Should DVC Do Away with Reservation Requests?

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It seems that a lot of disappointment could be avoided if DVC stopped allowing people to make requests on their reservations, thus stopping a lot of conflict at check in. The other big item would be to make smoking/non Smoking a reservation category (I would rather see it banned completely but I'm being realistic).

It seems like we hear a lot of complaints from folks who make requests that are not met. I get a kick out of posters who go so far as to ask for a specific room at a resort. That is a sure way to be disappointed.

Would doing away with requests cause more harm than good or would it lead to a more peaceful DVC? I'm not sure how I feel at this point. I am strongly in favor of the smoking/no smoking reservation category however. I'd like to hear how fellow Disers feel about both.

HBC

[Frozenfingers]

Put me in the camp of seperate catagories for non smoking regular, handicapped smoking, smoking, and non smolking handicapped. I don't think point charts need to be adjusted, but I agree a lot of frustration could be relieved if one knew what they were getting at the time the reservation was made. How can one argue that one didn't make the ressie? Require the member to produce the confirmation if their seems to be a discrepency.. no way to argue with a printed document.. it can't talk back.

I enjoy the pool view and request it every time, but have not always been successful. Disappointed? sure, vacation ruined..no way!! I would like to see the request of preferred location/view be retained.. it's part of the magic, at least to me.. but we all got to understand, a request is wish, sometimes it comes true, sometimes it don't.

[kathleena]

I think requests should stay. Taking them away from the many who accept what they are given with a smile because of the few who have a fit, is like punishing all of your children because one of them cries when they don't get the biggest piece of cake.

And I do think smoking/non should be a reservation type, not just a request. My opinion is they are not putting funds into programming on that one as hey know it could change in the future to all NS as some hotels have already done. Baby steps.

JMHO

[DisneySpence]

I like the idea of doing away with requests it would possibly ease alot of tension and possibly get rid of some of the complainers from DVC because they wouldn't have much to complain about when their request isn't granted LOL.

[Tink03477]

I like the idea too of the S/NS, HC/Non-HC being a room type when you make the reservation. I don't mind if the "requests" portion was dropped. If they have what I'd like when I check in, awesome, if not; that's ok too as long as it is the NS/Non-HC for a room type. We had a Studio at OKW last time that was disappointing with reference to "view" only because from the balcony you saw trees a foot away from your face and air conditioning units directly below me and if you looked in between the trees I could see the golf course and some water. I didn't go out there only because it was to much in the trees for me, spiders you know? But, on the positive side, we were literally 20 feet from the quiet pool and laundry! How awesome is that! I guess it's just on how you personally view your "view" and what's more important to you. On the other hand, we had an awesome view at BCV of the quiet pool with a balcony that I spent alot of time on because it was so nice.

[disworldnum1]

I'm in favor of the non-smoking room request.I don't care where the room is as long as it doesnt smell like smoke.I'll even take the handicap room,I had one last easter and it was nice being right next to the front desk.I always make a non-smoking request due to medical necessity and have been put into a smoking optional room more then once.I actually had to have the entire room covered in sheets (furniture and drapes,bedding removed)because we received the last room and would not be able to move until the next day.FYI my son is severely asthmatic and smoke is one of his triggers.We decided if he felt uncomfortable at all we would just rent a room off property for the nite.

[Cruelladeville]

I am very much in favor of making requests. I am not a newbie, I've had my turn with the dumpster view, and now I request specifically what I want. Granted, I don't always get it, but I paid alot of money for DVC. I would be VERY upset if one of my freedoms were taken away, just because one or two people made a scene. :badpc:

[athenna]

I am in favor of making requests also. I think if smoking is going to bother people then they have every right to request non-smoking, I also believe if people want to smoke in their smoking room, they every right to do so.
And having the option of handicapped and non-handicapped is very important. If it wasn't for handicapped rooms, my mother would've never have been able to take all of her wonderful Disney trips. And, I, personally, now wouldn't want to get a handicapped room, even if by mistake, because I would keep thinking I was taking it away from someone who needs it.

