Adjoining Room Drama

[Nancyg56]

I guess I'm so spoiled because in all the visits, I've always gotten it but now I'm scared due to the oldest turing 18.

She IS still a kid after all..

OI always ask for connecting rooms when we travel as a group, and so far so good. I love that we can open the doors and have the kids can run back and forth, but as others have pointed out, you hedge your bets. I wish you luck!

 

[dansdad]

Oh my goodness, that would not be okay with me! 2 different floors? Did they get it changed for you? Ugh.

At POR on day 5 we were able to get into the same building but not the same floor. At BC on day 4 we were able to get into the same wing and only 1 floor apart instead of 3 floors.

 

[HopperFan]

It's got absolutely nothing to do with her being 18. We've had to split up, my wife in 1 room me in another, with 2 adults and 5 kids under 12. Both times our rooms were nowhere near each other. Once in 2 separate buildings the other 2 separate floors.

OP - this is why if you book two rooms you need plan "B". In case you end up not together, decide now who will stay in which rooms - then pack your bags accordingly. If it works out great but if not, the last thing I want to do is be pulling apart suitcases and splitting up the clothes.

You know the first 9-10 times I got my requests at POP. I called them in, they were typed out and showing on my reservation. Next two trips I not only didn't get my request, I got the polar opposite location wise and even with a medical need - both times they refused to move me to another location. When demand for a specific request is greater than availability then those who have the ability to be split (two adults) will be split.

The fine print basically only guarantees you "a room" not a location, not an amenity, not a category, not even a resort.

Maybe it depends on where you're staying. I've been told twice that we are guaranteed adjoining rooms at the YC because we're a family with children.

I'm just repeating what they've told me twice now (a couple weeks ago and today).

If there are TWO over 18 that can split up to tend to the under 18's - then anything connecting and adjoining is just a bonus. The only time that it becomes an important request to honor is when there is only ONE adult with so many minor children that two rooms are needed. Never bank on what a CM tells you, sadly many can attest to the constant inconsistency.

As Disney becomes more and more crowded and their hotel occupancy rates soaring, there will be less inventory to play with for special requests. It'a a big puzzle and their goal is every room full every night, and they are doing well at that.

If you truly must be together - you should book one of the many Disney options that guarantee that; suites, villas, cabins. When we travel as a full family, we also want to be together - so we now book offsite for the togetherness, space and lower price tag. I leave onsite stays to when we are only booking a single room.

 

[Lynne M]

I do think that in trying to please customers, the phone reps do sometimes over-promise. The guaranteed/not-guaranteed disconnect is a long-standing problem. They'll say "oh, yes, you'll definitely get connecting rooms", or worse, type 'guaranteed' into the reservation so the guest sees it on the confirmation, trying to be reassuring, and they've got a happy guest on the line. But the resort doesn't block the room, so there's no way to guarantee that a connecting room pair will actually be available when the guest arrives. Now the poor front desk CM has to deal with an irate family standing there at 11 PM, that was promised connecting rooms that the resort can't deliver.

 

[Lynne M]

Also with the requests, PLEASE be clear what you are requesting. If you are requesting a door between the rooms, that is CONNECTING. If you request ADJOINING, the rooms could be next door to each other but without the door, around the corner from each other but they essentially share a wall, or in places where there are interior hallways they could be across the hall from each other. If you requested adjoining and got any of those, you DID get what you asked for.

I used to work in a hotel reservations department, and part of our training was to clarify what the guest meant if they made that request - again, stressing that it was only a request. Still, either the guests didn't listen or other reservation agents got lazy or forgot to clarify (or in some cases their travel agent failed to clarify and passed along the request as the guest made it) and invariably there would be people who would arrive at the front desk having indeed been given their request for "adjoining rooms" who would pitch fits because the rooms were not connecting.

This is one case where the wording DOES matter.

(I'm specifically noting this because the OP actually used both terms in his/her post - so that would only add to the confusion. One or the other depending on what you are requesting.)

Yes, this is very important. And at Disney resorts, "adjoining" doesn't even mean that you'll necessarily have a shared wall or be across the hall. They do try for that, but in practice, it sometimes works out to "as close as possible." Which could be down the hall, on the next floor down, or in the next building over.

