The lottery

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

I am a little confused as to how the lottery works. I know that if more than 1 bride wants a specific date/time/place they have to draw names out of a hat. But what happens if you get your date "penciled in"? I got my confirmation that my date is on "tentative hold" right now, but does that mean other brides can "steal" my date (for lack of a better term)? I am really stressing about this because we are trying to plan our date around our Disney Cruise honeymoon!

 

[DisneyBride1207]

I don't think so - I was "penciled in" and the lady told me that is just the term they call it until you sign and pay your deposit when they give you your LOA. I said "well I don't want someone to steal my spot" and she said that wouldn't happen. I'm not sure though, this is just my situation... Just send them an email and ask if there is a way you would lose your date somehow. Call and/or leave a message about your concern. You could also call DFTW direct and ask the receptionist.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

I don't think so - I was "penciled in" and the lady told me that is just the term they call it until you sign and pay your deposit when they give you your LOA. I said "well I don't want someone to steal my spot" and she said that wouldn't happen. I'm not sure though, this is just my situation... Just send them an email and ask if there is a way you would lose your date somehow. Call and/or leave a message about your concern. You could also call DFTW direct and ask the receptionist.

Thanks! That makes me feel a little better. I just have to wait till Monday to call since they aren't open on the weekends.

 

[girli565]

Until you have been sent your LOA by your planner your date is open to anyone looking at it.

You can be penciled in along with 5 other brides for the same date and time until the 8 month mark (for Escape weddings) or 16/12 month mark (for Wishes events). When that date comes there is a lottery for the couples who want the same date/time/locations. Being penciled in just means you're in the lottery if there's more than one couple who wants the same as you. If there is no other couple than you will get what you want come the booking date.

It's not a first come first serve, sorry I hope this is a bit clearer for you.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

Until you have been sent your LOA by your planner your date is open to anyone looking at it.

You can be penciled in along with 5 other brides for the same date and time until the 8 month mark (for Escape weddings) or 16/12 month mark (for Wishes events). When that date comes there is a lottery for the couples who want the same date/time/locations. Being penciled in just means you're in the lottery if there's more than one couple who wants the same as you. If there is no other couple than you will get what you want come the booking date.

It's not a first come first serve, sorry I hope this is a bit clearer for you.

Oh no! Back to stressing.

 

[girli565]

Oh no! Back to stressing.

Don't stress though. Unless it's a holiday like valentines day or a date like 10/10/10 you should get what you want with no problem.

There's a few 10/10/10 brides on here who were all in a lottery and they're very happy with what they've booked.

 

[sunset30]

We went into a lottery (We were lucky and GOT our venue and time for 10/10/10) and it didn't matter when you were pencilled in, or if you were, ANYONE who was interested in that date and rang about it up to the day of the lottery would have been included in that lottery.

I was told that because we wanted a less popualr venue (YCG) and the 2:30 time slot, we had a better chance, apparently for WP there was a REAL queue!

Sorry, but fingers tightly crossed you get your date etc, I really feel your stress, it's a horrible wait (although unless you have picked a really popualr date a lottery is apparently unlikely)

Lx

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

Does anybody know if the coordinators are supposed to tell you that you are entering into a lottery? When I talked to my WC the other day to give her a date she made no mention of it, all she said was the date is open. She also sent me an email confirming the tentative hold, again with no mention of a lottery, and that they can draw up the contract at anytime (in bold). I'm wondering if maybe I should call and ask her if I am definitely in a lottery, I don't know why I didn't think to ask that in the first place.

 

[sunset30]

I spotted your wedding is a year and three weeks away?
Not sure if that would put it on a very traditionally popular date (or an easily predictably popular one, like ours)
The thing is, if it is NOT one of those, your co-ordinator might not know til right up at the booking day whether a lottery is needed.
Also, usually if it is NOT one of those, most people get their first or second choice.
Lx

 

[Dreams595]

My wedding is also 10/10/10 and we didn't have to do a lottery and were able to get the locations we wanted (SBP/Living Seas Lounge).

I wouldn't stress too much. I'm sure you'll get what you want! Positive thoughts!

 

[Tinker Bell Fan]

We're doing an Escape VR next year - 4/13/11 (at the WP). I was told that I would be penciled in for that date and that in August there would be a lottery for the times and she asked for my 4 choices. We're hoping for noon.

So now I'm trying to be patient for mid-August to see if we get what we want. To be honest as long as we have 4/13 - I don't really care about the time!

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

We're doing an Escape VR next year - 4/13/11 (at the WP). I was told that I would be penciled in for that date and that in August there would be a lottery for the times and she asked for my 4 choices. We're hoping for noon.

So now I'm trying to be patient for mid-August to see if we get what we want. To be honest as long as we have 4/13 - I don't really care about the time!

Hmmmm, well my WC did not ask me for my other choices, so maybe that is a good sign?