Q about "special requesting" Boca at GF

[Seabean]

We just booked the 7/4 for the GF for early Feb next year.. almost identical to this years trip... Same week, same place, same deal, same meal plan

However, last trip we booked through a Travel agent, this next trip we called Disney direct and did it over the phone.

Although we booked the lower priced "garden view" last year our travel agent was able to put in a "special request" for Boca Chica lagoon view, and we were thrilled when we arrived at the check-in desk and the CM told us they could accommodate our special request for the Boca lagoon view (OK, it wasn't very crowded at the time)

Last night when I booked over the phone, I asked the CM if I could again put in a special request for Boca and he said "you can't do that". Is that correct, or is there something about a Travel agent can do it, but not a CM when booking direct via phone?

(yes I know the etiquette about upgrades, no need for lectures)

[Seabean]

OK, jogging our memories, we booked our Feb 2006 Poly trip directly w Disney via phone and we were able to put in a request for Niue, and we got it (although that's not really an "upgrade")

For our previous Feb 2009 GF trip I believe the Travel agent was able to put in an addendum (or something) for the Boca lagoon view which the check-in desk got, but I can't remember exactly how it was done. Any suggestions?

[Lynne M]

The CM was correct, you can't just book one room category and then add a request for a higher cost category. You can ask at check-in, but it's highly likely that they'd charge you for the upgrade.

As far as I know, travel agents don't have any magical way to get complimentary upgrades. I don't know how the financial arrangements work between Disney and travel agents, perhaps the agency absorbed the cost of the upgrade, or found a discount code for you that reduced the cost of the lagoon view room.

[rcraw45425]

You can request Boca Chica, garden view and hope for pixie dust. Every stay we have had a GF we were upgraded to lagoon view upon arrival, but our BC lagoon/tp view stay was also before that was a special TP view catagory. Also, requests are just that, requests, they may not be able to grant it.

[Seabean]

Thanks folks, I'm just trying to figure out how the Travel agent was able to relay that request. (???)

I have to call back the Disney line for something else, but while I have them on the line, am I able to request something like, being placed in a building closer to the Beach Pool? Are they able to take requests like that?

[rcraw45425]

Originally Posted by Seabean

Thanks folks, I'm just trying to figure out how the Travel agent was able to relay that request. (???)

I have to call back the Disney line for something else, but while I have them on the line, am I able to request something like, being placed in a building closer to the Beach Pool? Are they able to take requests like that?

Yeah, the closest "key" to the theme pool is Big Pine Key. We have had lagoon view rooms twice there, both with views of the Poly and wedding pavillion.

Again, remember, it's just a request.

[Seabean]

Now I remember, the CM said you can't book one type of room** and then request "club level" (yet somehow the travel agent was able to do this)

Is Big Pine key considered club level?



(**what's the opposite category of club level called?)

[Lynne M]

Big Pine Key isn't club level. There are many different room categories at GF, so there isn't really an opposite to club level. What the CM was getting at has to do with booking categories vs. requests.

At GF, lagoon view (and club level) is a category of room that you must specifically reserve, and pay extra for. A request, on the other hand, is by definition something that doesn't cost extra. It's just a preference, for example, being on a certain floor, or being near the bus stop.

The reason the CM wouldn't let you add 'lagoon view' as a request is that the GF charges an additional fee for those rooms. You would, in essence, be asking for a free upgrade, and CRO has probably told its CMs not to enter requests for freebies. If you want a lagoon view room, you need to specifically reserve that category of room and pay the extra charge for it.