(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FFoCCILogoMed_zps6crkgnos.jpg&hash=f684d451d18535e89b80d0a24736bab61af1853a) | 2015 Guide to getting a Downtown Hotel Room Travel Planners Hotel Lottery San Diego Comic Con By Jopari from www.FriendsOfCCI.com (http://www.FriendsOfCCI.com) |
Review the price list, and other info gleaned from pictures in this document. Read reviews on the hotels. Also refer to the hotel list, which has even more information. http://www.comic-con.org/sites/default/files/forms/cci2015_prelim_hotellist_v1.pdf (http://www.comic-con.org/sites/default/files/forms/cci2015_prelim_hotellist_v1.pdf) The Form has as dropdown list of all of the hotels that you pick from. The hotel names on that list can be slightly different than what is shown on the PDF file. Here is a Spreadsheet that I'm updating periodically that shows the difference in 2014, and my guesses at what they will be for 2015 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14vWKw8eZAfmtFaav7RzI3xdrzcext0tCsPP40J89n1Q/edit#gid=0 (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14vWKw8eZAfmtFaav7RzI3xdrzcext0tCsPP40J89n1Q/edit#gid=0) Write down the hotels, with the exact spelling Travel planners is using, in the order of preference. You need to pick exactly 6, no more, no less. | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2Fomni_zpsu3wlzv2a.png&hash=271c3b8b1f274c6dabeb9c7e5673cbea92c4226e) |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2Fclock_zpskgbvv2oa.jpg&hash=893b6d9de489d91cfc46010e125546e41bd4ff0a) | If your computers clock is off by just a few seconds, that could spell disaster and ruin your chances of getting a downtown hotel room. Set your clock to http://time.gov/widget/widget.html (http://time.gov/widget/widget.html), or some other military/government time source. |
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| (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FNotepad_zpsxgwzrmtc.jpg&hash=83a68e4f93656b2b1e4f39fa80f02b2debefc517) |
The is the first Section that requires typing. This is where you type in your name, address, phone and email I mentioned earlier. Again, I recommend copy/paste from a notepad document, unless you are crazy fast at typing. Click the Image to the right for a larger view. --> Methods to fill this section out faster:
| (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FResInformationNotes_zpstuedpxfs.jpg&hash=c6f4b1e52970038f02dfa4f3fc357025c08b9dc5) |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FCheckbox_zps8nizqgbe.jpg&hash=fee1145c561f12ed33a492c59cf25ea45b07e079) | If the only room(s) available at my specified hotels are at an upgraded/higher nightly rate, book my reservation into those room(s). NOTE: Nightly rates can be substantially higher than the rates posted above. Checking this box DOES NOT guarantee a room at your requested hotel(s). |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FSelectedCircle_zpsoqgh0ujg.jpg&hash=52f4b90e44c56b5ca7f584407b56bd346d5f937c) | Book me into any available downtown hotel. If NO downtown hotels are available, discard my request and do not waitlist me. |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FUnSelectedCircle_zpsyzzibvab.jpg&hash=91881b8457e9d96cc01c852da4b996cb75d03dc0) | Book me into any hotel that is on the shuttle route. If NO hotels on the shuttle route are available, discard my request. NOTE: if we are able to book you into a hotel on the shuttle route, you will also automatically be waitlisted for your original, specified hotel choices above. |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FUnSelectedCircle_zpsyzzibvab.jpg&hash=91881b8457e9d96cc01c852da4b996cb75d03dc0) | Book me into any available hotel. NOTE: if we can book you into any available hotel, you will still automatically be waitlisted for your original, specified hotel choices. If we CANNOT book your requests, you will be automatically waitlisted. |
Number of Rooms* | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FNumberOfRooms_zpsyokakdeb.jpg&hash=93e420cc937c941de02790de23a9b1782ad13ef5) |
Type of Room* | Arrival Date* | Departure Date* | |
------------ | ------------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------- |
Room 1 | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FSelectTypeofRoom_zpsmdpjjtby.jpg&hash=af4016f2de634b0ef6139977445321aeed42f801) | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FArrivalDate_zpshfspiok9.jpg&hash=27e714247e4348df79b579cbf2a4ee7f3e13a01a) | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FSelectDeparture_zpst33rmcys.jpg&hash=7c958a28ad2e9b0af0e8f50fcebd298a7c520766) |
First Name* | Last Name* | ||
Occupant 1 | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FEmptyBox_zpsn0wg35fi.jpg&hash=348a93535609c22fa0c7e8994f8808b83d8d381e) | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FEmptyBox_zpsn0wg35fi.jpg&hash=348a93535609c22fa0c7e8994f8808b83d8d381e) |
When you select the Room Type, it will automatically add Occupants for each person that you are required to fill in. You will need to enter the first name and last name for each occupant (Do NOT JUST USE INITIALS!!). So if you pick "Quad" you will need to fill in a first and last name for all four occupants. | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FTypeOfRoomDropdown_zpsiygxqhkf.jpg&hash=c707f77cef312cd3c3ef73956398bf743865b4af) |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FArrivalDateDropdown_zpsjlcqkcoi.jpg&hash=9a90bc5df472985ccb04db0c90f8cb2fb11752c7) | Arrival and Departure dates are critical. If you try to ADD dates later, there may not be availability on the for the dates you need to add. It is better to book more than you need, and then reduce the number of days you need, than you find out later that you really needed to come in on Wednesday instead of Friday, and not be able to stay at the same hotel the whole time. |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FCheckbox_zps8nizqgbe.jpg&hash=fee1145c561f12ed33a492c59cf25ea45b07e079) | I will provide a deposit equal to my first and last night's room rage and tax within 72 hours of receiving my hotel reservation confirmation email or my reservations will be automatically canceled. |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FCheckbox_zps8nizqgbe.jpg&hash=fee1145c561f12ed33a492c59cf25ea45b07e079) | I understand the number of beds in a room cannot be guaranteed. |
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2FCheckbox_zps8nizqgbe.jpg&hash=fee1145c561f12ed33a492c59cf25ea45b07e079) | I am submitting one form for all of my rooms. (Submitting multiple requests will only delay the processing of your reservations.) |
Now that you have a good grasp on what the form looks like, the information you need to memorize, and how to fill out the form... It's time to make sure your time to complete the form is under a minute. Practice entering all of your information (including selecting 6 hotels) over and over until you can get as close to 30 seconds as possible. Start a competition with your friends and family to see who is like.. the coolest form enter..er. yeah. Here is the link to a practice form created in Google Forms. There are 6 hotel selection boxes though. remember that the real form has only ONE dropdown hotel selection boxes, and you just reuse it 6 times. | (https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1370.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fag253%2Fjeremycondoin%2F2015TPFORMGUIDE%2Fwaxon_zpseymlodf4.jpg&hash=d864f610b2638538b10d91ee19f21ec49268d324) |
Is it a good idea to check the "accept an upgrade/higher rated room"? Also, with "if none of my specfied hotels are available" option what is the best answer? I was thinking the second option but then it says to discard the request is none are available so then you could end up with nothing?
I always check that option for the upgraded room. I have never once received an upgrade offer.
I was browsing through the 2014 Hotel thread, and I noticed that some people's reservations were getting cancelled as duplicates because other people had listed them as an occupant. There's 4 of us, so should I only list myself as an occupant and leave the other fields blank if those people will also be submitting a request? And then have each of them only list themselves as an occupant in their requests? What do you Hotelpocalypse veterans usually do?
I was browsing through the 2014 Hotel thread, and I noticed that some people's reservations were getting cancelled as duplicates because other people had listed them as an occupant. There's 4 of us, so should I only list myself as an occupant and leave the other fields blank if those people will also be submitting a request? And then have each of them only list themselves as an occupant in their requests? What do you Hotelpocalypse veterans usually do?
Don't leave them blank - use fake names. Just try and keep the names resonable, so no joke names that they might flag as being fake. (I did short generic names like Sue or Ed so they would be quicker to type). Once you get an actual reservation, you can log into travel planners website and change the other occupant names to the real ones.
Don't leave them blank - use fake names
I was browsing through the 2014 Hotel thread, and I noticed that some people's reservations were getting cancelled as duplicates because other people had listed them as an occupant. There's 4 of us, so should I only list myself as an occupant and leave the other fields blank if those people will also be submitting a request? And then have each of them only list themselves as an occupant in their requests? What do you Hotelpocalypse veterans usually do?
How is this even possible? How does TP know that it's a duplicate and not just someone with the same name?
Honestly, those of us who experienced the hotel lottery aren't even sure why they would simply purge (or delete) duplicate names without checking the addresses or contact information first. As far as I'm aware, Travel Planners based their criteria on seeing accounts with the same name for last year's situation. It isn't clear on whether or not Travel Planners has found a way internally to address this, and unfortunately, we won't know for sure until after the hotel lottery date and the rooms are assigned to people.
