Room Block Nightmare

[theantibride]

I should have known everything was going too well....

Well up to this point my wedding has been drama free. If only it were to last (sigh).

First of all let me just say I hate that bloomin' room block! It should be based on your final head count not your guesstimate! Here's why.

When we first started planning our wedding we had a guest list with 120 people on it of which we figured about 90 would come. Therefore we had to guarantee 75 rooms. Cool, no problem, right? Sure, until the economy started to tank and now we're looking at about 65 people total. But we're not sure because NOBODY is sending in their RSVP cards (don't even get me started on that one. We've only gotten 1/3 of them back and calling them isn't being any more effective!). Anyway so we're about a week away from when our rooms get released and it turns out we only have like 25 rooms filled! To say the least I am now freaking out!

So I was wondering what happens if I don't hit my room block minimum? There is no way I can possibly pay for all the unfilled rooms myself! It's just highly unlikely that it is going to get filled -- especially since a large chunk of my guest list already lives in Florida! I am just freaking our right now (my first real one for this wedding so far so I guess maybe I'm not doing too badly) and need some advice.

Also if anyone wants to go to Disney the weekend starting October 17th and would like a discounted room, please PM me. Or if you're already going to be there for some reason and want to pm me your reservation number so I can pass it on to my coordinator so we can maybe count your room, that would be so very much appreciated! At this point I'm desperate because I just don't know what I'm going to do. If anyone has any advice or just calming words I would appreciate it immensely. Thank you so much in advance. Anytime I have had a problem you guys have been awesome to help.

 

[miranda1979]

Sometimes people on these boards will ask if room blocks need to be filled! I know you could go on the vacation club board, (the rent/sell your points) and post there to see if you get any bits. Good luck

 

[theantibride]

Thanks for the idea. I may just do that after I finish catching up on everything here!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

You might also try posting on the Resorts board and the Budget board.

 

[lurkyloo]

Talk to your Wedding Consultant ASAP.

You should not have to fill 75 room nights if only 65 people are coming to your wedding. They can adjust your minimum requirement to as low as 25. The worst thing that can happen is you don't get a free night for the bride and groom. ...Well, the absolute worst thing that can happen is you have to pay for the unfilled rooms at the rate of the lowest-priced hotel in your block, but I have never ever heard of anyone actually having to do that.

 

[Pinkerbell1983]

I am only guaranteeing 10 room nights, and I'm not having the complimentary room. My coordinator also said really not to worry about the room block. I think they can lower it and be really flexible at their own discretion.

 

[theantibride]

I'll call my planner first thing Monday! Thank you for that! I had no idea they could adjust it at this point. That makes me feel better already! I hope they can help us out. It's just been this past week that our guest list really dropped. We only got one "yes" this week, the rest were "no"s. And some people have told other relatives that they aren't coming but they haven't told us directly yet so we're counting them out at this point. It's just insane. Thanks for the info, you guys are all so awesome!

P.S. Pinkerbell I love your name! I have a teddy bear from when I was knee-high to a fence post that is named Pinkerbell. Not cause I didn't have T's but because it was Pink. I think I was maybe 3 when I named her. She's still here on a shelf -- faded and well-loved.

 

[Disneyaddict1973]

I did see a post on Craig's list Orlando looking for a discounted room block @ Disney. Maybe post there? I am pretty sure it was in vacation rentals. Lot's of families look there from what I know. Would that be helpful or scary? Good luck.

 

[heathrow42]

Definately post over on the resorts or planning board. I need a last minute room reservation and came over here hoping to find someone w/ available rooms in a room block for my dates. It looks like AKL, ASMo, CR, WL, GF, Poly, BW, OKW, BCV, BWV, VWL are all sold out for your weekend, so if you have any of those in your room block you might have some luck finding someone!

--Heather

 

[Ember]

Keep in mind your room block is nights in a room, not number of rooms rented. So if each of your 25 guests stays for three nights that's 25 x 3 for 75 nights.

I had a room block of 25, and only 21 guests and they were sharing rooms. I had the same panic you did. In the end only 5 rooms ended up being stayed in. Some stayed for 4 nights, some for a week. Plus our two weeks. We made it no problem and so will you.

 

[Anna2984]

Theantibride

My family is going down that weekend. I am not sure where they are staying, I wanna say the Poly. I do know they wanted to stay @ the Grand Floridian but it was booked. Where are your room blocks? I will ask my Dad for his reservation #.

Thanks & hope we can help.

Anna