Usually I am not one to rescind something I've said, I think, but this time must be an exception. I mentioned the possibility of fitting more than five people into a five-person room to my dad, and he strongly warned me against doing that. He said that we could be kicked out for doing that since it's against the fire code and against the law. Whether he's speaking from experience—either his own or someone else's—I don't know, but I feel that we should follow his advice.
If more than five people need to fit into one room, then we will have to put some actual money into the lodging. A three-night stay in a room of that size would all but use up every point we have. My dad is actually going to Southern California tonight and will amass some more points, but they'll still be insufficient to completely cover the cost of a larger room, not to mention an extra one.
Certainly Luigison's generous offer of paying for an extra room sounds like the best option to me, but the late date at which we will find how many E3 passes we'll get makes this uncertain. Otherwise the best plan for more space would be a larger room if one is available. I don't know how far the points would get us with that, so I'll have to ask my dad to check that out for me when he gets back from his trip.
MEGAߥTE's concern is one that I wondered about also, but my dad assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. Supposedly m/hotels are prepared for situations like this and allow guests to store their luggage after checking out of their rooms to be picked up later. I could call the Courtyard and ask them directly if they offer this service. If they don't, or if we just decide to add another night, anyway, then we'll have to pay for it, I'm afraid.
What I see as the biggest obstacle in all of this is how incredibly late we'll find out exactly how many passes are available. Making plane reservations to and m/hotel reservations in a busy city merely a month before you're planning to be there is not the best idea. As such, my dad (and I, but he's the one who knows what he's talking about) thinks that he should make the room reservation as soon as possible, especially since we'll be getting it (mostly) for free. So it would be really good if we could come to a consensus now on what to use the points for, and then add a room later or whatever if we have to.
Keep in mind that the points will go only so far regardless of how or when we use them, so we may as well use them now while we can. Also, if we'd end up needing another room, we could get it at some other nearby, non-Marriott m/hotel.
Thank you very much, Luigison, for kindly offering to help us out so much! :) I would love it if you could go.
Sapphira, thank you also for being willing to stay with a bunch of strange males you've never met before. However, I want to be sure you understand that the reasons guys and girls generally stay in different rooms extend beyond their annoying each other with snoring or the use of the TV. Everyone planning on going seems to be okay and respectable, and I doubt that there'd be a problem, but I just want you to be aware. In a way I feel silly saying this because I personally trust all of these guys. Just trying to be safer than sorry, I guess. ;)
“Hey, lemme borrow your bike. C’mon, I’ll give you some chips.â€