Does anyone really read those room requests...?

[phyllis1966]

I know this is long, but our trip was so special that I just have to tell our story...

We returned a few days ago from our trip to WDW. DH was voted Outstanding Employee in his division at work, one of over 60 from different divisions in offices around the world, and the reward was a trip for 2 to Orlando, which was to include 2-day PH's for both of us. The only problem was that we have a young DD, and kids were not invited, since there were to be quite a few business and social functions which a child could not attend. We decided that he'd go alone, and DD and I would meet him there toward the end of the week, then check into a WDW resort and extend the stay 4 more days, which would include DD's 5th birthday as our last full day.

Well, the only resort we could get for our stay with the recent discount was the CR (not one of our faves, based on appearances only since we'd only visited for dinner once) in a Tower room (still more than we wanted to spend on this trip, since we were just in WDW in November). Anyway, we decided to go for it, and 3 days prior to our arrival, I faxed to the room controller a very polite request for a non-smoking room and hoping for a MK view, since it was DD's birthday trip and it would be so exciting - we've never requested any special view before.

When we arrived and checked in, the CM at the desk had a big, knowing smile on his face (according to DH - I was off exploring with DD), who told DH that we had been given a room on the 11th floor with one of the best views in the house. He wasn't kidding - when I opened the curtains I actually gasped and yelled, "Oh my God!" The view (of everything, not just the castle) was magnificent, especially at night! Two of the nights were Grad Nights, which culminated at midnight with a spectacular fireworks display that DH and I watched from the balcony - it truly was magical and I am definitely planning to let them know how appreciative we are!

The moral of the story is, absolutely make a request by fax if you're considering doing so - hopefully they'll do whatever they can to make your stay magical!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

awww thats an awesome story!!

 

[safetymom]

That also could have happened if you have it noted in your reservation or you could ask at check in and you could get a great room with a view.

 

[Disneyolic]

Phyllis,

That's great! And how lucky of you to be going to Disney so soon after your last trip. I'm not jealous (right).

Have you found a way to post pictures yet???? Would love to see them.

~DawnMaree

 

[phyllis1966]

DawnMaree,

Hi - how've you been? I was actually under the impression that you needed to use a digital camera in order to post photos - I am still living in the dark ages and seem to be one of the only people who doesn't want or own a digital camera (yet ). If there's a way to use my scanner to do it, I definitely would...any ideas?


~Phyllis

 

[phyllis1966]

I thought that by the time you checked-in, the rooms were already assigned. Would it be harder to get the type of room you wanted if you waited till then?

I never bothered to fax a request before. This is my 3rd recent trip to WDW, using DU all 3 times, and this was the first time it was suggested to me by my DU agent that a fax from me would carry more weight than just the requests made at the time DU made the reservation. So, I decided to give it a shot.

 

[safetymom]

Those room assignments are not set in stone until you check in. So if I get there at 7 AM and make a request they will switch rooms so I can get the request if reasonable.

That is why they don't give out room numbers ahead of time and you don't want to schedule a surprise for the room until you have checked in.

I have always had great luck when I made a request at check in. I am one that enjoys every room I have ever had at WDW. I have had those "dreaded" parking lot views where I couldn't see the cars for the landscaping.

I don't understand why people stress so much about room requests. It is just a request. Disney does all that it can do to make you happy but sometimes not everyone gets everything they want.

So many people are faxing requests now that many times those faxes don't even get looked at. They have to match up your piece of paper with your reservation. If it is already in the computer they don't have to.

Just because a TA recommended it could mean she isn't up on the latest information concerning requests. She also may be and figured it can't hurt but with the volume of faxes it is getting harder to get your requests that way.

 

[Aisling]

I thought that by the time you checked-in, the rooms were already assigned.

4 out of 4 times, we got lovely rooms just by asking at check-in and not faxing.
At the BC, we even got an upgrade to a poolview first floor patio room, when I asked simply for a real nice room please! Even at All Stars, we asked for a room close to the pool, and got it; the pool was right outside our door.

This has also been our experience at Universal, asking for a view of the Hulk, and getting a spectacular view of the Hulk, CityWalk,Dr. Doom's FearFall, and the Fire & Ice ride, all in onw view from the large window.

This trip, I'm not asking for anything until we check in, and hoping that the magic will continue! I think the CMs like to make the guests happy, and when you ask for a "nice" room in person, they really work hard to make you say woo hoo!