Room Block Confusion

[luandjustin]

I've read as many threads as I could find on this subject, and I've re-read the email from my Wedding Consultant, but alas, I'm still totally befuddled.

I don't understand how the room block system works for our upcoming wedding. Like at all.

Here's what my WC said:

Since there is no way you will be able to know where each guest will want to stay, this will be a guesstimate. Your room night minimum is 25 room nights, which means I can hold a total of 30 rooms throughout the block. Basically, when you add all the numbers on the form you should not exceed 30. If you want to increase the amount of rooms in the block you will also need to increase your guarantee, or I will be happy to lower the minimum, just let me know your comfort level.

Um... what?

Okay, so my three resorts are:
Value: All-Star Music
Moderate: Port Orleans French Quarter
Deluxe: Wilderness Lodge (my DF and I are staying in the honeymoon suite there)

I'm guessing most of our guests who stay on property will want to stay at All-Star Music. (We're a penny-pinching bunch.) But I want to make sure that if there are some people who'd like to stay at POFQ or WL, that they will be able to. If I don't block off rooms for them, they won't get a discount, right?

And if I block off too many rooms at the All-Star, will I have to pay for the unused rooms?

That only scratches the surface of my profound confusion. But it's a start. Thanks for your help!

 

[DecemberBride]

I can't help... I'm doing an Escape wedding, but when I was thinking of a Wishes I was as confused as you, so don't worry that it's just you! It's very confusing! I know a lot of people on here can help becuse they've been through it. Just remember your WC is there to answer ALL your questions and don't hesitant to tell her you just don't get it. It's her job to explain it in even more detail. From the sounds of her quote off her e-mail she seems ready to help!

Sorry I can't be of more assitance, but it'll all work out!

 

[lov2b@disney]

It is an awful thing, the room block!

But... what we did is try and figure out when and where people would stay and count the number for each day. You do not pay for rooms held in your block and you can change/update as guests make reservations.

i stressed alot about this-and worried we wouldnt make the 25--well we have 56 nights! And I added rooms twice during the course-
Our wedding is on a wednesday so it was hard to figure out when everyone would come, but now that that part is over we had plenty of rooms and everyone got where they wanted.

 

[lurkyloo]

OK, here's the deal:

Your guests will get the discount at your three hotels even if you don't block off enough rooms for them. However, if the hotels sell out, you will only be guaranteed the number of rooms that you blocked.

You need to guarantee 25 nights, but your WC can block off up to 30 nights for you if you want. If you want to block off more nights, like you're worried that the hotels will sell out and your guests won't be able to book there, the number of rooms you are required to fill will go up beyond 25.

As long as you meet 25 nights - at any resort, even ones not in your room block - you won't have to pay for unused nights. So it doesn't matter where you block them, just that 25 are filled.

Say you block 10 nights at ASM and 2 nights at WL. Then your guests use 20 nights at WL and only 5 at ASM. It's OK that you only filled 5 at ASM, because you met your 25 total.

Does this help? Need more/better explanation?

 

[luandjustin]

Wow, yes, awesome. It all makes sense now. As always, DISboards rock. Thank you so much, everyone!

 

[Lisacope]

I really stressed out about the room block too - we had to fill 50 room nights and I think we are at 80!