[Dean]

Dealing with a number of timeshares that have to assign rooms, I've seen and heard a lot. Room controllers have a tough job and I'm told they usually only last a year or two in their job. Of course this is where the members have direct access to them including their name, extension and office. I make it a point to go to any members type meetings when I can. Fortunately most of these meetings are truly directed at member education and discussion and not a glorified sales presentation like at DVC. Most Marriott offer two meetings and sometimes 3. These are a meeting specific to the owners at that resort, an owners (system wide) workshop on usage and exchanging and at times, a half hour or so with an on site II rep for places that have one, like HH. As a Marriott owner, I usually go to the owners meeting even if I don't own there. I'm not secretive about it and have never been made to feel uncomfortable about being there. It's usually about housekeeping things like refurbishment's, planned upgrades, resort operations, problems, budgets and the like. They can be quite informative if you can stand the nuts and bolts. The are usually run by the GM or AGM with a secretarial type person as well and frequently one other management person. The point to this thread is that some of the things discussed are many times unit assignments, reservations and exchanging back into one's home resort. I remember several discussion and a couple of complaints. In every case the complaints I heard were idiotic. One was a person that expected to trade back in using an off season week and be guaranteed of getting it plus a top unit view, she seemed to be well know to the GM. Another was a person in a group who had like 5 units at Grande Ocean. They had a combo of ocean front and ocean side units, exchanges, different start days and even multiple weeks and were upset they didn't get the best view in the house with all units right together. If I had been the room controller dealing with this person, I'd have shot myself or them.

Did you know that II actually employs reps and locates them to places like HH, Orlando and HI. Though these reps don't have anything to do with DVC itself, they can be a valuable resource of information for timesharing in general and for info on possible destination resorts. If you ever have the time to sit down with one, give it a try.

[Chuck S]

I don't think all requests should be taken away. I do think that they should limit the NUMBER of requests on any given ressie to 2 - Smoking Preference, general location.

I think Non-Smoking and Handicap Access should be guaranteed ONLY if they are for medical reasons that could be verified by a note from a Doctor. Non-Medical could be "requests"...and yes, I've been placed in a smoking room...I wasn't thrilled, but I have no immediate and urgent medical reaction to smoke, and I made do. I also have been placed in a handicapped unit. They aren't the most convenient, but not only do I understand the moral need for them, there is also a LEGAL need for them, and all of these units were considered as part of the timeshare when the points charts were drawn up. In theory, all but 5% of the rooms should be occupied by DVCers at all times, including the smoking and wheelchair rooms.

[CapeCodFam]

Amen Happy Birthday Cat! After all, how do you know you won't like something unless you try it. :rolleyes:

[DebbieB]

I think they should keep the requests, maybe limit them to 1 or 2 other than smoking/non-smoking. Maybe family #1 really likes a top floor and family #2 really likes first floor. If they are both available, why not try to give them what they want?

[tjkraz]

Eliminating requests would be a step backward. Didn't they institute the Boardwalk View category due to all of the complaints from those who didn't get it?

Admittedly requests are a double edged sword--those who get their requests are satisfied and those who don't are irate. But, IMO, better to meet some (hopefully many) requests rather than none.

I'd love to see a system where you could verify these types of things at the time of booking. The best way to manage expectations is to let the customer know exactly what they're getting months before they get it.

[Beca]

I think Non-Smoking and Handicap Access should be guaranteed ONLY if they are for medical reasons that could be verified by a note from a Doctor. Non-Medical could be "requests"...and yes, I've been placed in a smoking room...I wasn't thrilled, but I have no immediate and urgent medical reaction to smoke, and I made do. I also have been placed in a handicapped unit. They aren't the most convenient, but not only do I understand the moral need for them, there is also a LEGAL need for them, and all of these units were considered as part of the timeshare when the points charts were drawn up. In theory, all but 5% of the rooms should be occupied by DVCers at all times, including the smoking and wheelchair rooms.

Chuck S...this is a point I will have to disagree with you on. I think NON-handicapped should be a guarantee. I have a 3yr old dd who is TERRIFIED of showers (or any running water...period). At this point in our lives, we HAVE to have a bathtub, and since HA studios don't have one, we would be in BIG trouble on a week-long vacation where we could not bathe her or wash her hair. Also, the stove knobs are WAY to low for my comfort level...she's just too curious. I don't think it is fair to put families with babies or toddlers in those rooms..there are just way too many things at a toddler's level in them. Now, when she gets older (and, hopefully a little brother/sister is older,too), I would be more than happy to take a handicapped room every now and then. But, that request scares me as much as a non-smoking request does.

I would rather NOT be at a resort, than to be at a particular resort in a smoking or handicapped room. If a cm said, "You can have BCV in a handicapped room, or OKW in a non-handicapped room." I would certainly pick OKW, and I would be THRILLED to have been given the choice.

:wave:

Beca

[DrTomorrow]

I think that they should only take requests for things that they can say "yes" or "no" to at the time the reservation is made. This way you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

[Ksp]

I don't think all requests should be taken away. I do think that they should limit the NUMBER of requests on any given ressie to 2 - Smoking Preference, general location.

I think Non-Smoking and Handicap Access should be guaranteed ONLY if they are for medical reasons that could be verified by a note from a Doctor. Non-Medical could be "requests"...and yes, I've been placed in a smoking room...I wasn't thrilled, but I have no immediate and urgent medical reaction to smoke, and I made do. I also have been placed in a handicapped unit. snip


Sorry, Chuck S, I think you're wrong on this one.
As someone to whom non-smoking is important, (yes, for medical reasons. I don't really need the ambulance ride after sleeping in a smoking/smoking optional room.) I certainly hope we don't take info gathering to this point.

