I made reservations two months ago at the Gainesville Lodge (right across from Abbey Road=close to everything Fest). Last night I got a call about having to cancel some reservations. The woman immediately asked me if I was in a band. Now, everybody knows that at Fest 3 everybody got all crazy there and was jumping off the office into the pool and the cops came and kicked everybody out. So, it's not the party hotel...I plan to party elsewhere and stumble to my room. Anyhow, she tells me there's a plumbing problem and that some of the rooms won't be ready five weeks from now. I tell her I'm sorry for the flood and she says it's not a flood, but many of the reservations that weekend will be cancelled...I'm sure they figured out what weekend the Fest is, and intend to not host anyone related.
I assured her I'm not in a band and skirted the whole Fest issue, as I'm a shitty liar. I am coming to do video work and so is my crew.
So, we kept our reservations after a long discussion. I'm sure she's calling everyone to do the same...stand your ground and be uber-polite and I think we'll all still get to stay. Or, if you haven't made a reservation yet, make up a good story and stick to it...I think it's $65/night, so it's a good deal too.
Just thought I'd let everyone know.
adios-mknz

I think they're booked, we tried to get reservations last weekend and the lady said "We are booked solid, I think there's something happening in town that weekend" Ha! So we are staying at the Days Inn on University, it's a mile away but hey I could use the exercise and it's only 51 a night which isn't bad.

They just cancelled our reservation.
We argued with with to no avail.
We even lied and said we were there on a business trip
We booked the rooms weeks ago
Just a follow up warning for everybody
See you in a few Weeks

fuck! I knew they were pulling that shit. Did they give you the "plumbing problem" bullshit? Damn...we should pool our money together and buy those fuckers out! Then we can jump off the office into the pool every year! Too bad their so convenient! I'm sure they'll try to kick us out as soon as we all show up with black t-shirts...judgemental mother fuckers!

I suggest white button ups, black ties and bike helmets.

We stayed there this summer...
that lady is a (insert choice of horrible degrading, and harmful slang here)! She watches you like a hawk, when you are coming in and out... and she will just make up prices...
we called and she told us $55 a night, and when we showed up she told us $70...

Good luck...

What part of "that place sucks; don't stay there" don't you understand? If they treat Fest-oids like crap then shun them with all your might. Staying at the Gainesville Lodge is the motel equivilant of eating at McDonalds... if McDonalds served dead babies instead of Mc Nuggets

it's a matter of necessity, "Guest". I've got a bunch of non-locals that don't have trans. and will need to be in the thick of it. If we could find a decent squat close enough, we'd use that.

I was just trying to tell others who need to stay close to get ready to make reservations somewhere else, or plan to debate with the "watch you like a hawk" lady.

anyhow, whatever-mknz

I'm booked in but for some reason i can't get them on the phone. I told them i'm over from ireland visiting my girlfriend. Worked last year. Too fuckin lazy to walk a whole mile to the next place. I think next year they should set up a homeless shelter in abbey road and let everyone sleep on the floor. Would be bitchin, sitting round a pile of burning zines singin cumbaya and shit. Oresum.

"Hello, Gainesville lodge"
"Hi, i ringing to confirm a reservation i made for the end of the month".
"Sorry we don't take reservations"
"I made this reservation a few weeks ago? I gave you my credit card number?"
"Sorry"
"I'm ringing from ireland?"
"What's that name again? Ah yes, here it is".

BUT

"so how much is the total"
"i don't know, the manager's not here, it depends on a lot of things..."

So... Be warned...

I just moved to gainesville and I've been to the past 2 fests and the last one i stayed there...we definatly trashed the fuck out of the room...and I SWEAR we found this hidden camera that was in this drilled out hole in the wall and it looked like a mini camera lens pointed towards the bathroom door and you couldnt pull it out into the room for it was too big like someone put it in from inside the wall. when i went to the office to complain she said she knew nothing of the sort and her husband would be in to check on it and he never came...so we just took a knife and fucked it up best we could and stuck a wad of TP in it. That place is whack as fuck. I jump off that place every Tuesday after mug night at the market street pub though...it's kinda ritual ever since i've been here....let me tell you it feels great and i recommend doing it if you have a gettaway bike. Probably not such a good idea during the Fest. Anyways...I have a very large living room with a lot of floor space that I probably will be able to let a few of you stay on for free of course but beer, meat, pizza, and other....stuff is appreciated as well...PM me I guess or use my AIM screen name.

-Ryan

I just want to get all the a/v volunteers (who are absolutely rad for helping Var out in documenting this thing) housed without any shit, so we took up Ryan on his awesome offer and we're going to house everybody over there. It's a little bit of a hike, so my amazing wife has offered to shuttle us all around in the National Underground van...it's actually her's when we aren't carting around equipment.
That way, there's no way we're left fucked and everybody can be as FESTive as they want to be with no worries...or cameras in the walls(?!?)