People often using "connecting" and "adjoining" interchangeably, but they do have different meanings.

 

[bcbmommy]

Is there a way I could call the YC front desk and talk to them? Seriously, this would affect our trip in a huge way, and moving to a different resort isn't possible. If we can't have connecting rooms, I'd rather vacation elsewhere. Is there a number I can call?

 

[maxiesmom]

Is there a way I could call the YC front desk and talk to them? Seriously, this would affect our trip in a huge way, and moving to a different resort isn't possible. If we can't have connecting rooms, I'd rather vacation elsewhere. Is there a number I can call?

No. You can only call the call center. Honestly odds are good you will get connecting rooms, but they cannot in good faith guarantee them. And even if they tell you they are guaranteed, they are not being honest with you. Nothing is guaranteed. No request is, and not even paid for room types/locations are guaranteed. All Disney guarantees is you will get a room or rooms at one of their resorts.

 

[dansdad]

No. You can only call the call center. Honestly odds are good you will get connecting rooms, but they cannot in good faith guarantee them. And even if they tell you they are guaranteed, they are not being honest with you. Nothing is guaranteed. No request is, and not even paid for room types/locations are guaranteed. All Disney guarantees is you will get a room or rooms at one of their resorts.

This.

 

[Gracie09]

I guess I'm so spoiled because in all the visits, I've always gotten it but now I'm scared due to the oldest turing 18.

She IS still a kid after all..

The thing is she's NOT a kid any more. She is an adult. She can vote, enter contracts, join the military etc etc. I would make this your only request

 

[maxiesmom]

Is there a way I could call the YC front desk and talk to them? Seriously, this would affect our trip in a huge way, and moving to a different resort isn't possible. If we can't have connecting rooms, I'd rather vacation elsewhere. Is there a number I can call?

Is there a way you can switch to a 2 bedroom villa? Why can you not switch resorts? I'm not sure if they have any openings but the Beach Club does have 2 bedroom villas.

 

[HopperFan]

No. You can only call the call center. Honestly odds are good you will get connecting rooms, but they cannot in good faith guarantee them. And even if they tell you they are guaranteed, they are not being honest with you. Nothing is guaranteed. No request is, and not even paid for room types/locations are guaranteed. All Disney guarantees is you will get a room or rooms at one of their resorts.

DITTO This.

If the rooms together are a make or break for your trip then you either need to book a unit that has a higher occupancy, move offsite or as you say choose elsewhere. Disney just won't guarantee anything but a room. Hang here long enough and you can hear it over and over. And with over 30,000 rooms, constant in and out .......... I understand their unwillingness to guarantee.

 

[Karebear]

Is there a way I could call the YC front desk and talk to them? Seriously, this would affect our trip in a huge way, and moving to a different resort isn't possible. If we can't have connecting rooms, I'd rather vacation elsewhere. Is there a number I can call?

As others have said, you will get a call center if you try to call the front desk. However, if you are staying CL, you can call the resort directly and speak to the CL staff.

 

[bcbmommy]

Is there a way you can switch to a 2 bedroom villa? Why can you not switch resorts? I'm not sure if they have any openings but the Beach Club does have 2 bedroom villas.

There are no 2 bedroom villas at the BC for the dates we're going (2 weeks away). Regardless, it's already expensive enough to get 2 rooms at the YC. I called the main number at Disney, maybe it was the Call Center, and she was very nice. I told her what I'd been told by the cs reps, and she did tell me that they can't guarantee it, but to call 2 days before my trip and make sure it's noted on our reservation that we're a "family". I asked if I shouldn't make any other requests when checking in online, and she agreed that I probably shouldn't. I'm not going to worry about it anymore.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I don't blame you... My mom slept on the pull out sofa for one night at AoA in a Nemo suite back in October, and she said one night was enough. Those couches are not comfortable.

Yes, it seems I always get the couch, and It's much better just to sleep on it the way it is than pull it out because the mattress is so thin and you can feel these metal bars right through it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Didn't someone post on the DIS a while back that they only had one adult (18 or older) and multiple younger ones (under 18), required two rooms and got two rooms that were not connecting? I don't remember the outcome, but it wasn't good.

