Two rooms, one adult

[rcraw45425]

Upon arrival our guaranteed connecting rooms were in fact, side by side, and connecting to the rooms on the other side of them! THankfully we arrived early enough in the day that the room assigner was able to move us to the other side of AKL and give us connecting, but we wound up with one regular room and one with bunk beds, miserable for my youngest teen that had to sleep on the bunk bed. I can attest to the lack of comfort on those mattresses!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney policy is 1-2 adults with any number of kids requiring or requesting 2 rooms will have both rooms placed on 1 reservation number. They will guarantee the connection. Most will say it still isn't guaranteed, but IMO if Disney policy guarantees it that way then that's what I will expect. It's THEIR policy.

Their actual, official, permanent, printed-on-the-back-of-paper-confirmations (vs. verbal advice or computer-generated data) is that nothing is guaranteed except a room onsite.

 

[dansdad]

Their actual, official, permanent, printed-on-the-back-of-paper-confirmations (vs. verbal advice or computer-generated data) is that nothing is guaranteed except a room onsite.

This!

 

[SA mom]

We like to stay at the Swan in a Deluxe Alcove Room. They aren't that much more than a regular room and they are big. We fit 5 of us in there easily, 3 adults. My husband and I in the king sized bed, the children on the queen size pull out, and aunt on the roll away. The roll away was really comfortable.

Also, the Swan is a Starwood Hotel and you can book it on points if you have the Starwood American Express card. We haven't paid for a room for the past two trips.

 

[maxiesmom]

Their actual, official, permanent, printed-on-the-back-of-paper-confirmations (vs. verbal advice or computer-generated data) is that nothing is guaranteed except a room onsite.

Yup. Add to that, their own web site states connecting rooms are NOT guaranteed. Everything is subject to availability. And as Disney does not block out rooms when you book, they have know way of knowing ahead of time if there will be connecting rooms for you when you arrive or not. They will do their best, but nope, they are not guaranteed!

 

[aaarcher86]

Their actual, official, permanent, printed-on-the-back-of-paper-confirmations (vs. verbal advice or computer-generated data) is that nothing is guaranteed except a room onsite.

Thats fine. It doesnt change their internal policy.

I doubt they have a different paper statements printed for the rooms that fall under guaranteed connections by their own policy... Just as dining reservations for 2 people say you might be seated at different tables.

Its printed on everything

 

[maxiesmom]

Thats fine. It doesnt change their internal policy.

I doubt they have a different paper statements printed for the rooms that fall under guaranteed connections by their own policy... Just as dining reservations for 2 people say you might be seated at different tables.

Its printed on everything

It doesn't matter if it is their internal policy or not, their stated public policy is that connecting rooms are not guaranteed. And they do not, in fact, have any way to guarantee them. An internal policy is what they try to do, stated policy is what they can (and do) fall back on when their internal policy fails.

Connecting rooms are never 100% guaranteed, and you do people a disservice by insisting they are. If Disney doesn't guaranteed paid for room types (and they don't) it is silly to think they would guarantee what they themselves label as a request.

Again, they try their darndest to give out connecting rooms when requested. But they cannot 100% guarantee them. They simply don't know what room set ups they will have available when you check in.

 

[aaarcher86]

It doesn't matter if it is their internal policy or not, their stated public policy is that connecting rooms are not guaranteed. And they do not, in fact, have any way to guarantee them. An internal policy is what they try to do, stated policy is what they can (and do) fall back on when their internal policy fails.

Connecting rooms are never 100% guaranteed, and you do people a disservice by insisting they are. If Disney doesn't guaranteed paid for room types (and they don't) it is silly to think they would guarantee what they themselves label as a request.

Again, they try their darndest to give out connecting rooms when requested. But they cannot 100% guarantee them. They simply don't know what room set ups they will have available when you check in.

There are different ways of booking 2 rooms for a reason. There is a reason people have 2 rooms with 1 confirmation number and others get 2 rooms with 2 reservation numbers.

