Those w/SoG Resvs Aftr 10/1

[FirstNo]

I have a question and I have a reason for asking it, but I'd like to get the myriad of responses first before I tell you why (can you tell I've spoken to my friend who still works there?). I'd like to hear from those of you who have contacted SoG about ressys for Oct thru as late as they're currently booking (should be thru third week of Nov 03 as of tomorrow). I'd like to know if you were given a ressy or if you were told they were "sold out" and you were put on the waiting list. I'm REALLY terribly horribly curious. Thank you!!!

 

[strawberryblonde]

I do have ressies for next Oct. through SOG. I'm thinking we will have APs by then and it would be nice to hop down for a few days for Halloween if DH can get them off (you never can know this far in advance, so I just plan for the possibility). Should I be concerned? Are my ressies still valid? I'm eager to see why you asked your question

 

[DrKnow77]

FirstNo,

When my fiancee and I get married next late September (09/29/03), my aunt and uncle were planning on staying at SOG; however, they have not called for ressies yet. Should I be worried? Will they not get the military discount they're counting on? Any info is appreciated!

 

[NHLizzie]

I was just told that SOG is negogiating with Disney and I could either have the overflow rate or be put on a waitlist for next November

 

[triple7]

I called SOG on the first day I was able to make reservations for next October. I thought I had reservations. When I received nothing in the mail, I called SOG and was told that there was no reservations for that period because of negotiations with WDW. I was told I was on the wait list. No mention of overflow.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by triple7
I called SOG on the first day I was able to make reservations for next October. I thought I had reservations. When I received nothing in the mail, I called SOG and was told that there was no reservations for that period because of negotiations with WDW. I was told I was on the wait list. No mention of overflow.

That's what I was looking for. Even though they've known for a while that they need a place for the guests from Oct probably right on through the end of Dec, they never bothered to look until recently (according to my source). I was curious as to whether or not they were actually being honest with the guests.

For the person asking about whether or not to make a ressy, yes, I would go ahead and get on the waiting list. It's not usually a good idea to wait (to contact them) when you're trying to make a ressy at SoG. I wouldn't bother with overflow. You'll be contacted one way or the other (either with a room offer for the Contemp or that Disney wouldn't play nice and they're overflowing every one for those 3 months).

 

[strawberryblonde]

Had I not read this I wonder how long it would have taken me to realize that I do not have confirmation papers for Oct? They didn't mail me anything either . Thanks for the "headsup" on this. It will be interesting to see how this plays out......

 

[triple7]

This is a follow-up to my earlier posting. I just received a letter today from SOG saying that room rates are going up $3.00 for reservations after 10/01/03. The last paragraph states that my "official Disney confirmation should be mailed to me shortly"

 

[CutlerP]

I was planning on calling in Late November for ressies for the week of 12/8/03....and was wondering what would happen!! If the "official line" is that the new SoG will open 12/03, I wondered if I would be offerred a CR room or a SoG room...now from what I'm understanding, there really isn't officially anything to offer?? Do you know if the phone reps are answering this question (Honestly)?

Huh! This opens up a whole new can of worms!!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by CutlerP
I was planning on calling in Late November for ressies for the week of 12/8/03....and was wondering what would happen!! If the "official line" is that the new SoG will open 12/03, I wondered if I would be offerred a CR room or a SoG room...now from what I'm understanding, there really isn't officially anything to offer?? Do you know if the phone reps are answering this question (Honestly)?

Huh! This opens up a whole new can of worms!!

I truly cannot tell you if the phone reps are answering honestly. My source doesn't answer the phones and doesn't work during the 'normal' work week so, she can't even tell me what she's overhearing. Knowing the lack of communication on the part of those in charge, I'm willing to bet that agents are being told to advise guests "We're opening Dec 03" and sidestep any pin down because either A: no one really knows (used to happen ALL the time) or B: they know but forgot to tell those people who deal with the guests (also, happened ALL the time).

From seeing what went on behind the scenes and how long it took for construction to start and the mysterious lack of communication in telling us what was going on so we could inform the guests (and yes, I asked/begged repeatedly), I wouldn't hold my breath on having a room at SoG. At best, I *think* you would still have a room at the CR. I could be wrong. Construction may go without fault from now thru the end of next year and they may open in advance of what they're planning. Of course them knocking through a wall last week that they shouldn't have knocked through makes me think this will not be a problem-free construction. I just wouldn't hold my breath for it.

