New Year's is too late. But then, it may be too early.

No. Most hotel rooms don't become available after New Year's. Most are
already gone. But they could become available on Jan 1 or some other day.
Sounds cryptic, but the hotels each run their own process. The only way to
find out is to call the hotels direct -- forget the 800 number.

Where we stayed, we put in our request for next year during this year's
show. They started taken requests then (from anyone who came in and asked.)
They then decide who gets the rooms and send out a confirmation around Oct
1. (Priority goes to those who stayed there this year and request 5 or more
nights.) Once you get the notice, a 2 night deposit is required by Jan 1 or
you lose your reservation. So some rooms may be available then, but they'll
likely got to others on the waiting list.

So here's the tactics:

Call and see if they have a waiting list. Get on it if you can. Best to
talk to the manager. The manager's often handle OSH reservations by
themselves.

Find out if and when there are any deposit deadlines. Be ready to call on
those days if they don't use a waiting list.

Out around March, start calling regularly (weekly) to see if anyone has
cancelled. (That's how my wife got ours the first time.)

Sometime around March-May, they give up on the 5 day minimum and start
selling 2-4 nights. So if you're planning a short trip, you probably won't
get very far until then. When they've started that, then you start getting
the "We've got Mon-Thurs only." Around June-July, you can start finding
these thru the hotline.

Good luck.

Gerry

"Paul Dow" wrote in message
news:lu9qd.10938$SA.8463@lakeread02...
I generally try to alternate years going to Oshkosh and Sun N' Fun. For
the Winconsin trip, that makes a problem with getting a hotel room since
I don't keep the room every year.

I've been told that to get a hotel room, I should call right after I
finish kissing my girlfriend after watching the Times Square ball drop
on New Years Eve. That's when they become available.

Does anyone have any suggestions on which hotels to call? I'm trying to
avoid the Motel 6 class room for $250/night. I know there's no avoiding
high prices, but I want to skip the worst of the gouging. In the past
I've stayed in Appleton twice, Wautoma (45 miles west) (Really good
pizza) and Green Bay (Really good & cheap shrimp at the Raddisson bar
there).

I know the camping experience is something to consider, but since nearby
Appleton holds the all-time US record for highest dew point (101 Deg -
July 13, 1995), I really appreciate air conditioning after a long day of
walking around. The dorms in Appleton may be a good option, since I
read they are air conditioned.

I would also add the requirement for being close to a Culver's
Butterburgers, but those are numerous in the area.

Thanks for any assistance,
Paul