Furor over Room Requests

[BobH]

There have been several threads here stating the DVC may be going to a system of taking care of room requests on a "first come first served" basis on the day of arrival rather than taking care of the rquests in the order the reservation was made. I feel that the requests should be honored in the order received when at al possible but I also wondered if any of the longtime members here are in the habit of asking the desk people what rooms are open and whether guests actually have any choice of location when they arrive. For example if I requested a non-smoking 2 bedroom unit will the desk clerk possibly say "we have 2 that will be open - one in building 20 and another in building 62." Will they allow you a choice? Will they even offer this information?

[Richyams]

I have never had any indication of any choice. My room is usually ready on arrival...we arrive on Sundays for an OKW GV. These are often vacant Saturday night, I would think that if there were ever choices offered, we would be in a likely position to get one. We never have.

[ralphd]

We never have been offered any choice, but have always received good villa locations (views). Normally we make our reservations well in advance.

ralphd:D :D :D :D :D

[Zimbubba]

People get too obsessed over location. Why the fuss? There are excellent spots all over the resorts. Location should not be an issue. Smoking/Non-Smoking, Handicapped, etc. Those are isses that should be focused on.

[BobH]

I have only made 4 trips so far, my daughter has made one, our family have never been offered a choice of acomodations upon check in. We have stayed at OKW, HH, Vero. I just never thought to ask. I am usually so happy to be on vacation I guess I never considered asking whether we had any choice of buildings. All the commentary on this board finally led me to wonder about the possibilites. I find there is a great deal to be learned from the combined experiences of fellow DVC members. I will be returning to OKW in February. I may see what happens upon check in and ask if to see if they will offer more than one accomodation.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Yes, I have received choices. If the location I have requested is not quite ready they have offered other alternatives. I usually opt to wait. This was a long time ago, however.

[Chuck S]

Like Gail, it has been a long time since I have been offered choices at check-in...usually during a non-busy season when our assigned room wasn't ready.

[Regina]

I've been offered choices.

We've been asked if we wanted a room that is ready but is not exactly what we requested, or if we'd rather wait for a room that was more of what we had in mind.

There have also been times when we've been shown the room location on the resort map (sorry, I don't memorize where each room is), and we've asked if something else is available.

It's always been a very polite exchange between the CM's and ourselves. :D :D :D

[Towncrier]

We have always taken what was offered to us. Believe it or not, we actually enjoy the suspense about where we will be staying. Always an adventure. Our only request has been (and will continue to be) for a non-smoking room. The year that we took my sister and her family, we requested a handicap accessible GV at OKW (and got it) due to her needs.

I figure that it's tough enough for the room controllers at the various DVC resorts that I personally don't want to add to the hassles of their job.

[DaveH]

This will be ourr second trip home. The first was last year the week after Thanksgiving and we are doing the same thing again this year. DVC is fuull. I ask for non-smoking medical,this is a must for us and then I ask for a higher floor. My concern is the medical ones, are they being placed then first comme-first serve?

[WOW]

Our request is usuallly only near the Hospitality House and we generally get it I was disappointed last year when my 88 year old Aunt came and I requested 1st floor or elevator and when we checked in NOTHING but 3rd floor was available. Thank God she is in really good shape and it wasn't a problem for her, but I was not happy about that. We booked about 9 months out.:confused: :confused:

[Pa@okw95]

When we first joined I was told that there would be a computer put in shortly that would allow guests that check in to see what is available and then make a choice. This never happen. When I first joined I checked in at 10 o'clock and got my room right away for about the first 5 visits, then everything changed. Now we get handed a card with a telephone number on it and told to call back to see if room is ready. It usually has been at 4 o'clock when we get our room. I don't care much about where the room is just as long as it is non-smoking and on the top floor.

[DeeP]

I have been offered choices quite a few times, most recently this past May. The CM told me which villas were opened and which ones were available right then for check in and which ones would be available later. Most of the time we take what is available right away unless we are getting a preferred view at BWV and a boardwalk view villa is available later in the day then we ALWAYS wait for that villa. I just LOVE the boardwalk views! We are pretty easy though with our requests because a smoking room is fine with us (I have never had a villa that smelled like smoke) and if we are staying in a standard view we actually prefer the villas that are located down by the tennis courts because you have a great view for standard pts. Many people do not want these villas because of the 4 minute walk from the elevators to the room, which makes me laugh--you are walking tops 4-5 minutes in a nice air conditioned hallway- that even provides entertainment during your walk in finding all the hidden mickeys in the carpet- to get to a beautiful villa with a great view, but to each his own!