I had no idea this was even a possibility. I'm glad I read this thread. I'll let my roommates know to just put their names and leave the rest blank (we all share the same first name so our submissions might have been suspicious anyway). I mean, you could use fake names that happen to be someone's real names and then those real people could get their submissions rejected? I also guess I just don't get why TP would delete duplicates anyway. If a group of 4 people are all trying for one room, and they each get a room, they will only use one and will release the rest (or give them to other people). It's not like the rooms go to waste.
I had no idea this was even a possibility. I'm glad I read this thread. I'll let my roommates know to just put their names and leave the rest blank (we all share the same first name so our submissions might have been suspicious anyway).
Pretty sure you *have* to fill in all the names. If you pick a double you must enter two names, triple three names etc. Anyone remember for sure?
Pretty sure you *have* to fill in all the names. If you pick a double you must enter two names, triple three names etc. Anyone remember for sure?
This is correct. If you pick "Quad" you will need to enter all four first and last names. you will get an error if you try to continue and leave any of the boxes blank.
Added this to the guide.
Thanks.
I'm not 100% convinced that Travel Planners purges duplicate names...doesn't it stand to reason there are multiple "Smiths", "Jones", etc??? I can't wrap my mind around how they would even have the capacity to purge repeat names.
Thanks for the guide it's very helpful. I just want to make sure i understand one thing with putting in the names of the other occupants in the room. I am requesting two rooms. One room for me and one room for 2 friends to share. All three of us are putting in a request form. Should we not be putting in each others names in the occupant section to avoid any problems with the forms getting rejected. Should we just put in random names? If we use random names is it easy to change the names to the actual names of the occupants or is that going to be a problem. I'm just confused because the past 2 years we put in the actual names of the occupants of the rooms on the form and didn't have any problems. But now I am hearing about people who did have problems with using the real names on multiple forms and wonder if maybe we were just lucky the last few years and i don't want any problems this year.
Basically i just want to be sure if we use random names in the occupant section we wont have a problem changing the names to the real occupant names.
I would just keep it simple and have everyone use their own last name for every one, like: request #1 is John, Jane, and Joe Smith. Request #2 is Jane, Joe, and John Jones. Request #3 is Joe, John, and Jane Moore. And so forth.
So I think they look for the same names in multiple forms regardless of the address (since we used diff addresses)
If I have gathered this correctly they don't delete the duplicate entry without contacting you?Yes, they do contact you but if you can avoid the heart attack and stress, I recommend it.
They will send you an e-mail though if there is a duplicate issue. I believe we had 2 days to sort out the issue before they'd be automatically canceled.
I would definitely put in random names. You can change them with the hotel later, but Travel Planners DOES delete duplicate requests (at least some of the time, I have had it happen to me personally), so it's better to be safe than sorry.
I would just keep it simple and have everyone use their own last name for every one, like: request #1 is John, Jane, and Joe Smith. Request #2 is Jane, Joe, and John Jones. Request #3 is Joe, John, and Jane Moore. And so forth.
I'm using an auto fill program but I'm entering the names for the other 3 people and apparently I'm a slow typer plus I get really nervous :(
You can also set up and use autofill for the other 3 people (in Chrome, anyway) if you aren't currently! That might help cut down on time :)Thank you so much for that information I'll look into that now
I don't need to put in fake friend name, then! Thanks for your useful info!
I'm using an auto fill program but I'm entering the names for the other 3 people and apparently I'm a slow typer plus I get really nervous :(
Lol, I need someone standing behind me blowing a whistle and shaking my chair
I'll volunteer :)
Google form =/= TP hotel form. I would assume it won't work, and just be pleasantly surprised if it does
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Posted as its' own topic and here since I was not sure how to do it:
While I have read threads about how the lottery works, I could not find out these things:
1.) Do you have a better chance of getting your 1st choice if you book a full week Sun b4 till Sun or Monday after con, opposed to say just Wed thru Sun?
2.) Do you have a better chance of getting your first choice if you only ask for 1 room. If you ask for 3 and only 1 or 2 are available at your first choice what happens? Do you get 1 room at your first choice, then the other 2 at your second,etc, or are you automatically pushed to your 2nd choice or shot down altogether?
3.) When choosing, say 3 rooms, twin, 2 beds, do you only have to put one name for each of the 3 or are you required to put other names in cause you may want 2 beds as opposed to 1 beds? I am a single and always get 2 twins to use one bed for clothes or in case someone needs to crash unexpectedly.
I called TP and they seemed confused and did not have a direct answer for me.
Thanks, for any input anyone can provide :).
If you put that you wanted 3 rooms and say you put 3 ppl in each room does that mean you would need to come up with 9 names? I said 3 ppl cause I know most ppl want 2 beds in the room.
Might be an interesting experiment to try to see if it makes a difference, if TP processes multiple room request first before single requests. Did anyone last year put in for multiple rooms and did you get one of your 6 choices? Also, how long did it take for you to fill out the form?
I put in for 2 rooms last year with 2 people in each room and i got my first choice downtown hotel. My friend also put in for 2 rooms 2 people in each room and got her 3rd choice downtown hotel. I think a bunch of things go into which if any downtown hotel you end up with. How fast you get the form in is probably the biggest factor but which hotels are on your list is also a big part. Plus how many rooms and the type of rooms requested i'm sure play a part.
You are making a lot of requests to people who just speculate. It sounds like you should call TP yourself and find the answers, then you can post them for the group.
I can tell you that if you request 3 rooms on the same form they will all be at the same hotel. So if your first choice is the Hard Rock and there is only 1 room left, you will not get that 1 room and then 2 others at another hotel(s). That's not something i know for a fact, but common sense tells me that's a no brainer. Common sense tells me that they will book you in the first hotel that has 3 rooms available.
Why do they need to be clear on how many people you have in each room? That is already on the form and you will be submitting that information for each room requested.
Reply #73 on: March 14, 2015, 02:05:39 PM »
While I have read threads about how the lottery works, I could not find out these things:
1.) Do you have a better chance of getting your 1st choice if you book a full week Sun b4 till Sun or Monday after con, opposed to say just Wed thru Sun?
2.) Do you have a better chance of getting your first choice if you only ask for 1 room. If you ask for 3 and only 1 or 2 are available at your first choice what happens? Do you get 1 room at your first choice, then the other 2 at your second,etc, or are you automatically pushed to your 2nd choice or shot down altogether?
3.) When choosing, say 3 rooms, twin, 2 beds, do you only have to put one name for each of the 3 or are you required to put other names in cause you may want 2 beds as opposed to 1 beds? I am a single and always get 2 twins to use one bed for clothes or in case someone needs to crash unexpectedly.
I called TP and they seemed confused and did not have a direct answer for me.
Thanks, for any input anyone can provide :).
I wanted to add it is very important for Travel Planners to clarify the above questions so we know things in advance and know the rules.
As an example, Is there a dfference in what room choice I will get if I choose 1 room for myself and get a time stamp at 9:am for The Hilton, as my first choice, then Marriott, Hard Rock, Grant, Omni, Hyatt as the rest, or if I choose say 3 rooms with the same order and time stamp.
What if they can give me 1 room at the Hilton( if that is the one I really want as first choice)? Will the remaining 2 rooms be in the Marriott, and so on?
They need to be clear on this as well if I choose a room with only 1 bed for 1 person or a room with 2 double beds for 2 people, etc.
Totally fair and legit questions above (along with what I originally asked) that should be answered by TP.
Edited for typo.
I put in for 2 rooms last year with 2 people in each room and i got my first choice downtown hotel. My friend also put in for 2 rooms 2 people in each room and got her 3rd choice downtown hotel. I think a bunch of things go into which if any downtown hotel you end up with. How fast you get the form in is probably the biggest factor but which hotels are on your list is also a big part. Plus how many rooms and the type of rooms requested i'm sure play a part.
Might I ask which hotels you and your friend received and what was the time stamp on both of your requests?I got the Horton Grand. I think my friend got the W. No idea about the time stamp but i know we both got in in under a minute. But since we both had completely different hotels on our list so even knowing the time stamp i don't think would tell us much.
Thank you :)
Glad you put this guide together, jopari. I have been trying it out whenever I can find some time. Here's hope I can score a downtown hotel. Last year I did early bird so this year I want to at least try for something within walking distance. Is it bad that I feel completely nervous right now? lol.not being a downtown hotel type i'm not feeling it except from all the Hotel types. they are vibrating at a nervious twitch similar to what i'm feeling abt parking.... LOL
Reminder that last year, notifications with the hotel link were sent out the Friday before (4 days ahead) at 2PM in the afternoon PDT.
