Originally Posted By skywilliams I know it is a ways off but I finally decided to shell out the extra money and try the Disneyland hotel in February since I have never been there. Although, I know I will be paying a lot more than I would from a good neighbor hotel, in which I usually stay at, I still want to get the best deal I can. I have the Disney Visa and I am also a deluxe annual pass holder. Which ways have you found to get the better deals? I looked at a travel website and they say they have $210 a night and the fourth night is free (I want to stay 4 nights). So around $630 for my stay. Can I get better than that?
Originally Posted By LuLu Yes, as long as you're not staying on a holiday weekend, there's a chance you may get a great AP rate. But those have been released only a month or two ahead. Otherwise the standard AP discount is only 10% off rack. The big AP discounts (I don't know what their terminology is!) can be as low as $89/weeknight. Can you reserve the $630 rate and change or cancel it later if you find better?
Originally Posted By tooele13 We made reservation in Late Nov-early Dec 2005 for 5 nights at DLH the third week in Jan 2006 for $99 a weekday and $109 a week night. At the last minute, we canceled our trip. Those are the best rate I've seen so far. We ended up moving our trip to late March and early April. With the stay 4 nights get a 150 gift card we ended up paying $786 for 4 nights at the DLH inclusive of taxes and resort fees. So that came out to $196.50 a night.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess ^Yes, we got an $89/weeknight or $109/weekend rate in late Jan/early Feb of 2006 with our AP discount.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy Finding a good deal at the DLH is one of my very favorite things! LOL! I have gotten some really great AP rates in the past. I just keep calling - you never know when they release them. Sometimes it is just a week before, sometimes it is several months. Usually someone posts to this group, so keep checking here too. Once in a while Disney Visa will run a promotion for special room rates. I got a rate of $139 at the DLH last year when there were no AP rates available. So ask for Disney Visa rates when you call. (if you have a Disney Visa) One year I was able to book Easter week using the L.A. Times advertised rate. It was around $119. I got that rate from a sharp CM at Central Reservations. I was asking for special rates, and she was able (and willing) to dig around for specials, and found this rate. It has been my experience that most of the time the CM will not look for you, and you have to ask. So when you call, ask if there are ANY advertised newspaper specials, or internet special rates. Expedia sometimes have very good last minute deals on rooms. If they have unsold rooms, I have seen DLH for as low as $129. Good luck on your search, hope you have a great trip!
Originally Posted By skywilliams That is awesome to hear. I may want to see if I can reserve the $210 a night if they will allow me to cancel it. Otherwise, I think I just may want to wait until late November or early December to book the hotel through the resort. Thanks so much for the advice! You have made me very excited for the possibilities of a reasonably priced room.
Originally Posted By skywilliams Thanks MickeyMommy for your words of wisdom. I remember hearing someone say the same thing you said and you just reminded me of having to ask specifically for special rates instead of just merely asking room rates. I will be sure to use this bit of info. Also, thanks for the heads up on the Disney Visa, I will check throguh that also!
Originally Posted By ploeb909 Hi there MickeyMommy!! Dont you hate haveing to DRAG the info out of people?! I do love those cheap rates though!LOL!!
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy LOL ploeb909! The CM's at Central Reservations probably know my voice by now! I hope I don't bug them too much! I think I have talked to them all. But frequent checking can sure save you alot of $$$$! And there is no way I can talk MickeyDaddy into going to the Disney Hotels without a good deal, so I am motivated!!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins Two years ago I reserved a night at the GCH for my son's birthday in March. Then when the AP rates came out I called them and I didn't have to cancel. They just changed the price to the lower rate for me. They told me when I made the reservation that I would be able to do that. The only thing I worry about is that if by making reservations before they post AP rates, you give them a false sense of capacity and then they won't come out with great AP rates.
Originally Posted By ploeb909 Good point on post #10!! Its very upsetting to pay really high rates. I just went for 3 days and lucky for me that my FIL paid for my room. We had a family reunion and its was fun to sneak a trip in!
Originally Posted By mickeynewe I called to make ressies just yesterday and didn't because of the high rates we were quoted. We are going down for a few days in October for my daughter's 13th birthday. In the past I have had very good luck with getting AP rates. Although, this time we will be going Thursday-Sunday, which is something very unusual for us. Anyone know if we have a chance of getting AP rates in October for those nights of the week?
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy mickeynewe: Expdia and the other travel sites have the buy 3 nights get one free promotion going on in October. Makes it a good reason to stay 4 nights at least. I booked that special with Expedia, but I will cancel and pay the $25 cancelation fee if I find AP rates that are better. But at least I know I am getting a decent price, if not an awesome one.
Originally Posted By LuLu mickeynewe, all I can tell you is the AP rates I was quoted for September weekends: the usual 10% off rack except for DLH, $189 std, $205 preferred, which is only about 20% off rack. So not that great. But you can keep trying!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins The AP special offers section on the Disneyland site shows AP rates for Sunday through Thursdays in September as $169 per night. That's still not good enough for me. I've never seen them release AP rates and then reduce AP rates before. Has anyone? I'm still hoping for a bigger reduction.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe I've gotten rates as low as $89 at the DLH. Mickeymommy: I've used Expedia several times in the past and have done the same thing where I have cancelled and paid the fee because I have gotten a better rate. LOL..have to love that safety net! Unfortunately, we can ONLY do 3 nights this time..UNLESS, there is a slight chance my daughter's school MIGHT have a four day weekend because of teacher in-service days...and then we've got it made! Thanks for the info..I'll check Expedia's prices again!
Originally Posted By drawbridge Man, you guys are making me miss the DLH bad! Do you all think we will be seeing some good AP rates this winter when the 50th dies down. Gosh, I hope so! The lowest we've gotten there is the $129, boy does the $89 rate sound great, sure beats any deal in town for the Happiest Hotel on Earth.
Originally Posted By raer They offered the DLH $79 ap rate January 2006, so hopefully some good rates will start popping up again!
Originally Posted By love DL Micke Mommy you give me hope that maybe I can convince my hubby to stay at the DL Hotel. We went to DL last year for the first time and stayed at HOJO. The kids and I really want to stay at the DL next year in May. We are waiting for our Disney Visa now. When is a good time to start checking prices. And is it cheaper to book through the hotel or a agent or travel package of some sort. Thanks again for hope I am not giving up on my quest to stay at DL.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy Oh, I KNOW you will find a great rate at the DLH, love DL! It just takes a little digging. Keep popping in here at Laughing Place, someone usually will post when they see special rates. I know I am ALWAYS keeping an eye out for special rates there since it is my favorite hotel, so I will definetly let you all know when I find a good deal.