If this is an *important* vacation for you (important is different for every one), I would probably go ahead and get myself on the list for Dec of next year. In a perfect world, it should not take Disney and the gov't too long to negotiate an extended stay at the CR. I find it difficult to believe that Disney would force SoG out 'in the cold' for 3 months or so. I would think guests would be hearing some thing NLT XMas time. But, I'd give it til about mid Jan. If you still weren't contacted off the waiting list (please keep in mind that with the beginning of the new year usually starts the busy season in reservations...there are less people there to answer phones, and email, this year and I expect even longer than the usual waits in response time in both email and phones....this also means they won't figure out until Feb that the wait list is going to heck in a hand basket and start offering people over time to come in on the weekends to begin calling...it gets backed up VERY quickly when it fills up fast and can't be cleaned out on a regular basis) by mid Jan, I'd contact them (when you have lots of time to wait) and tell them you want to know what's going on and if you can't be given an answer, then you want overflow.

If your vacation is something you can take a bit of a risk on, I'd let it go until Mar, or even later, before contacting them about it. That time of year is a slow time and you shouldn't have any problems getting overflow, even if you waited through the summer. Busy season usually starts to wane about mid April (whenever Easter is) and is usually done by May. They'll still have the occassional busy periods (Mondays are always bad), but it won't be 1/2 as bad as it is the first quarter of the year.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by triple7
This is a follow-up to my earlier posting. I just received a letter today from SOG saying that room rates are going up $3.00 for reservations after 10/01/03. The last paragraph states that my "official Disney confirmation should be mailed to me shortly"

Hhmmm....that's all? I know I had mentioned in a previous post about rates going up and the individual I spoke with mentioning she couldn't remember how much. But, I did mention about closing the gap between Cat I and Cat II personnel and she said it would. She also said the Cat IV rates would not go up at all. I'm wondering if this is a $3 across the board raise or only for the category you're in. '

I'll try to get some more info on the room rate raise, but you guys may get more confirmation on it before I will. Thank you for the heads up!!!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by strawberryblonde
Had I not read this I wonder how long it would have taken me to realize that I do not have confirmation papers for Oct? They didn't mail me anything either . Thanks for the "headsup" on this. It will be interesting to see how this plays out......

This isn't meant as a put down, so please don't take it this way (esp since your reservation is still 11 months out!), but I was always amazed at people who would contact us 5 days out from their arrival date because they hadn't received a confirmation letter and wanted to check on their ressy. Now, that would be fine and dandy if they had made the ressy a few days prior. But, these would be people who make a ressy 6 months (or more) ago and, more often than not, we would find out that they never paid their deposit (these would be the "no we don't want to use our credit card for the deposit, we'll send a check, thank you" people) and they no longer have a reservation. This would account for the having not received any thing in 6 months. No, I'm not joking. It would happen, at least, once a week, if not more often. Then, they'd get highly upset and irritable because little Johnny and Susie were counting on coming and how dare we not be able to run right out and build them a room because of their forgetfulness/lack of keeping up with their vacation. <sigh> Nope, can't say I miss it <BG>.

To comment on your posting, it *may* have been that when you made your ressy/wait list (whatever it is you have right now), they really didn't know what they were doing (they being the resv agents). In all instances, our hands were tied. We couldn't pass along what we weren't told. And, when we were told to advise the guests of one thing, even when we knew it would change or wasn't correct, we had to do what we were told. You may have fallen into that range as well. I'm thinking it was more likely the first scenario. No one considered there were no rooms to be had because they don't look that far ahead. I'm betting the only reason they found out was because reservation requests were being sent to Disney and Disney had to remind them that the contract expires on "X" date 2003. But, you're right, it should be interesting.

 

[CutlerP]

Thanks so much, FirstNo, for all the insight! It's interesting to hear about the Other Side!

I guess then what I'll do is just call up 53 weeks out from 12/8/03 and see where I end up. At this point, I'd be just as happy, if not happier, to be at CR than the new SoG. I'm not sure if I want to be the "de-bugger" of the brand new hotel (although there are some things I'd miss, not the least of which is the tax-free status! ). I am sort of assuming that construction will be behind schedule - it always is!! I agree with you, I can't believe that some sort of agreement between SoG and WDW would not be reached and all the military families would be SOL for a couple months. But what do I know??

Here's another, totally unrelated SoG question (actually 2)...

Are the new rooms going to be as big as they are now (or were)?

When buying park admission at CR, do you have to pay sales tax on the tickets??

thanks again!!

P

 

[triple7]

Here are the new rates listed in my letter:

Standard Room Rate

$69.00
$92.00
$98.00
$102.00

Add $10.00 to each rate for "Ground Level with Patio.

Add 11.5% for State and County taxes.

Add $10.00 for each additional adult (18 or older) above 2 per room.