Going without reservations

[Astro_Digital]

I am thinking about going to Walt Disney World without reservations. Got the first week of April off and I am thinking it be a quiet time for a visit the weather should not be too hot yet.

My questions are if I decide to drop into Walt Disney World with no reservations will I likely get a room? Will the guards even let me in with no reservations?

 

[RiversideBunny]

Exactly where do you plan to show up at WDW?

If you know the resort then go on line the night before and get a reservation, or call. At least call from your car (stop and pull over) on your cell phone on the way to WDW.

Good luck.

 

[Astro_Digital]

April 1 maybe a few nights .... can bypass Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios this time.

 

[jerlev]

My questions are if I decide to drop into Walt Disney World with no reservations will I likely get a room?

I certainly would not show up with no reservations. Remember, many areas have Spring Break over the next few weeks. The schools in my area (N Atlanta) are off 4/7-11 or 4/14-18.

 

[E102_Gamma]

No Reservations = BAD Idea

Most of times if you come to WDW and show up without a reservation, you most likely never getting it. Thats why you plan early. :animwink:

 

[DisneyJoe]

My friend the travel agent had trouble last month placing clients (family of 4) in a moderate resort the week of April 4-11.

Checking April 1 for 3 nights, 2 adults, via DisneyWorld.com:

value resorts - none available
moderates - none available
deluxes - none available.......

Easter is March 23 this year. April 1 is little over a week past that, it WON'T be a quiet time - many schools will still have spring break.

 

[Astro_Digital]

ok thanks

 

[Mystic]

Also the likelihood of actually getting past the security gate at any hotel is highly unlikely. When I was checking into Pop last year, the security guard checked my name off a list of guests that were checking in that day. I highly doubt he would of let me in if my hadn't been on that list.

 

[H20Babie]

I got my parents into CBR yesterday for the 1st week of April using Travelocity. It was the only resort available, and I tried CRO, Expedia, TravelHero, etc., etc.

If you're going to go, try getting a room now!

 

[tigsmom]

Also the likelihood of actually getting past the security gate at any hotel is highly unlikely. When I was checking into Pop last year, the security guard checked my name off a list of guests that were checking in that day. I highly doubt he would of let me in if my hadn't been on that list.

You do not need to be staying at a hotel to visit there. Anyone can go to use the restaurants, shops or just hang around.

To the OP... just showing up is a bad idea. There really is no slow time anymore (as compared to years past) and while there may be rooms empty the may be promised to travel agents or AAA, etc. Call now and see if there is anything available in the World so you don't waste your time.

 

[Master Yoda]

Spring break for many Florida public schools is the first week of April and touringplnas.com has crowd levels between a 7 and 8 for that week. I would make a hotel reservation or you very well might find yourself sleeping in your car.

 

[sknydave]

He definitely helped you out. That's awesome

 

[Tinkrbell]

We were staying at a Days Inn Suites just off property over Easter 2004. We had stayed there a few years earlier & didnt have any problems with the hotel. That trip however, the service at the hotel was just horrible. After two nights at that hotel, my mom got up & called central reservations to try to get a room for the next two nights. She got lucky & managed to get a room at Pop Century. The person she talked to felt bad that we were having such a horrible time at the other hotel & managed to get us the room for about $40 less than what the regular rate was.
It was our first time staying on property & we decided we'd never stay off property again.

 

[primetime52]

I think most of the people who use these boards plan a little bit TOO much. I see people on here say that they already made resevervations for trips in December of 2009..... I don't think you should be taking advice from people like this if you want to plan a spontaneous trip. It's obvious that anyone who would make a reservation 20 months in advance doesn't know much about spontaneity. :lol:

I've gone without a reservation before and had a great time. A couple friends of mine were staying with me (visiting from other parts of the country.) We woke up one morning planning to play golf, but we decided "hey, let's go to Disney World today instead." We drove to WDW from Miami, and instead of driving back that night, we got a hotel room at the Grosvenor (now called something else but I'm not sure what). It was one of the best times of my life because we turned an ordinary day into a fantastic spontaneous vacation.

