Changing rooms at check-in

[lynrip]

We had our first stay as DVC owners in May. I had requested a pool view room at BCV, which I know can't be guaranteed but the room we were allocated had a view of the road and the room looked very run down and in desperate need of upgrading (which I know is in process). I like to spend time sitting on the balcony when the rest of the family are at the parks so an open view is important to me. I did ask to be moved which could not be done on the first night but they offered to move us the following day. Of course I did not know about a charge for DVC members to be moved rooms once entering I would have been happy to pay this but they did waive the charge.

So what I am asking is how can I guarantee an open view for our trip to SSR in September or do I just as at check-in?

Thank you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You can't guarantee a request. The best is to try and confirm at check-in. Good thing is that I think most views at SSR are pretty open. We had one in Congress Park that didn't look at much but it was ok to sit out on.

Very nice of them to waive the fee. We were charged at Vero when we asked for my mother to get a room with a balcony that she could actually see over the wall from her wheelchair instead of the solid balcony that you had to stand to see anything. Since she was planning on spending all time in the room or on the balcony we paid.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

This is DVC at it's best. There are no guarantees on view etc. I have tracked our rooms for the 19 years we have been members and I kid you not, I request near the rooms we like but it is Never a guarantee. WE have stayed in some rooms that made me cringe as far as views...trees obstructing, tall balcony. After all this time I am over it. When you check in that CM has no idea of the view, etc for the building or room, hence my tracking favorite buildings by resort. It is a small part I do to ensure our happiness since we love to enjoy the room and sitting outside.
Keep track or look at posts of pics people put up on websites of room views and make a list. Switching rooms is fine but they can make you move out and wait till 4 the next day to check in again which is not something you want to do on vacation.
I go as prepared as possible. Take disappointment in stride. Remember: You are in Disney, its DVC and not a cash room and enjoy your time away.

 

[southerngirl528]

Okay, as a member over 22 years, I hear ya'll on the "not getting our room view/location request". BUT something really important that is not mentioned here is that requests go by seniority of that request. IOW, if you book at 11 months out, to the day, and make SURE your requests are put on that rez that day, your request is MUCH more likely to happen than someone booking a few weeks or months later.

If you ever have a request that is tied to a genuine medical need, (like needing an accessible room, or one with elevator) it is IMPERATIVE you tell the advisor at MS exactly what the need is so that type of room can be blocked for you. General non-medical requests go by seniority as said. If you have a request that you know is a very popular request, then the odds of you getting it lower. Many booking at OKW want near HH. Years ago there was not a separate booking category for this. Now there is. But if you can't snag that, you can always REQUEST to be nearby. My family? We much prefer NOT to be near the HH, we like Turtle Pond. So guess what? We almost always get our request. Because I book early, and I request at the same time. And that request is not as prolific as a HH one. Hope that makes sense.

Lastly, in my 22 years as a member, I have more often than not gotten at least part of my requests. I do NOT take disappointment in stride. I know the game and play it to the best of my ability to get what I prefer. And I am a very happy DVC camper!

 

[southerngirl528]

Oh, and the room change fee is because they have to have Housekeeping re-clean that room in readiness for the next member/guest. If the reason you're moving is because of a resort issue (problems with the room and it's functions, etc.), the FD will almost always waive the change fee. Just ask.

 

[disneynutz]

Okay, as a member over 22 years, I hear ya'll on the "not getting our room view/location request". BUT something really important that is not mentioned here is that requests go by seniority of that request. IOW, if you book at 11 months out, to the day, and make SURE your requests are put on that rez that day, your request is MUCH more likely to happen than someone booking a few weeks or months later.

If you ever have a request that is tied to a genuine medical need, (like needing an accessible room, or one with elevator) it is IMPERATIVE you tell the advisor at MS exactly what the need is so that type of room can be blocked for you. General non-medical requests go by seniority as said. If you have a request that you know is a very popular request, then the odds of you getting it lower. Many booking at OKW want near HH. Years ago there was not a separate booking category for this. Now there is. But if you can't snag that, you can always REQUEST to be nearby. My family? We much prefer NOT to be near the HH, we like Turtle Pond. So guess what? We almost always get our request. Because I book early, and I request at the same time. And that request is not as prolific as a HH one. Hope that makes sense.

