Call Ahead Room Numbers?

[BrerNashville]

If we've done online check-in at our DVC points reservation resort, can we call ahead to the resort the morning of our arrival and start the fineagling process (i.e. what is our room number? can we change? etc.) while we are still on the road? Or more importantly, to put a stake in the ground on a room that may have been tentatively assigned to us so that someone who arrived before us can't complain their way into a room type that we had previously requested? Anyone tried this?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If we've done online check-in at our DVC points reservation resort, can we call ahead to the resort the morning of our arrival and start the fineagling process (i.e. what is our room number? can we change? etc.) while we are still on the road? Or more importantly, to put a stake in the ground on a room that may have been tentatively assigned to us so that someone who arrived before us can't complain their way into a room type that we had previously requested? Anyone tried this?

No, you won't know the room number until your room is ready for you to move into it. And the ideal room that matches all your needs and wants may be given to the person who walks in the door five minutes ahead of you.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

And the ideal room that matches all your needs and wants may be given to the person who walks in the door five minutes ahead of you.

and honestly over the last 12 years I've made very few requests (pretty much only at SSR, I landed in the remote Carousel area of SSR, twice) and I've been pleased over all with my accomodations irregardless of the resort!

So, good luck to you even if you can't "finagle" anything!

 

[Lynne M]

The key words are 'tentatively assigned'. Your room assignment isn't set until you actually arrive at the check-in desk, and they won't give you the room number until the unit is cleaned and ready to be occupied.

 

[Missyrose]

And just one more point. There's no way to "call the resort" you'll only get an offsite call center. Just wait until you get there. And like PPs have said, requests haven't been honored very much with the new room assigning system, so don't have your heart set on them.

 

[Sammie]

Even if you have checked in, your actual room will be the one given to you when they say it is ready.

 

[Splashboat]

This is an interesting thread. I used to follow the Yacht/Beach Club thread. A CM regularly posted. I believe her name is Teena. Someone had asked her about online check-in versus checking in when you arrive. She said that if you have concerns about your room, do not do on-line check in. She said something like; If you do on-line check-in and don't like your room, the process takes longer to change it than if you wait to check in when you arrive. This lead me to believe that rooms are pre-assigned if you do on-line check in. (Having said that, I am sure they would never get involved in giving out room numbers on the phone before people arrive.)

 

[mlittig]

I have done on-line check in and in almost all cases, my requests have been met I always make my requests at the time I make my reservation whether through Disney Travel or with the DVC member if I rent points

 

[Dean]

This is an interesting thread. I used to follow the Yacht/Beach Club thread. A CM regularly posted. I believe her name is Teena. Someone had asked her about online check-in versus checking in when you arrive. She said that if you have concerns about your room, do not do on-line check in. She said something like; If you do on-line check-in and don't like your room, the process takes longer to change it than if you wait to check in when you arrive. This lead me to believe that rooms are pre-assigned if you do on-line check in. (Having said that, I am sure they would never get involved in giving out room numbers on the phone before people arrive.)

My understanding is that IF they check you in based on the online check in, the room is assigned when the keys are made.

 

[tjkraz]

She said something like; If you do on-line check-in and don't like your room, the process takes longer to change it than if you wait to check in when you arrive.

It is also incredibly frustrating to guests who use the online check-in for its indented grab-and-go process. Nothing worst than jumping in the online check-in queue, expecting a quick turnaround, and finding that the one CM staffing the position must spend 15+ minutes trying to placate a guest over room location and view.

If you want to negotiate over room specifics, please DO NOT use online check-in! Leave it to folks who just want to grab the packet and leave.

 

[Lew]

If you want to negotiate over room specifics, please DO NOT use online check-in! Leave it to folks who just want to grab the packet and leave.

So when the CM ask if he can help us, before saying yes, we need to determine whether our requests have been completely ignored? I don't think so...

Any CM should be able to assist those who have registered online. Walking over to pick up and deliver a packet with a member's name on it shouldn't require any specialized skill.

 

[tjkraz]

So when the CM ask if he can help us, before saying yes, we need to determine whether our requests have been completely ignored? I don't think so...

Any CM should be able to assist those who have registered online. Walking over to pick up and deliver a packet with a member's name on it shouldn't require any specialized skill.

You missed my point.

If you are particular about your room assignment, simply do not use online check-in.

Disney resorts typically have ONE Cast Member assigned to distribute packets to those who check in online. It is designed to be a grab-and-go process.

If you have specific requests / needs and wish to discuss and perhaps alter the room location with a Cast Member, then just wait until arrival to work through the entire process. Don't slow down the folks who really don't care where their room is located and are hoping for the grab-and-go check-in.

 

[Splashboat]

If you want to negotiate over room specifics, please DO NOT use online check-in! Leave it to folks who just want to grab the packet and leave.

Not sure why you appear to be yelling at me. I was merely reporting what I read.

 

[tjkraz]

Not sure why you appear to be yelling at me. I was merely reporting what I read.

No, I was not "yelling" at you. Simply commenting on what you had written.

 

[Dean]

Not sure why you appear to be yelling at me. I was merely reporting what I read.

I would venture to bet that Tim was emphasizing the importance of his statement, appropriately so given the situation in question.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The unfortunate by-product of e-mail/texting/ posts of this nature is that you don't have the luxury of reading a persons face or hearing the tone in their voice to judge where they are comming from. At times just basic answers or statements meant to inform are often interpreted as angry or terse retaliation and yes, even yelling when it probably wasn't the intent in the 1st place.

I've done on-line check in twice, once at SSR & AKV, both times when we arrived my keys were done and my packet ready! At SSR, unfortunately, the day before one of my son's friends could not come and we brought another, and that change took the Cast Member some time to fix. I learned to make those changes by e-mail or phone call prior to arrival, even if it's just a few hours before. I felt bad for the people in line behind me! Lesson learned!

 

[Sammie]

Not sure why you appear to be yelling at me. I was merely reporting what I read.

Yelling or shouting at someone in internet forums is shown by typing in all capitals.

Tim did not do that, so no he was not yelling.

And I agree with his point, if a guest needs more than just walking up to the desk and getting their packet, they need to avoid online check in and use regular check in where more CMs are available.

 

[Splashboat]

Excuse me, but he chose to quote me and then write in capital letters with an exclamation point. I have a job that requires me to interact with clients on the internet all day. There are many people who would interpret that as being yelled at. Again, my post was merely reporting on my recollection of what a CM had previously posted. I did not give an opinion on the subject either way - I just found it interesting

 

[Dean]

Excuse me, but he chose to quote me and then write in capital letters with an exclamation point. I have a job that requires me to interact with clients on the internet all day. There are many people who would interpret that as being yelled at. Again, my post was merely reporting on my recollection of what a CM had previously posted. I did not give an opinion on the subject either way - I just found it interesting

I'm sure Tim can defend himself but having read his posts over the years and realizing that he put the info in a second paragraph to separate it out, I am confident he meant nothing by it. Even if it'd all been in capitals and knowing Tim here on DIS, I would have assumed he didn't realize it and had done so by mistake.

 

[Splashboat]

I agree Dean. He responded to my post stating my concern and I planned to leave it at that. However, you used and interesting word when you said 'defend'. That is the position I felt I was in when he quoted me. He explained - he has nothing to defend at this point and neither do I.