Just curious .. when trying to look at Hotwire hot deals or PLE while trying to book a Disney resort, would not having resort fees at checkout a clear indication that it is is a Disney resort (as they don’t charge resort fees) or am I wrong with that assumption.. thanks
Mostly correct.
Two issues with using the resort fees as an absolute clue:
1. I haven't seen it happen since last year, but there was a time where a fair portion of the time Priceline Express would not include the "mandatory fee" (aka resort fee) line on a deal I clearly could tell was a resort that does have a fee.
It was just often enough to make that a questionable clue for IDing a resort.
Also, even if they do include the fee, Priceline sometimes randomizes the resort fee amounts so you can't always count on those as a specific resort tell, but they do tend to use the same couple of values for each resort.
I try to keep track of them in the resort comments of my
PE resort matcher.)
Perhaps more importantly: Priceline's Terms of Service fine print says even if they don't say there is a resort fee on a hidden deal, you are still liable for it at check in!
ii. There are a few non-Disney resorts that do not charge a resort fee either: off the top of my head, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, Orlando Bonnet Creek, Four Seasons(?).
So, IMHO the best tactic is to use Star, guest ratings and location as primary clues, review counts and a resort fee *amount* as secondary clues, amenities as a tie breaker, all other things being equal. (Which would be rare.)
(Also note: amenities can be dead wrong on hidden deals, but Airport Shuttle appearing on a HotRate deal is a strong Disney indicator.)