Wouldn't having to prove medical need for non-smoking just create more work for the scheduling CM's?

I think that requiring medical proof is stepping over the line and making more work for the front desk CM's.

Beca,
My children aren't really small anymore, so the handicapped room shower/tub issue isn't huge for us any longer, but I can certainly sympathize with the worry about small children having access to stove controls, etc.

I've had to coordinate groups of people before, and can certainly appreciate the work that the CM's have to do in order to get us to the best possible room in the best possible way. Not an easy job, that's for sure.

[Chuck S]

My point is, how many folks are "abusing" the non-smoking medical reason request, saying "I have an allergy" when in fact they simply find it an inconvenience? And when they do get placed in a smoking room, they're folks that scream the most. The same for a lot, but not all, families with young children. Would you truly be in a situation like Beca where her child would be terrified of Mommy and a hand held shower, or would it simply be an "inconvenience".

[goofy4tink]

My dd is asthmatic and she gets yucky in a smoked in room. So, yes, we will constantly request a non-smoking room. Maybe instead of changing the way we book our rooms, we should change the wording from 'request' to 'wish-list'. I think that sometimes people feel that if they have 'requested' something, it's a given that they will get it. But, if other than non-smoking/smoking and handicapped rooms, you were asked at the time of booking.."What would you perfect room situation be? What would your wish list be?" Then I could answer..."Hmm, let's see. A one-bedroom, overlooking the Village Green,on a top floor, close to the elevator that's dedicated, facing Epcot." Now, when they assign my room, they can look at this laundry list and maybe give me some of my wish list, but certainly not all. Of course, we did have a studio unit that met all those requirements last summer. Talk about perfect. It was our first stay at BWV and I didn't know how lucky we were!!!

But, MS would have to make it perfectly clear that it is just that...a wish list. I don't think that I will ever ask for a different room again. If the bed is in one piece and the water is running hot and cold and the toilet works...then I'm a happy camper from now on!!

[Frozenfingers]

My point is, how many folks are "abusing" the non-smoking medical reason request, saying "I have an allergy" when in fact they simply find it an inconvenience?

Sorry Chuck, we part company on this one... you sure your not from Joisey?

I make the request for Non Smoking everytime I call.. only my son is the one with "true" allergies to smoke. (tested and confirmed). DW on the other hand, just pure hates the stink.. gets all plugged up in the nose, head hurts, cant sleep.. In short, just makes my life hell.. I soon become allergic to her! So, even though I don't have allergies to smoke, I have allergies to what smoke causes. We spend a considerable amount of money to bring the family to enjoy WDW, at least once a year, usually twice.. Is it sooo terribly wrong and nasty of us to expect clean and comfortable accomodations?

CRO seems to be able to guarentee NS rooms when booking a regular resort.. why cant DVC do the same? I still hope they make s/ns reservation classifications.. I would be a very happy camper if when I called at 11 months and was able to confirm a NS room. By the same token, If i call at 7 months and all that is left is a stinky smoker room, I'll know that I need to leave the wife at home... she'll just be an inconvenience.

[KNWVIKING]

NS should not be an option if requested.Forget about allergies or whatever. To a non-smoker a smoking room is unacceptable. I will - and have - accept Dumpster View at VWL, Parking Lot View at BWV, Road View at BCV and HC Room at HH & VWL. They never affected our trip. I will however become the perverbiable "naughty" DVC member if you try and put me in a smoking room.

[kweaver]

Smoking/Non Smoking and Handicapped/Non Handicapped should be guaranteed reservation categories. I could care less about the other requests...though I understand that views are very important to some people.

Considering Disney's big marketing push is Magical Gatherings, I do think they should allow members who have multiple villas reserved to be able to be in the same building or on the same floor (asssuming that is what the occupants requested! :D )

[Chuck S]

But, the smoking and handicap rooms were included in the overall point total to determine the availability for usage of your DVC points for the state of FL. In otherwords, if everyone who simply "requests" non-handicap and "non-smoking" rooms was guaranteed it, there would not be enough rooms to fulfill the legal obligations of the timeshare to make the X number of rooms available to owners. In otherwords, the resorts would be illegally oversold.

[WDWMom]

I would like to see all requests taken away except S/NS and HC/NHC. No non smoker should ever have to stay in a stinky room with stinky pillows and try to sleep and I do not want smokers to smoke in non-smoking rooms. HC rooms are needed for the HC. I personally do not like them, but it would not ruin my vacation if I had one. DH hates them, but that is his problem.

