Priceline Hotel: Resort Orlando (WDW) Gaylord Palms

[torontofan]

Have been bidding for 7 days on Resort class hotel in Walt Disney World area for 12/26-28/06. Up to $91 but no success. Any suggestions? Is it too early? I do see some successful bids in this range. Thanks for the help!

[homeschoolmom]

I don't usually PL rooms at WDW because I prefer on-site. However, I'll throw in my 2 cents... just remember, my advice is worth what I charge for it-- absolutely nothing!

Did you check the Hilton, Gaylord, etc. websites for availability and prices for your dates? First of all, if they're not available from the hotel website, they're almost assuredly not going to be available on PL; so that'll give you an idea of your chance of success as well as how much $$ it might take. I would expect a winning bid to be no more than 50% of the lowest website rate. For example, if the Hilton has a nonrefundable web-only rate of $199, I'd figure the best I'll do on PL will be right around $100.

I do think it may be too early for PL to have inventory; however, with your popular peak dates, I wouldn't feel comfortable waiting around for that inventory to appear. You need to get a cancellable backup, pronto (if you haven't already).

I also recommend checking out www.mousesavers.com for room discount codes for on-site resorts or specials at Downtown Disney hotels. Remember to use the links from betterbidding.com if you can. Expedia.com sometimes runs good sales on Disney properties, too, so that'd be worth a look (but you have to add a $5 service fee there, I think).

Make sure you check all the other Disney-related topics on the Priceline Florida section; you might find some more useful information there.

This should be enough to get you started. Good luck!

[torontofan]

Thanks for the advice. I did keep trying and finally got the Gaylord for $114 for 2 nights. I'm happy with that since their posted rates for Christmas week are way up there ($300+). I may have been a bit early but I didn't want to wait too long. Happy bidding...

[torontofan]

I should have mentioned that I did my bidding starting at Savingbarn.com. I was successful for 12/26-12/28/06 for WDW Resort (Gaylord Palms) at $114. I had tried for 9 days with multiple areas added, was offered a rebid for add'l $22 and just did it to be done. Still saved a raft load!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Glad to hear you were ultimately successful, happy with the results, and saved some cash!

While on vacation this past week i commented to my wife that when our daughter is old enough to go to Disney this is the hotel i'd like to target... it looks great, especially for kids.

Thanks for using the SavingsBarn.com links to begin your bidding.

Have a great trip.

[Yoda]

Hi torontofan,

Seems like we are going to be there same time. :)

Have a nice trip.