Lastly, in my 22 years as a member, I have more often than not gotten at least part of my requests. I do NOT take disappointment in stride. I know the game and play it to the best of my ability to get what I prefer. And I am a very happy DVC camper!

I may be wrong but the room request process seems to differ by resort. Each GM seems to have their own policy and process, some go by the request date, some the booking date and some what ever fits. Some room assigners start early over a week prior to check in and others a couple of days. I think that it depends on the CM doing the assigning, some care that you get your request and others don't. Even the front desk CM's will comment about assigner CM attitudes and problems.

Bill

 

[Sandisw]

Okay, as a member over 22 years, I hear ya'll on the "not getting our room view/location request". BUT something really important that is not mentioned here is that requests go by seniority of that request. IOW, if you book at 11 months out, to the day, and make SURE your requests are put on that rez that day, your request is MUCH more likely to happen than someone booking a few weeks or months later.

If you ever have a request that is tied to a genuine medical need, (like needing an accessible room, or one with elevator) it is IMPERATIVE you tell the advisor at MS exactly what the need is so that type of room can be blocked for you. General non-medical requests go by seniority as said. If you have a request that you know is a very popular request, then the odds of you getting it lower. Many booking at OKW want near HH. Years ago there was not a separate booking category for this. Now there is. But if you can't snag that, you can always REQUEST to be nearby. My family? We much prefer NOT to be near the HH, we like Turtle Pond. So guess what? We almost always get our request. Because I book early, and I request at the same time. And that request is not as prolific as a HH one. Hope that makes sense.

Lastly, in my 22 years as a member, I have more often than not gotten at least part of my requests. I do NOT take disappointment in stride. I know the game and play it to the best of my ability to get what I prefer. And I am a very happy DVC camper!

I am not sure that this is really true as if it were, then it'd be more like a guarantee, than a request, other than medical requests, which I do believe take a priority over others. But, as mentioned, when you arrive, asking at check in if your request was met and getting it changed then is possible.

When I put in my request, sometimes, they are when I book and sometimes, not until a few weeks out. In all but one time, the requests have been granted. Of course, I am fine if they are not as well.

 

[nordkin]

We always make our requests when we book at 11 months and have only had it honored twice since 2004 with at least three stays a year. We know it is a request and do not get upset when we don't get it. I wish they did honor requests based on when they are made.

 

[southerngirl528]

I am not sure that this is really true as if it were, then it'd be more like a guarantee, than a request, other than medical requests, which I do believe take a priority over others. But, as mentioned, when you arrive, asking at check in if your request was met and getting it changed then is possible.

Medical needs or needs due to physical challenges always take precedent over other requests. I worked MS for a few years, and at that time we actually worked with the resort ops/room assignment to block a special needs room at the time the room was booked. And I know for a fact that standard procedure with both DVC and Marriott Vacation Club that every attempt is made to honor requests by their seniority. I have spoken with way too many FD and Ops staff and managers both in a professional role and as a guest/member. Of course this is simply not always possible.

One thing to remember is that you want to prioritize your requests. Make sure that you let MS or the resort know which request is the MOST important to you. If someone requests say, High floor, Near Elevator, "X" Wing, Halawai Lawn view, etc., it would be nearly impossible to honor all those requests. They should be placed in order of importance. You can always wait until you check in to request, but by then most rooms have been blocked and many people will already be checked in. I find it beneficial to contact MS a month or so out to make certain my requests are as I wanted, and then at about a week or so contact the resort, but this last suggestion is not always feasible.

It is correct that room blocking can start at around 10 days out, but generally speaking will begin in earnest at about a week. A much smaller proportion of rooms will be blocked closer to arrival for any number of reasons.

