Last Minute Christmas and SOG Question

[barney4liz]

My DM informed me today that she and DF would like to take our family to WDW to spend Christmas Day and Christmas night (we live 2 hours from WDW so they will spend a day or so before Christmas with us). We will need 2 or 3 rooms -- one room for my DB, who likes to stay alone, and either two rooms for my folks and my family (me, DH, DD) or a suite/condo big enough for my family to share with my folks.

(1) Is there any hope of getting anything at this late date, and would I be better off using a TA? The resort website won't let me specify the number of rooms, just party size.

(2) My dad is retired AF and they have stayed at SOG before. SOG is booked for that date (surprise! ), but the SOG website says they can possibly make an overflow ressie at another resort. Is that likely to be the best way to get the best rate at another resort (if something is available for that date).

TIA!!

 

[suevee]

Call SoG and check out your options. You could be put on a waiting list, though for that many rooms it would be chancey. Or you could check out the overflow rates. Sometimes they are good, sometimes not. But do one or the other, don't wait. You could still talk to a TA to compare info.

 

[barney4liz]

Thanks, Suevee! Our plans keep changing -- we found out there were still Fla. resident rates available for the weekend of 12/22 and 12/23, so we decided to go then instead and we have rooms reserved at Caribbean Beach. But my dad is going to call SoG as well -- when I got on the SoG website last night it was letting me book rooms for those dates, but I didn't try to finalize a ressie since I am not eligible.

I hope we can get a SoG ressie -- it looks like a nicer resort than CB.

 

[suevee]

You can finalize the plans for your dad. You just need his social, address, phone number, email address, and a credit card. I have done reservations for my dad on my credit card because he doesn't like to deal with the system.

 

[lilyv]

You can finalize the plans for your dad. You just need his social, address, phone number, email address, and a credit card. I have done reservations for my dad on my credit card because he doesn't like to deal with the system.

Be sure to have your Dad's retired rank, as well. You'll need it for the rate.

 

[barney4liz]

Be sure to have your Dad's retired rank, as well. You'll need it for the rate.

Sadly, SOG is completely booked and they are not even adding anyone to the waiting list. Dad submitted a request for an overflow booking, so we'll see if they come up with anything. In the meantime, we are booked at the Dolphin. I told my folks if they want to stay at SOG -- we need to start much further ahead than 10 weeks! There is only so much I can do.

 

[suevee]

Sorry to hear that. I guess that if the waiting list is full you are out of luck. But since there is a 30 day cancellation policy and you are going anyway, I would start calling back 40 days out and every day until you get to the 30 day mark just in case something opens up and no one on the waiting list can take it.

You can still get the Stars and Stripes passes at SoG which are a very good deal. You get consecutive days at the park with park hopping and unlimited visits to the water parks and Disney Quest. There is one built in rest day. But the tickets expire within the time frame you use them, ie 5 day ticket expires 6 days from first use. Check out their website for more info if you are interested.

 

[lilyv]

Sadly, SOG is completely booked and they are not even adding anyone to the waiting list. Dad submitted a request for an overflow booking, so we'll see if they come up with anything. In the meantime, we are booked at the Dolphin. I told my folks if they want to stay at SOG -- we need to start much further ahead than 10 weeks! There is only so much I can do.

Another additional thing to consider-December isn't that far away. You could go ahead and book Dec 08 as soon as you are allowed this December. If your plans change, they are good about refunding as long as you follow their rules. (I think you have to notify 30 days or so ahead.) This way, you'd have your pick. But don't delay, really get to know the site and exactly when you can book. Those Dec dates go QUICK!

 

[barney4liz]

You can still get the Stars and Stripes passes at SoG which are a very good deal.

I wonder if those are the same passes my dad was planning to get on the base? Are the prices better than the Florida resident passes?

I'm going to suggest to them that we book for SoG for next year. Assuming we all have fun this time.

 

[suevee]

The Stars and Stripes can only be bought at SoG. The MRW sales Magic Your Way Tickets. They can be different prices depending on which base you get them at and of course there is no tax. The S&S prices can be found on the SoG website. For us they work better as they give us more flexibility. We usually go with a large group (children, spouses, and grandchildren) and the S&S allows everyone to do their own thing and not have to worry about how many passes you have left to which park. It allows unlimited access to the water parks, DQ and mini golf for the duration of your ticket. It also allows a built in rest day as a 10 day pass is good for 11 days.

Here is the link http://www.shadesofgreen.org/StarsStripes.htm

 

[barney4liz]

The Stars and Stripes can only be bought at SoG. The MRW sales Magic Your Way Tickets. They can be different prices depending on which base you get them at and of course there is no tax. The S&S prices can be found on the SoG website. For us they work better as they give us more flexibility. We usually go with a large group (children, spouses, and grandchildren) and the S&S allows everyone to do their own thing and not have to worry about how many passes you have left to which park. It allows unlimited access to the water parks, DQ and mini golf for the duration of your ticket. It also allows a built in rest day as a 10 day pass is good for 11 days.

Here is the link http://www.shadesofgreen.org/StarsStripes.htm

The S&S tix look like a good deal for longer stays -- but it seems weird that a 2-day ticket is $219 and a 10-day ticket is $297???

We're only going for 2 days this trip and don't want to park-hop. The Fla. resident 3-day tix are $154 including tax (no park hopper) and expire in 180 days so we can used the unused day.

Tix can be more confusing than room rates!!

 

[suevee]

They want you to stay as long as possible so you will spend more. Definately not worth it for only two days.

 

[barney4liz]

They want you to stay as long as possible so you will spend more. Definately not worth it for only two days.

I would dearly love to spend 10 whole days at WDW! Those S&S tix are an awesome deal for that. The downside of being a Fla. resident is that our trips tend to be hit and run.

 

[aj2hall]

The Stars and Stripes can only be bought at SoG. The MRW sales Magic Your Way Tickets. They can be different prices depending on which base you get them at and of course there is no tax. The S&S prices can be found on the SoG website. For us they work better as they give us more flexibility. We usually go with a large group (children, spouses, and grandchildren) and the S&S allows everyone to do their own thing and not have to worry about how many passes you have left to which park. It allows unlimited access to the water parks, DQ and mini golf for the duration of your ticket. It also allows a built in rest day as a 10 day pass is good for 11 days.

Here is the link http://www.shadesofgreen.org/StarsStripes.htm

Do the Stars & Stripes tickets include mini golf? I thought mini golf was a seperate fee?

 

[my2princessgirls]

I just wanted to add that SOG also has discounted regular WDW tickets, and remember, no tax as well!
http://www.shadesofgreen.org/WDW.htm

 

[suevee]

I THINK that mini golf is included, but not 100% sure. I would call and double check if it is important to you.