The year before was the exact same day, exact same time! Friday 2PM. If the form has changed drastically, I will revise the guide right away.
try to practice with and without auto-fill
Remember not to rely on non manual input. What if they change "first name" to "Thoust Givinith Name" lol. Anyways, wax on fellow FoCCi'ers
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Just reading this thread brings butterflies to my stomach.
My mac autofills my name in every box as other guests sharing the room.
I don't see a way around it other than wasting a few seconds to delete the names on the day.
My mac autofills my name in every box as other guests sharing the room.
I don't see a way around it other than wasting a few seconds to delete the names on the day.
Is this the hotel list link we've been waiting for?
http://sdccblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/cci2015_prelim_hotellist_v1.pdf
Quick question. I'm using Chrome but I can't figure out how to get autofill to work. Any tips?Have you tried the steps to toggle it on already?
Have you tried the steps to toggle it on already?I've gone through the steps. And just on the practice form.
-Click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
-Select Settings.
-Click Show advanced settings and find the "Passwords and forms" section.
-Select the "Enable Autofill to fill out web forms in a single click" checkbox.
If its already enabled, are you having trouble getting it to work on ALL sites or just the practice form?
I've gone through the steps. And just on the practice form.
Okay I'm comparing between LastPass and Chrome Autofill to see which works best for me. I'll mess around with the form myself some today. So far Chrome Autofill seems to work fine, just not so well for the additional persons I need to add. I think with LastPass I can set up some custom fields that *might* work for those but of course it's a total gamble.Got it working! Thank you!
I'm assuming you already have a street address profile completed for Chrome Autofill. Could there be some Chrome extensions that might be interfering with it? Some who have similar issues say autofill starts working for them when they log out of their Google account. If that works for you then maybe the issue is tied to your account and not specifically the Chrome browser.
There's a Yahoo Answer on this too that has enabling cookies as the top answer.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. I'm kind of playing catch-up on this thread so hopefully someone else can provide a better answer.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120218091710AAQByQ5
I know from personal experience that Yahoo Answers tend to be hit or miss but maybe this one will work!
Got it working! Thank you!
Here is a Google Spreadsheet that shows the comparison between 2014s PDF and 2014s Form Hotel List.
I then added 2015s PDF and my GUESS at 2015s Form hotel List. You would think they would use the exact same list they have shown is in the PDF. but unfortunately last year it was slightly different, and we can expect the same this year.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14vWKw8eZAfmtFaav7RzI3xdrzcext0tCsPP40J89n1Q/edit?usp=sharing
Very sneaky of TP doing that.
Just give us honest, accurate information....
My wife and I finally got into SDCC but, as hotel selection is on Monday 3/24/15, we have not received our Travel Planners email with the link for the Hotel Selection Lottery. We were wondering if anyone else didn't get their email link yet. Or, should I be expecting that email sometime tomorrow (Sunday 3/23/15)? Thank you for your help.
Cheers,
Jeffrey
Dear Zero,
Thanks! No worries about merging my question to this thread. We were just wondering about the TP email as we wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything seeing the hotel selection is on Tuesday. I originally thought it was Monday (as you pointed out..sorry about that) so that prompted my question thinking hotel selection was a day earlier. Oops. This will be our first trip back to SDCC since 2004 and we are extremely thrilled (quite the understatement) to be going. We looked at our program guide for 2004 and the expected attendance then was about 15,000. What a difference a decade makes! Have a great night and thank you very much for answering my question; I appreciate it!
Take care,
Jeffrey
I just went to the first page of this thread to check out the practice page and it says I can't view any of the links and that I need to register or login... Problem is I'm logged in.. I even logged out and back in but I still can't seem to open any of the links as I see the same message.. Any thoughts? Thanks!
I just went to the first page of this thread to check out the practice page and it says I can't view any of the links and that I need to register or login... Problem is I'm logged in.. I even logged out and back in but I still can't seem to open any of the links as I see the same message.. Any thoughts? Thanks!I double checked all your permissions & everything seems normal.
Tuesday, March 24th (unless you're in a different time zone), but make sure your calendar is marked for Tuesday. ^__~
Quick question for people with multiple room experience: Our group might need 2 rooms this year so we're all requesting 2. But, there's a good chance we'll end up just needing 1. If we have 2 rooms can we change the reservation back to 1 after the deposit and everything? I know you can make changes to names and try to change dates. Wasn't sure if you could drop a second room if you didn't need/want it anymore.
If you end up with two rooms and you only need one reservation, you can either: [1] not pay for two nights stay plus tax (Travel Planners gives you about 72 hours to submit payment, and if payment isn't submitted during that time
Downside is that once you have put the deposit, its only a few weeks later before you can get rid of the 2nd room without a penalty i think.
Not quite. the releasing 1 room on 1 reservation part we know. I mean if we have 2 rooms under 1 reservation, do I later, after paying the deposit, if our other people drop out, have the option to change the reservation to 1 room.
As a reference, I usually request 2 rooms. When I receive them, I have a *separate* reservation number for each room. So it is treated as two entirely separate reservations and it is easy to cancel one if that's what you need to do.
If I'm taking my one year old do I need to list them as a occupant of the room or do just go after a 2 person room and list my husband and I? We only need one bed and a pull out, or crib (wich most of the hotels on our list have). Anyone have any experience with this?
You shouldn't need to list your one year old as an occupant.Like frank, i wouldn't list the kiddo but once you've got a room/hotel i'd call TB, say in a month and tell them you're gonna need a crib. I imagine they'll have encountered this situation before & have a process. <--hopefully
As a reference, I usually request 2 rooms. When I receive them, I have a *separate* reservation number for each room. So it is treated as two entirely separate reservations and it is easy to cancel one if that's what you need to do.
My nephew and I are both participating separately in Hotelpocalypse. If we both put down each other's names as occupants in our twin room request, will we both be bounced out for being duplicate or just the slowest of the two of us?
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Going to be a stupid question, but just want to make sure all bases are covered. I'm likely going to be making the trip with a few other friends (who won't be attending CC, just Cali) and I don't exactly have a set number of people this far out yet.
I'm assuming when it comes to reserving the rooms, only ONE name is needed per room? Even if a reservation is placed for twin beds or whatever? I'm just trying to gauge how strict they are, and whether I need the exact number of occupants and names at the time I place reservation.
Does anyone know if you can use an iPad instead of a PC?
If you ask for a triple you need to put three names, quad four names etc etc. They are required fields.How strict are those fields when it comes to actually checking in?
How strict are those fields when it comes to actually checking in?
If I add one person, or if I sub in someone else, does it matter?
How strict are those fields when it comes to actually checking in?
If I add one person, or if I sub in someone else, does it matter?
When i did this a few years ago, they sent us an email about the duplicates and then we just responded and had them cancel one of the reservation
Will that put us to the back of the line?
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It's quite easy to change the names on the reservation through TP either online or on the phone. So long as your name is on the reservation, your other guests should be able to check-in.Sounds peachy, but I am curious what's the need for listing the other occupants then when requesting a reservation? It sounds like they don't really care who comes with, so long as the person's name matches the reservation and billing info.
We had to discuss at the front desk adding someone to both of our reservations to make exchanging the credit card on the account and check-out easier. We had to put down a card at check-in and the girl whose card the reservations were paid under was not there to do so. So we needed to switch it over to her partway through. She was also the one leaving last and picking up the itemized receipts. We were told they could absolutely add her to the account, but when they looked up my personal reservation they said as she was already listed it wasn't necessary. So she was able to go up without me to change things around for us.
If you want a guest to check-in earlier when you won't be there, they should be able to just present their ID, put a card on file, and there shouldn't be an issue. However, you can call a week or two in advance, once they have the reservations in their system, to double-check that the names on the res. are correct and confirm anything else.
Speed matters, a lot. But the main limitation is likely your typing speed and not the speed of your connection.
Speed matters, a lot. But the main limitation is likely your typing speed and not the speed of your connection.
Thanks for responding to the above post. I just asked a question about this on Reddit. We arrived back in town to a significantly slower internet connection than we would have had for last year's sale and it has sort of made me reconsider my hotel choices. I don't want to go downtown or bust if my internet speeds guarantee I wouldn't get my request submitted in time.
My nephew and I are both participating separately in Hotelpocalypse. If we both put down each other's names as occupants in our twin room request, will we both be bounced out for being duplicate or just the slowest of the two of us?
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30 seconds with Jopari's form.
Took me three goes and I had it down.
Booyah!
Using the drop down menus to get the hotels listed is what takes me the longest. Ugh.
This is my list - any opinions?