As far as the other requests, specific rooms (give me a break), locations, near elevators - you get what you get. We have requested specific buildings at OKW and used to get them met, but not so in the past 3 years. We are told what is available and we pick from that. We have been in a few areas we did not care for, but we got over it. Never given the speech "I paid a ton of money for this vacation..." Who care??? We all did. No one is more special than anyone else.

[KNWVIKING]

I think the flaw there Chuck is that the decision to accept a smoking room is the individuals choice. DVC has made a room availible. If I call for a ressie & MS tells me NS is unavailible I'll simply change my dates - that's how important it is to me.

[kweaver]

I'd consider changing my dates for a non-smoking room as well.

I'd also make sure I booked as soon as possible in order to confirm a non-smoking room.

[Chuck S]

I think the flaw there Chuck is that the decision to accept a smoking room is the individuals choice. DVC has made a room availible. If I call for a ressie & MS tells me NS is unavailible I'll simply change my dates - that's how important it is to me.

But that was NOT included in the disclosure statements at the time of purchase. Disney has to legally make it possible for all members to use their points in any given year at their home resort. If n/s and non-handicap become a guaranteed class of rooms, it could then be argued that Disney has made it impossible to utilize their points, and believe me, someone would file a suit; and even though there is a good chance of winning for DVC, the legal costs to fight the claim would be added to our dues.

The only way that it could be done would be for a resort to go completely non-smoking. And I don't see this happening on a voluntary basis, it would be by the passage of a law. And forget a guarantee for non-handicap, as those rooms were included in the initial public offering of availability.

[KNWVIKING]

The solution to smoking-non smoking is to carefully monitor the requests. A smoking room can very easily become a NS room. DVC knows well in advance what the room mix will be so there should be no reason they can't guarantee me a NS room at the 11/7 month windows.... or even a much shorter time span for that matter.

The bottom line though is that there has to be a way of letting people know when they book the trip if S/NS or HH/NHH is availible. Checkin is definitely the wrong time.

[Chuck S]

A smoking room can very easily become a NS room.

I don't know about "easily", it would require re-painting, deep cleaning of carpet, draperies, and furnishings, if not replacement of those items...all at a cost to our dues.

With a "guarantee" smokers could also claim that Disney has made it impossible to use their points...so what, the room is switched from smoking to non every other month?

Again, until the resorts go completely non-smoking, I don't see a "guarantee" being absolute. What if a guaranteed room-type goes out of service for an unexpected plumbing problem, or other damage?

[KNWVIKING]

The "smoking" furniture could easily be stored till it's needed for the next smoking room. Carpet cleaning & those iozier (sp) work fast. Painting isn't always required. But we can argue this back and forth but that's not the point I'm trying to make.

If I call MS a month or so out & they say NS isn't availible I wouldn't expect them to convert one just for me. Same goes if I was a smoker. But with their computerized booking matrix working with the normal ongoing room refurbs, it shouldn't be a real problem to be able to guarantee S/NS to at least the 11/7 month windows.

[lllovell]

I have issues with the smoking thing here. I have a son that has not been diagnosed as having asthma or other problems (except allergies) but I suspect it is coming. On our last trip, we got there late (checked in after 11) because we drove down from Atlanta after work. We took the room assigned to us, never being told it was smoking (though I requested non-smoking). As a matter of fact, we didn't even realize it until we found an ashtray on the last day of our trip. There was no smell. There was no problem for the rest of us, but my son was miserable. From the moment we got there, he had allergy problems. Bad ones. The up 1/2 the night coughing kind. The runny nose all day and all night kind. The eyes watering so badly in the mornings that it looked like he was crying. While it could have been any number of things, I suspect it was the smoke left over in the room, etc. Proof - don't have any. Upset, not enough to have gone screaming through the lobby demanding things, but enough that if we check into a hotel again and are given a smoking room, we won't stay there.

I don't have a "medical excuse" because my son has not been diagnosed as I said. Should I get my doctor to give me a note? Nah - because the truth is that we come down often late in the evening and it is really going to have to be up to me to change our way of traveling to not have this happen anymore. Sat morning trips (wasting 1/2 a day) instead of Friday night. That way I know I have a better chance of getting what I "wish" for - which is a non-smoking room so my smallest child can enjoy our vacations too. Views don't matter to me. His enjoyment does.

Count me on the list of people that would not mind Disney going smoke free completely, but I dont insist on it. I don't gripe when we walk past smoking areas, I just make sure we don't dawdle there. I do think that a limited number of smoking rooms should be made available and if you are not able to get those when you make your reservation, then try another resort. There are WAY more non-smokers in this world now than smokers. Somehow disney needs to strike a better balance.

