Originally Posted By elastagirl Do you guys think it would be a good idea to go ahead and book a hotel for early December now with the 4th night free deal or wait until after summer in the hopes that prices will go down for the off season? Is there much chance of rooms filling up for the week of Dec 6-10? Since we don't necessarily "need" 4 nights--we could stay one night with my grandparents in Huntington Beach--I'm thinking it might be good to wait and get 3 or 4 nights when prices go down. WWYD? When would you expect the prices to be a good deal for those dates? We are looking at either Paradise Pier Hotel, BWPPI, Tropicana, or Candy Cane Inn.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I would book now. I'd book the Disney AND an offsite location. Then, I'd just keep checking for a better rate. If it happens, call and ask for the better rate. Once you have what you want, cancel the other reservation.
Originally Posted By skywilliams In my opinion book early. I find that the earlier I book the better when it comes to better prices and making sure I get the room I want. Now, aside from the Paradise Pier, you could always cancel the room you reserved with no charge if it is done a couple days in advance. So, book a room somewhere but keep looking (even at the hotel you booked with) and if prices are better elsewhere then move the reservations then. If you wait you won't have much choice in what you will pay.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess Totally agree with the others, especially when Lisann said to book two places. I have been dying to know: What the heck is BWPPI???
Originally Posted By elastagirl Thank you! Where's the best place to book with good prices but also an okay cancellation policy? I don't want to be stuck with paying a lot to cancel a reservation.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I think the most extreme cancellation is Disney @ 72 hours. You should know your rates within 7 days. I've never gone back and forth that close to a vacation on deciding rates. At some point, you have to just pick which one you want and cancel the other.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Most hotels and motels only require a credit card for a guarantee. Only sites like Expedia, Travolcity and such charge you for a cancellation and that's because you pay upfront with those sites.
Originally Posted By elastagirl I forgot...do any of you know if I book through getawaytoday.com if they will give me the better rate if it goes down later? On their website they say they charge $50 for a hotel cancellation and it doesn't look like they will refund any money if rates go down, but I'm not sure.
Originally Posted By elastagirl Thanks, Lisann22. So you usually book directly with the hotel then so you can cancel later if needed, right? And they are good about changing the rate when rates go down? Also, do the hotels offer the 4th night free promo or do I have to book through a travel agency to get that?
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I'm not sure what 4th night free promo you are talking about? Disney Resorts? If yes, you have to go through WDTC for that promo, you would be able to stay at a Disney property or a "good neighbor" motel. When I say I book directly with a motel/hotel, there are generally no rate changes unless you keep checking back on the website or calling. Of which I've done in the past.
Originally Posted By elastagirl Yes, there's a 4th night free promo right now that you can book through WDTC or other travel agencies like getawaytoday.com. It ends mid December. I'm just not sure if it's a good enough deal to book now and be done with it. Because I couldn't change my reservations w/o a fee if I booked through them. But I can get Paradise Pier for $1107 for 4 nights including 2 adult and 2 child 3-day park hoppers or BWPPI for $987 for the same nights and 3 day hoppers. Is that a pretty good deal? I calculated it out that Paradise Pier ends up being $124 per night. And then there's always the debate of should I or should I not stay on site. We've never stayed on site before and with the extra $120-150 vs. staying off-site I just can't decide! Of course that's only $30ish extra a night. I could go either way. LOL
Originally Posted By elastagirl Oh, the prices include tax...so that's $124/night including tax for Paradise Pier.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I'd say that's above decent. In the past posters on here have seen rates for the PP or DLH for $79, $99 and $109 a night. Considering it's holiday season and no one's really seen those rates since the whole 50th began, it's a good deal.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 If the BWPPI is a mini-suite, I'd stay there if the whole on Disney property thing is not that big of a deal. It's actually closer than PP.
Originally Posted By elastagirl It says it's just a standard room for BWPPI. Would that be too crowded for 2 adults and 3 children 7 and under? The current rate for a mini suite at BWPPI is $109 plus tax on their website. What's the difference between a standard room and a mini suite? Thanks for all your help!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 The mini suite has a sofa bed in it. The standard room is two full beds with a table and couple of chairs. If the 2 adults are in seperate beds and the kids are small you could probably squeeze an adult and 2 kids in one bed. There is definitely enough room for a twin air mattress or sleeping bag though.
Originally Posted By mamacita I would book now. Right now Expedia, Costco, and WDT are all offering the 4th night free and travel has to be completed by December 18th or so, maybe the 21st. Costco is offering along with the 4th night free, a free character breakfast for each member in the party and one $20 gift card.
Originally Posted By DIS Ohana I booked with Costco a few days after the 4th night promo started. The Disneyland site quoted about the same price, but the Costco one included a free breakfast. A couple weeks later (after sending in my deposit) I checked the DL site again and the price was $345 cheaper! On the other hand...last year we waited too long to make reservations, we ended up paying a lot more than we are this year. So if I were you, I'd just book with Disney since they allow you to cancel the rooms without penalties 72 hours prior to check-in. That way you can keep shopping for prices.
Originally Posted By GoofBall I agree with everyone that you should book soon, you can always change later and avoid the possibility of regret. Have you decided on the hotel? Here is my looong .02 I would recommend Paradise Pier since its not that much more money and worth it in my opinion. The rooms are so much nicer and brighter.THey've recently been updated and have 2 queens and daybed. I dont know where you have stayed before but we only stayed on Harbor a couple times until the wife decided resort hotels only from now on. Yes, the BWPPI is a short walk but only saves you a few minutes really. Plus you have to wait for that darn light at the crosswalk, all the while breathing in exhaust from diesel buses, cars and shuttles while they SPEED by. It makes her very nervous with kids playing near that road and jumping off/onto the curb. After that you have that long stretch of pavement, passing the shuttle lot, rather unpleasant in the heat and just plain ugly to be frank (and dramatic LOL) In all seriousness, when you are on vacation do you spend the extra to enjoy every minute? We like to when we can afford it. If you stay at Paradise Pier your walk to DL will be a pleasure through Downtown Disney with pedestrian only traffic among the flowers, fountains, and music. You also have the monorail option. If you go to DCA, use the exclusive entrance through the Grand which is a quick walk and usually no waiting in line. Let us know what you decide. Expedia is doing the 4th night free also.