1 - Best Western Bayside
2 - Bristol
3 - Doubletree Downtown
4 - Four Points SHeraton
5 - The Sofia
6 - Declan Suites
I know in the wiki guide, it states that you can hit the first letter and go that section. Can you type multiple letters, ie "H-A-R" and get to Hard Rock or are you limited to "H" and then scrolling from there?
Thanks!
Lol...me too. I always scroll to far or not enough. I tried typing the 1st letter of the hotel but I feel it takes me longer.
tab'ing and typing the first letter or two is the fastest way **but** my opinion may be colored because i touch type.
I know in the wiki guide, it states that you can hit the first letter and go that section. Can you type multiple letters, ie "H-A-R" and get to Hard Rock or are you limited to "H" and then scrolling from there?I think it works up until the point where you have to hit the space bar. For example if the hotel name starts with "San Diego" and you try to type that in you'll find yourself starting at something like Declan instead of San Diego Marriott etc. etc. This is how it was working for me last night anyway using chrome.
Thanks!
This is my list - any opinions?
1 - Best Western Bayside
2 - Bristol
3 - Doubletree Downtown
4 - Four Points SHeraton
5 - The Sofia
6 - Declan Suites
I think it works up until the point where you have to hit the space bar. For example if the hotel name starts with "San Diego" and you try to type that in you'll find yourself starting at something like Declan instead of San Diego Marriott etc. etc. This is how it was working for me last night anyway using chrome.
Question: Did autofill work on last years form?
This is my list - any opinions?
1 - Best Western Bayside
2 - Bristol
3 - Doubletree Downtown
4 - Four Points SHeraton
5 - The Sofia
6 - Declan Suites
one thing that may help is the auto fill feature in chrome. I'm talking abt filling in your name, last name, address & email address. to get to the autofill feature in chrome go to the menu on the far upper right side of chrome, select settings, scroll down to 'show advanced settings', scroll down to passwords & forms, make sure Enable autofill is toggled on, click on 'manage autofill settings', under the field of 'address' highlite your address, click edit on the right, make sure all your info is in the correct location.
then go to the practice form, type in the first name, highlite the dropdown box & click. a good majority of the fields in the form might be filled
OK. Updated list (due to location/price)
1 - Bristol (188)
2 - Best Western Bayside (181)
3 - Sofia (212)
4 - Doubletree Downtown (199)
5 - Declan Suites (214)
6 - Four points by Sheraton (207)
Thoughts? For eight dollars more per night for a better location...although #2 does offer free breakfast...I'm conflicted over 1 and 2, thoughts?
Less then 5 hours to go!! Anyone nervous? What if the form has changed?! What if everything goes wrong?!?! START FREAKING OUT PEOPLE... AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
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Jopari it's 4am, why are you awake?
Alyssa - so you're somewhere between NY and FL?actually north of there....
Argh, I thought all the Mods were based in Cali - it's 10.30pm here - Melb, Aus
It did not load right at 12:00, went about 12:30ish and this at my work... anybody else have that issue?
Mine took more than one minute to load. It was not a drop down, and as I selected hotels, it didn't show them to me... there was no where to see which I had selected already! Didn't get done til after 12:02. I have my fingers crossed, but I'm pretty devastated right now. I think I was at 2:30 or so.
Because it didn't load, I tried getting in on another browser and another Chrome tab, then furiously checked among the three selections until one opened up. Wasn't sure what to do.
The one saving grace is that my first selection is a downtown hotel, but not one of the more popular choices, according to the poll I saw yesterday. (Embassy Suites)
I have been practicing with the online form found here, thought there will be 6 drop down windows, one hotel at a time. My practice time was 55 secs.Did you watch the practice video in the first post? It was practically identical to the one now, and was used last year. I studied the layout very closely so I wasn't caught off guard when there weren't 6 separate drop-downs. It actually made me go a lot faster because my pointer was already on it, so I just kept left-clicking after every selection.
Yep, same issues as everyone else on here. The form took SO long to load, then I had to use Ctrl for selections - I couldn't even make sure all my choices were there.When you hit ctrl, did it select them and put the below the box so you could drag and reorder them? Curious if it truly selected them
I'll feel sick until I get a confirmation email, then sicker until I actually get a reservation.
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Chrome Autofill worked for everything except for the Occupant names
That was my first choice too since I'll be going with 3 others and I'm the only one going to CC. Let's hope we both get in.
So upset. It finally loaded the form and let me choose one hotel and nothing happened. It just stayed highlighted. All I could do was highlight more selections in the drop down. Then it just automatically submitted before I even entered room info or check in/out dates. I had to back all the way out and start over. Over three minutes. I wonder if I have any recourse since the first submision clearly has my name and email on it.
I went back to the form and noticed some of the hotels have been removed...that was fast lol
Did you watch the practice video in the first post? It was practically identical to the one now, and was used last year. I studied the layout very closely so I wasn't caught off guard when there weren't 6 separate drop-downs. It actually made me go a lot faster because my pointer was already on it, so I just kept left-clicking after every selection.
I freaked out when the form wasn't loading! Good thing I wasn't the only one having the problem.
A lot of people got screwed I think. Check out this tweet that's picking up steam.
https://t.co/Q1WZmEi4FP
anyone think there is any chance they may re-do this whole thing. I adhering a lot of people had trouble with the site not only not loading but it not working correctly once it did load and also submitting on it's own without al the information filled out.
anyone think there is any chance they may re-do this whole thing. I adhering a lot of people had trouble with the site not only not loading but it not working correctly once it did load and also submitting on it's own without al the information filled out.
I'm wondering with all the issues people had with load times/hotel choices if the times will also be longer. I've not seen anyone saying they submitted the form before 9:01.
They're not going to do a redo. That just invites the same mess all over again. What they will have to do is come up with a policy for 'incomplete submissions'.
I'm glad people will be taken care of, but if someone submitted a partially blank form, wouldn't that improve their time stamp? So will they get put ahead of those who submitted a fully completed form with a slightly later time stamp?
Incase you don't follow SDCC Unofficial Blog (SD_Comic_Con) on twitter... They have said that they spoke to travel planners and anyone that had a bad form should call 877-552-6642 and Travel Planners will take your info
Form took a while to load...
I concur!
Yeah, I went for Embassy Suites as my #1 and #2 picks. Fingers crossed!
Ummm ... I hope I did this right. My form only allowed me to select/highlight the hotels I wanted. I didn't get a first, second, etc choice. This happened for everyone else, right?
Also, I saw that people who used Chrome filled out their forms using autofill. Did those who did this have to still manually click on the hotels they wanted?
I'm glad people will be taken care of, but if someone submitted a partially blank form, wouldn't that improve their time stamp? So will they get put ahead of those who submitted a fully completed form with a slightly later time stamp?
I'm glad people will be taken care of, but if someone submitted a partially blank form, wouldn't that improve their time stamp? So will they get put ahead of those who submitted a fully completed form with a slightly later time stamp?
I have to agree with Devorah on this. While I feel for those folks that had issues with partially blank forms going through... How is that in anyway fair to the people that suffered through the glitches and managed to submit a fully completed hotel request form? If those with partially blank forms have the time of those faulty submissions count, then that makes their stamp earlier than if they had actually finished filling it out properly.
Again, no disrespect to those of you who had faulty/incomplete submissions go through, but I sure hope the plan for this call Travel Planners and having them fill out people's faulty hotel requests is done in a way that doesn't screw the rest of us who battled to get it done properly.
I have to agree with Devorah on this. While I feel for those folks that had issues with partially blank forms going through... How is that in anyway fair to the people that suffered through the glitches and managed to submit a fully completed hotel request form? If those with partially blank forms have the time of those faulty submissions count, then that makes their stamp earlier than if they had actually finished filling it out properly.
Again, no disrespect to those of you who had faulty/incomplete submissions go through, but I sure hope the plan for this call Travel Planners and having them fill out people's faulty hotel requests is done in a way that doesn't screw the rest of us who battled to get it done properly.
100% how I feel... at the very LEAST I hope TP adds on extra time to those who submitted early. I see a ton of people who say they submitted a blank form before they filled out the regular one. I trudged through my regular form with no accidental submission despite glitches and that feels unfair.
I wonder if we should all call TP up?
I was wondering the same thing. It's really not fair either way. They need to fix the forms of the people who had problems but why should those people get an advantage if they were able to submit the form faster because they didn't have to pick the hotels. I know someone who go the form in in like 10 seconds because the form auto filled out all the information and then submitted on it's own without the hotels. I could of done the same time if i didn't have to deal with the hotel drop down box.
I know they won't do it but this is why they should re-do this whole thing. How on earth are they going to decide on the order to process those incomplete forms.