Handicapped - it doesn't matter to me. Provide as many as are necessary and if I get one, I get one.

[LIFERBABE]

I would rather NOT be at a resort, than to be at a particular resort in a smoking or handicapped room. If a cm said, "You can have BCV in a handicapped room, or OKW in a non-handicapped room." I would certainly pick OKW, and I would be THRILLED to have been given the choice.

I agree with Beca and the others that would rather change resorts than be placed in a smoking room. If our stay is short, (4 days or less) I will accept an Handicap Accessible unit but not for longer stays.

I make sure to request these 2 preferences and reiterate at check in "I dont care about the view or location, but may we please have NS and a bath tub?"

If DVC can make Boardwalk View a guarantee, why cant they make smoking a guarantee? It's all about the # of units, once they have filled the NS requests, everyone else that books should be informed of such and decide how important NS is to them on an individual basis.

[Chuck S]

We took the room assigned to us, never being told it was smoking (though I requested non-smoking). As a matter of fact, we didn't even realize it until we found an ashtray on the last day of our trip.

Actually, this brings up another issue entirely. If you could not smell lingering smoke, and your only "proof" was finding an ashtray...I would guess that you probably did have a non-smoking room, but that a smoker was placed there and housekeeping brought them an ashtray...it seems to happen often when smoking rooms are not available for smokers. THAT is a pet peeve of mine. I have no problem with people smoking outside on a balcony, or in a public area, if they are assigned a non-smoking room. But please, DON'T SMOKE INSIDE. It is also possible that the previous tenants did not smoke inside the room, but that your son is so sensitive to the smoke, that enough allergens lingered from the smokers suitcases and clothing being stored in the room that it had a detrimental effect on him :(

[Frozenfingers]

Disney has to legally make it possible for all members to use their points in any given year at their home resort. If n/s and non-handicap become a guaranteed class of rooms, it could then be argued that Disney has made it impossible to utilize their points,

Chuck, what you are saying may have some basis.. I'm not a lawyer (thank God.. it's bad enough being hated for a DVCer) I think the point being made here is no one is saying smokers can't use their points.. they just need to get in line with the rest of us. I'm willing to change my dates, and even change resorts to get accomodations that will make my family comfortable.

I would expect no less from a smokingmember.. they can change their dates to get the accomadations which makes them comfortable. Or, they can choose not to smoke in a nonsmoking villa. If they get a room before me.. good for them! I think both groups should be able to make that important decision themselves. If the only room I can get at my home resort is a smoker because (and howwould anyone know) the smokers took all the non smoking rooms.. I would know that months out and it would be my choice to book it or not.. In other words.. I can have my meltdown at home, rather than at the front desk at checkin.. I can still use my points elsewhere.. If inventory stands empty, it would soon be converted to a NS space...

Before I get flamed.. yes I realize that smokingmembers actually have an advantage they can book both classifications and be quite comfortable with either one (as long as they abide by the NS rule). Nothing new there.. they can have allergies and request a non smoking anyway.. who's the wiser?

I was sold Deluxe Accomodations on a space available basis..That I was a smoker didn't enter into the purchase agreement.

[lllovell]

You have valid points Chuck and I didn't ask when we checked out because I could not see how it would make any difference. We had stayed. We were given the bed rails I asked for. Everyone was wonderful. He was just super over allergied for the trip (usually its the oposite down there - which is why it was so noticable for me).

I don't hold Disney responsible for rule breakers. How can they be?

As for the little guy, since we drive, I have bought a small air filtration device to take with us on future trips. :wizard: Hopefully that will work da Mommy magic and keep it from happening again.

[Dean]

But, the smoking and handicap rooms were included in the overall point total to determine the availability for usage of your DVC points for the state of FL. In otherwords, if everyone who simply "requests" non-handicap and "non-smoking" rooms was guaranteed it, there would not be enough rooms to fulfill the legal obligations of the timeshare to make the X number of rooms available to owners. In otherwords, the resorts would be illegally oversold.HC for medical reasons are booked directly now. NS or Smoking should be booked directly. If the room you want is not available then you have the choice and LIVE with it. There's really no reasonable way to book Non HC rooms, someone will have to get them. At some point there will be enough people needing them but at this time they are not. Not reasonable to try to block them but still reasonable to attempt to honor requests. IMO, it is unreasonable to expect requests for a single room or even a single building to be taken seriously. This is part of the problem as some are too specific in their requests.

But that was NOT included in the disclosure statements at the time of purchase. Disney has to legally make it possible for all members to use their points in any given year at their home resort. If n/s and non-handicap become a guaranteed class of rooms, it could then be argued that Disney has made it impossible to utilize their points, and believe me, someone would file a suit; and even though there is a good chance of winning for DVC, the legal costs to fight the claim would be added to our dues.