It's not that tricky. If there are 10 sets of connecting standard rooms and they have 11 people coming that have requested connecting rooms with only 1 being guaranteed, they will make sure the guaranteed reservation is put into a connecting room and someone who was not guaranteed a connecting room will not receive one. Could there be 11 guaranteed sets of connecting rooms at one time? Sure. Disney would have to find an alternative to that just like the rare occasion someone gets downgraded.

It has to be booked a specific way and it has to meet the guidelines. In the case of a single mother with 4 children, it would absolutely fall under the policy to guarantee connecting rooms. Could something still happen? Of course. In the same rare occasion that someone books a room category and gets downgraded - but it doesn't change that Disney allows for guaranteed bookings, and if something did happen to this type of booking they would accommodate them accordingly.

They'll always have a clause covering themselves in case something happens in any situation. Always. And there is a chance that it could - but can they be guaranteed connecting rooms? According to Disney, yes they can. We don't tell people booking a garden view, 'you shouldn't bother, it's not guaranteed' even though the slightest chance is possible that they could be moved. They have a clause reserving the right to change prices at will, gratuities are not included on the dining plan (even though they are in a few cases), etc.

I'm aware of the policy on a person level, not word of mouth through a reservation CM or I wouldn't even bring it up to someone. All anyone can do is give the OP a heads up and let them make the best decision for them.

 

[Karebear]

Not sure if you checked into the AS Music suites--they are less expensive than the new A of A suites and they give you 3 beds in the living room and a queen in the bedroom. Maybe that could work for you?

 

[kaytieeldr]

It has to be booked a specific way and it has to meet the guidelines. In the case of a single mother with 4 children, it would absolutely fall under the policy to guarantee connecting rooms.

You might want to explain that to the DISer who was in that exact situation but couldn't get connecting rooms.

but it doesn't change that Disney allows for guaranteed bookings

They don't. That's why "GTD" is computer-generated, while information stating that things like connecting rooms are not guaranteed is stated on the Disney website and on the paper they consistently reorder and use for reservation confirmations.

We don't tell people booking a garden view, 'you shouldn't bother, it's not guaranteed' even though the slightest chance is possible that they could be moved

Well, based on experience, at least one person in this thread would be within their rights to warn, "Don't book a preferred room at a Value because you won't get it - and they'll argue about refunding the extra money you paid!"

 

[aaarcher86]

You might want to explain that to the DISer who was in that exact situation but couldn't get connecting rooms.



They don't. That's why "GTD" is computer-generated, while information stating that things like connecting rooms are not guaranteed is stated on the Disney website and on the paper they consistently reorder and use for reservation confirmations.



Well, based on experience, at least one person in this thread would be within their rights to warn, "Don't book a preferred room at a Value because you won't get it - and they'll argue about refunding the extra money you paid!"

I don't need to explain anything to anyone that didn't get to book 2 connecting guaranteed rooms. On this same thread there is a DISer who had it booked correctly and got what was guaranteed to them. Another poster on this thread is someone who has stated they are (or were) a resort CM and has stated that there are reasons that rooms are guaranteed without listing the details.

I have no doubt that CMs guarantee rooms that shouldn't be, don't guarantee rooms that should, and even that sometimes people that are under policy guaranteed connections don't get them for one reason or another. How many threads with a question are there on the board and no matter what the policy/answer is there are at least 4 people that pop in, 'that's not true, I was able to do the exact opposite.'

No matter what situation you have there will always be people that had the opposite experience. Always. Whether it's right or wrong, against policy or agreeing with it. Always.

They are always going to have a clause to cover themselves for the few times they need to because yes, it CAN happen... anything CAN happen under the right circumstances.

 

[twinboysmom]

I don't need to explain anything to anyone that didn't get to book 2 connecting guaranteed rooms. On this same thread there is a DISer who had it booked correctly and got what was guaranteed to them. Another poster on this thread is someone who has stated they are (or were) a resort CM and has stated that there are reasons that rooms are guaranteed without listing the details.

