How to use Priceline to your advantage in Anaheim

[50sjayne]

Yes to all of the above 3 posts, but the Anabella is a rare priceline win and I think she did pretty well for $81. And yes-- when you get a Priceline offer like that, usually half of what they ask is good enough. You could have waited 24 hours and tried that-- you probably would have got it. Anyways THANKS for posting your win-- like i said people rarely bid 2 1/2 and I think Anabella is an awesome win for your price. You can't find it that cheap on any other internet sites that I've seen and it's a great hotel.

*update-- I checked around for your dates and found $82 on 3 different sites, I don't know if you did your homework or not but I checked around to see rates for the Holiday Inn on Walnut that shows up more often for that star category and found it more expensive on all sites except one for the same price as you bid so you could have very well overbid extrememley for that Holiday Inn- you just got lucky. I'm sure the Anabella could be had cheaper for those dates on Priceline if anyone else is interested in the information.

[Wanda Woman]

I used Priceline for the first time and got the Anaheim Hilton for $46 for April 19/20 (Sat/Sun) on my third free rebid. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! It really helped me to understand adding the zones without three-star hotels to get free rebids.

Micechatters seem to like the Anaheim Hilton, but it gets horrible reviews on tripadvisor.

I'm wondering if I'll regret using Priceline, but the 3-star hotels I checked were all charging $100+/night for that weekend. Even paying the parking fee for Hilton, I did better with Priceline.

I'm just a little nervous about the bad reviews I read on tripadvisor.

[50sjayne]

Originally Posted by Wanda Woman

I used Priceline for the first time and got the Anaheim Hilton for $46 for April 19/20 (Sat/Sun) on my third free rebid. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! It really helped me to understand adding the zones without three-star hotels to get free rebids.

Micechatters seem to like the Anaheim Hilton, but it gets horrible reviews on tripadvisor.

I'm wondering if I'll regret using Priceline, but the 3-star hotels I checked were all charging $100+/night for that weekend. Even paying the parking fee for Hilton, I did better with Priceline.

I'm just a little nervous about the bad reviews I read on tripadvisor.

Well, just be sure to give us some reviews and maybe a few pictures ;-) I have always found being very friendly with your check in person helps with room quality ;-) Never be afraid to ask for a room with a view-- or ask how much an upgrade would be.

[flynnibus]

Originally Posted by Wanda Woman

Micechatters seem to like the Anaheim Hilton, but it gets horrible reviews on tripadvisor.

I've stayed at both the Hilton and the Marriott right there extensively over the years for tradeshows at the convention center. I've never had a problem with either.

It's about a 20min walk from there up to the main gate. I like the walk because it gives me an excuse to not be so lazy.. and you walk right by 7-11 which gives you a chance to load up on water and munchies for your backpack for the day in the park.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by Wanda Woman

I used Priceline for the first time and got the Anaheim Hilton for $46 for April 19/20 (Sat/Sun) on my third free rebid. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! It really helped me to understand adding the zones without three-star hotels to get free rebids.

Micechatters seem to like the Anaheim Hilton, but it gets horrible reviews on tripadvisor.

I'm wondering if I'll regret using Priceline, but the 3-star hotels I checked were all charging $100+/night for that weekend. Even paying the parking fee for Hilton, I did better with Priceline.

.

That is great! I ended up on Kayak, getting one of the Best Westerns for this coming week at $65 per night (which was a fantastic rate). I couldn't find as cheap on Priceline.

[Armadillo4]

Originally Posted by Wanda Woman

Micechatters seem to like the Anaheim Hilton, but it gets horrible reviews on tripadvisor.

I'm just a little nervous about the bad reviews I read on tripadvisor.

I had a great stay at the Hilton last December via Priceline. No complaints whatsoever, but I can see why there might be bad reviews at Tripadvisor. I would *not* recommend the Hilton at rack rates. At Priceline prices, it's great. But it's definitely not worth rack rates, especially when compared to other hotels in the area. I just did a quick check on the Hilton site...$179/night was the lowest rate I could get. It's definitely not worth that.

