A suggestion for the class of 2029 parents, even if your cadet is not accepted yet.

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jketron

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Even if your cadet is not in yet, if you want reservations at the Thayer hotel for 2029 graduation, you should make them now. They sell out quickly and will most likely be sold out even before your cadet is formally accepted. They started taking 2029 reservations on September 1st, 2024.

Another suggestion is to reserve A and R day if you plan on attending.
 
jketron said:
Even if your cadet is not in yet, if you want reservations at the Thayer hotel for 2029 graduation, you should make them now. They sell out quickly and will most likely be sold out even before your cadet is formally accepted. They started taking 2029 reservations on September 1st, 2024.

Another suggestion is to reserve A and R day if you plan on attending.
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A day and R day (2025) are already booked at the Thayer (at least when I looked- I did not call them! It's like getting on a daycare list before you are pregnant. Lol
How can you even book for 2029 without knowing dates? I wanted to book for Plebe parents weekend, but don't know the dates yet, and online it looks like they only have dates out through 1 Jan 2026 available to book. Is calling the only way?
 
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They have a really good idea of the dates when you call them. As for A and R day, staying offsite was no big deal at all. Most people's fuss was around getting your 4-year parent pass at the visitor center. Lodging and getting around were really easy on both days.
 
I just looked on Thayer Hotel's website- June 23rd (Monday) and June 30th (Monday) are both sold out. Is June 30th "assumed" to be R day for the class of 2029? Would it be worth making hotel reservations elsewhere which I could cancel if I wind up not needing them? (Son is not yet admitted of course.....) For potential A day reservations, August 8th/9th, and 15th/16th are sold out as well (did people book 2 sets of reservations, so they could cancel when the dates are officially released?)
 
I believe the Thayer holds these reservations. You would need to call to make the reservations. Additionally, for big events such as R-Day, A-Day, Graduation, the reservation is paid in full when booked and non refundable, unless your cadet does not graduate. You typically can sell/transfer your reservation to someone else. When booking graduation, you are given the option to add on R-Day, A-Day, and PPW. My cadet was accepted in very early January, I believe graduation was booked by March. I really appreciated the Thayer at PPW. I do agree with others that R-Day and A-Day somewhere else works out fine, but I would suggest as close to Highland Falls as possible.
 
You can't book R-Day or any special dates online, they are blocked and reserved by Thayer for admitted cadet families - you call or email. Also, you can't pre-reserve R-Day without an offer of admission. They do check from a list of names. I know because I asked and I booked, by phone, in January after my DS2026 accepted his appointment. I booked graduation, A-Day, PPW. All pre-paid, but cancellation terms are reasonable and lots of families will want the room. Once you accepted your nomination, you can join your official class Facebook group and the WP Moms Facebook group. You'll get tips on where to reserve, Army moms taking care of each other.

Also, beware of Airbnb and Vrbo in the nearby areas. They are notorious for canceling last minute to increase price, once they learn that the weekend is a special event weekend. Hotels don't do such shenanigans.
 
J1910 said:
Thayer is super overrated. Not that good of a hotel.
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It's still the most convenient especially when you bring grandparents along. Besides, The Thayer Hotel doesn't have enough rooms for everyone, so it works out if some people don't like it. More rooms for those of us who are true fans.
 
This is soo helpful and reassuring!
Thanks for the insight, we’ll definitely wait until he gets in/accepts appointment to book.
We stayed at Thayer for his official visit and we loved it!!
 
Candd82026 said:
You can't book R-Day or any special dates online, they are blocked and reserved by Thayer for admitted cadet families - you call or email. Also, you can't pre-reserve R-Day without an offer of admission. They do check from a list of names. I know because I asked and I booked, by phone, in January after my DS2026 accepted his appointment. I booked graduation, A-Day, PPW. All pre-paid, but cancellation terms are reasonable and lots of families will want the room. Once you accepted your nomination, you can join your official class Facebook group and the WP Moms Facebook group. You'll get tips on where to reserve, Army moms taking care of each other.

Also, beware of Airbnb and Vrbo in the nearby areas. They are notorious for canceling last minute to increase price, once they learn that the weekend is a special event weekend. Hotels don't do such shenanigans.
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I wonder if the hotel knows before the C/Cs are notified…that would be an interesting way to find out they got accepted…
 
This is just silly. You do not need to stay at the Thayer and I assure you the majority of cadets will appreciate you very much ESPECIALLY on A Day if you get them the heck away from post. It is really not a big deal to drive a little ways and you'll save yourself some cash and be closer to a Target when they want to pick up some supplies. Please don't stress .. and do not let yourself get sucked into FOMO. That said ... Thayer is nice and I've enjoyed it when I've stayed ... but big weekends, not necessary and often not desirable.
 
J1910 said:
Thayer is super overrated. Not that good of a hotel.
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We stayed at the Thayer suite for 2018 A day. Well, the suite had black mold studding around the ceiling lights. Since then we stopped staying at the Thayer. The advantage is easy pick up and drop off your new cadet. You still have to drive 20-30 minutes out of town for good food and shopping. But DO book the Thayer Buffet on the A day. Your new cadet deserves it. Best wishes to all applicants, mine is not even finishing her application yet😂
 
Coming back...you might think: Why the Thayer for graduation? It costs a fortune! 1) Cheaper than college and 2) Your cadet will be busy and exhausted during Graduation Week. You will be back and forth and changing clothes a couple times a day. If you are at the Thayer--it is easy. Also, your cadet can slip over to join you when he or she is free--join you for snacks and drinks on the deck of the Zulu Time Lounge--drop things at the room for you to bring into the car. The Thayer also runs its own shuttle some years--or handicapped shuttle to events. Being INSIDE the gate is a huge time saver during graduation week. We did three rooms--I reserved and paid--each time--and it was done...seemed like a big pill at the time I reserved the rooms but it was peaceful for the next 47 months and perfect for graduation week.
 
I made reservations already in a nearby holiday inn for A Day and R Day! The graduation day rates are insane hahaha but will check it out soon!
 
Don't forget to try the Hampton Inn Woodbury Commons/Central Valley for R-Day. They will often put together breakfasts for the cadet candidates. It is a LONG day.
 
What is the date for R-Day? Do you book a room the night before so the cadet candidate can be there for early R Day?
 
Bruno1417 said:
What is the date for R-Day? Do you book a room the night before so the cadet candidate can be there for early R Day?
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Yes, you book a room the night before for your family.
IF your cadet will be travelling alone to R-Day--so flying in and then staying by the airport and travelling to USMA on the bus with the other cadet candidates, then do not worry about booking a room near West Point for R-Day--your kid will be directed what to do and where to stay and how to catch the bus.
However, if your family or just you--are going to travel with your cadet, then you will want a rental car and hotel room and to be close enough for an early morning drop off (usually a one hour window starting at 0600 and ending at 1100 or so--details change year over year). Your cadet will receive reimbursement for the drive or the flight and the hotel.
 
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