Are room requests worth making?

[hmmerr02]

I have a question. Are room requests worth making at DVC resorts? I understand that rooms are "assigned" a few days ahead of time at the regular resorts, but whenever we check in to a DVC resort they seem to assign on a first come first served availability. Anybody know how this works? If it's first come, first serve then what's the point of the requests ahead of time?

 

[disneystick]

Really don't know how they do it. I just know that last time when I requested a view of the woods at BCV...I did get it. It was to view the fireworks at EPCOT. I've once again requested this view and on a upper floor this time. We leave tomorrow for BCV. I'll find out soon enough if any of my request are granted.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think they do it different ways at different times, and that's why we can never figure it out! Now that I will no longer need to make "non-smoking for medical reasons" a request, I will probably make NO requests. I like experiencing different areas, so like the adventure of taking a chance!

 

[Granny]

I have a question. Are room requests worth making at DVC resorts? I understand that rooms are "assigned" a few days ahead of time at the regular resorts, but whenever we check in to a DVC resort they seem to assign on a first come first served availability. Anybody know how this works? If it's first come, first serve then what's the point of the requests ahead of time?

There is no down side to making requests ahead of time. Some resorts seem to pre-assign rooms, others just offer what's available as you check in.

So why not make the request in advance in case they are pre-assigning that day? Can't hurt, and could help.

 

[crisi]

We've never had one met (and it isn't like we've been specific - non-smoking, high floor has gotten us a 1st floor smoking room) But I agree, it can't hurt - as long don't get your expectations up about having the room request met.

 

[OKW Lover]

We make general requests based on the particular resort. Usually along the lines of
OKW - any non-smoking near turtle pond
BCV - non-smoking, top floor, away from elevator

We're seldom disappointed.

 

[hmmerr02]

Sooooo, my question remains...does it matter whether you make them in advance or not? Is the room preassigned (to try to honor the requests) or are the requests looked at when you check in and they try to match up something that's available? Does anyone know how it really works?

 

[DebbieB]

I've found at BWV the rooms are always pre-assigned.

 

[kimberh]

For us, it seems to be the luck of the draw. Sometimes all of them are, then other times, nothing.

 

[Topo Bella]

I recently asked that question when I made my reservation and requested a particular building at SSR. The response was that they try to meet the request, but assigning rooms is really a first-come-first-serve kind of thing on the day you check in. It may be different at other DVC locations, but that was the answer I got for SSR.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I've requested lake view at VWL the last two trips - both times, I've had bus stop view. I'm thinking about requesting bus stop view for our April 2008 trip - maybe I'll get a lake view .

 

[Dreamfinder2]

'Splain this to me, Lucy ...

When we were at SSR a couple of weeks ago, I'd requested Congress Park, and it was duly noted.

We got to SSR a little after noon. I asked the sweet CM if Congress Park was still available. "Hmm," she says, "looks like I have one 2BR left." So I promptly claimed it, but it wasn't ready, and was given the number to call back, along with the room number (1511? can't remember.)

So, an hour or so later, I called from DD to see if it was ready. "I was told 1511," I told the lady on the line.

"Who told you your room number?" she asked.

"The CM who checked us in."

"That's interesting," she said, sounding genuinely bewildered. "Let me check something." I listened to a muted Little Mermaid track for a moment.

When she came back, she said, "Your villa isn't ready," she said, "but should be within the hour. But who told you your number?"

I explained again. She just "hmmmed" again, and wished me a magical day.

It got me to wondering ... just who does make the room assignments? When does this happen? How much authority does the CM at check-in have?

Still scratchin' my head. It just all seems like voodoo to me. Our room was great, btw, even if we did have a duck walk in through our open patio door one morning, and she pooped everywhere when I shooed her out.

 

[Granny]

Sooooo, my question remains...does it matter whether you make them in advance or not? Is the room preassigned (to try to honor the requests) or are the requests looked at when you check in and they try to match up something that's available? Does anyone know how it really works?

I think we answered your question. There is not a uniform system of how rooms are assigned. Sometimes the room seems to be pre-assigned to honor requests, other times not.

So I guess the answer to your question is no, nobody knows how it really works because it's not the same every time.

 

[Granny]

'Splain this to me, Lucy ...
When she came back, she said, "Your villa isn't ready," she said, "but should be within the hour. But who told you your number?"

I explained again. She just "hmmmed" again, and wished me a magical day.

My guess is that the CM's reaction was because the check-in desk is told never to tell guests what villa number they will be getting when it's not ready. There are a variety of valid reasons for this, and I'm sure that someone had a discussion with the check-in CM to clarify their policy.

Glad you liked the room!

 

[geffric]

I think they do it different ways at different times, and that's why we can never figure it out! Now that I will no longer need to make "non-smoking for medical reasons" a request, I will probably make NO requests. I like experiencing different areas, so like the adventure of taking a chance!

Yep.. just luck of the draw is fine with us too now we don't have to be non smoking for medical resaons too . I did request to stay in the room/building the we own the points in once and they met that request..

 

[Princess Tink]

I have yet to have a location met, so I no longer request a location. We did however in the past have to request NON SMOKING FOR MEDICAL REASONS, and was quite happy to never run into any issues with that. I must admit the first couple times I requested rooms, I was disappointed they were not met.....now, I just see it as HAPPY TO BE THERE! I got way to stressed worrying about what our veiw would be, now I just like to go with the flow.

BTW.....I'm staying at the VWL for the first time (split stay) and I'm secretly hoping to not get the infamous bus stop view.....but if I do, I won't be upset.

 

[crisi]

I have yet to have a location met, so I no longer request a location. We did however in the past have to request NON SMOKING FOR MEDICAL REASONS, and was quite happy to never run into any issues with that. I must admit the first couple times I requested rooms, I was disappointed they were not met.....now, I just see it as HAPPY TO BE THERE! I got way to stressed worrying about what our veiw would be, now I just like to go with the flow.

BTW.....I'm staying at the VWL for the first time (split stay) and I'm secretly hoping to not get the infamous bus stop view.....but if I do, I won't be upset.

That disappointment is the only downside to requests. We didn't make any requests for our next trip either because while it certainly didn't ruin my trip (in fact, the room we got last trip was way better for our purposes than what we'd requested), it is a little disappointing to always have my requests ignored.

 

[Granny]

BTW.....I'm staying at the VWL for the first time (split stay) and I'm secretly hoping to not get the infamous bus stop view.....but if I do, I won't be upset.

Not quite sure what this is as half of the resort has this view, so to speak. My guess is you are referring to the "Dreaded Dumpster View" that a few rooms have?

Here's the front of the resort seen from the bus stop. As you can see, the "bus stop view" is really not an issue:

 

[Princess Tink]

Not quite sure what this is as half of the resort has this view, so to speak. My guess is you are referring to the "Dreaded Dumpster View" that a few rooms have?

Here's the front of the resort seen from the bus stop. As you can see, the "bus stop view" is really not an issue:

Maybe that's what it was I reading about a while back. Either way, I'm just happy it worked out for us to try VWL for a couple nights. We've visited in the past, but this will be a first stay for us.....we tried adding a couple days to our ressie for BCV (home resort) but it wasn't available, we were pleasantly surprised they offered us the VWL instead.

 

[kimpossible]

We have rarely had a request met at BWV either. High floor got us close to the lobby. 1st Floor pool view got us 4th floor village green (very nice!!!). We have never had a room I hated so I guess I should just keep my mouth shut on requests (or request the opposite).