In summary, medical needs/accessible needs will always trump other requests. And lots of factors weigh into whether requests can be granted. How many members want the same thing for the same dates, for example. This much I know….. I would NOT want the job of blocking rooms at a DVC resort. Or any other resort for that matter!

 

[disneynutz]

Medical needs or needs due to physical challenges always take precedent over other requests. I worked MS for a few years, and at that time we actually worked with the resort ops/room assignment to block a special needs room at the time the room was booked. And I know for a fact that standard procedure with both DVC and Marriott Vacation Club that every attempt is made to honor requests by their seniority. I have spoken with way too many FD and Ops staff and managers both in a professional role and as a guest/member. Of course this is simply not always possible.

One thing to remember is that you want to prioritize your requests. Make sure that you let MS or the resort know which request is the MOST important to you. If someone requests say, High floor, Near Elevator, "X" Wing, Halawai Lawn view, etc., it would be nearly impossible to honor all those requests. They should be placed in order of importance. You can always wait until you check in to request, but by then most rooms have been blocked and many people will already be checked in. I find it beneficial to contact MS a month or so out to make certain my requests are as I wanted, and then at about a week or so contact the resort, but this last suggestion is not always feasible.

It is correct that room blocking can start at around 10 days out, but generally speaking will begin in earnest at about a week. A much smaller proportion of rooms will be blocked closer to arrival for any number of reasons.

In summary, medical needs/accessible needs will always trump other requests. And lots of factors weigh into whether requests can be granted. How many members want the same thing for the same dates, for example. This much I know….. I would NOT want the job of blocking rooms at a DVC resort. Or any other resort for that matter!

Good information and very helpful to fellow members, thank you.

Medical needs bookings are somewhat covered by the federal ADA laws and several months ago the law required that the ADA room categories be added to online booking.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Okay, as a member over 22 years, I hear ya'll on the "not getting our room view/location request". BUT something really important that is not mentioned here is that requests go by seniority of that request. IOW, if you book at 11 months out, to the day, and make SURE your requests are put on that rez that day, your request is MUCH more likely to happen than someone booking a few weeks or months later.

If you ever have a request that is tied to a genuine medical need, (like needing an accessible room, or one with elevator) it is IMPERATIVE you tell the advisor at MS exactly what the need is so that type of room can be blocked for you. General non-medical requests go by seniority as said. If you have a request that you know is a very popular request, then the odds of you getting it lower. Many booking at OKW want near HH. Years ago there was not a separate booking category for this. Now there is. But if you can't snag that, you can always REQUEST to be nearby. My family? We much prefer NOT to be near the HH, we like Turtle Pond. So guess what? We almost always get our request. Because I book early, and I request at the same time. And that request is not as prolific as a HH one. Hope that makes sense.

Lastly, in my 22 years as a member, I have more often than not gotten at least part of my requests. I do NOT take disappointment in stride. I know the game and play it to the best of my ability to get what I prefer. And I am a very happy DVC camper!

There is no formal priority system now outside of HC rooms being booked separately. DVC formally took away the previous hierarchy of timing of the reservation as priority many years ago. Now it's up to the resort. For Marriott, it also varies by resort. For reference here's Marriott's basic procedure.

1. Owners at THAT resort using their owned week staying in multiple units concurrently or consecutively.
2. Owners at THAT resort using their owned week staying in one unit
3. Marriott owners exchanging in multiple units
4. Marriott owners exchanging in single units
5. Cash Guests in multiple units
6. Cash Guests in single units
7. Non Marriott owners exchanging in multiple units
8. Non Marriott owners exchanging in single units

For owners at that resort each resort also has their own system for priority. Generally it's not by when the reservation was made. For Grande Ocean they alternate years giving owners a higher floor one year and a lower floor the next. Given the summer occupancy for Grande Ocean, that normally means fourth or fifth floor one year and 3rd the next. Some resorts add in another group that would fit into number 3 & 4, those who own at that resort but are staying there by other means than their own ownership. Generally they place trust or destination point owners in with Marriott exchangers. Marriott generally keeps everyone in the view category reserved but sometimes they will upgrade someone if there's availability. This too varies by resort, some won't do so and let the room sit empty, others are more flexible. Say an owner deposited an Ocean Front Unit with Interval, the exchanger will get Ocean Front but have a lower priority within that category. Marriott clearly puts FAR more effort into the assignments than DVC did on their best day though variability is expected.

