First off Judy and I had a great rid through an almost empty park Thursday morning - simply beautiful,ran 600 miles in all Thursday not quite home, always great seeing everyone both new and old with the hope the new friends become old ones. I was the first to call and reserve a room and ended up in back. Complained when I checked in - nothing she could do asked for manager told I am. Complained again next day same story even tho people downstairs in front were leaving - no offer to move us Management was aware and did not care they were full why should they? I'm sorry but I do not see this as a misunderstanding. I'll be back to Maggie Valley next year but not at that hotel think I'll go back to Oak Park Inn in Waynesville - I've stayed there in past - not very far all rooms on one floor in a J shape so we'd all be looking at each other, room for trailers walking distance to shops and food places in downtown area. I can be on Blue Ridge in 20 minutes, it truly is a great area to ride so many choices I could spend a month plus during the week is a great time to explore the park or just go fishing.
John, I am glad you explained why you were so disenchanted with the Maggie Best Western. The motels lack of cooperation for your plight undoubtedly created an emotional flow that is hard to deny, and I totally agree with where you are headed. The hotel in Waynesville appears to be located within easy walking distance of shopping and eating, and when in town, walking might be preferable to taking your trike and trying to find parking.
Why don't you check with Zook and get his feedback, and perhaps check the hotel out. See what the going rate would be (the hotel appears to have different rooms with different rates to confuse things) for the average number of trikers we usually have at the B/W, and see if they will guarantee that we can be grouped together.
(A caveat - since the hotel has so many different rooms & different rates, it looks like some of us might have to take a room we might not want, size-wise & price-wise. If this is not considered up front, we could end up back in the same boat room wise for 2018, as we were at the B/W for 2017.)
As a matter of note, the hand writing on the wall for our 2018 event says that those who plan on attending our Maggie Valley gathering for 2018 - whatever the motel or hotel - should make their reservations prior to March 1st, or at least 6 months in advance to 100% assure that we all have rooms in the same area, that gives about 6 months to work out the details. (The fact that you were one of the 1st to sign up at the Best Western and still had back-room room issues, does not speak well of the Maggie B/W...)
The hotels Website is: http://www.oakparkinn-waynesville.com/
Be blessed,
Chaplain Dave