Is This Even Possible Anymore?.... - Page 2

Mousemates · #21 05-03-2012, 11:13 AM

you can do it....we have done it...and you can ask if there are any discounts available...be sure if you are AAA, to mention that...but also be aware that, as others have said, this is not the best way to get a good price.

mickeys_princess_mom · #22 05-03-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DANAM

We kind of did that last July. I had to drive to pick something up for work in Oscala so we said hey maybe we should got to MK for a day. I called around 7pm on a Wednesday and made reservations at Pop for the next day for Thursday until Saturday. Thursday morning at 7am when we were driving to Disney I called and got reservations at 'Ohana Friday night for 5 people at 7:30. I was so shocked when the reservationist was like how is 7:30! I am a serious planner and never thought I could do a last minute trip but I ended up great. There is hope for the unplanned traveler at Disney. Although, I doubt if I ever got the opportunity again it would work out that great!

Very cool!

Fastpasssteve · #23 05-04-2012, 01:55 AM

Can it be done? Yes.

Should it be done? No.

WDW is a marathon, not a sprint. Planning, reservations, checking rates...all these go into making a good trip. So many things are out of our control (weather, crowds...), but some things are in our control. God give you the grace to know the difference.

mickeys_princess_mom · #24 05-04-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastpasssteve

Can it be done? Yes.

Should it be done? No.

WDW is a marathon, not a sprint. Planning, reservations, checking rates...all these go into making a good trip. So many things are out of our control (weather, crowds...), but some things are in our control. God give you the grace to know the difference.

I'll agree to disagree on this one.

It's also about the magic of being impulsive and childlike, for me. I would grab and go in a heartbeat. As you can see I've planned for years, and had great experiences, but this still appeals to me.

Ian · #25 05-04-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastpasssteve

Can it be done? Yes.

Should it be done? No.

WDW is a marathon, not a sprint. Planning, reservations, checking rates...all these go into making a good trip. So many things are out of our control (weather, crowds...), but some things are in our control. God give you the grace to know the difference.

Couldn't disagree more. It's a vacation not a software build that requires a 339 line MS Project Plan.

The best trips ever are the ones that are spontaneous and unplanned. Maybe you don't get on every ride or every attraction (and really I couldn't care less since I've been on them all 100 times anyway), but you're there when you didn't expect to be and that's worth 1,000 times more than an Excel spreadsheet.

disneynarula · #26 05-05-2012, 09:52 AM

I am sure it could be done. It sounds like a blast. You might not be able to stay exactly where you want to stay or eat at the more poplular places but it can still be done I'm sure.

I never eat at 'Ohana and still manage to enjoy my trip.

Some of our favorite places to eat are some of the ones that seem to be less popular.

mickeys_princess_mom · #27 05-07-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Couldn't disagree more. It's a vacation not a software build that requires a 339 line MS Project Plan.

The best trips ever are the ones that are spontaneous and unplanned. Maybe you don't get on every ride or every attraction (and really I couldn't care less since I've been on them all 100 times anyway), but you're there when you didn't expect to be and that's worth 1,000 times more than an Excel spreadsheet.

Scrappy2 · #28 05-07-2012, 12:24 PM

I think it really depends on when you go. Our last trip we were going to drive part of the way and spend the night on the road and get up early and drive in. As we got closer to Orlando we stopped at several hotels at several exits and nothing. Gator Nationals in town (drag racing). We then figured we would just go on to Disney. I started calling to get reservations that night and Disney was booked. I even called the hotels in Lake Buena Vista and they were booked. Called several of the larger chain hotels in Orlando and they were booked. finally found a hotel at the turn pike. Not the best hotel but oh well. We had a place to stay. I will never try that again. It was very stressful!

acetate · #29 05-09-2012, 12:08 AM

Reading this thread made me think to ask is it possible to just drive over to Pop Century for instance when you have no prior reservation? I'm asking because when I drove there before I of course had already made reservations and when I got there a guy at the gate asked my name and gave me a parking pass to put in the window of my car. I was thinking if I just drove up with nothing he might tell me I can't go in there or something.

brownie · #30 05-09-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acetate

Reading this thread made me think to ask is it possible to just drive over to Pop Century for instance when you have no prior reservation? I'm asking because when I drove there before I of course had already made reservations and when I got there a guy at the gate asked my name and gave me a parking pass to put in the window of my car. I was thinking if I just drove up with nothing he might tell me I can't go in there or something.

Just tell him or her why you're there. You'll probably still have to show ID but they should let you in.

Scar · #31 05-09-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acetate

I was thinking if I just drove up with nothing he might tell me I can't go in there or something.

Just tell them you want to spend money at the resort... they'll let you in.

minnie04 · #32 05-09-2012, 04:08 PM

Yes you can!! I just did it during Spring Break. I stayed at the Movies for 3 nights and decided to stay one more night. I called all the off property hotels I could think of that were in my price range and close to Disney property (I was traveling alone with my DS). And they were all booked to capacity. I said let me just try on property and the first place I called was Pop. They had plenty of rooms open. Mind you this was at 1:00AM (we hit the parks all day and figured how hard would it be to grab a room off property for one night) well Thank God Pop was available. I felt very safe all week staying alone with my DS on property and would do it all over again....

Cinderelley · #33 05-10-2012, 07:20 AM

I think this would be fun. If I didn't live so far away, I would try it.

We are an adventurous type of family though. We wouldn't have a set resort in mind or any must do things. Although we do plan out our annual vacation, on small trips around here we will just up and go.

mickeys_princess_mom · #34 05-10-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnie04

Yes you can!! I just did it during Spring Break. I stayed at the Movies for 3 nights and decided to stay one more night. I called all the off property hotels I could think of that were in my price range and close to Disney property (I was traveling alone with my DS). And they were all booked to capacity. I said let me just try on property and the first place I called was Pop. They had plenty of rooms open. Mind you this was at 1:00AM (we hit the parks all day and figured how hard would it be to grab a room off property for one night) well Thank God Pop was available. I felt very safe all week staying alone with my DS on property and would do it all over again....

Now, this we actually have been able to do. DH got sick on our 30th anniversary trip. We'd gotten a great deal at GF--plus a fantastic upgrade to a lobby room, and we spent most of the time in the room. I was upset the last day, and the concierge, who had been wonderful to us, said that we could stay two more days, with the same great rate, in the same room if we wanted to! Unfortunately my DH just wanted to get home.