[GAIL HAYDEN]

(I have never had a villa that smelled like smoke)

You know, neither have I. I know, we smokers are reported to have lost our sense of smell, but, trust me not all of us have.
Also, we have had non smoking guests with us and they have remarked how the villas do not smell at all like a smoking unit.

And, for the record, when I am not at Disney I specifically request a non smoking room because I have had way too many experiences with smoking rooms reeking, pillows, curtains, etc. I can totally understand why non smokers want to avoid smoking rooms. For the most part (except for extream medical reasons) I would think smoking rooms would be ok for even non smokers.
JMHO and I don't want a debate.

[DeeP]

I would think smoking rooms would be ok for even non smokers.

Shhh don't tell everyone that, then those of us who are prefectly fine with a smoking villa wil have more competition for these rooms and will have to wait longer for our villas. I change my opinion--the smoking rooms reek of smoke, they are terrible, cigarette burns and ashes everywhere! Avoid smoking rooms at all costs! LOL! ;)

[ncligs]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
You know, neither have I. I know, we smokers are reported to have lost our sense of smell, but, trust me not all of us have.
Also, we have had non smoking guests with us and they have remarked how the villas do not smell at all like a smoking unit.

And, for the record, when I am not at Disney I specifically request a non smoking room because I have had way too many experiences with smoking rooms reeking, pillows, curtains, etc. I can totally understand why non smokers want to avoid smoking rooms. For the most part (except for extream medical reasons) I would think smoking rooms would be ok for even non smokers.
JMHO and I don't want a debate.

Gail,
I rather not take that chance, our No 1 request is always non-smoking. Believe me "non-smokers" can smell if a smoker was in the room.http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/smokin.gif

[DaveH]

Wait until you follow a cigar smoker. Then your mind will change. I agree WDW housekeeping do a great job. I think there are less smoking in rooms even in smoking rooms than years ago.

[ncligs]

Originally posted by DaveH
Wait until you follow a cigar smoker. Then your mind will change. I agree WDW housekeeping do a great job. I think there are less smoking in rooms even in smoking rooms than years ago.

I agree....http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/bandit.gifhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/bandit.gif

[DeeP]

How about the pipe smokers and those tobacco chewers! Yuck! As I said, avoid smoking rooms at all costs, especially the smoking villas that have a boardwalk view, they smell the absolute worst!!!!! :jester:

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Believe me "non-smokers" can smell if a smoker was in the room.http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/smokin.gif

Perhaps some can, but our friends, rabid anti smokers could not smell any.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

LOL,
Dee is a cigar smoker and I love the smell of his cigars (normally I hate it!!!!) and we won't even mentioned people who chew, ucko barfo!!!!

Ok DeeP, I won't tell. Ok nonsmokers, I lied, they reak, they are kept in terrible condition, burns and holes everywhere, because along with our lack of smell, we have a lack of class and no consideration for others. Avoid smoking rooms at all costs!!!!
How's that DeeP? (This was tongue in cheek folks). :)

[DaveH]

Telling if someone has smoked in a room has many factors. I think less people smoking in the rooms help keep the smell down. I have seen smokers in a smoking room go outside anyway. They just like having the option but may not smoke in the room. My DW's dad was a smoker. We had his sofa sleeper and you could not smell smoke in the our house. When we laided down on the sofa and especially when ill we could smell the smoke and we had it for over 3 years in a smoke free enviroment. I think they need the option but CM's need to be aware that folks can find out the hard if they let someone smoke in a non smoking room. Sorry to start something else.

[Niagara2]

Once, even though we requested non-smoking, we got building 20, which is smoking optional. It was so bad that the smoke smell stayed in our suitcases for a year! I had to lay down two towels on the pillow to sleep. My kids coughed the whole trip. If I got a smoking room assigned again I would refuse it for health reasons This has been the only room that I ever had a problem with in many stays.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I don't think building 20 is a smoking optional building. Sounds like someone was doing something they should not have been doing.

[ncligs]

Believe me, and I have said this before...........it will be here before you know it..........all WDW resorts will be "non-smoking" in the future.It may be next year,2 years or 5 years, but it will be a reality down the road. All smokers would just have to walk outside and away from the resorts.
California doesn't even allow you to smoke in restraunts or bars, or in any public building.So it is just a matter of time before WDW and Florida start the ball rolling for there resorts.http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/round.gif

[DaveH]

ncligs I have seen you saying that before. I am a non smoker,but I wonder the legal issues with the timeshare part. I do believe the day will come for all non smoking at the hotels, the timeshare I am not so sure of except in the new DVC resorts. They tell the buyers up front non smoking only.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Dave,
What new DVC resort is smoke free?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

California doesn't even allow you to smoke in restraunts or bars, or in any public building.So it is just a matter of time before WDW and Florida start the ball rolling for there

Yes, true, but, even in CA you can smoke in a smoking optional room. Someone made the same prognostication about the parks being smoke free in the future (about 10 years ago), as we all know, they still are not. Fortunately, the restaurants are, much to my never ending joy (I hate smoke near my food).
I doubt Disney will do this.

