We aren't a JO level team (like Wooley's). Our club didn't have enough info at the beginning of the season to include Festival commitment in the contract and fees this year. Once the move to Phoenix was finalized parents just didn't want to (or couldn't) pay the additional $1000 or so that the cost worked out to per player. But they agreed to go to the SS since it was half the cost. Gotta also say that Phoenix in late June was not a big incentive.

I also was a little bummed when I saw only 34 teams in the 18s, and mostly from SOCAL. Then I went to the Festival and they only have about 50. Last year I believe it was about 90. So it looks like the traditional Festival teams are split between the two. But the Festival is full of teams we have played this year, and SS has only one (a NORCAL team who beat us at the JOQ). Believe they might just take it all - City Beach 18 Green shoutout!

Now I am looking at things a little differently. We have never played a small tournament, which is a nice difference. We get to start at 10 am instead of 8, which I am loving. Finally, since the regular season has 220+ teams in our division, and the top 3 divisions are way out of their league - this is a nice opportunity for the girls to play teams they have never played, and hopefully do well. And they are looking forward to going to Disneyland. Win win in my book.

Oh - and for the person who couldn't book a reasonably priced hotel, ours is giving us the same rate we always get ($99/night). No increase due to the summer season. But on the other hand, a friend whose team is going to Festival has a rate of $49/night including breakfast - at a nice hotel. That one amazed me.