Room Blocks

[Florida Bride]

Hi

I was enjoying the planning process until I hit a brick wall in relation to room blocks.

Im really worried as my guests are travelling from Ireland for my wedding and most of them want to stay on International Drive as its so central to all the Florida action but this leaves me with the dilema of not meeting my room block requirment. Im expecting approx 75 guests and I just dont see how my DF and I could afford to pay for the rooms which are not met in our requirement, this is seriously jepordising my Disney wedding.....

I've already paid depaosits on Randy, Stan, sent my invitations and bought my dress.

Im so stressed out as I only spoke with Diane our co-ordinator via email yesterday as I was hoping Disney would facilitate an early check in for my guests and that way I could ask them to stay the night of our wedding in one of the Disney hotels but Diane said check in isnt until 3.30/4.00pm which will RUIN everything as our ceremony in the wedding pavilion is @ 2.30 and that'd mean all the guests having all their bags with them and then having to leave the reception to go to their hotels to check in...its just too messy and inconvenient for everyone....

Im asking all you Disney brides out there to please give me some advice. Im so disappointed that Disney can't be a little accomodating in this instance, Diane hasn't made any effort to help me on this and Im finding that a little unnerving as Im planning from so far away (Ireland) and putting my faith in Disney but if they can't help me on this Im seriously worried about getting further down the line to have no help at all!!!!

Thanks to you all in advance and Im looking forward to seeing what you all come up with xxx

 

[Briarprincess]

I don't have much advice to help you but I do know this. Technically check in isn't until 3/4p.m., but guests can check in at any point in the day, they just won't get the room until it's ready. We've technically "checked in" at 8am, and were given what would be the room key, as well as a small card with a phone number to call through out the day to see if the room was ready. The hotel will also be able to hold their luggage I believe, but not entirely sure. If you called a few of the resorts and double checked this, you could get a better idea. But I'm pretty sure your guests could do this.
Good luck with everything!

 

[stitchfan18]

You can check in at anytime during the day. I've arrived at Disney in the morning and was able to check in. Every disney resort has an area to hold your guests bags since usually people who check in early want to go to parks and obviously don't want to lug their luggage around with them. Maybe for some people it would be easier to stay on disney property for the night before and after the wedding since your wedding is mid-day. Hope you figure it out. I think the room block is kind of ridiculous, but I guess it's their way to make sure that guests stay on property...

 

[Florida Bride]

Girls,

Thank you so much for your replies. I've lost 2 nights sleep worrying about this and after reading your replies that knot I had in my stomach is gone.

My SM is useless, Im so worked up about her. Why couldnt she give me the information you guys gave me...instead she had me worried senseless telling me there was no way my guests could go to their accomodations early and how it'd interrupt my reception. God Im so annoyed I could cry. I thought the idea of having an SM was to answer your queries and to HELP!!!!

My guests are staying on International Drive and have a package deal for one week including flights and accomodation so I cant ask them to pay for 2 nights in Disney on top of this but one night wouldnt be so bad...

Thanks girls!!!

 

[OceanGdss]

You can definately check in early. I've been in my room early nearly every time I've arrived at Disney. Only once did I have to leave my luggage there and call the number they gave me thruought the day. Even then, I was in my room at 12 noon. And all the resorts will hold your luggage while you are in the parks (or at a wedding! ) The room they hold it in is air-conditioned and secure. When your guests get back to the resorts they can go directly to their rooms (no re-checkin required) and call to have their bags delivered. I hope this helps some.

 

[stitchfan18]

It really depends what time of year you are going to have your wedding. If it's the off season and you are at a resort with a ton of rooms it should be easy to check in and get a room by noon, especially since your guests are only staying for one night. If it's a busy time of year then your guest might not have a room ready until 3/4 pm. They can leave their bags, and I am almost completely sure that they will even deliver your guests bags to their room.

 

[jodeeluvsdisney]

How many rooms did you have to reserve for you room block?? Maybe someone else here on the boards (not just the wedding board) could help you out by helping fill your rooms for you if they're already planning a trip? I am not sure. This is probably the biggest reason why I am not doing a Wishes/Custom wedding. I refuse to dictate where my guests stay because of a minimum room requirement!

Good Luck! Sorry your planner isn't so helpful...you know all these ladies here are though!

 

[Florida Bride]

I seriously dont know what I would do without this board. Thank you all again!

Im getting email and internet set up at home so I hope to post more often than I can now because Im posting from work which isnt ideal.

This whole room block scenario is very stressful and I genuinely think its totally unnecessary, its expensive enough and stressful enough planning a wedding without having this to contend with.

My nerves are at rest now thanks to all you guys. This board is a Godsend!

Have a great weekend y'all...

 

[princessdisneybelle]

Sorry you are going through all of this. But it is true if others are going the time of your wedding. They can give you their confirmation #, you give it to your planner and it counts towards your room block. You might also post on the Disney Resorts board. Make sure and list the dates. I hope all works out.

 

[lurkyloo]

Yes, if you still need to fill your room block closer to the wedding, post a thread on the DIS boards and any of us who will be there at the time will help you by adding our reservations. Also, I've done some searches of this site, and so far I've never heard of anyone actually being charged for the unfilled rooms. Usually all that happens is they don't give you the one free night on your honeymoon.

 

[aprincess72]

I'm always looking for a discounted room at Disney! We usually go at least twice a month so definitely post it if you need to!

 

[OceanGdss]

Definately post your dates, we are ALWAYS at disney. We will give you our confirmation #s if we go during your time.

On a side note, is it TRUE that you don't really end up paying for unfilled rooms?? I saw that posted above and would love to know if its true or not. Any past brides have experience with not filling room requirements and not paying for the rest?? Thanks SO much!

 

[Laurafoster]

When is your wedding planned for? It might also be worth popping a post over on the UK community forum to see if anyone is staying in Disney at that time. They can give you their reservation number and you can count that towards your room block! There lovely people there and were really helpful with my wedding!

 

[marywdw]

To echo everyone else - let us know your dates....if anyone here is planning a trip during that time, we'd be happy to help fill your block! Maybe an Intimate bride with a date close to yours can help? Intimate weddings don't get any rooms at a discount for our guests, nor do they block rooms for us, so it could work well for everyone!

 

[chipscinderelly]

Girls,

Thank you so much for your replies. I've lost 2 nights sleep worrying about this and after reading your replies that knot I had in my stomach is gone.

My SM is useless, Im so worked up about her. Why couldnt she give me the information you guys gave me...instead she had me worried senseless telling me there was no way my guests could go to their accomodations early and how it'd interrupt my reception. God Im so annoyed I could cry. I thought the idea of having an SM was to answer your queries and to HELP!!!!

My guests are staying on International Drive and have a package deal for one week including flights and accomodation so I cant ask them to pay for 2 nights in Disney on top of this but one night wouldnt be so bad...

Thanks girls!!!

Actually your Coordinator is one of the best, if not the best coordinators within DFTW. We can all totally appreciate your concern! It is important to understand that she gave you company policy - which is her job - based on the question you asked.

Yes, your guests can check in earlier, however, their room may not be available to get into until 4 pm so they may not be able to shower, change etc. And if your guests do not understand that there may be issues at the resort on the day of the wedding.

 

[jackie_mack916]

Is it true that guests of the bride and groom who help fulfill room block requirements get discounts? If so, I'm sure any of us who are planning a trip around your wedding dates would be happy to list as your guests. Post the date ranges you have blocked and what name the guests should mention when they book.

My family is planning a trip from December 14th to the 20th. We'll be getting 3 rooms and would be glad to help. Just let me know.