I have to agree with Devorah on this. While I feel for those folks that had issues with partially blank forms going through... How is that in anyway fair to the people that suffered through the glitches and managed to submit a fully completed hotel request form? If those with partially blank forms have the time of those faulty submissions count, then that makes their stamp earlier than if they had actually finished filling it out properly.
Again, no disrespect to those of you who had faulty/incomplete submissions go through, but I sure hope the plan for this call Travel Planners and having them fill out people's faulty hotel requests is done in a way that doesn't screw the rest of us who battled to get it done properly.
Some of us did it properly and had 6 filled out. It just wouldn't let us rank them, and it would have taken several seconds, maybe to order them, but the confusion caused by having to search for how to rank cost us even more. I really think it's going to be a draw here, unless we want to start begging for those seconds we lost trying to figure out why we couldn't rank. It's probably not possible to know what is "fair" in each situation.
I had the drop down hotel problem too. Is there a email to contact them on? Since Im overseas think it would cost alot to call and guessing theres callwaiting
Some of us did it properly and had 6 filled out. It just wouldn't let us rank them, and it would have taken several seconds, maybe to order them, but the confusion caused by having to search for how to rank cost us even more. I really think it's going to be a draw here, unless we want to start begging for those seconds we lost trying to figure out why we couldn't rank. It's probably not possible to know what is "fair" in each situation.
I also believe that no matter what Travel Planners does in this situation--to try to alleviate or solve these issues--not everyone will be happy. On their end of things, it's a "lose-lose" type of scenario. Whatever they decide to do, some people will be elated, while others will be upset. There really isn't a "right" answer for this.
Some of us did it properly and had 6 filled out. It just wouldn't let us rank them, and it would have taken several seconds, maybe to order them, but the confusion caused by having to search for how to rank cost us even more. I really think it's going to be a draw here, unless we want to start begging for those seconds we lost trying to figure out why we couldn't rank. It's probably not possible to know what is "fair" in each situation.
wait 48hrs to confirm you actually get a room.
Some of us did it properly and had 6 filled out. It just wouldn't let us rank them, and it would have taken several seconds, maybe to order them, but the confusion caused by having to search for how to rank cost us even more. I really think it's going to be a draw here, unless we want to start begging for those seconds we lost trying to figure out why we couldn't rank. It's probably not possible to know what is "fair" in each situation.
As Devorah said in response to this... I won't hold my breath for a fair solution. That said in the case of the ranking issue, that's a little more palatable to deal with but in the cases of faulty/and incomplete submissions lacking necessary fields... If those folks get an advantage, I'm plotting to destroy Travel Planners. (Kidding... but not.)
In fact, I would hope that next year, as someone else mentioned, TP has rules specifically outlining consequences for incomplete submission I would hope that would discourage anyone from using this as an advantage in future sales.
Ugh, which is the frustrating part, of course. The form is *supposed* to bounce back and not submit if you haven't picked 6 hotels. Which it did, last year, I think. But this year they managed to un-fix it somehow.
Travel Planners: doing our own job worse than the year before since 2011!
Everyone I know that had an auto-submit went back and submitted again. I can't imagine anyone who knows about the system wouldn't have. So they'll see that that person has two submissions. No one could fill out that form in 10 seconds, if there are incomplete forms they will probably add a specific amount of time to each. At least that's what I'd do. It might still give an advantage to someone who isn't necessarily fast, but it's the fairest way I can think of without having a redo.
It also seems like people are getting different info from TP, but the general consensus is they'll sort it out when they get to the point of the confirmation emails. For people who had hotels selected automatically or couldn't put them in order, you'll see when you get your email whether or not it's correct.
At any rate, this whole ordeal is going to make the waiting even more difficult than usual!
I sense a new internet meme catching on. Ha ha.
According to the two people I spoke with, including the woman who spoke with her manager, it doesn't matter... if you submitted in 10 seconds, it counts as a submit, because "How do we know they didn't just have a glitch?"
And they told me it's Comiccon rules and they REFUSE to budge on them.
I hope I'm overreacting, because this is making me feel really sick. SO many people accidentally submitted early. It sounds like you might even get an email if that was the case, giving you time at your leisure to re-fill the form out.
According to the two people I spoke with, including the woman who spoke with her manager, it doesn't matter... if you submitted in 10 seconds, it counts as a submit, because "How do we know they didn't just have a glitch?"
And they told me it's Comiccon rules and they REFUSE to budge on them.
I hope I'm overreacting, because this is making me feel really sick. SO many people accidentally submitted early. It sounds like you might even get an email if that was the case, giving you time at your leisure to re-fill the form out.
Ugh, which is the frustrating part, of course. The form is *supposed* to bounce back and not submit if you haven't picked 6 hotels. Which it did, last year, I think. But this year they managed to un-fix it somehow.
Travel Planners: doing our own job worse than the year before since 2011!
I hope I'm overreacting, because this is making me feel really sick. SO many people accidentally submitted early. It sounds like you might even get an email if that was the case, giving you time at your leisure to re-fill the form out.
It seems fair to let people re-rank their hotels at the VERY least, but I think the main issue is for those people who submitted blank forms EARLY who are told they get to keep their time stamp.
I'm calling TP to ask about it, and she's speaking with her manager to see if that's the case. I mentioned it's highly unfair to let someone who submitted a blank form with just their info auto filled to be placed ahead of those of us who worked to enter everything... especially because my form WORKED and I could have submitted a blank form no problem.
I'll report on what's said. It's a mess, and honestly probably should just be re-done.
Edit: Got ahold of her and the manager VERIFIED that if you auto submitted your form, even with nothing on it, you are placed AHEAD of people who entered their info properly, which is completely ridiculous. They verified even if you submitted in 10-20 seconds, with only your info and no hotels, Comiccon will give you first pick.
I've been transferred between multiple associates and that's it... we're screwed if we did the form correctly.
Did anyone's page load immediately? I had to click the link 4 different times before I got a page that worked.
Did anyone's page load immediately? I had to click the link 4 different times before I got a page that worked.
Unfortunately, there is no one right answer that will solve this issue; someone is going to be upset no matter what happens, just like during online registration.
I think I saw one person saying the form loaded within 5 seconds - most people are saying it took at least 45 seconds, with many ranging up to almost 2 minutes.
I think mine loaded just after the 1 minute mark.
Am I alone in thinking that this could all be fixed with a submission system like in badge sales?
For those that had the wrong form and had the phanton submitt with incomplete forms, were you able to select all 6 hotels and did you fill out another correct form?
I hesitate to wait until thursday just because I am afraid I am going to get one confirmation email for the form I submitted 6 minutes later. Calling has yielded that I need to wait for an email and they cannot confirm I have two submissions.
The only problem I had was it took about 30-40 secs for me to get the form to load, but it seems like everyone had this issue. Once the form loaded I was able to input my information and choices fairly quickly. I would estimate that I submitted it within 90 seconds, and thats including the time it took for the form to load so I actually like my chances. Sorry to hear that a lot of peeps had problem with the form, hotels disappearing, etc ect...unfortunatley i dont think there is any way to make everyone happy in this situation.
I just called TP again... for the 3rd time today. The new update is we'll all find out via email (tonight?) & they have "no information other than that at this time". Sounds like someone's boss had a meeting...
If they're still sending simple confirmations, we *might* get them this afternoon as usual. But if they're drafting an "oops, we f-ed up but we're not actually going to admit we f-ed up, but rest assured we've got it all under control now b/c we're totally awesome except for this one totally unforeseeable f-ed-up-ness"... well, in that case I doubt they'll have it before this evening.
All predicted times Pacific.
haha, yeah and if they send that one I doubt we'll see it until after they close the phone lines for the night.
Sounds like someone's boss had a meeting...
For those that had the wrong form and had the phanton submitt with incomplete forms, were you able to select all 6 hotels and did you fill out another correct form?With my phantom submission and the one I did right after I didn't have the drop down menu working properly. Both forms were "completed" within 9:01. The third one I did a few minutes after had it working. I had a friend who did it in the same amount of time that had everything working properly, said that it refreshed on him and the drop down was working where it, I guess, said I was done while scrolling to put in my room information.
I hesitate to wait until thursday just because I am afraid I am going to get one confirmation email for the form I submitted 6 minutes later. Calling has yielded that I need to wait for an email and they cannot confirm I have two submissions.
The link in the email also seemed to have a tracking id. When I hovered over the link it showed where it was forwarded. Checked it against the link my son received and it was different. Not sure if the issue was just not that it was a cloud thing but also maybe the tracking stuff in the link. I remember one year they did that in the badge sales and lots had issues. I'm glad it's over for now. Now the anguish waiting to see what we got.
