SoG question: Has this happened to anyone re: overflow rates?

[HappyMommy2]

We are trying to book a budget-conscious trip for mid-October and were really hoping to stay at Shades of Green for the first time. However, they are fully booked during our dates (due to golf tournament, they said). I asked about overflow rates and they said they were pretty much unavailable--no discounts on values or moderates were available at all, and just a couple of deluxe options available, all well over $200 which is out of budget for us.

Has anyone ever encountered this (SoG not having many overflow rates available)?
Would it be worth it to keep calling back? Also, SoG said there is no waitlist but I've heard there is--anyone have any info on that?

We went ahead and booked All Star Sports (our kids' absolute favorite anyhow) at rack rate but I'm hoping I may be able to do better.

Thanks for any help you can offer--I searched old SoG threads but didn't find what I'm looking for.

 

[llij]

Well, we've never encountered not being able to get an overflow rate from SOG. Maybe business is so good for Disney that things are truly booked up and SOG has no more overflow rooms? My only advice would be to keep checking back with SOG. Can you get put on a waiting list? When we went in 2003, my parents were wait listed with SOG and ended up getting a room one month beforehand due to cancellations. Sorry that I can't help more.....

Good luck to you!!!

 

[justcantwait]

we went in April 2003, when SoG was undergoing renovation, and were put in the Contemporary, Garden Wing for $99/nt. Sending pixie dust your way for a better rate!

Kathy

 

[Mich Mouse]

My BF always waited until she was sure SOG was booked, and would then call for overflow rates. She got some really awesome deals! Which as a USM, she is more than entitled too!

Keep calling back! People make cancellations all the time!

I am hoping for some Disney magic for you!

 

[Piglet4Ever]

This is the first time Dh and I are staying at SOG, the other 2 times we went we got overflow rates, but those trips were at beginning of May and beginning of Nov. I don't know when your trip is planned for, is it during a peak time? I'd keep calling SOG back as well. When hubby booked our room this time, the website said they were full, but when he called they had rooms available. You never know. either way have a grgeat trip

 

[FirstNo]

We are trying to book a budget-conscious trip for mid-October and were really hoping to stay at Shades of Green for the first time. However, they are fully booked during our dates (due to golf tournament, they said). I asked about overflow rates and they said they were pretty much unavailable--no discounts on values or moderates were available at all, and just a couple of deluxe options available, all well over $200 which is out of budget for us.

Has anyone ever encountered this (SoG not having many overflow rates available)?
Would it be worth it to keep calling back? Also, SoG said there is no waitlist but I've heard there is--anyone have any info on that?

We went ahead and booked All Star Sports (our kids' absolute favorite anyhow) at rack rate but I'm hoping I may be able to do better.

Thanks for any help you can offer--I searched old SoG threads but didn't find what I'm looking for.

I'm not surprised SoG is booked for the golf tourney. Disney used to take a block of rooms for their people and any of the golfers who wanted to stay there.

As for overflow, keep in mind that it is those hotels who decide if, and when, rates are given; not SoG. Unless the policy has changed, they update each morning before the resv line opens. I'm also not surprised that there is little discounts from Disney. It's a big convention month, but there should be SOMETHING out there. I mean, it's not like you're trying to come in next week!

As for the waiting list....well, they may not have one any more. The list was a lot to keep up with and it had to be stayed on top of (I know, I used to run it!). With the people who have quit and the people they have hired, SoG may have decided it was too much work to worry about. This isn't fact, just speculation based on what you wrote.

Personally, I think you got a lazy agent who didn't feel like giving you the time you deserve. This may also account for being told there is no more waitlist. Or, it may have been a miscommunication; there may be a list, but it's closed out for that time frame (used to happen all the time).

If I were you, I'd call back again (if you remember the name of the agent, you can hang up if you get him/her again). No avlblty at SoG? Fine, ask to be placed on a waiting list. If they tell you they don't have one, I'd ask for clarification: "SoG has had a waiting list for years now. Am I to understand they have disbanded the list? When did that take effect?" Or, "SoG no longer has a waiting list for dates at all, or is it just the list is closed for the dates I'm looking for?" If you don't get any where with the list, ask about overflow again. Let the agent know you are looking for discounted rates (with Disney, we usually got 3 rates; the first rate was rack and the other two were discounted...with the other hotels we only saw one rate, but it was discounted). Let the agent know how open to other hotels you are. No sense in wasting his/her time or yours looking at DD, D&S or off site if you have your heart set on a Disney owned and operated resort.

Worse comes to worse, you can always call Disney and ask about the military discount. There is an offer, but I can't remember what dates they encompass.

 

[chrisxtwo]

The dates for the current military discount end on 10/04. I would call back every day you are able. With the golf tournament, you probably won't get into SoG but you might get into a moderate at a decent rate. Also, the middle of August start looking for the next batch of discounts that start on 10/05. Can't make any promises but hopefully a new code will come out for your dates. Good luck!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Thank you so much everyone for the great information and good wishes.
FirstNo, that was especially helpful; thanks!

I will try calling back on Monday. I'll ask about the waitlist and then keep calling to see if any new discounts for Disney properties come available. Couldn't hurt! Maybe at the 30-day mark we will be able to jump on an opening for Shades of Green which is what we would like best. It's too bad Disney's military special expires before our trip--we're taking advantage of our kids' Fall Break from school; otherwise I'd schedule our trip a couple of weeks earlier! I'll be watching for October codes though.

Thanks again.

 

[Avalanche]

We've always been able to get a decent overflow rate until this year.

We had a trip scheduled for this month (we had to cancel due to my husbands travel schedule), but when I was booking it in January there were no moderates or values available with an overflow rate, kept calling and in March ended up able to get Pop for $89. I don't think Disney is giving them many rooms to book at one time. We are now trying to book for the week after Xmas (last year stayed at CR for about $160.), but the best I've been offered was $300. at Poly or $99 for Pop.

Anyway, keep trying! Have you checked with the military rate at the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Hi again. I called SoG first thing this morning (Monday) and the man who answered told me there was indeed a waitlist, and he put us on it!
Then I checked overflow rates for Disney again, and though there were still no discounts at the moderates, the Values did have the discount this time! So I re-booked us at Sports for $74/ night instead of rack rate of $99 and saved us almost $200! Yipee!

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Avalanche]

If you have your heart set on a mod, keep checking back, something might open up.

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

I was on the waiting list for SOG for June. They called me within 2 days.

 

[HappyMommy2]

UPDATE (in case there's anyone else out there who may be trying for those busy days during the golf tournament in mid-October)--
Just got an e-mail today that said a room is now available for our dates! (Funny, since the SoG agent who put us on the waiting list had said, "I can put you on the list, but I will tell you it's probably not going to do any good"). Now I just have to talk to DH and see if we want to stay at All Star Sports (that would save a few bucks+the kids love the theming+we love All Stars bus transportation) or switch to SoG (DELUXE!).