I have no doubt that CMs guarantee rooms that shouldn't be, don't guarantee rooms that should, and even that sometimes people that are under policy guaranteed connections don't get them for one reason or another. How many threads with a question are there on the board and no matter what the policy/answer is there are at least 4 people that pop in, 'that's not true, I was able to do the exact opposite.'

No matter what situation you have there will always be people that had the opposite experience. Always. Whether it's right or wrong, against policy or agreeing with it. Always.

They are always going to have a clause to cover themselves for the few times they need to because yes, it CAN happen... anything CAN happen under the right circumstances.

I am just curious, not trying to be rude but since you are so insistent regarding their policy do you have personal experience with this? Have you been one adult with 4 or more children trying to book 2 rooms? Not 2 adults, one adult. Because as I said before, my coworker was not allowed to do so. She talked to multiple supervisors and even told them she would be forced to book off property (which she did). I know if I go on the Disney website it with 1 adult and 6 kids it only gives me options of villas.

 

[aaarcher86]

I am just curious, not trying to be rude but since you are so insistent regarding their policy do you have personal experience with this? Have you been one adult with 4 or more children trying to book 2 rooms? Not 2 adults, one adult. Because as I said before, my coworker was not allowed to do so. She talked to multiple supervisors and even told them she would be forced to book off property (which she did). I know if I go on the Disney website it with 1 adult and 6 kids it only gives me options of villas.

Not rude at all - it's not a popular posting and I've made it several times, but it is what it is. I've tried to avoid the topic lately, but I would hate for a single mother with kids to miss out on an opportunity and/or booking if DISNEY is willing to guarantee something.

As far as I know, you could never book 2 rooms with 1 res on the website. It's always had to be over the phone since 9/10 it would require 2 separate reservations. People would constantly be booking it that way, when it's reserved for a specific circumstance. It's not something Disney wants to leave in the judgement of the person booking. Not that big of a shock since you currently can't pull up a regular value room with 4+1 either.

I don't know what the circumstances are with your friends booking - there are rooms that don't have connections available whatsoever. I have no idea what the details are and again, I have no doubt that CMs mistakes (we get reports of them all the time on here. No reason to think it wouldn't happen with this).

Yes, I have personal experience with the policy (and I mentioned that earlier).

It's not like I'm alone in what I'm saying. There is someone on this same thread that had a booking exactly like I've described it, and another person who did/does work for Disney saying there are guaranteed bookings.

 

[twinboysmom]

Not rude at all - it's not a popular posting and I've made it several times, but it is what it is. I've tried to avoid the topic lately, but I would hate for a single mother with kids to miss out on an opportunity and/or booking if DISNEY is willing to guarantee something.

As far as I know, you could never book 2 rooms with 1 res on the website. It's always had to be over the phone since 9/10 it would require 2 separate reservations. People would constantly be booking it that way, when it's reserved for a specific circumstance. It's not something Disney wants to leave in the judgement of the person booking. Not that big of a shock since you currently can't pull up a regular value room with 4+1 either.

I don't know what the circumstances are with your friends booking - there are rooms that don't have connections available whatsoever. I have no idea what the details are and again, I have no doubt that CMs mistakes (we get reports of them all the time on here. No reason to think it wouldn't happen with this).

Yes, I have personal experience with the policy (and I mentioned that earlier).

It's not like I'm alone in what I'm saying. There is someone on this same thread that had a booking exactly like I've described it, and another person who did/does work for Disney saying there are guaranteed bookings.

All I can tell you is that my friend tried to book at any value resort, she didn't care. I am a WDW vet, having been well over 30 trips, thought I personally knew most everything. She made multiple calls, talked to multiple people, asked for supervisors, and their supervisors and received the same song and dance. Because a room may be unexpectedly taken out of service, etc we cannot guaranteed the rooms will connect and minors cannot be in a room alone. You are certainly entitled to belive what you wish, I would suggest before you offer it as advice though you personally call and try to book two rooms with 5 plus minor children. Btw, the person who you described as booking like you described had two adults. The other you suggested was a travel agent, not a WDW cm. I have said my experience and gladly bow out. We will just have to disagree.

