Pay for a preferred room or not?

[specialmemory]

I have a problem walking any distance so I am wondering if I should pay for preferred rooms. I am renting a scooter for the parks but dont want to use it at the resort just to go to the pool or to eat. Besides the fact we have 2 rooms so that would be a double cost to upgrade. What do you suggest? Also does anyone know if I will get a ground floor room if I am renting a scooter?

 

[Belle83]

Well, it depends. Where are you staying, and when are you going?

How much more is a preferred room? If I had paid for preferred on my last trip it would have been a waste of $. It was January (value season), so I just requested a room in a specific building and that's what I got It was close to everything, short of being 'preferred'. (Building 45/Jamaica at Caribbean Beach Resort).

 

[akl-fan]

You can book a HA room and that will be what you get. Or you can request the ground floor but this is not guaranteed. I would book the preferred location room because if you are in a mod or value you could be walking 15 - 20 mins to get from room to resturants etc.

Hve you thought about staying at the Swan or Dolphin. These can with discounts cost less than a mod. There would be far less walking for you and you would still be on property.

 

[pepperderr]

We stayed in a value twice. The first time it was quite a walk with a regular room. The next time we stayed at a different value but got a preferred room. There was a big difference in the walking. If I do it again, I will always go with a preferred room.

pepperderr

 

[KatieCollette]

It depends on when you go. If it's value season you could probably request a room that's closer to the main lobby and they will give it to you. If it's busy season, book it. We stayed at POR once and I thank heaven we had one of the Mangolia Bend rooms because if you were in the Alligator Bayou, you had a 20 minute walk to get to the main pool and food court.

 

[a1tinkfans]

It depends on when you go. If it's value season you could probably request a room that's closer to the main lobby and they will give it to you. If it's busy season, book it. We stayed at POR once and I thank heaven we had one of the Mangolia Bend rooms because if you were in the Alligator Bayou, you had a 20 minute walk to get to the main pool and food court.

AB section has buildings that even closer than magnolia? It depends on the building tho, I understand your point. OP, I agree, depends on time of year and resort. I think if you update that info, you may get more info. Have a great trip!

 

[specialmemory]

Well, it depends. Where are you staying, and when are you going?

How much more is a preferred room? If I had paid for preferred on my last trip it would have been a waste of $. It was January (value season), so I just requested a room in a specific building and that's what I got It was close to everything, short of being 'preferred'. (Building 45/Jamaica at Caribbean Beach Resort).

We are staying in POP in the month of September. We have two rooms so it will be $236.00 more.

 

[minnie mum]

September, especially if you are going later in the month, is usually a less crowded time of year. But this year September could be busier due to free dining. So your chances of getting a room request may be less. You have to weigh the expense of a preferred room and guaranteed closeness to the food court against the less expensive standard room and no guarantee that your request will be granted.

You said that you will use an ECV in the parks but don't want one at the resort. Does this mean that you will rent a park ECV each day? Many people have found considerable savings by renting an ECV for the lenght of their stay from off-site. They deliver to and pick up from your resort. The reason I mention this is that it might kill two birds with one stone. You save money on the ECV, and you could use it around the resort if your standard room isn't as close to the action as you would like it to be (but still saving money by not booking a preferred room). Just something else to consider.

PS: you can find more infor about renting ECVs on the DisAbilities forum.

 

[maxiesmom]

PS: you can find more infor about renting ECVs on the DisAbilities forum.

In addition to asking about ECVs, ask over there on how to book a room thru the Special Services Department. That is the department to go to if you have a true medical need of a certain room type or location. If you don't want to pay for preferred, then at least look at a resort map and see which non preferred room location may suit your needs. The Special Services Department should be able to block out a room for you and guarantee it for you.

 

[minnie mum]

In addition to asking about ECVs, ask over there on how to book a room thru the Special Services Department. That is the department to go to if you have a true medical need of a certain room type or location. If you don't want to pay for preferred, then at least look at a resort map and see which non preferred room location may suit your needs. The Special Services Department should be able to block out a room for you and guarantee it for you.

Um, not really sure that they will guarantee it, unlike a HA room. I've had medical need requests before that were not granted when the resort was really busy. But it can't hurt to try. Nothing ventured.......

 

[maxiesmom]

Um, not really sure that they will guarantee it, unlike a HA room. I've had medical need requests before that were not granted when the resort was really busy. But it can't hurt to try. Nothing ventured.......

Did you go thru Special Services? That would suprise me. I've been told they are the only ones who can block out rooms and guarantee room locations. However, if you go thru regular reservations they cannot guarantee you anything.

 

[Tyme4wdw]

I was placed in the 50's section in the very last building on the furthest side of the building. If I had any type of problems with walking, then yes, it would have been too far without a scooter. I would definitely pay for a Preferred Room and put in a request for first floor as close to the main building as possible due to mobility issues.