From Twitter few min ago:
Indigo Ballroom Line retweeted
Rose Marie Fox @therosefox · 4h 4 hours ago
@sdccindigo "Incomplete submissions will not be thrown out because of the glitch." #sdcchotels
WHAT???
Just got an email asking me to re-select the hotels.
Did so & immediately got the Confirm Hotel Order email
Just got an email asking me to re-select the hotels.
Did so & immediately got the Confirm Hotel Order email
The email has a link that asks you to enter your email address and then there are 6 drop down lists.
This is the email to look out for:
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi769.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx334%2FStarMclight25%2FForm.jpg&hash=9dd3e22b95eb6f2301ad6e4ffa0ddd3abfb5b795) (http://s769.photobucket.com/user/StarMclight25/media/Form.jpg.html)
So the real question is... since this year was such a screwup, what will they do next year?
Revert to last year's system/servers where at least the form submission process worked?
Or change the whole system entirely, making it an Epic-style lottery where people go in and submit forms (or even choose actual hotel slots based on remaining availability)?
Stay tuned...
Should I be concerned if I haven't recieved any emails yet? I submitted with no problems.
Same here. No problems, and no email.
Looks like we wont get our confirmation email till tomorrow night then...Did it allow you add any waitlist preferences or just the hotel drop down box? Wondering how TP decided that.
Yeah I have not gotten an email yet either and I didnt have any issues other than the long loading times.....
From the looks of it, you will only receive an email IF and ONLY IF you didn't submit any hotels. If you managed to refresh, re-load and work your way through the glitches and errors, you might not receive an email because you've already made your choices.
Ridiculous!
From the looks of it, you will only receive an email IF and ONLY IF you didn't submit any hotels. If you managed to refresh, re-load and work your way through the glitches and errors, you might not receive an email because you've already made your choices.So does that mean that no news (email) is good news (email)?
Ridiculous!
Someone just said they accidentally submitted a form without hotel selection in like 15 seconds. hey went back to redo everything with the glitchy page which took 10 minutes.. Then called TP who told them that because they went back to redo the form, the first one got deleted and so did the 15 second timestamp.. It saved the one they redid last! .. it seems no matter how we look at it.. it was a mess for every one and it's a waiting game on who gets what now.
Mine went thru around 3 minutes and if I get something downtown I am happy.. if not.. oh well. I will try to find something in mission valley :)
I'm pretty sure if your form went through successfully, then emails are still forthcoming. If you had an issue with your hotel choices, then you should have an email.I'll only be upset if someone who submitted after me gets the hotel I want and I dont. I'm not too worried about the people who submitted a blank form, I haven't personally heard of anyone who did and I know lots of people who had the bad form, so I'm thinking its a minuscule percentage in the grand scheme of things. And people who may have submitted faster than me possibly didn't due to slow load times, refreshing or any number of reasons. So for me it evens out. I'm just glad I'm going to be really busy the next couple days so I'm not thinking about it.
The only thing I feel pretty certain about is that people who get their choice of hotels will feel the system ended up working and people who don't get their choice will feel the system was broke.
Here are my results
Firefox 9am, pressed enter to load the URL (had pasted it into the address bar)
Loading...
Had chrome on an auto refresh every 1 second on the same URL also.
Chrome alerted the page had changed about 45 seconds after 9am.
Refreshed Firefox, loading for another 30ish seconds before it got to the form
were now at about 9:01:15am
Hotel dropdown wasn't a dropdown!! same issue others had.
Refreshed again. about 15 seconds later, form came up again, this time with the dropdown list.
Picked my hotels, filled out other info, and hit submit. took me a minute at least.
Delay loading the confirmation page, maybe 15 seconds.
Estimated finish time? 9:03:15am . 3 minutes 15 seconds or so.
My take on what went wrong
What went wrong? obviously they hosted the site on an amazon cluster. but somebody didn't get the memo that they needed to set up load balancing, and to make sure the ENTIRE form (website, and associated scripts and such) were copied to all hosts in the cluster. (i don't know how clustering works to be honest).
Load Balancing: The loading Delay
It should have been simple! session1, gets Webserver1, session2 gets Webserver2, session3 gets Webserver3, etc etc. Then when the last host has a session, the next session goes back to Webserver1. this way the load is distributed. I don't think that worked, or was even enabled.
Some able to submit with missing info: Broken Validation Checks
When the page loads for each user session, a bunch of scripts run that creates validations. Like "First name, must have at least one letter" "FirstName:1:text" (or however the logic works). Then the Rules: If Validation(FirstNameEntered)=false, SubmitForm=Disabled & ValidationFailedAlertBox=OPEN()
If the Web Server was under so great a load that the Validations could not be created, then the submit button would fail to be disabled!!
Hotel Selection Box: JavaScript? Unable to Load
The selection box, has a list of the hotels. But the selections (on click, add selected to PreferenceList) <-- just my guess at how it works
But that special piece, that converts a box of hotel names, into a clickable box with more logic behind it, failed to load.
Again, i think this was a load balancing issue. we probably had 20k+ people all trying to load the page a the same time, and it got overloaded and couldn't make the special clickable box.
All said, i think the old server (www.tphousing.com) may have somehow had load balancing enabled, which is why it worked so well last year.
I think someone forgot to click the "enable" button somewhere.... and someone is getting fired....
Took forever to load, plus my hotel selection part was all messed up
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.tinypic.com%2Fvcqk8w.jpg&hash=55811a1507fb38069a64af8b8cabb943350b3457)
practicing the online form over the past two weeks, I am ready!
11:59am EST - nervous
12:00 noon refresh!
12:00:30pm ants on fire
12:00:35pm - site loaded
12:01:00pm stressful - having problem selecting the hotels in the drop down or lack of
(figure the form must have changed from what I seen from previous year for 2015)
12:01:30pm relief - figure out I can control select the 6 hotels inside the scrollable list
12:02:15pm worry but I can finally relax, since the form is all fill out and submit
12:06pm saw tweets about people have trouble loading the site. Give me hopes about my 2 mins 15 sec submission time
12:17pm saw tweet about "bad form"
12:40pm >:( up sad - learned the 6 hotels in my submission might be "empty" after all
1pm - angry
1:34pm ;D excited - new mini season of X-Files returning to
I think a LOT of us are screwed b/c the hotel dropdown didn't work.
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs10.postimg.org%2Fv78y8cyl5%2FScreen_Shot_2015_03_24_at_9_04_58_AM_copy.png&hash=9a73226274a3f64f87a38a4df88782b3f0b8740f)
http://twitter.com/SD_Comic_Con/status/580435137332158464
"Travel Planners representatives saying an e-mail will be sent tonight with more information. Everyone take a deep breath."
Just got an email from TP:
"Thank you for submitting your Comic-Con housing request today. According to our records, we realize that you may have experienced a problem with the hotel drop down menu on the form. To ensure accuracy of your hotel preferences, please click on the link below to submit your six (6) hotel choices in order of preference. Once you have submitted your choices we will process your request based on the time stamp from your original submission.
To complete the reservation process quickly and efficiently, your form submission must be received no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 25th. Hotel choices cannot be processed via telephone. "
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g7w7c2pnfgw5s5w/Confirm.png?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/g7w7c2pnfgw5s5w/Confirm.png?dl=0)
This is the resubmission form I have. Pretty simple.
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F03%2F24%2F221c06074fa8978ec31a0daed2fbb380.jpg&hash=b1759d7ecb05a308a0082de9802c48e1d2d54db9) (edit source from xax's)https://www.dropbox.com/s/7xkthbtv4lt3qlg/Email.png?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/7xkthbtv4lt3qlg/Email.png?dl=0)
This is the email confirmation I got, immediately
Forgot to get a screenshot of the next page, but its just said something like "Thank you for submitting your six choicecs"
No details
i got this after i clicked submit
(https://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1051.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs437%2Fadapaoferidu%2Fsucess%2520tp%25202015.jpg&hash=7f9f041f90097fbc7e0d71747e651da7a446f460) (http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/adapaoferidu/media/sucess%20tp%202015.jpg.html)
reposting here again to sum up the day:
It seems to me like there is a lot of conflicting information coming from TP. In my oppinion, they should release a statement officially explaining what is happening which would make it easier on them because they wouldn't have so many people calling their representatives 24/7.
That's what I thought was going to happen last night when they said there would be an email announcement. Instead, the email only went to people who got to re-select their 6 picks. :(
Me too. With all of the other stuff they messed up in this year's hotel sale, Travel Planners' lack of a statement seems particularly unconscionable and cowardly. When you know you've made a mistake, the best was forward is to admit it and lay out a plan for how you will move forward. But I guess that assumes a situation in which there's accountability - we're all stuck with Travel Planners no matter how much they suck. But I think not releasing a statement is cruel to their employees as well, since I'm sure people will keep calling and harassing them for answers they don't have.
