jewelergirl

We are taking a vacation to Disney World next April with friends who have dogs(Chihuahas) and will be bringing them. They'll be day-boarding them as Disney World so no worries there, but we need pet friendly accommodations and I'd like to have as nice accommodations as possible at the lowest rate (as usual). We usually just go with priceline and have stayed in some really nice places very cheaply, but I don't see a way to do that this time. There are 4 adults and one child. We can do individual rooms or a suite or condo of some kind. Any suggestions?

We just got The Courtyard Marriott at 4422 Y St. (3 star hotel) in downtown Sacramento for $42.00 first bid for one night--Sunday night 10/24/10. Our parameters were 3 star hotel, downtown area only. Good luck!

Yeah- I see your point there- if you've got a parking pass it kills the shuttle value. Lately I have seen the Crowne PLaza and Hyatt accepting $40 bids. It really is a gamble. Looks like you might be stuck betweena rock and a hard place on this one- wish I had some better ideas for you- best of luck to you- we'll be there on the 29th too- should be beautiful weather :) Patti

Hi again jperiod, Another thought- if you want control of the rate as well as the resort/parking fees, you might try HOTWIRE. They have three 3* hotels at $61 and under. It is a little higher, but you'd know exactly what you are in for ahead of time. To find out which hotels are which on hotwire, you can go the the Orange County HOTWIRE forum, list the rate, hotel location, and amenities- there are people on that forum who know that area like the back of their hands :). If you find out which hotel is which, you can research what extra fees are involved before you buy. It might even make is more comfortable to go for a 2.5 star so you can stay in that under $50 total range, if you know the hotel ahead of time. Quite a few of them are completely fine to stay at- just check out the reviews. Again- happy trip to you!

Hi jperiod, I just booked an Anaheim hotel the other day using priceline. My husband and I researched all of the 3 and 3.5 *'s and found that a lot of the 3's were as or more expensive on their regular rate than the 3.5's. When you bid a 3* level, you run the risk of getitng a 3.5*. If you really are firm about trying to avoid that, you might try a 2.5 and keep it under $39. You have a much slimmer chance of getting accepted by a 3.5* at that rate, but again, it's possible. Some of the 3.5's really don't have too many fee ad ons. The Crowne Plaza does have a $12 parking fee, but the shuttle is free. If you opt for the free shuttle rather than taking your car, you save the $11 daily parking fee at DL, so it evens it out if you have a few people. The 3.5's that have a much higher cost are the Marriotts', Doubletree and Sheraton, but their rack rates are well over $100 (100 - 129). You have a very minute chance of being accepted there at $39 or $40 a night. The Crowne Plaza and the Hyatt both have a rack rate of under $90 and are the most likely to accept a low-ball bid. The Hyatt will cost an extra $15.10 a day, with free shuttle, and again, the Crown Plaza is $12 a day with free shuttle. Hope that helps you budget. Have an awesome trip!

We will have a fabulous time! Thank you so much for all of your help, thereuare!

Just noticed the typo in the title - should have been 3.5* hotel- guess you can't edit those :) I compiled info on the 3.5* hotels in Priceline's Disneyland area- hope it helps some people in determining their budget bid amounts. Most of the 3.5* hotels have resort/parking fees that are not figured into priceline' s total. DISNEYLAND SHUTTLE: Some 3.5* hotels have free shuttle service to Disneyland while some use the Anaheim city Disneyland shuttle which has a charge. ** Some of the hotels are unaware that the city shuttle just raised their prices so if you ask how much the shuttle is about half the operators give wrong info. As I understand it, the city disneyland shuttle has a flat fee that includes a one day/all day pass - $4 adult, $1 kids under 9 This is listed 5/18/2009 and any of these things are subject to change, but it will give you a general idea. Hyatt Regency -priceline rate $94...per night resort fee $0.10...per night Parking $15...FREE DL shutte...$13% tx Marriott Anaheim -priceline rate $109...per night resort fee $1.46...per night Parking $20...FREE DL shutte...$15% tx Doubletree Guest Stes. -priceline rate $94...per night resort fee $6.90...per night Parking $11...City DL shutte...$15% tx (O.C. an d Convention Ctr Doubletrees have the same info) Crowne Plaza -priceline rate $89...per night resort fee $12...per night Parking included...FREE DL shutte...$13% tx Marriott Suites -priceline rate $94...per night resort fee $0...per night Parking $0...City DL shutte ...$15% tx Sheraton Park -priceline rate $129 ...per night resort fee $0...per night Parking $14...Private DL shuttle $3a/$1c ...$16% tx Anahaiem Hilton -priceline rate $119 ... per night resort fee $0 ... per night Parking $15... NO DL SHUTTLE... $15% tx Hyatt Regency -priceline rate $94 ... per night resort fee $0.10 ... per night Parking $15... FREE DL shutte... $13% tx Happy Bidding- have a great trip to see Mickey!