Originally Posted by 50sjayne

I have always found being very friendly with your check in person helps with room quality ;-) Never be afraid to ask for a room with a view-- or ask how much an upgrade would be.

I second this suggestion. I asked nicely at check-in if any Disney-view rooms were available and the desk agent got one for me at no additional cost. It's all subject to availability and probably their mood at the time but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[50sjayne]

Originally Posted by Armadillo4

I had a great stay at the Hilton last December via Priceline. No complaints whatsoever, but I can see why there might be bad reviews at Tripadvisor. I would *not* recommend the Hilton at rack rates. At Priceline prices, it's great. But it's definitely not worth rack rates, especially when compared to other hotels in the area. I just did a quick check on the Hilton site...$179/night was the lowest rate I could get. It's definitely not worth that.

I second this suggestion. I asked nicely at check-in if any Disney-view rooms were available and the desk agent got one for me at no additional cost. It's all subject to availability and probably their mood at the time but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Yeah I think that is the thing on trip advisor. It's weird for me to think that people pay rack rate at all-- it is such an obsession with me-- this hotel thing, searching for the greatest bargain. Also there's a lot of people that are just meticulate in their housekeeping and some that have money (how do you get that stuff?) and live in pretty nice homes. Thats not us! Lol. I have 13 cats (spayed and neutered, rescued from ethanasia or trapped former ferals) and have an orange bathroom and a maroon house. Dumb husband insist I pick out the paint-- that's what happens-- I'm just not domestic. Actually people like the house ;-)

[yoyoflamingo]

Originally Posted by Skywaygrl

I got two rooms at the Anabella for April 25th and 26th

Hope you didn't forget about the 19th too.

[Nor Cal Tinkfan]

I am planning a trip for after Mother's Day. When do you think would be a good time to try and get a room from Priceline?

[50sjayne]

Originally Posted by Nor Cal Tinkfan

I am planning a trip for after Mother's Day. When do you think would be a good time to try and get a room from Priceline?

Start as soon as possible, all you have to do is wait 24 hours to bid again.

[pratt55]

I rolled the dice and was hoping I would get the Main Gate bidding for 2*. No luck I ended up with the Candlewood in Garden Grove for $39 a night April 18 - 20. The reviews on the Candlewood are all pretty old so I am hoping that we just get a clean room. I know it is a studio room which is fine for the 2 of us with a queen bed, refrig. microwave, stovetop. I'll be bringing our own bedding but I think this is the last time I am going to go under 3*.

[SCUBAbe]

We did not have a good experience at the candlewood. We stayed over a year ago. Hopefully it is better now.

[Wanda Woman]

Going less than three stars would be too scary for me. I'm not a fan of Motel 6 type places, even if they're clean. I like a tad more in the way of room amenities and I'd never bring my own bedding (though I can see why it would be a good idea!).

There's just not that much of a Priceline rate difference between the Dland area three star and two star places for me to include the two star motels in my bid.

[50sjayne]

The Candlewood is actually a nice place if you don't have to worry about 2 beds. As far as distance goes I think Pratt probably has and AP==free parking if i'm right, at the park. Well you never know...that's why I finally went for HOJO because we don't get there much- it's expensive for us in oregon with no little kids to take ;-) Got a grandkid on the way though woo hoo. Be a few more years ti'll the small one will be old enough to really enjoy the park.

[pratt55]

Originally Posted by 50sjayne

The Candlewood is actually a nice place if you don't have to worry about 2 beds. As far as distance goes I think Pratt probably has and AP==free parking if i'm right, at the park. Well you never know...that's why I finally went for HOJO because we don't get there much- it's expensive for us in oregon with no little kids to take ;-) Got a grandkid on the way though woo hoo. Be a few more years ti'll the small one will be old enough to really enjoy the park.

Yep we have PAP's and we always drive to the park since we use our van as our over sized locker. I just found out that there is a Krispy Kreme about a mile from the hotel and we no longer have them in Phoenix.