Sorry i just feel like someone had to defend TP lol. Let's not act like most of us don't work for companies that screw up.
Have to agree to disagree with you here. When my company screws up, we 1) go to the client and admit it, 2) apologize, 3) explain how we're going to fix it, 4) fix it, and 5) change our procedures so it doesn't happen again. Travel Planners has not done 1 or 2, has given conflicting answers on 3, 4 is impossible (no matter what they come up with, it won't be nearly as fair as if their system had worked as intended), and clearly can't do 5, because this is not their first year massively screwing things up.
I am still fairly hopeful that I personally will get a decent result. But that doesn't change the EPIC FAIL status of Travel Planners.
Was told that they did send those emails to people but then stopped as the result was higher than they expected.
That's clearly the scariest part of that response.
I just spoke with TP and asked about the bad form and receiving the email to resubmit the hotel list. Was told that they did send those emails to people but then stopped as the result was higher than they expected. Told the recp emails will be received within 48 hrs from the sale, I said 48 hrs is to long to wait after what happened to so many people. I did, after accidentally hitting the return because I could not get the hotel list to accept my hotels, reload the link and received the good form. By then it was like 3mins into the sale and I know I had a late submission.
A drink last night and another tonight until I get the recap email. Thank goodness Arrow is on tonight!
I don't think we can really believe anything anyone says from travel planners at this point. I just don't think they actually know anything and are just saying whatever they feel like saying. Nothing we can really do but wait and see how this all works out in a few days.
Technical question - is anyone able to explain or have other insight toward the answer?
I've read a lot that second form submission cancels the first form submission. What is that based on? For example, is it insta-cancelling based on emails? Same names? IP address? Some sort of tracking in the link? If the system is auto-cancelling, I'm just not sure what criteria it is using to drop that first time stamp. Should I call Travel Planners or wait it out? Are our first submissions recoverable in this case?
Technical question - is anyone able to explain or have other insight toward the answer?
I've read a lot that second form submission cancels the first form submission. What is that based on? For example, is it insta-cancelling based on emails? Same names? IP address? Some sort of tracking in the link?
I'm concerned because on my same link, I had a timestamp for me of 9:03'ish, for the bf at 9:05'ish, and then, I put through for my dad and sister (different hotels, different names) at 9:11'ish.
If the system is auto-cancelling, I'm just not sure what criteria it is using to drop that first time stamp. Should I call Travel Planners or wait it out? Are our first submissions recoverable in this case?
Starting to get concerned cuz I have not gotten ANY email of any kind yet. The process was relatively smooth for me. Only hiccup for me, as well as everyone, was the slow loading...after that I got it submitted pretty quick. This was my first attempt at hotel hell so I don't know how long it usually takes to get a confirmation email, but I would have thought I would have gotten the first email by now...im probably just paranoid.....
Starting to get concerned cuz I have not gotten ANY email of any kind yet. The process was relatively smooth for me. Only hiccup for me, as well as everyone, was the slow loading...after that I got it submitted pretty quick. This was my first attempt at hotel hell so I don't know how long it usually takes to get a confirmation email, but I would have thought I would have gotten the first email by now...im probably just paranoid.....
with them saying they cut off the Hotel Resubmitting emails, because too many people were resubmitting hotel preferences (must have been an automated email that sent out to anyone missing hotel preferences, and they didn't realize how many people that was), im concerned that the number of early, incomplete forms submitted, is in the thousands.
/FULLOFDREAD!!
They took down the re-submitting form also from what i can tell. So much for 5PM EDT.
This may or may not add to the confusion but it made me feel a little better . I spoke to travel planners . My situation was I got a bad form , the system automatically submitted , I went back in and submitted a good form . I received two confirmation pages . Travel planner says that I did not receive a correction email last night because my requests were merged and they got my hotel information from the second form . After the merge, they will be taking the timestamp from the first submission . He actually sounded like he knew what I was talking about and seemed pretty authoritative .how fast was your first submission?
At this point, I am just going to have to stop worrying about this for the next 24 hours . Whatever happens happens . I have a flight and a badge . I'm sure I'll find a place to stay . It may not be what I wanted but I will still get to enjoy the con and have a good time . Hope this helps someone who's in a similar situation to me .
This may or may not add to the confusion but it made me feel a little better . I spoke to travel planners . My situation was I got a bad form , the system automatically submitted , I went back in and submitted a good form . I received two confirmation pages . Travel planner says that I did not receive a correction email last night because my requests were merged and they got my hotel information from the second form . After the merge, they will be taking the timestamp from the first submission . He actually sounded like he knew what I was talking about and seemed pretty authoritative .
At this point, I am just going to have to stop worrying about this for the next 24 hours . Whatever happens happens . I have a flight and a badge . I'm sure I'll find a place to stay . It may not be what I wanted but I will still get to enjoy the con and have a good time . Hope this helps someone who's in a similar situation to me .
Oh great, no confirmation here. So now I'm wondering if mine went through at all... >:(
Oh great, no confirmation here. So now I'm wondering if mine went through at all... >:(
Hopefully they are just sending out the messages in batches and you'll get yours soon.
Same here!
I only submitted one time but I got 2 emails exactly the same.
I *just* got mine, so it looks like they're still being sent! Hope you get yours soon!
Badwolf, do you have the same confirmation/reservation number on both emails, or does it have you in the system twice?
ETA - I just got a second one. The Request Number was the same on both emails.
I was one of the many that was only able to submit a half completed form and this is what my email says at the end.. Can anybody clarify what exactly I'm seeing?
Group Room Details:
Group Single Rooms: 0
Group Double Rooms: 0
Group Twin Rooms: 0
Group Triple Rooms: 0
Group Quad Rooms: 0
Group Arrival Date:
Group Departure Date:
Room Details:
Number of Rooms requested: 1
Room 1
Room Type:
Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Occupant Names:
Room 2
Room Type:
Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Occupant Names:
...
I requested one twin room. Mine looks the same as yours but with the Room 1 info filled out. Here's what it looks like (I redacted the occupant names but they're both just on one line like that).See, that's what I'm worried about. I wasn't able to get to the Room Type, Arrival Date, Departure Date, or Occupant Names because it was submitted before I got to that point. My worry is that since I wasn't able to fill those in, I won't be able to get a room.
Room Details:
Number of Rooms requested: 1
Room 1
Room Type: 3
Arrival Date: 7/7/2015
Departure Date: 7/12/2015
Occupant Names: [name 1] [name 2]
And then rooms 2 - 9 blank, like yours.
See, that's what I'm worried about. I wasn't able to get to the Room Type, Arrival Date, Departure Date, or Occupant Names because it was submitted before I got to that point. My worry is that since I wasn't able to fill those in, I won't be able to get a room.
Got my email that they received the reservation request. No problems except for the initial page hang, so all the info was correct.
My concern is how long it took me to receive this email. If they're giving them out based on when our requests were sent in, I'm way back in the line. >:(
I doubt they are sending the confirmation emails by the order they were received.
I doubt they are sending the confirmation emails by the order they were received.
And you know this because?
Jopari, just wanted to say thank you for all you did. I was able to keep my concentration despite all that was going wrong with the form and get it filled out. If I hadn't had your expertise to practice with I would have totally lost it.
Thank You!
Yeah, I'd call TP if they're still open. But at least you got a confirmation email, which means they didn't immediately disqualify your submission, right?
Call Travel Planners immediately to get that fixed.I called and the guy said he doesn't have access to that info and told me to reply to my confirmation email with that info, so I did that. Hoping that works.
I was one of the many that was only able to submit a half completed form and this is what my email says at the end.. Can anybody clarify what exactly I'm seeing?
Group Room Details:
Group Single Rooms: 0
Group Double Rooms: 0
Group Twin Rooms: 0
Group Triple Rooms: 0
Group Quad Rooms: 0
Group Arrival Date:
Group Departure Date:
Room Details:
Number of Rooms requested: 1
Now its all in the hands of the Comic-Con gods.
This may or may not add to the confusion but it made me feel a little better . I spoke to travel planners . My situation was I got a bad form , the system automatically submitted , I went back in and submitted a good form . I received two confirmation pages . Travel planner says that I did not receive a correction email last night because my requests were merged and they got my hotel information from the second form . After the merge, they will be taking the timestamp from the first submission . He actually sounded like he knew what I was talking about and seemed pretty authoritative .
At this point, I am just going to have to stop worrying about this for the next 24 hours . Whatever happens happens . I have a flight and a badge . I'm sure I'll find a place to stay . It may not be what I wanted but I will still get to enjoy the con and have a good time . Hope this helps someone who's in a similar situation to me .