The only way that it could be done would be for a resort to go completely non-smoking. And I don't see this happening on a voluntary basis, it would be by the passage of a law. And forget a guarantee for non-handicap, as those rooms were included in the initial public offering of availability.I don't see anything in the legal issues that would preclude this issue being addressed. I think you're assuming that DVC is legally obligated to have it the way it was when you joined and that is not the case. The mix has already changed immensely toward FAR fewer smoking units at DVC, esp at OKW. And while I know some disagree, I could easily see the resorts going all NS ON PROPERTY, not just in the rooms. I could also see the legislature addressing this issue in this direction.

[Chuck S]

OK, but happens, if say, they guaranteed me a non-smoking dedicated 2 bedroom, and the last one that day is taken out of service due to a water leak and water damage. Should I be upgraded to a GV? Now, you may say, no, a lock-off would do...but remember lock-off and dedicated are also "reservable" accomodations, and with little kids, you don't want the additional entrance.

What other "requests" should receive upgrades...view, location, non-handicap, 1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor?

Hence they came up with the "medical needs" request for priority...but alas, a lot of folks seemed to be working the system on that one, so back to requests are only requests.

Because of the high occupancy rates at DVC resorts, there isn;t a lot of "wiggle room" for the room assigners. I really think that passing a law that applies to accomodations is what will eventually happen, it takes the monkey off of Disney's (or any hotel operator's) back.

[smjj]

As for me. I like being able to make a request. I understand it is not a guarantee. The only one I would be somewhat upset about is if we were assigned to a room that was very smokey. I do not feel it would be un-realistic to have smokers pay an extra point a night for a smoking room. After all, it take more labor and cleaning products to rid the room of this fowl discusting odor..smjj

[Dean]

OK, but happens, if say, they guaranteed me a non-smoking dedicated 2 bedroom, and the last one that day is taken out of service due to a water leak and water damage. Should I be upgraded to a GV? Now, you may say, no, a lock-off would do...but remember lock-off and dedicated are also "reservable" accDVC would have to have an out just like hotels do. And if they guarantee a smoking room or NS, and can't deliver, they should offer compensation.

Remember there is more upkeep for rooms that have been smoked in. Many timeshares are actually going all NS in part for this reason.

[Cruelladeville]

Dean,
I am not sure, but I think HC is a request, not a guarantee.

Medically, I am not HC, but since March I have spent all 4 vacations in a wheelchair, due to injury, surgery, and recovery, and was not able to get a HC room at any time. The best they could do was 1st floor at OKW, and WLV, and near the elevators at BWV. Tubs were a nightmare when I HAD to have a shower. All 4 times I insisted that MS note it on my ressie that a HC room was needed, and all 4 times they were unavailable upon check-in. In fact, when I checked in at midnight at CBR I had to trundle myself over to my room by myself, in the dark, in a wheelchair, with my luggage. I was nearly hysterical, and yes, I embarrassed myself with a meltdown upon check-in. There was NO ONE at the resort who could assist me. I insisted on moving to a different resort, and they moved me to BWV 3 days early. The wonderful bell services brought me over in a van, and even helped me unpack. The room was not HC, but I was able to get around while waiting for my family to arrive. The trip from Hell turned into the trip from Heaven, thanks to the BW staff. Some things are more important than getting your requests. :wizard:

[lenshanem]

I would rather have a dumpster view with non-smoking guaranteed and a non-handicapped studio so I can have a tub for the kids over a FANTASTIC view and/or location with non-smoking not guaranteed and we end up in one and my daughter has to use her inhaler all week long.

If they would make non-smoking and non-handicapped rooms a booking category the view wouldn't be that important. They could do away with that in my opinion. A nice view is great, but a smoke free room with a tub is even better and extremely important to me for my daughter.

[threegoofys]

Taking away requests would be a bad idea in my opinion. Nothing against those who enjoy a smoke but I could care less what I am looking at as long as I don't have a severe headache and sinus problems because I am in a room that someone before me smoked in.

[sgtdisney]

I don't think requests should disappear. What I do think Disney must do is make Smoking and Non-smoking and Handicap and Non-Handicap rooms a reserved catagory. This would eliminate many of the complaints at the front desk right there. Other hotels do it, it is probably not any more complicated than making the Boardwalk view rooms a seperate catagory.

If you call in and they only have a smoking room left when you try to make a reservation you have a choice. Take the smoking reservation (and room) and accept it, or rearrange your dates. I am alergic to cigarette smoke. It isn't to the point that I need to get the doctor to write me a note, but when I am around cigarette smoke, I get terrible headaches. My wife is mildly asthmatic. Smoke bothers us. I will not accept a seat in the smoking section of a restaurant. It has never happened but if I checked in and there wasn't a non-smoking room available, I wouldn't want it, I hope I wouldn't turn into a 'naughty' member, but I would really want some other room, even if they had to move me to another resort.

