]

Another question about this. We have a double jogger. It folds, but it's not small. Any issue bringing it on the bus? I took the TS bus for the first time on my last trip, but I just had a big umbrella stroller...

 

[offwithyourhead]

People do it all the time. They have buses running constantly, it's not like there's a crunch for room or anything. I've seen people with pretty big strollers get on and off the ART and Toy Story buses. As long as you fold it there shouldn't be an issue, you can usually just stand in the wheelchair-designated area if nobody handicapped actually needs it and get on and off through the wheelchair exit at the back of the bus if it's not something you can get through the front door. They deal with this all day every day, they've got you covered don't worry.