Priceline Hotel: orlando - april 1-3

[micheles]

after looking at hotwire i thought i'd take a chance on priceline to see if i could get a deal - i couldn't

bidding went as - Seaworld/International Drive - resort $82 - rejected

next bid - add kissamee -$85 - rejected

add winter park - $89 - rejected

add west disney - $93 - rejected

add winter garden - $98 - rejected

add sandlake - $102 - rejected

and orlando - east $107 - rejected

and orlando airport - $112 - rejected

and downtown - $120 - rejected

this seemed a reasonably safe strategy as there are only two resorts that have been identified in seaworld area

tried 4* at seaworld - $85

+ kissamee - $89

+ maitland - $92

+ airport - $95

+ winter garden - $98

+ orlando east - $101

+ sandlake - $105

+ west disney - $109

+ winter park - $111

all above were rejected

I also tried WDW area following similar strategy and was rejected on every bid

I will try again in a few days but will probably then consider paying hotwire - a bird in the hand.....

i have used hotwire less frequently than priceline - it is the 'excitement' of bagging a bargain ( great when it works)

:)

[thereuare]

What is it on Hotwire that you're considering taking?

[micheles]

hello

originally we were planning a weeks stay so a resort or 4* was important - my plans are changing and I was looking at the omni $136 which adds up to $301 for two nights (tax included)

we had also wondered about the 3* (international drive) that is coming up at $52

we only need two nights (at the moment) but would like a nice pool area and comfortable rooms - is it worth going down to a 3* in this area? i'm quite unsure although it would mean i could afford more for the hotels in key largo/key west (should i ever firm up those plans)

the keys is another story - watch this space....

thanks for your help and advice

[thereuare]

Have you identified the 3* that you are seeing on Hotwire?

[LoneStar]

It sure seems strange that somebody could get a resort for Easter week while someone else gets shut out for the quieter, early April period. I also noticed plenty of resort wins during X-mas break, another hugely busy week in Orlando.

This seems to confirm my theory that peak vacation times are not necessarily bad times to bid for resorts in Orlando, as the lack of conventions during those times makes room availability better.

Has anyone who has been following this longer seen such a pattern?

[micheles]

well my 72 hours is up so i tried again

following pretty much the same bidding pattern as last time (seaworld + everywhere else except disney area) - resort hotel

same results - nothing - this time bidding up to $125

i also bid up to $97 in seaworld area for 4* + adding a couple of free bids - nothing again

will wait a while and see what happens next time