Does making a room request really matter? - with an explanation of why I'm asking...

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Here's the reason why I'm asking. We just came back from a trip in September. It was in-between Ivan and Jeanne - 14th-19th I think. We had made a request for a non-smoking room and were guaranteed that for medical reasons (allergies big time!) But we'd also requested a room with 2 doubles in the 50's section with a view of Epcot. Now I knew that was a lot of requests when we made them, but we thought, why not?

So when we got there for check in the CM said, you've got a King size bed in either the 70's or the 90's section. Which would you like. I explained our situation - 3 people: 2 adults and a 2 1/2 year old son. A king size bed meant we would all have to sleep in the same bed. I also explained that we'd asked for the above mentioned requests and did he have anything like that available, by chance.

Turns out that they had a room with exactly EVERYTHING we had askd for. It was in building 3 of the 50's section, non-smoking, 2 doubles with a view of Spaceship Earth.

So I figure if they had a room with everything we'd asked for, but were going to give us something completely different when we checked in, why make the prior room request? Why not just ask for it when we get there? This isn't the first time this has happened. We're on our 4th stay in a value resort and have NOT ONCE gotten a room with what we'd requested by phone.

Just curious about your thoughts.

Thanks and God bless!
Mark

 

[safetymom]

I have had 100% success in getting my requests when I check in. I haven't faxed or called reservations in years with my requests.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I've stayed at the value resorts a few times (ASMo, ASSp, and POP), and most of my request are met. I do request them at the time of the reservation. I have never faxed them anything. When we check in, I just simply ask exactly what I have originally requested on the reservation.

Same thing when I stayed at CBR and CSR, most of my request are met, if not all.

As far as your questions...I have no idea why they would want to put you somewhere else and the room you've asked is available. Maybe the CM didn't read on the computer about your request.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

"Maybe the CM didn't read on the computer about your request."


Didn't I read on here somewhere that there was a 'room assigner' or something that was different than the person at the front desk? The whole reservation thing at Disney kinda befuddles me anyway. I've had it explained to me before, but it still doesn't quite make sense. I'm thinking I'm not going to worry about room requests again, with the exception of non-smoking and then just ask for it when we get there. Seems pointless...

Thanks and God bless!
Mark

 

[oogieboogie]

We've never faxed or called any requests in. We just ask them during check-in. The only notation on our reservations have always been non-smoking room.

So far we've gotten every one of our requests.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

My biggest question about this is, why would they put 3 people in a king sized bed??? Shouldn't that automatically say 2 beds? I know sometimes kids will sleep with their parents but the front desk staff can't just assume that.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by goin2disneyagain
My biggest question about this is, why would they put 3 people in a king sized bed??? Shouldn't that automatically say 2 beds? I know sometimes kids will sleep with their parents but the front desk staff can't just assume that.

Depends on if the OP actually told CRO how many were in the party when booking. Many with a young child might just say 2 adults. They should have been given the room with 2 beds unless the King bed was requested.

Were the requests noted when the reservation was made with CRO or where they made later to the resort.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Depends on if the OP actually told CRO how many were in the party when booking. Many with a young child might just say 2 adults. They should have been given the room with 2 beds unless the King bed was requested.

I made the request by phone to 4-7-WDisney. Also, when we checked in my wife and son were standing there with me. I don't know that I said, 3 people to the front desk CM until he had suggested the King Size Bed, but in my mind it should have been obvious. But I did tell the person taking my "reservation" on the phone that it would include 2 adults and a child.

God bless!
Mark

 

[julybride]

Originally posted by goin2disneyagain
My biggest question about this is, why would they put 3 people in a king sized bed??? Shouldn't that automatically say 2 beds? I know sometimes kids will sleep with their parents but the front desk staff can't just assume that.

When you book your ressie children under age 3 do not show up as a guest. We made a reservation for our family of four - DH, myself, 4 year old DS, 1 year old DD. The names of all party members were taken at time of reservation, however only 3 guests were listed on our confirmation. When I called to check the accuracy of the confirmation (2 times), the CMs said that they don't list children under 3 because they don't have to pay park admission.

 

[CarolA]

If you need something for medical reasons request it. Otherwise I figure it's a 50/50 shot, but they are suppose to honor medical requests. (Make sure you tell them it is medical)

 

[Tinkbell]

When you get there, politely ask the CM if there is a room available that meets your requests. This is the best way to get what you want.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I have always gotten my requests. DH and Ds have asthma, so a smoking room is not an option for us. That is funny because when we made our ressies for our current trip, I had to list my Daughter 3 and my son 1.

 

[totalia]

A request is just that, a request. And when your very busy, you don't always look at everything to do with the reservation (I work front desk at a hotel). If you want something specific, ask at check in to make sure you receive it.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Here is my take on the situation... As a 4 year front desk CM at WDW...

First infants "do" show up on the reservation (there is a spot for infant, so they are not counted on the tickets), so I don't know why they would have told the other poster that they don't...HUM!!!!

Anyway, if you reservation showed 2 adults and an infant they probably thought that it was a younger child and were hoping that they would be sleeping in a crib. My thought on the situation is that they had a few to many king beds avalaible and they were trying to fill them. One of the first things a room assigner does is fill king beds, that way at 2am when the party of 4 arrives they are not stuck with a king bed being the only thing left. So they go through and find parties of 2 or 2 and an infant and they fill the king bed rooms and then mark the reservation as filled for king.

Personally when I fill for king bed I always check the reservation requests before doing that as perhaps it is mom and daughter and they specifically requested queens for that purpose, but many people just look at the party size and block it. While I agree with you that your actual requests should come before filling for kings I just wanted to throw out there a "room assigner" explination as to what "might" have been the case

 

[dansyr]

I had the same experience when we were there a few weeks ago. It seemed as if they saw none of my requests. When I asked for the building I wanted...the gave me the exact room in that building that I had requested.

 

[fsu]

We just stayed at PC and had made a room request when booking the reservation. We asked for the 70's building ground floor and ended up in the 50's second floor. They were kinda busy so I did not say anything at check-in because I figured the 50's was just a close (It ended up being pretty close to the food court and buses we were happy with the location). Anyway in the past I have mentioned my request at check-in and got it. So I think the thing to do is request when you make your reservation then at check-in ask if it is possible to get your request.