Even if it's the busy season, you can still find a hotel room SOMEWHERE, I guarantee it. There's no way the entire city of Orlando is booked. Orlando has more hotel rooms than Vegas. You might end up staying somewhere tacky on 192, but a room is a room. It's a place to sleep.

Go and have fun! Don't listen to the nay-sayers.

 

[Master Yoda]

I think most of the people who use these boards plan a little bit TOO much. I see people on here say that they already made resevervations for trips in December of 2009..... I don't think you should be taking advice from people like this if you want to plan a spontaneous trip. It's obvious that anyone who would make a reservation 20 months in advance doesn't know much about spontaneity. :lol:

I've gone without a reservation before and had a great time. A couple friends of mine were staying with me (visiting from other parts of the country.) We woke up one morning planning to play golf, but we decided "hey, let's go to Disney World today instead." We drove to WDW from Miami, and instead of driving back that night, we got a hotel room at the Grosvenor (now called something else but I'm not sure what). It was one of the best times of my life because we turned an ordinary day into a fantastic spontaneous vacation.

Even if it's the busy season, you can still find a hotel room SOMEWHERE, I guarantee it. There's no way the entire city of Orlando is booked. Orlando has more hotel rooms than Vegas. You might end up staying somewhere tacky on 192, but a room is a room. It's a place to sleep.

Go and have fun! Don't listen to the nay-sayers.

Going with out plans is one thing but showing up with not even so much as a hotel reservation during peak season is a little much. Five years ago it would have been no problem but in this day and age it just ain't all that wise.

 

[MichWolv]

I've showed up with no reserveations a few times before. I call when approaching property and see if anything is available. If so (and if it isn't some presidential suite at $700/night!), great. If not, I just make a call or two to some nice off-site places, and stay there. For a spontaneous trip, just don't go with the "It's on-site or not worth it" mentality, and you shouldn't have a problem. I've gotten last minute rooms off-site at reasonable rates even during very busy times.

 

[Mad Stitch]

You do not need to be staying at a hotel to visit there. Anyone can go to use the restaurants, shops or just hang around.

She is right, just tell the guard you want to shop or eat at a restaurant and they will let you in. I do it all the time and the most they have asked of me was to show id.

 

[DisneyJoe]

(and if it isn't some presidential suite at $700/night!)

Many of the big suites go for $1800++/night plus tax!!!

 

[mrerk]

.. now this was a long time ago, around 1994, but it was awesome.

I know the rules have probably changed, so no one tell me they don't do this anymore - they probably don't - but this is what happened...

We were broke, early in our marriage, and arrived after driving 12 hours from Philadelphia. Anyhow, I had found a great rate at a place on I-drive. When we got there (around 2am) I found that it was an absolute pit and that we wouldn't stay there.

We drove over to the CBR where we had our honeymoon. I walked in, my wife is in the car crying because she thinks our vacation is ruined. I can't afford the (then) $129 per night it cost, but I figure I'd try. I walked to the desk, told the guy my situation and that my wife was in the car, our honeymoon, etc. He tells me that I was eligibile for the special "walk-in rate" of an amazing $49 per night. I couldn't believe it. I don't know if he just helped me commit larceny or what, but 70% off at the last minute at 3am was awesome.

Don't know who that guy was, but I'll never forget that magic. My wife was nutzo-excited.

The magic lives.:sohappy:

 

[sillykid]

GO FOR IT!
We did it and never will regret.
We did not get a room, but went to the comfort suites off of Irlo Bronson and had a great 4 days. We felt as if we lived a little. We had a car and were 5 minutes away from the world. If it worked out it may have been better, but who knows. We got free breakfast everyday and could have used free transporation to any park. web is comfortsuitesfl.com Good sized rooms. Good luck.:wave: