Party size and group caps

On fragile day gates, the scarce thing is often counted in people and groups per day — not “one win covers whoever shows up.” Party size is strategy, not a RSVP afterthought.

Step 1 — Find the cap language

1. Open the place’s gate card and the Official product page (e.g. The Wave).
2. Look for people-per-day, groups-per-day, max group size, or household rules.
3. Write the numbers down before you build the roster.

Step 2 — Do the ugly math

• A day with 16 people / 4 groups is not “plenty” if every award takes a group slot.
• One application of six may compete differently than two applications of three — read whether split parties are allowed or banned.
• Larger groups can be harder to place even when individual odds look soft — inventory is chunky.

Step 3 — Choose the party on purpose

1. Who is essential for this exact day?
2. Who can flex to a backup day or a sibling trip (backup ladder)?
3. Who should not be on the application at all (fitness, kids’ limits, permit rules)?

Fit and effort lines on the place page beat FOMO invites.

Step 4 — Enter names before the drop

• All participants saved on the account the night before.
• IDs / names match what the agency requires.
• No mid-cart “wait, add Alex” at the drop minute (checklist).

Step 5 — After a win, freeze the roster

Swapping people post-award is often restricted or forbidden. Read claim rules immediately (I won — now what?). If someone bails, follow Official substitution rules — do not assume a friend can walk in on their smile.

Common failure modes

• Applying as eight because “we’ll see who can come.”
• Two friends each submitting overlapping groups that violate rules.
• Winning for a party that cannot hike the effort tag honestly.

Evergreen field note — cap numbers live on the Official page; we summarize, they rule.