Exact same happened to me and I was told the exact same thing by TP.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Taking the timestamp from a submission that wasn't completely filled out is not fair to the rest of us. I accidentally hit submit with only 5 hotel selections, and it sent me back to the form to pick a 6th, as it should have. I'm being put at the back of the line because my form worked! I'm so fed up.
To those of you who got two e-mails - roughly what time did you submit? That's the only thing that makes me think it might be order submitted, because I haven't seen anyone with a time of over 90 seconds with two e-mails, which makes me think if that is how they're sending e-mails, they may have started, stopped, then re-started the e-mail process.
Hmm I don't remember my time stamp but i know the 2 ppl out of my 6 that got two emails were the quickest to submit the forms
I got two emails for my form... I hit submit at around 1:15-20 but then didn't get to the confirmation page til like 1:30.
I'm in the group that allegedly is getting helped by this and I understand and agree. On the flip side, I should have gotten a form that worked and it would have been a level playing field. I would have been fine if they added a factor of time to my original submission to make it more fair. My guess is this will certainly be addressed in the procedures for next year.
I still think this is lip service and there is no accommodation being made for us with the bad form as far as time stamp. But I am a pessimist.
I think they should've probably tacked on at least a 2-2.5 second factor per hotel choice and your newly reflected time stamp would be dependent on how many of the hotels were missing. If you only had one missing hotel, add two seconds to the final timestamp, if you were missing the entire thing, 12-15 seconds. That doesn't even get into filling out the bottom half of the room info including occupants, arrival and departure, etc., so I think 12-15 seconds would be a fair attachment for all of that.
Bummer...one of my friends got this email from TP. And it "resubmit your hotels" form was resubmitted
before the deadline even though it wasn't a bad form.:
Thank you for submitting your Comic-Con 2015 hotel request through Travel Planners.
We have not received a reply from you to our email regarding your preferred hotel choices.
In order to accommodate your request, you will be placed in the hotel closest to the Convention Center, based on the time your form was received.
Sincerely,
Travel Planners
But…latest a close hotel will be fulfilled IF TP can accommodate the request. I won't be able to concentrate on anything else for the next 24 hours. SDCC…I can't quit you-uuuuu!
I'm extremely worried because i put the hilton mission valley instead of gaslamp quarter on my 4th option, and got it submited by 9:01:47, so OF COURSE that is gonna be available, but i selected to only put me on downtown hotels: OBVIOUSLY I don't want mission valley, i replied to the confirmation email explaining this, but i dont know if i should also try calling them (being outside of the us, it would be quite expensive) mostly i'm worried that if my first 3 options are not available, theyll stick me in mission valley instead of any downtown...
I'm kind of in the same situation. But i know i put the Marriott marquis and marina as my first choice i actually have a screen shot of the page before i submitted it. But they have me down for the Sheraton Marquis and Marina which is by the airport. Of course the Sheraton will be available and with it being my first choice i have no chance at a downtown hotel. I replied to the confirmation email but i have little hope that they will do anything and by the time i can call them in the morning it will probably be to late if they would even do anything anyway.
With all the people who say they put in different options on there forms for the waitlist options and other things then what they got in the confirmation something is really messed up. I'm just really annoyed at this whole process. I honestly think this will be my last going for a while. SDCC has just gotten too big for any company to be able to handle. If it keeps going like this I would't be surprised if it eventually collapses under it's own weight.
I know!!! It's my first time going, after a lifetime of wanting to, so Im still excited, but this hotel thing is really stressing me out; but you should definitely send them the screen shot of your choices, it MAY make a difference, plus, if they're letting thoe whose form didnt work correctly choose hotels at their leisure, its only fair that they hear the rest of us out to change one hotel...
Wow, did you actually submit that many times, Xax? :o
Yeah, I was somewhere between 1:00-1:05, and I got two as well. Still haven't seen anyone over 90 seconds get two e-mails...
My SO was just over 90 seconds and he didn't get 2 emails. Whoever put forth the theory that they started and stopped and then started again sending emails seems to be dead on. I'd say if you got 2 emails, you're probably going to do alright. (That's speculation, of course).
I got two e-mails, and my full submission (the one with number of room, occupants names, etc) was screencapped at 9:02:30, so I guess it took me about 2:15 to submit, so that kind of breaks that theory? But then again, my two e-mails have two different reservation number (under the same e-mail address, with the same 6 hotels which I only picked once) so I don't know...
It passes the time.
And still it's not passing fast enough!!!!
And still it's not passing fast enough!!!!
And we may be checking email obsessively all weekend waiting for that 'result/allocation' message from TP....
Not so. Several people (myself included) are getting confirmation from TP that reservations will be going out today.
Not so. Several people (myself included) are getting confirmation from TP that reservations will be going out today.
Yes I've seen a few also on twitter saying the very same thing. TP is telling folks that the reservations will be today! (impatiently waiting here…) Someone on twitter asked if anyone picked Andaz as their first choice to please chime in when they get their email.
I got an email yesterday from [email protected] with the subject saying:
Hotel Reservations Request Email
This is NOT your hotel Reservation Confirmation.
I got it at 4:31pm confirming my registration for hotels and it listed the hotels I picked and said:
If your request can be accommodated, a second email will arrive confirming your actual Hotel Reservation. This Hotel Reservation Confirmation email will be sent no later than March 26, 2015. It will contain instructions on how to provide your deposit, as well as other important deadline information.
Then, I got a TEXT message last night about midnight saying:
NOTIFICATION: COMIC CON hotel reservation confirmation due @ Thu 26 2015).
What do you think this means? How am I to confirm if I don't yet know if I got a hotel or not? OR, are they telling me that I will get the confirmation today? And, if I don't get the confirmation today, do I assume I don't have a hotel room?
Like many others, I'm real confused.
I got my email and my first pick!!!
what was your first pick?
If somebody wants to point me in the right direction, we have two reservations we're willing to give up.
One of them is the
Manchester Grand Hyatt
7/8/2015 - 7/12/2015
4 people, 2 beds
$332.00 per night plus tax
The other is the
Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside
1 person, 1 bed ( don't know how that happened!)
7/8/2015 - 7/12/2015
$188.00 per night plus tax
<clearing throat> well, um...
if any body happens to win the parking lottery...all of the moderators, admins and a bunch of the helpful forum members are looking for parking & would be grateful
;) ;)
Haven't read the instructions or anything for parking so just asking what might be a loaded question. Can I participate in the lottery without having to pay for anything? I have no intent to park during the con but am more than willing to try and give away my reservation(s) to the mods here as long as I don't have to pay for anything. You guys are amazing
Yes, if they text anyone that's the first I've heard of it.
Helping with the parking lottery is greatly appreciated as well. ^__~
<clearing throat> well, um...
if any body happens to win the parking lottery...all of the moderators, admins and a bunch of the helpful forum members are looking for parking & would be grateful
;) ;)
I entered the lottery but will not need parking since I was lucky enough to get a downtown hotel. I will gladly pass it on to you!
anyone still not get charged for their room? i thought for sure id at least see a pending charge but nothing.My charge is still pending...since Friday. (Amex)
My charge is still pending...since Friday. (Amex)
I just got a cancellation notice on the downtown room I had transferred to another forum member. I hope that wasn't some f' up by Travel Planners with regards to deposits not being processed in a timely manner.
I just heard back from them - they cancelled it because they found a room at the Marriott instead. I wish they had put it back up for trade with someone else or let me know so that I could have put it back up for trade, but oh well. (Maybe they had already paid the deposit?)That is messed up. I personally believe anyone caught "hoarding" rooms on the exchange just taking whatever until they get their "perfect" room and then canceling something they took and not passing it on, needs to be banned from further exchanges. That's ridiculous to do that.
Anyway, a Residence Inn Gaslamp hotel will be going to someone on the waitlist now.
You can try uncancling it
That is messed up. I personally believe anyone caught "hoarding" rooms on the exchange just taking whatever until they get their "perfect" room and then canceling something they took and not passing it on, needs to be banned from further exchanges. That's ridiculous to do that.
This is certainly something to take under consideration. We are learning something about exchanging hotels every year, and I agree that this is an area where a change should be made.
Got this from TP earlier.
"Your room is still secured. Our company charges the rooms manually. So they will go back soon and start charging anyone who hasn’t been charged. If there is anything wrong with the credit card, you will be contacted.ot this from TP."
Really, manually? I did data entry in my early days, it's no fun!
That's what I thought, since people were posting about immediate transactions over the weekend.
BTW--I got a callback!!! They are supposed to put thru deposits tonight or tomorrow night.
Wow, TP really seems to be working hard for you! I hope everyone else is able to get in contact and have their issues resolved as well.