 

[pfalcioni]

Hotels and resorts everywhere pretty much work the same way. They will try to accommodate requests when possible, but will always make sure guaranteed amenities are delivered or you would be compensated for any deficiencies. Disney Resorts actually try harder than most other hotels by guaranteeing that if you book 2 rooms and the second room has only minors in it, the rooms will adjoin. Most other resorts would tell you to book a suite if you needed this type of accommodation.

You're not paying extra for making this request, so there would be no compensation if Disney is unable to make it happen. It's like the difference between booking a non-smoking room for a specific cost that is listed as "Non-Smoking 2 Queen Bed" versus booking a "2 Queen Bed" room and then requesting Non-smoking. The first instance would result in a guaranteed non-smoking room with 2 queen beds (or you would expect compensation), the second situation could result in you staying in a smoking room with no expectation of compensation.

 

[Babsy]

Is there a way I could call the YC front desk and talk to them? Seriously, this would affect our trip in a huge way, and moving to a different resort isn't possible. If we can't have connecting rooms, I'd rather vacation elsewhere. Is there a number I can call?

No. They may even tell you that it IS possible to talk to the YC front desk. They may answer as the front desk. BUT you cannot call the YC front desk. You can't get this guaranteed. I feel your pain. I have been there. However, it isn't possible to know for sure. There is a good chance that you will get your request, but it is also possible that you will not. If you don't, there may not be anything that can be done. You have to go into this with that realization and a plan to deal with it if the 'worst' happens.

If you are not able or willing to handle the uncertainty and possibly being in separate, even distant rooms, you might be better advised making alternate plans.

I wish that we could say something different. But this is just the way it is. I am sorry and I don't like it either. When things don't work out, we change later if we can or we make the best of the situation.

Goos luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hotels and resorts everywhere pretty much work the same way. They will try to accommodate requests when possible, but will always make sure guaranteed amenities are delivered or you would be compensated for any deficiencies. Disney Resorts actually try harder than most other hotels by guaranteeing that if you book 2 rooms and the second room has only minors in it, the rooms will adjoin. Most other resorts would tell you to book a suite if you needed this type of accommodation.

You're not paying extra for making this request, so there would be no compensation if Disney is unable to make it happen. It's like the difference between booking a non-smoking room for a specific cost that is listed as "Non-Smoking 2 Queen Bed" versus booking a "2 Queen Bed" room and then requesting Non-smoking. The first instance would result in a guaranteed non-smoking room with 2 queen beds (or you would expect compensation), the second situation could result in you staying in a smoking room with no expectation of compensation.

But Disney will not guarantee that the two rooms will adjoin or connect.

 

[Dug720]

Hotels and resorts everywhere pretty much work the same way. They will try to accommodate requests when possible, but will always make sure guaranteed amenities are delivered or you would be compensated for any deficiencies. Disney Resorts actually try harder than most other hotels by guaranteeing that if you book 2 rooms and the second room has only minors in it, the rooms will adjoin. Most other resorts would tell you to book a suite if you needed this type of accommodation.

You're not paying extra for making this request, so there would be no compensation if Disney is unable to make it happen. It's like the difference between booking a non-smoking room for a specific cost that is listed as "Non-Smoking 2 Queen Bed" versus booking a "2 Queen Bed" room and then requesting Non-smoking. The first instance would result in a guaranteed non-smoking room with 2 queen beds (or you would expect compensation), the second situation could result in you staying in a smoking room with no expectation of compensation.

Exactly. I don't know of a hotel that WILL 100% guarantee connecting rooms. It's the nature of the business with people coming and going at different times.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I know others have different stories, but on the occasions when we've requested connecting rooms we have always gotten them and we never have more children than adults on our trips. Just a year ago, it was me, DS8 and my sister (who is in her 40's) and we got connecting rooms at GF. I have also gotten connecting rooms at Poly and BC (in both instances we had more adults than children). So, yes, nothing is guaranteed, but just because you have an 18 year old in the other room doesn't mean you WON'T get your request. My advice would be to put only one request on your reservation - connecting - and hope for the best.