If smoking/nonsmoking rooms could be reserved in advance I would re-arrange my dates if I couldn't get a non-smoking room. The same with handicap. Those will always book last, unless they are needed. If you call at the last minute and that's all that's left, take it or leave it.

I think requests for general views, locatations should be noted and given to the guest if available. If they aren't available when you check in, oh well. Requests have ALWAYS been, just that, a request, not a guarantee. Any member, or any other guest for that matter, should have this explained to them by the CM and if they are disruptive, they should be evicted from the property. Everyone knows this when they book, that is noted on every reservation. Maybe a letter from Disney re-stressing this will be helpful too, who knows. In no circumstance should Disney bend and re-assign someone because of view if there is no view available (i.e. bumping someone from a room, etc.) Doing this sets a horrible precidence.

[Deep-Thots]

CRO seems to be able to guarentee NS rooms when booking a regular resort.. why cant DVC do the same? I still hope they make s/ns reservation classifications.. I would be a very happy camper if when I called at 11 months and was able to confirm a NS room. By the same token, If i call at 7 months and all that is left is a stinky smoker room, I'll know that I need to leave the wife at home... she'll just be an inconvenience.

Actually, this isn't true. Smoking/non-smoking requests are noted by CRO, but not guaranteed. For example, we have an upcoming trip to CBR scheduled for April. When I called to make the reservation, I was told that N-S is put down as a request that they try to honor, but is *never* guaranteed. Same thing when we did CSR two years ago.

The possibility of being placed in a smoking room/villa makes me anxious. :guilty: So, like kweaver, I, too, would change travel dates in order to get a non-smoking room guaranteed. In addition, I also understand the importance of being able to secure a handicapped room/villa when necessary.

To me, however, everything else (views, proximity to elevators, etc.) is unimportant.

[jimmytammy]

The last 2 trips our only request that was met was a non smoking room. I dont get upset if the other requests are not met because those tend to be a view of some kind.

But for me personally, I have to have a non smoking room for asthma reasons, otherwise I would be coughing my head off at night, keeping all my neighbors up.

So IMO, doing away with the view requests wouldnt be a big deal, doing away with medical reasons requests, that would bother me.

[cruise-o-matic]

Put me in the camp of making S/NS and H/NH off the "request" and part of the reservation itself. Personally, I hate the smell of a smoked-in room. Plus it gets in your clothes, so even when you leave, that stinky smokey smell is still with you. Smelling like an ashtray is a definite vacation ruiner. I would love it if DVC went totally N/S.

As far as other request, they should be first booked, first get, not based on your arrival time. If you own SSR, want a DTD view and book at 11 months out, you should be able to get that room over someone who books 2 months out but checks in prior to you.

[alsipd]

I have a sensitivity to Smoke of any kind (which is why I always check the direction of the wind before the fireworks) but do not have a doctors diagnosis. To get one all I would have to do is ask as my doctor is a HUGE proponent for banning cigarettes altogether. As for NHC, I am a big guy and the seat in the shower means I am partly out of the stall when I shower. Others have made the statement that they spent a lot of money for DVC; well we all did, and Disney will not be able to make all of us happy. The State of Florida is on a tear to abolish smoking in any public place due to the ill health effects to the general populace.
I would like to see Non-Smoking be offered as a guarantee, with my preference listed on my personal DVC profile as a necessity, so that MS can inform me as to availability for the time I am requesting. I have no problem with this policy. Either that or make the whole resort Non-Smoking.
I am not a reformed smoker, I just never started and I don't like it!

JMHO...... Dennis

[Frozenfingers]

Actually, this isn't true. Smoking/non-smoking requests are noted by CRO, but not guaranteed. For example, we have an upcoming trip to CBR scheduled for April. When I called to make the reservation, I was told that N-S is put down as a request that they try to honor, but is *never* guaranteed. Same thing when we did CSR two years ago.
.

Thank you Deep-Thots. I certainly may have been mistaken, it was my impression that whenever I made reservations it wasn't a problem securing a non smoking room. I don't recall specific dialogue about being unable to guarentee a non smoker.. but that is not to say it wasn't mentioned and I have forgotten. Perhaps I just didn't actively listen to the cm, since being able to specify a non smoking room is pretty much the standard in the hotel industry today.

In any event, thank you for correcting me and posting the right information.

[KNWVIKING]

...... another correct answer from a Joisey Guy.

[jarestel]

The only thing we EVER request is N/S and N/HC. Views are not important and we would never bother to beg, plead, or scream for a certain floor or room. Having said that, the N/S and N/HC requests are extremely important to me I wouldn't want to give up the ability to request them unless DVC made them guarantees. Then I would wholeheartedly say to ban requests if DVC thought about it and decided they couldn't come up with a better system for handling them.