We won the Crowne Plaza Resort Anaheim for Disneyland trip next week at $41 YAY! Check in Tue 5/26, check out Sat 5/30 Bid History: 3.5* $37- Disneyland area only 3.5* $39- Disneyland + Anaheim Hills 3.5* $41- Disneyland + Anaheim Hills + Laguna Won @ $41 4 nights- subtotal $164 tax/srvc fees $29.76 Priceline total $193.76 Not included per-night reosrt fee (includes parking) $12 x 4 = $48 FREE hotel shuttle to/from Disneyland $0 Real Total: $241.46 Thanks so much for the help and bid strategy- worked beautifully! Cheers and mickey ears to all!

Thank you for fixing my post up- I was not sure If I added onto this one if anyone would see the new post. I will stick with this one :o I can go to about $45 on a bid knowing that I could have to pay up to $32 a day extra for hotel parking ($20 at the Marriott) and anaheim city shuttle to DL ($4 per person per day). Really, any of the 3 stars would be good too. Its easy to over analyze it all now and want the best for the cheapest, but once we get there, we'll be happy as clams with whatever we have just to be at DL :) . Yes- we will be doing Anaheim Disneyland area only- we'll rent an electric wheelchair from an offsite company and have it delivered to the hotel (hubby has a foot injury :) ) - I thought the easiest thing would be to use hotel to DL shuttle service.

We are sure of our travel plans now :) - We will be checking-in in Anaheim Tues 5/26 and checking our Saturday 5/30, so a 4 night stay. I am seeing that Crowne Plaza has accepted some $40 bids. Really, any 3 to 3.5 star would be fine with us-even some of the lower ones are fine, but it'd be nice to have a shot at the Hyatt Regency or other nicer properties. I am planning to begin at the 3.5 star level. Should I start at $40, should I lowball and start at $35 (got $35 through priceline at the Hyatt 2 years ago) or should I start a little higher than $40 so I have a shot at the better hotels? I am thinking that because 3/4 our stay is weeknights, they might accept lower rates that usual. Any avice is helpful- Thank you!

We have 1 child so have a similar situation. So far every time we have bid on priceline for a hotel room ( 3 times- once at Anaheim) we have gotten a room with one bed. One place offered to upgrade us for a fee. We solved the issue by tossing in a twin air mattress just in case each time we go. If you have two kids you may want to think camping mats. Best of luck!

Haven't bid yet. I think I will be going for 3 or 3.5 in anaheim, so there is the possibility of the $12 fee at the Crowne Plaza. So, as I understand it, (becuase I havent done PRICELINE for a while) after I offer my bid, if accepted, I will be told what the amenities of the hotel who accepted my bide are and have the chance to check to see which hotel they might match before committing? Thank you!

I am new ot Betterbidding- have used priceline a couple of times, but had no idea about the intricacies. We are planing a trip to Disneyland, Anaheim. We will need hotel 5/26, 5/27 and 5/28. (Tue, Wed and Thur after Memorial Day weekend). I would like to stay at the nicest place possible, but we are on a real tight budget. We could do a top rate of $40, maybe $45 a night before hotel tax if there is no resort fee. Can anyone tell me what star level and rate might be a good place to start? I have been seeing some $40 a nights accepted at 3 and 3.5 star places, but am just not sure if that is possible for this time period. As well, we won't be bidding until the 23d or 24th ( plans are dependant upon other factors). Also- do you know how to calculate the hotel tax for this area ahead of time? Thanks so much for all of your help!

Hello I do not understand how the resort fee works into the bidding process with PRICELINE. If I bid, for example, $50 a night, can priceline accept the bid and then tell me later that the resort has a $12 fee per night or will it tell me there is a resort fee and let me make the choice of whether or not I can afford the extra fee before I accept? I just want to make sure we don't go over what we have budgeted. Thank you!