 

[maxiesmom]

They are always going to have a clause to cover themselves for the few times they need to because yes, it CAN happen... anything CAN happen under the right circumstances.

Exactly! And none of us know if those right circumstances would happen to a poster who had "guaranteed" connecting rooms or not! Because it does happen! And as long as someone knows going in that their "guaranteed" connecting rooms may not exist, that is fine. However, someone insisting they won't run into a problem ahead of time is not helpful. We simply don't know for sure, and have no way of knowing for sure.

By the way, I have twice now paid for a room type, only to be told at check in "Sorry, that is not available. You now get room X." Disney does screw up, and there is no way to guarantee someone they won't. And to insist everything will be fine ahead of time is doing a huge disservice to people. Everything may not be fine! I would think most people would be grateful for that heads-up, so they can make an informed decision.

 

[aaarcher86]

All I can tell you is that my friend tried to book at any value resort, she didn't care. I am a WDW vet, having been well over 30 trips, thought I personally knew most everything. She made multiple calls, talked to multiple people, asked for supervisors, and their supervisors and received the same song and dance. Because a room may be unexpectedly taken out of service, etc we cannot guaranteed the rooms will connect and minors cannot be in a room alone. You are certainly entitled to belive what you wish, I would suggest before you offer it as advice though you personally call and try to book two rooms with 5 plus minor children. Btw, the person who you described as booking like you described had two adults. The other you suggested was a travel agent, not a WDW cm. I have said my experience and gladly bow out. We will just have to disagree.

Yes, they had two adults but they did not book 2 reservations. They did exactly what your friend was told they couldn't do. It will also state on the reservation 'guaranteed for families' or something like that. A non guaranteed connecting room will be 2 separate reservations linked together with a connection requested. And again, a former/current CM has stated the same. I don't know when your friend tried to go, but for at least the past year the policy has been as I stated before.

It's not as if situations like your friends never happen. People get incorrect information, pay for someone not on their reservation using dining plan credits, send their luggage on DME without riding it, etc. It's a big place with lots of turnover. Mistakes happen. Policies change.

I'm happy to agree to disagree.

 

[aaarcher86]

Exactly! And none of us know if those right circumstances would happen to a poster who had "guaranteed" connecting rooms or not! Because it does happen! And as long as someone knows going in that their "guaranteed" connecting rooms may not exist, that is fine. However, someone insisting they won't run into a problem ahead of time is not helpful. We simply don't know for sure, and have no way of knowing for sure.

By the way, I have twice now paid for a room type, only to be told at check in "Sorry, that is not available. You now get room X." Disney does screw up, and there is no way to guarantee someone they won't. And to insist everything will be fine ahead of time is doing a huge disservice to people. Everything may not be fine! I would think most people would be grateful for that heads-up, so they can make an informed decision.

I've said before that things absolutely happen! Tons. Disney reserves the right to change a reservation, move you around, etc... but when you book a garden view room at POR (even with the knowledge that something MIGHT happen) it's what you expect. You don't book and pay for a room thinking 'This doesn't even matter. I probably won't get what I'm paying for because they change it if they want to,' or worry about getting downgraded. If Disney has a policy that guarantees a connecting room for a certain type of people that's what I would expect, just like I would expect to get the room type I booked.

You've at least been on the boards for quite some time, I'd imagine you've taken a decent amount of Disney trips to have run into a problem 2x. And I've seen you advocate yourself that with the number of rooms they book out per night the percentage of those kinds of things happening is low.

But to say it's never guaranteed isn't right. They do guarantee it. Could something happen? Sure. But they would absolutely accommodate accordingly.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't know if you aren't reading all my posts, but I've said numerous times that things absolutely happen! Tons. Disney reserves the right to change a reservation, move you around, etc... but when you book a garden view room at POR (even with the knowledge that something MIGHT happen) it's what you expect. If Disney has a policy that guarantees a connecting room for a certain type of people that's what I would expect, just like I would expect to get the room type I booked.

