Is it possible/recommended/appropriate...

[jagson]

to check out the room you're assigned prior to accepting the room? Are you bound to the room, or can you decline it? If you decline it, do you think MS will "blackball you", and be passive-aggressive in assigning you another room? Last vacation we got an early check-in room, and took it sight unseen, only to find it less than acceptable. We don't complain much, so didn't decline it. What are others experience?

 

[tjkraz]

Examining a room thoroughly before you unpack and get settled in is perfectly acceptable. But ultimately it's up to the resort to decide how to handle any issues.

DVC is very clear in stating that requests are not guaranteed. You cannot decline a room simply because you don't like the location, view, floor, building, etc. If there's an issue with maintenance or cleanliness, they can decide how best to address the issue. They could offer to move you to another room or they could simply agree to fix the problem. For instance if the bathroom cleanliness isn't up to par, they should at least be willing to send someone up to re-clean.

But a room in need of some touch-up cleaning or minor repair isn't justification for refusing the room altogether...particularly if it's well before 4pm. They may simply request that you stay out of the room for several hours while maintenance / housekeeping addresses the problems.

 

[hakepb]

I think there is now a room change fee if you do not prefer a view.
If there is a minor mousekeeping or maint issue, call them(ie missing towels, burnt out light bulb..) And they will fix it.
If there is a major housekeeping / maintaince issue (room not serviced at all / several appliances or fixtures broke..), walk back to the front desk (do not call, calls go to a call center)
And ask for a new room or immediate resolution. Then e-mail dvc member satisfaction.

 

[Simba's Mom]

to check out the room you're assigned prior to accepting the room? Are you bound to the room, or can you decline it? If you decline it, do you think MS will "blackball you", and be passive-aggressive in assigning you another room? Last vacation we got an early check-in room, and took it sight unseen, only to find it less than acceptable. We don't complain much, so didn't decline it. What are others experience?

I don't think it's a problem, at least at some resorts. Once, when I got a text that my room was ready, I knew from reading here that it was HA, and in an area I didn't want, so I went to the front desk and asked for a different room. They were very nice and gave me a new room. What was strange (but in a good way) was that my new room met my view request, yet when I'd initially checked in they told me that they had no rooms available that met my view request. So getting a new room certainly paid off that time! However, that was at BCV. Once at VWL, we didn't know that the room was HA and didn't have a tub til we saw it. Yet, when I called after seeing it and asked for a new room with a tub, they said I'd have to pay the room-cleaning fee (for less than 5 minutes?)

 

[jagson]

I don't think it's a problem, at least at some resorts. Once, when I got a text that my room was ready, I knew from reading here that it was HA, and in an area I didn't want, so I went to the front desk and asked for a different room. They were very nice and gave me a new room. What was strange (but in a good way) was that my new room met my view request, yet when I'd initially checked in they told me that they had no rooms available that met my view request. So getting a new room certainly paid off that time! However, that was at BCV. Once at VWL, we didn't know that the room was HA and didn't have a tub til we saw it. Yet, when I called after seeing it and asked for a new room with a tub, they said I'd have to pay the room-cleaning fee (for less than 5 minutes?)

That was our situation, ie HA room with no tub; entire floor got wet when we'd shower; made the floor slippery and dangerous; had to use towels to keep the floor dry; bottom of shower seat rusty, looked like "ca-ca"; other issues with the room.

 

[tjkraz]

That was our situation, ie HA room with no tub; entire floor got wet when we'd shower; made the floor slippery and dangerous; had to use towels to keep the floor dry; bottom of shower seat rusty, looked like "ca-ca"; other issues with the room.

I still believe it's a toss-up.

Disney is required to have a certain number of accessible rooms and often doesn't need that many to satisfy guest needs. When DVC resorts are at 100% occupancy, unfortunately someone needs to be in those rooms.

It will depend upon things like occupancy levels, time of day and just the willingness of the CM to make the switch. It's an imperfect situation because even if the CM makes you happy by switching the rooms, they are likely to be faced with someone else who is equally upset later in the day.

Nothing wrong with asking but there are no hard-and-fast rules as to whether they can/will accommodate the move or whether the room change fee is charged.

 

[Granny]

That was our situation, ie HA room with no tub; entire floor got wet when we'd shower; made the floor slippery and dangerous; had to use towels to keep the floor dry;

This part of the situation I think should be "luck of the draw". If the resort is operating at full capacity then someone has to get the HA rooms. And the issues you mention are a function of being in an HA room. I don't think it is reasonable to reject an HA room just because it is HA.

bottom of shower seat rusty, looked like "ca-ca"; other issues with the room.

This is a different matter. If the room is truly not cleaned or functioning properly, it is appropriate to bring it to the attention of management and have the situation addressed. As long as the issues are not typical wear & tear, then it is a legitimate beef.

 

[Breyean]

I don't think it's a problem, at least at some resorts. Once, when I got a text that my room was ready, I knew from reading here that it was HA, and in an area I didn't want, so I went to the front desk and asked for a different room. They were very nice and gave me a new room. What was strange (but in a good way) was that my new room met my view request, yet when I'd initially checked in they told me that they had no rooms available that met my view request. So getting a new room certainly paid off that time! However, that was at BCV. Once at VWL, we didn't know that the room was HA and didn't have a tub til we saw it. Yet, when I called after seeing it and asked for a new room with a tub, they said I'd have to pay the room-cleaning fee (for less than 5 minutes?)

We had this happen many years ago at OKW. We had a 9 night stay booked, and when we got to the room it was HA.