[DaveH]

No DVC is smoke free. I was thinking more like Eagle Pines or later DVC might be. Just a thought on the DVC side. The regular resorts I think might be easier to change. Disney does have to think about the folks from overseas that wants smoke also.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Thanks Dave.

[DeeP]

Ok DeeP, I won't tell. Ok nonsmokers, I lied, they reak, they are kept in terrible condition, burns and holes everywhere, because along with our lack of smell, we have a lack of class and no consideration for others. Avoid smoking rooms at all costs!!!!
Gail, that was excellent!!!! Lets keep all those nasty smoking rooms to ourselves! They are nasty, nasty, nasty! No one but smokers with a lack of class and non smokers with a lack of smell and lack of class would ever be caught dead in them. LOL!

I also agree that I seriously doubt WDW resorts will ever be totally non smoking. There are too many smoking guests who stay at WDW resorts for this to happen and even if it did there will still be people smoking in the non smoking rooms. Look at the parks and how many people you see smoking in non designated smoking areas. I don't know if it because now I am more conscious of it or not, but I now see more cigarette butts on the ground and people smoking where ever they please then I did before WDW instituted the non smoking areas in the parks!

[Niagara2]

Gail, it might not of been building 20, but was down that way on Miller Road.

[Lesley]

We're trying for one of those boardwalk view smoking rooms in Dec....:) We usually request non-smoking, but my parents are coming with us. And I guarantee that my mom will smoke in the room or at least on the balcony regardless of the type of room we're given. (as much as some are militant non-smokers, she's a bit of a militant smoker).

I had never even made a request for non-smoking on my own until we stayed in a smoking room at the Polynesian that was very smoky and smelly (though I was able to air it out sufficiently....) I think it had something to do with the folks in the next room because after they checked out we weren't bothered by smoke smell at all. My dh and I have both grown up in smoking families so we tend to be very tolerant of smoke, so I was surprised by this. Since then we've requested non-smoking, except for our upcoming trip.

[ncligs]

Originally posted by DeeP

I also agree that I seriously doubt WDW resorts will ever be totally non smoking. There are too many smoking guests who stay at WDW resorts for this to happen and even if it did there will still be people smoking in the non smoking rooms.
Deep,
Thats exactly what the bar and restraunt owners said in California and now New York and now they are "Smoke Free"..Nobody is forcing these guests to stay at WDW resorts when they convert to non-smoking in the future. I think if vacationers have the choice to go to WDW or not....they would choose to come and smoke outside the resorts.http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/smokin.gifhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/smash.gif

[scootersmom]

We stayed at a hotel here in Ohio last weekend that was entirely non-smoking rooms.
Smoking was permitted in the bar, outside on the grounds, on your balcony or patio. In the paperwork they sent us with our confirmation, they stated there would be an additional $300 added to your credit card for a deep cleaning fee if you smoked in your room.
I wouldn't be surprised to see this becoming more common in the future.

[ncligs]

Originally posted by scootersmom
We stayed at a hotel here in Ohio last weekend that was entirely non-smoking rooms.
Smoking was permitted in the bar, outside on the grounds, on your balcony or patio. In the paperwork they sent us with our confirmation, they stated there would be an additional $300 added to your credit card for a deep cleaning fee if you smoked in your room.
I wouldn't be surprised to see this becoming more common in the future.

I like that idea....http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/biglaugh.gif

[Chuck S]

One problem I see with ncligs prediction of totally smoke-free resorts is that WDW is an international destination, and most European countries are much more "relaxed" about smoking. I appreciate having non-smoking and smoking rooms at WDW, sometimes we travel with smokers. Yes, we were given a choice years ago of taking a smoking room that was ready, or waiting for our non-smoking room...we took the smoking room so we could unload the car and hit the parks - but we learned our lesson - there was a lingering "aroma" in our clothes and luggage after we got home. I am pleased to have the smoke-free restaurants on property, too...but most off-site eateries still have smoking/non-smoking areas. As long as it is legal to use and sell tobacco products, I think accomodations should be available for those folks that smoke.

[Regina]

Okay folks, let's not divert this thread into a smoking/non-smoking debate.

You'll certainly find topics along those lines on the debate board.

Thanks!!