[lllovell]

I am a newbie in the DVC world so someone help me here. Who do those CMs work for? Isn't it Disney itself? Or if they are at a DVC hotel, are they paid by DVC? What about the hotels that are mixed?

The reason I am asking is that unless they are actually DVC employees, I am not sure that DVC feels that obligated to fix this. I would HOPE they do, but I can see how it would come down to the person on the phone promising one thing and the person at the desk getting the heat for it not happening.
Do you guys send comments to Disney or DVC when you are unhappy? I know they are "in bed" as some would say, but they are a seperate entity right?

Sometimes it is easier not to fix something if you are not in the direct fire of its problems. I am sure hoping this is not the case here.

[Deep-Thots]

Thank you Deep-Thots. I certainly may have been mistaken, it was my impression that whenever I made reservations it wasn't a problem securing a non smoking room. I don't recall specific dialogue about being unable to guarentee a non smoker.. but that is not to say it wasn't mentioned and I have forgotten. Perhaps I just didn't actively listen to the cm, since being able to specify a non smoking room is pretty much the standard in the hotel industry today.

In any event, thank you for correcting me and posting the right information.

Sure. I can tell you that it was kind of a shocker for me to learn that -- especially since it doesn't actually indicate anything like that on your CRO confirmation letter (it only lists view, etc.). (I originally found this info out via a travel agent and later confirmed it with CRO.) Still, I have to admit that I've never been assigned a smoking room through CRO. I guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed for when DH and I plunge on our first DVC trips this year....

[Dean]

Dean,
I am not sure, but I think HC is a request, not a guarantee.
My understanding is that HC rooms are booked directly and guaranteed, though they do give themselves an out just in case.

[DebbieB]

I have had CRO room confirmations in the past that said "guaranteed non-smoking room". I didn't even mention medical reasons, just requested non-smoking. I never got stuck in a smoking room except one time at CSR. I arrived early in the morning with 3 friends and we were thrilled that they had 2 connecting rooms ready. They didn't tell us they were smoking....we found out when we got to the rooms. We were so excited to get to the parks we just called and asked for an ionizer. They delivered one but it really didn't help. Kind of got used to the smell. But when I got home and opened my suitcase I couldn't believe how it reeked of smoke.

[DisneySpence]

We have never had a guaranteed NS room and we have been explicitly told on each reservation call that they never guarantee them it is only a request and they do thier best to accomodate you.

[alsipd]

A guarantee of Non-Smoking would be nice though. :cool1:

I am lucky that I have the flexibility to modify my schedule around a policy, and I can see where some folks don't have that luxury.

I wish I had a definitive answer for this issue, but then Disney would hire me, make me a manager, and cause me to have to leave this "snowy wonderland"(sic) that is my home for now! :D

[Dean]

I have had CRO room confirmations in the past that said "guaranteed non-smoking room". I didn't even mention medical reasons, just requested non-smoking. I never got stuck in a smoking room except one time at CSR. I arrived early in the morning with 3 friends and we were thrilled that they had 2 connecting rooms ready. They didn't tell us they were smoking....we found out when we got to the rooms. We were so excited to get to the parks we just called and asked for an ionizer. They delivered one but it really didn't help. Kind of got used to the smell. But when I got home and opened my suitcase I couldn't believe how it reeked of smoke.One point I made was that even though it says "guaranteed" they give themselves an out plus they can't give you what they don't truly have.

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I think that they should only take requests for things that they can say "yes" or "no" to at the time the reservation is made. This way you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

After reading through the entire thread, this makes the most sense to me IMHO. That doesn't mean that DVC should eliminate requests, it's just that they should improve their system to say yes or no to some of the things that are currently requets, as they did with the Boardwalk view at the BWV (as was pointed out by TJK).

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject. It's obvious that the smoking issue is one that must make the CM's hair turn white.

HBC

[elfbo]

The only guarntees I would want is smoking and non-smoking. I mean who wants to spend "Vacation" in a room that has a worse atmosphere than at home? and HC, When I am on vacation I look forward to my nice long bubble baths, so i *need* a tub. For the N/S I would become a *naughty* DVC member, because my DH has mild asthma, and while he's ok in most public places, if he is around it too long, he could have an attack, and a visit to the ER is not on my Disney To Do List :blush:. As for the tub thing, If i am staying more than 4 days, I would ask to be moved the next day. If my stay is shorter than that, I would just deal with it. (And maybe pout in my room for awhile).

I will *deal* when my comfort is inconvienced, but I will not just deal with a situation if my health or familys health is negatively affected.