clgoody

Thank you, AaronJB. I realize I may have to bid more than once. I was just wondering about the OP's experience. I've looked all over Priceline but anything I've ready hasn't completely answered my questions. I was hoping someone here might have personal experience.

I'm thinking of bidding for a similar trip... Pick up-MCO on 2/10/10, Drop off-TPA 2/17/10 Did you have to bid multiple times before an acceptance? I'm hesitant, mainly because I only have a debit card. Anyone know if this will be a problem?

Thanks!

Yes. Patience and perseverance paid off. I am very glad to have it settled! Now for another question... does anyone know if this resort charges a "resort fee?" I see that they charge for parking, but we won't have a car so that's not an issue.

Success...FINALLY! I started my bid at $80 and used free rebids in $5 increments. I won the Renaissance for $95! Total for 4 nights, $441.86--I am very pleased! I did use the BetterBidding PRICELINE link. Thanks for all your help. I guess I just needed a little patience!

Bid again, up to $135, but for resort. Nothing...

Well, I bid again, up to $125! Still nothing. I am giving up on this area, going to bite the bullet and bid on resort in DW area.

"Deal" is relative, isn't it? :) I bid again, up to $112 for 4 star with no luck. That would have been $519.97 total. I will wait and try again. Getting the residence for $523.84 is looking like the sure thing at this point. It's burning me that a 4* is so much more expensive/hard to get than a resort in the Disney area!

Bid again today, using PRICELINE link here. Bid up to $99 with no luck.

Just checked out Champions Gate. Beautiful, but 14 miles from Sea World.

Thanks for the replies. As to the amount I've been bidding, it is partly based on what I see others reporting for a win in the area/star level. I see people getting the Renaissance and the Peabody for anywhere between $70-90. Maybe because of the time of my travel, those rates are unrealistic. For me, the idea of using Priceline is to save $$. If I'm going to pay higher prices, I'd rather know, ahead of time, what I'm getting. At least bidding 4* in the Sea World area, I (pretty much) know that it's between two different places. I'm scared of Hotwire...not knowing ANYTHING until after you pay...too much for me. I know there are ways to decipher, based on amenities listed, but it's just too risky. As to bidding in Walt Disney area, I'm just not interested. Part of the reason we are considering leaving the HRH early is to be closer to Sea World. Plus, there are a few resorts in the WDW area that scare me, lol. I did bid on that area a few years ago and got very lucky with the Marriott World Center. It was lovely and we were very pleased, but we were visiting DW, so it made sense...and we had a car. I am going to keep trying, as I have plenty of time and I still have my ressie at HRH, so we will not be without accommodations. At this point, I am willing to bid up to $100.

Well, I have never stayed at the Residence, but can get 4 nights in a 1 br suite for $523.84, all fees included. It seems nice enough and is relatively close. If I can get a 4* for less than that, I would be happy. It would save me just over $1000 as I would be paying $1634.40 for those 4 nights at HRH in a club room. I wonder if I am having difficulty because it's still over 4 months away or because it's during Pres. week, or a combo? I can get the Renaissance for $229 and the Peabody for $395, both through AAA.

Bid again, call me crazy. Bid up to $94 and no success. Should I wait a while before bidding again?

Well I tried again, using the PRICELINE link. I bid up to $83 this time and all were rejected.

Well, I bid all the way up to $80 with my free rebids and all were rejected... Thanks for the help. I guess I'll wait and try again.

You are awesome! And much kinder than at another site that I checked out! I'll be sure and let you know how it turns out!

I think, based on what I've seen posted, that I wouldn't want to go higher than $80. Any higher than that and I'd probably go with the Marriott Residence Inn as I can get that for $523.84 total for 1 br suite (4 nights), which seems pretty good. Thanks for all the help!! :)

Thank you for the info. That helps a lot! I am very tempted to try for the resort as JW sounds wonderful and our son would LOVE the pool/river, but the fact that there's no transportation sucks. I could stay at HRH and take a car, or even their shuttle. The main reason for moving from the HRH is to be more convenient to the SW parks. Sounds like JW isn't as convenient as I thought. It's looking like it's 4* for me. Any advice on bidding is appreciated. Looking for Feb 14-18, Universal/SW area only

Thanks for the tips. You know, I think I'll call both 4* and the JW Marriott to get the full scoop. Then I'll be ready to ask for bidding assistance. Thanks again!

Thanks for the info. It sounds like bidding resort in the Uni/SW area is a waste of time, huh? Does anyone know if the 2 available 4* offer a shuttle? And does it run several times/day? It's hard to decide what to do when you don't know all you want/need to know. I've visited both websites for the 4* hotels but it's hard to find info about shuttles.

Hello! I want to bid in the Sea World/Universal area. I would really prefer 'Resort,' but it seems that anyone rarely has success with this. I see no reviews of JW Marriott Grande Lakes. Does anyone ever win this? Does anyone know how far it is from Sea World? Do they provide a shuttle service? We currently have ressies for 8 nights at the Hard Rock, but am looking to split the stay as the last few days we will be doing DC, SW & Aquatica and it just seems to make more sense to be closer. Plus, it will save a lot of dough! I would also be willing to bid 4* as both hotels seem nice. I understand that the Renaissance is across the street from SW. Do they also offer a shuttle (not sure how far to DC and Aquatica)? And the Peabody...how far is that? Do they offer a shuttle? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I plan on bidding soon, but had a few questions beforehand... Thanks so much!

Thank you for responding! I actually did read that thread and several others. I thought maybe there was a specific formula I had to follow when requesting help. Thanks!

Hi there- Is there a thread somewhere that explains the "better bidding" process? I've searched all over but can't find anything. Thanks for any help!