Told by MS that Non-Handicapped is not a valid room request

[disneyberry]

Over the years, my husband and I have really become a lot more laid back about the rooms we get staying at DVC resorts. We used to request things like building location or certain views and upper floor, but we just don't mind about any of those things anymore.

The one thing we have never been able to let go is how much we dislike being assigned to a handicapped-accessible room. That roll-in shower just makes the trip unpleasant with the bathroom being soaked. It also makes the general bathroom atmosphere not as nice as we'd like.

So for a number of years, our *one* room request has been to ask for a Non-Handicapped room. MS agents have always inputted that in, no questions asked. It seems like such a simple request.

Today, however, I spoke with someone at MS who absolutely insisted that that is not a request that can be made. She even insinuated that all the MS agents I have worked with in the past have just typed in the request without informing me that in actuality it will not be passed onto the resort.

She implied that because it was a non-standard request, the resort will never see it, and that they only see requests such as a specific room# or a certain floor. My guess is she meant the hard coded requests which might have a field or a drop down box or check box on the MS system.

She also told me that the more last minute you book your room, the more likely you will be put in a handicapped room.

In the end I did get her to agree to "type the request in even though the resort won't ever see it".

In any case just thought I'd share this information with DISers.

[bobbiwoz]

People have successfully been able to request "villa with a tub!" At least that's what I've read here.

I have gotten a HA room, not wanted, at resorts that I booked 11 months in advance. Go figure!

[Brian Noble]

If I understand things correctly, a recent back-end systems change has standardized the requests one can make, and room assignment is now a more automated process. If that is so, the CM might actually be right that it can't be made as a request now though it probably could have been made before this change. (It is possible that this CM was employed after this change happened). It's not like the CM has a reason to lie to you about this, does she?

That said, you may as well take advantage of CM roulette: call back, hope you get someone else, and say: "You know, I can't remember if I made this request or not, but we'd prefer to not have an Accessible room." Then, see what they say.

Also, when you check in, ask the CM if the room you will eventually get is Accessible. They won't tell you the room number until it is ready, but they know what it is, and may be able to reassign you.

Of course, at the end of the day, someone will end up staying there. And, sometimes that someone will be you. I've gotten one at OKW, and while the wet floor is a little annoying, we just sacrificed an extra towel to the cause.

[karrit2000]

This is the one request that I always make also. I had no problem having it noted on all my latest upcoming reservations a couple of weeks ago. Sounds like the rep you got didn't want to be bother having to manually type the request. Even if the resort doesn't see it it is still noted there. I had an incident a number of years ago at BWV where they put me in a HA room. Turned out the original request didn't get carried over to my wait list but the resort manager was able to see it on my original reservation so they agreed to move us the next day to a regular room.

[jennylyn_b]

What's the difference? Not being snarky I don't know and am concerned since we have to have a tub to bathe our DD who will be 2. We are staying in a studio.


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

[cseca]

The HA room has a roll in shower. No tub.
That's why it's an issue for some people like us who has little ones to give baths to.

[jennylyn_b]

Originally Posted by cseca

The HA room has a roll in shower. No tub.
That's why it's an issue for some people like us who has little ones to give baths to.

I did not know this thanks.


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

[bobbiwoz]

The bathroom floor can get very wet and slippery. I was heartsick, when I got one at AKV and they absolutely said I could not get another room. When I explained about my walking, they did send up many many towels to put on the bathroom floor and it helped me a lot.

[TDC Nala]

She also told me that the more last minute you book your room, the more likely you will be put in a handicapped room.

This sounds like it may be crap, as they do not assign rooms according to when they were booked.

Try stating when you check in that you do not wish to be placed in an accessible room. You may have to wait for another room to be ready though.

[disneynutz]

One of my frustrations is getting a straight answer from MS. Either they don't know how things work or some fib to get you off the phone.

Here is what I know. A law change in March required that they make HC rooms a booking category and you can access HC inventory via the online website. It's not clear what they do with the inventory not booked under the new law. Has anyone received a HC room that they didn't want since March?

The pre-defined room views are part of the Disney cash booking system, not unique to the DVC. That's why some make no sense for DVC stays and why the DVC just doesn't fix the view listings. I was told a couple of times that they are using a program to match rooms but I was also told that free form entries are reviewed by the room assigners.

I also know that SSR does not have a DTD view request and our free form entry was not passed on to SSR. I discussed this issue with MS and was shown our reservation screen at SSR and the DTD request was not listed even though MS insisted that they could see it.

Bill

[Breyean]

Originally Posted by jennylyn_b

I did not know this thanks.


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

At least at OKW in a 1 bedroom, where we had a HA room for a 9 nine stay a few years ago, the counter space in the bathroom and kitchen is reduced. As I recall, there also wasn't any under sink storage, like a shelf, in the bathroom sink. Plus the toilet is HA, so that might affect some people who find the height less comfortable than usual. I also believe the sinks are lower, because I seem to recall bending a whole lot more to get to them.

The shower was already mentioned.

-------------

Just called MS to add my requested rooms for my VGC trip and I asked about the non-HA request, in general. She said they still take it; she typed it in my new reservation and read it to me on my other two outstanding reservations. Non guaranteed, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

I always ask for a non-HA room, and they always note it. How do I know? I call back a while later and ask the new CM I get to check my requests to make sure I mentioned them all, and they read back to me what the first CM typed in.

I just made a reservation online today but haven't yet called to put in my requests. I will be interested in seeing if this is an issue now, esp since you can specifically request a HA room on line as a preference.

Yes, someone has to stay in them, but if people go out of their way to request not having one assigned them, then they can assign them to others who don't care enough about the differences to bother to make the request.

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Once again the DIS shoes it's respect and tolerance


For those of you who need these rooms realize that the whining represents a vocal minority. Sorry

[karrit2000]

I don't recall seeing anyone being disrespectful, intolerant or whining here. I am one of those who has physical difficulties if I am forced to use a HA Toilet. So I simply make a request to not be assigned a HA room. It's one thing to tough it out for 1 night but for multi night stays I prefer that every effort be made to honor my request.

[Breyean]

Originally Posted by OrangeCountyCommuter

Once again the DIS shoes it's respect and tolerance


For those of you who need these rooms realize that the whining represents a vocal minority. Sorry

No. As I always say when I make my request to MS, the rooms are great for those who need them.

People who need these rooms w/b less comfortable in non HA rooms, just as some of us who don't need them are less comfortable in HA rooms.

Pointing out differences between these room types is different how from saying you prefer a top floor, bottom, certain view, etc? Some prefer one thing; others another.

[CRobin]

Originally Posted by OrangeCountyCommuter

Once again the DIS shoes it's respect and tolerance

For those of you who need these rooms realize that the whining represents a vocal minority. Sorry

Not exactly. The member who got the tree view at BWV pool / garden and complains is whining, and has forgotten / is unaware / doesn't care about the fact that DVC is 96% occupied, on average, so someone always gets the tree view. It's your turn, live with it.

The family who shows up with infants who need to be bathed in a tub are not whining.