On a related note, when one does exchange it's always helpful to find out the room assignment methods of the resort prior to accepting an exchange. Some resorts are notorious for basically punishing exchangers. Lawaii Beach Club in HI comes to mind. The Palace Resorts in MX is another.

 

[Dean]

Good information and very helpful to fellow members, thank you.

Medical needs bookings are somewhat covered by the federal ADA laws and several months ago the law required that the ADA room categories be added to online booking.

Bill

The ADA is not related to such room assignments other than in terms of reservations. DVC tends to do far better when it comes to medical requests that are not a HC villa.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I would love the room assigner job. It would be right up my alley, perhaps when I retire to Orlando ?

 

[southerngirl528]

Dean, you delineate some very valid points in your post. Out of curiosity, do you work for DVC? Or Marriott? Just wondering since you said this:

DVC formally took away the previous hierarchy of timing of the reservation as priority many years ago. Now it's up to the resort.

I can speak to my own experience working for MS and owning a very popular Marriott resort on Maui. And I can speak to my own 22 year experience as a DVC member that very often books at the 11 month window. I have PERSONALLY (as in face to face) spoken with the GM in Maui, and he's a super nice guy. I've seen him make some impressive changes to the resort just in the few years since we bought into one of the new towers. I have spoken PERSONALLY with the Customer Experience staff at the same resort, they said it IS by seniority. Obviously this is combined with some of the specifics you outlined. We stay for multi-weeks consecutively and ONLY at our home resort. We have zero interest trading out that property. I still have many close friends that work MS and at the DVC resorts. Again, no matter WHO thinks what, there is no "magic bullet" for getting your requests. But reports from those still working at DVC right now say seniority still plays into the matrix at DVC.

 

[disneynutz]

I would love the room assigner job. It would be right up my alley, perhaps when I retire to Orlando ?

I think that if your knew what goes on backstage you would probably change your mind.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Dean, you delineate some very valid points in your post. Out of curiosity, do you work for DVC? Or Marriott? Just wondering since you said this:

No but I have over 20 yrs experience with DVC and almost as much with Marriott with an average of about 3 units a yr with DVC and 5-7 with Marriott as well as accrued info from a long term internet experience with both. Previously DVC prioritized by date of reservation but a number of years ago DVC specifically stated they were ceasing such practices. I believe it was around the same time they changed check in from 4 pm to "after 4 pm" and I'm thinking it was published in the Vacation Magic. Now it's up to the whims of the individual resorts and some do better than others.

I can speak to my own experience working for MS and owning a very popular Marriott resort on Maui. And I can speak to my own 22 year experience as a DVC member that very often books at the 11 month window. I have PERSONALLY (as in face to face) spoken with the GM in Maui, and he's a super nice guy. I've seen him make some impressive changes to the resort just in the few years since we bought into one of the new towers. I have spoken PERSONALLY with the Customer Experience staff at the same resort, they said it IS by seniority. Obviously this is combined with some of the specifics you outlined. We stay for multi-weeks consecutively and ONLY at our home resort. We have zero interest trading out that property. I still have many close friends that work MS and at the DVC resorts. Again, no matter WHO thinks what, there is no "magic bullet" for getting your requests. But reports from those still working at DVC right

now say seniority still plays into the matrix at DVC.

Each resort has some minor variability, Maui is one of the ones that is a little aberrant and I think one that gives priority to owners there exchanging back in (or at least they did at one point), so is Ocean Pointe. I have heard previously that Maui Ocean Club prioritizes based on reservation date within categories but I haven't seen that at any other Marriott. I can't speak to how each Marriott orders priority within the areas I quoted but since this system went into place a number of years ago, I am not aware of an exception to the priorities I quoted other than the variations I mentioned. I am confident this is the roadmap Marriott has directed the resorts to follow and the issues I noted are the main components at all Marriott's I am aware of or heard info on. I know that Grande Ocean prioritizes owners as I mentioned, by alternating lower and higher floors alternative years.