We went to the HH and asked about moving and were told basically what others here have said - SOMEONE has to have the HA room if the resort is full.

The problems I had with that was, if they are really only using the HA rooms when the resort is fully booked, and you know many many people find these rooms less desirable, why assign it to a family doing a 9 night stay? Why not use it for someone staying only a few night, if possible? 9 night is a long time to spend in a room with basically no counter space in the bathroom, as well as the other assorted drawbacks with these rooms.

Second, there WAS another room available. We were able to get another room (not HA) immediately. So the resort was NOT completely full after all.

 

[CaFeeney]

We were also assigned a HA studio at OKW over Columbus Day. Called immediately as we have a young child and need a bathtub as she isn't quite ready to take showers as yet.
They were very nice and reassigned us right away, they never mentioned any charge. I think I would have been really upset if they refused to move us or tried to charge us - I was not asking for any type of upgrade or different view - we just needed a studio with a tub.
Totally get that someone has to get those rooms but honestly for the $ we paid for DVC I don't think it is too much to ask to be able to bathe my child.

 

[jpeka65844]

I refused an HA room at VWL once. We were traveling with small children who needed a tub. Otherwise, it would've been fine.

And the front desk had no problem with it and didn't charge us a room change fee.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

The one question I always ask when I check in is if the room I have been assigned is HA or not. I would rather have a location I did not ask for and have a regular room than to have a HA room in my preferred location. One day I may need one of those HA rooms and will be appreciative that they are available, but until then I really prefer a regular room. I guess once some of us "boomers" get a little older, it may seem that there are not enough HA rooms.

 

[tjkraz]

Second, there WAS another room available. We were able to get another room (not HA) immediately. So the resort was NOT completely full after all.

I doubt you were lied-to about the resort being full. Most likely they gave you the room which was originally assigned to a guest who had not yet arrived.

 

[rigsby25]

I wonder if they should have a request category of non HA?

 

[hakepb]

I wonder if they should have a request category of non HA?

Then, I think the assigner sees "HA" in the request and gives you an HA room.

I think I would request a "Tub"

 

[tjkraz]

I wonder if they should have a request category of non HA?

You certainly can request non-handicapped...although some people are convinced those requests are often misread and the member is MORE likely to end up with a HA room.

As for making it a guaranteed category, that would solve some problems but introduce others. For instance:

* You're booking months ahead of time and want 80 year old parent/grandparent to come along on trip. If he/she comes along, you will need HA room. If not, non-HA. Status is completely unknown at time of booking. What do you do?

* Two weeks before trip teenager breaks leg. You're booked in non-HA but roll-in shower is now needed. No HA category rooms available.

* HA room is unavailable for maintenance purposes. How does the resort determine who will get bumped?

Complicating matters is the fact that not all HA rooms were created equally. One time we were assigned to a HA studio and literally spent 1.5 days in the room before realizing it. That room did NOT have a roll in shower but it did have extra grab bars in the shower, a second peephole on the door which was much lower and other height-related tweaks throughout the unit.

Either system is going to disappoint some people. But overall I think Disney is wise to err on the side that gives them the greatest flexibility to meet guests' needs.

 

[com_op_2000]

Last time at SSR, checked-in, told they have our room ready, given a room key, went to the room and found it to be an HA room. Went back to check-in, stating we did not request or need an HA room, can we please, be re-assigned. Informed that another room was available and given a key for it. No questions asked by the staff memeber.

 

[jagson]

I have a problem with HA rooms, because as I stated the bathroom floor was wet following a shower, which I felt was slippery and a slip/fall danger. I see it as a danger to any person, whether handicapped or not. I don't care if it has no tub, but the showers, at least where we stayed, need to be assessed and upgraded. I don't know if this has been a concern for anyone who has stayed in an HA room. I did a post-vacation satisfaction survey online following our last stay at OKW, and brought this up. This was 3-4 weeks ago, and I have yet to hear anything back; so much for the feedback they wanted. They sent me the survey request, I didn't. I've never done a post-vacation survey before, but felt so compelled to let them know what I felt. Again, its my fault for not seeking a room change, especially after my first shower, and noticed the wet floor (not just around the immediate vicinity of the shower, but covering much of the shower floor). Again, I feel HA rooms should be available for those that need them, but they should be safe. I don't know if I'm the only one thats had a problem with this, or if this has been brought to MS attention, or if this is an oversight on their part.

 

[Dean]

That was our situation, ie HA room with no tub; entire floor got wet when we'd shower; made the floor slippery and dangerous; had to use towels to keep the floor dry; bottom of shower seat rusty, looked like "ca-ca"; other issues with the room.

In general they have more HC rooms than needed most of the time and someone has to get those rooms. I don't think it's inappropriate to ask to change but I also don't think it's inappropriate on DVC's part to charge for the change or to say no.

 

[Simba's Mom]

In general they have more HC rooms than needed most of the time and someone has to get those rooms. I don't think it's inappropriate to ask to change but I also don't think it's inappropriate on DVC's part to charge for the change or to say no.

If buying into DVC means that you aren't guaranteed a room with a bathtub anymore without paying extra, those with young children and those of us with medical needs for a tub (arthritis, for example) would appreciate knowing that.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I asked for a room change on our last trip at check-in.

My plantars fascitis gives me fits USUALLY, and I had asked to be near the elevator. The request was not met.

Disney was very nice and changed it for us. I wasn't very picky about the new room. I just really needed to be in the closest half of BWV...not the fartherest.