But to say it's never guaranteed isn't right. They do guarantee it. Could something happen? Sure. But they would absolutely accommodate accordingly.

If something is guaranteed that means you will get that thing, no question. And that is not the case when it comes to room types at WDW. They are not guaranteed no question. And they can only accommodate accordingly if they have something similar to hand out. And as I can attest to, that isn't always the case.

As far as connecting rooms go, if you have 2 adults they can give you 2 non-connecting rooms and have an adult sleep in each room. They have done so in the past, so to them that seems to them to be accommodating people accordingly--everyone has a place to sleep, and no child is left unattended.

But to say someone is guaranteed to get connecting rooms needs to come with an * after saying guaranteed as much as they can, which is not 100% guaranteed. And is misleading them at worst.

 

[aaarcher86]

If something is guaranteed that means you will get that thing, no question. And that is not the case when it comes to room types at WDW. They are not guaranteed no question. And they can only accommodate accordingly if they have something similar to hand out. And as I can attest to, that isn't always the case.

As far as connecting rooms go, if you have 2 adults they can give you 2 non-connecting rooms and have an adult sleep in each room. They have done so in the past, so to them that seems to them to be accommodating people accordingly--everyone has a place to sleep, and no child is left unattended.

But to say someone is guaranteed to get connecting rooms needs to come with an * after saying guaranteed as much as they can, which is not 100% guaranteed. And is misleading them at worst.

We're never really going to come onto even ground with this.

I really do understand what you're saying - it can't be guaranteed because it's not 100% that something won't happen. But that's life, right? There's always an off chance something might happen at some point in time.

Yes, 2 adults can get 2 rooms by putting 1 adult in each room and for most bookings with 2 rooms they book 2 reservations doing exactly that.

Guaranteeing connecting rooms is Disney's wording, not mine. If you'd rather say it's never guaranteed that's totally fine. But if Disney will guarantee me 2 connecting rooms why wouldn't I assume they would? If Disney has a policy stating such, why wouldn't I judge based off of the policy of the place I'm making arrangements with?

Of course anyone could say 'they guarantee connecting rooms for this set of people, but beware, a pipe could burst and you could be out of luck.' Or 'well, you booked a garden view room. They're nice, but you might get downgraded at check in because it does happen from time to time.'

If Disney is going to create a category of people that have a special booking procedure to ensure they get connecting rooms that's certainly what I'd expect. If for some reason something happened and they were unable to provide the rooms at that particular resort they'd put the family somewhere else that meets their needs. But since this board follows Disney policy, what's wrong with stating what Disney's policy is?

ETA: Twinboysmom - For kicks while I wait for my coffee I called reservations, said I'm a single mom with 5 kids and I'm planning a vacation. I asked if I could get 2 rooms at a value that were connecting since I don't fit in one room. She stuck me on hold to check on it and came back and advised the same... I could have 2 connecting rooms. I asked if they'd be guaranteed and she said yes.

For the record - I'm more of a person that says 'don't believe the reservation CMs' since they often get stuff wrong. But since you advised I should try booking in that fashion after our back and forth, I gave it a go. I guess you could always do the same and see what they say.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of course anyone could say 'they guarantee connecting rooms for this set of people, but beware, a pipe could burst and you could be out of luck.' Or 'well, you booked a garden view room. They're nice, but you might get downgraded at check in because it does happen from time to time.'

Garden view (or preferred location, or pool view, or Magic Kingdom view, or Savannah view, etc.) is a bookable category. Even so, neither it nor any of the other bookable categories is guaranteed; any room or rooms could be taken out of service for any reason, or many guests' flights could be cancelled due to extreme weather at home so they don't check out...

Connecting rooms isn't a bookable category. When the location/view for which you've paid isn't 100% "yours" until you're in the room, a request has even less weight - no matter how it's booked. And don't forget the poster in this thread who got connecting rooms that didn't connect to each other.