I think that if your knew what goes on backstage you would probably change your mind.

Bill

Absolutely. I've seen it stated many times and had several Marriott GM's tell me that they usually last about a year. Most Marriott's have a weekly meeting with access to senior management and I've heard some pretty petty situations that were made out to be major issues. When I make requests, I try to limit to no more than 2 requests and to prioritize them. I also try to make them as easy and general as possible then I remember they are requests. In general I've been satisfied with the end results most of the time and I average maybe 10-12 villas a year total in timeshares, maybe more. And we do a larger group most years with 6-10 villas, we just had 10 villas in Gatlinburg. There really are a lot more intricacies than many realize with villa assignments including that most everyone has some type of request and that fitting villa assignments together is much like a jigsaw puzzle.

 

[southerngirl528]

When I make requests, I try to limit to no more than 2 requests and to prioritize them. I also try to make them as easy and general as possible then I remember they are requests.

There really are a lot more intricacies than many realize with villa assignments including that most everyone has some type of request and that fitting villa assignments together is much like a jigsaw puzzle.

Boy! Do I ever agree with you there, Dean!!

For our Marriott Maui Club Napili we are assured of our oceanfront view because that is what we purchased. View is huge for me and to a slightly lesser degree, my DH. For that property I do exactly what you describe and generally make 2 requests. 3 tops. Because we stay for a few weeks continuously, those requests are more important to us than our less lengthy stays at DVC resorts. I think one reason I most often get my requests with DVC is because I tend to have preferences that can differ a bit from the norm. For instance for our OKW stays for the last 22 years, I prefer NOT to be anywhere close to HH at all. I like the outer reaches. And I pretty much always get my requested area.

 

[Dean]

Boy! Do I ever agree with you there, Dean!!

For our Marriott Maui Club Napili we are assured of our oceanfront view because that is what we purchased. View is huge for me and to a slightly lesser degree, my DH. For that property I do exactly what you describe and generally make 2 requests. 3 tops. Because we stay for a few weeks continuously, those requests are more important to us than our less lengthy stays at DVC resorts. I think one reason I most often get my requests with DVC is because I tend to have preferences that can differ a bit from the norm. For instance for our OKW stays for the last 22 years, I prefer NOT to be anywhere close to HH at all. I like the outer reaches. And I pretty much always get my requested area.

For Marriott one is guaranteed the owned view type (for rentals also) and generally will get the deposited view type for exchanges as well. It's also unusual to get upgraded, Maui tends to be one of the more strict not that policy as well historically. The other thing Marriott does and I think it'd be a great addition for DVC, is to allow one to stay in one villa until the next is ready, even if changing resorts such as in Orlando or HH. And no, it doesn't have to make the villa available late for the next guest, there are EASY ways to prevent this from happening.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Bill, bring it on, the crazier the better

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, bring it on, the crazier the better

For the most part Disney employees are under paid, over worked, often work in poor locations, it the heat and/or cold, forced to part time hours. Many of the employees are on a collage or job visa program which limits them to only working a year or less at a lower wage. That means that your co-workers may not be invested in the job which makes you job harder.

Many positions float from location to location. You may not get to pick what you do or where you do it. We met a CM who covers for other employees during their breaks working food carts. On her schedule she had to go from location to location, some not even in the same park at a certain time, there must have been 10 locations on the computer generated list.

Some CM's have told us that they want more hours but can't get them, another CM told us that she has two different jobs working in two different departments as if she is two different people. That's the only way that she can make enough money. Other CM's have said that in the last several years things have changed, they feel like they are valued as much and that Disney just wants a body. Their training is much less now and their ability to make magic for guests has been reduced.

Another item is that on stage everything is neat and pretty, backstage not so much. Disney puts most of their money where the guest sees it.

Bill