Dumb Noob Question: Room Requests

[Chuck S]

If you are on a DVC reservation, the online check-in room request selection is pretty worthless, anyway. I always make requests directly through Member Services via email or chat. I get my requests about 75% of the time. And keeping them generic as possible increases your odds greatly.

 

[Boomatt]

Thanks so much for this! I have a subscription with TP, and knew that your could look at room views, but I didn't realize that you could make room requests through them. I will absolutely look into that.

TP actually faxes the request and the large majority of DVC resorts no longer accept these. Best bet is to calm in and make the request then proceed to the lobby on arrival and ensure that they have your request and are trying to honor it.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

TP actually faxes the request and the large majority of DVC resorts no longer accept these. Best bet is to calm in and make the request then proceed to the lobby on arrival and ensure that they have your request and are trying to honor it.

They have been emailing them for quite a while now.

 

[Boomatt]

They have been emailing them for quite a while now.

Whatever they are doing doesn’t work anymore. I’ve been on 6 trips in the past year and a half and they haven’t had any record of my TP requests on the first 5 and I was placed no where near any of my requests. In fact I was placed as opposite my request as possible. This last one I called member services and my request came through. After the first failure I began going to the lobby on arrival to check that they had my request and not a single one of the TP requests were on record. Either Disney is ignoring them or TP’s approach is broken and Disney isn’t receiving them (or they aren’t even being sent.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Whatever they are doing doesn’t work anymore. I’ve been on 6 trips in the past year and a half and they haven’t had any record of my TP requests on the first 5 and I was placed no where near any of my requests. In fact I was placed as opposite my request as possible. This last one I called member services and my request came through. After the first failure I began going to the lobby on arrival to check that they had my request and not a single one of the TP requests were on record. Either Disney is ignoring them or TP’s approach is broken and Disney isn’t receiving them (or they aren’t even being sent.

This is why the recommendation I always see on here is to call, email or chat with DVC member services to request a room. Even doing the request directly through the Disney online check in system doesn't really seem to work. I have had some success with requests getting honored when I do it directly through DVC member services, though.

 

[com_op_2000]

Just wanted to drop in and say:
Home and Much

 

[sndral]

Whatever they are doing doesn’t work anymore. I’ve been on 6 trips in the past year and a half and they haven’t had any record of my TP requests on the first 5 and I was placed no where near any of my requests. In fact I was placed as opposite my request as possible. This last one I called member services and my request came through. After the first failure I began going to the lobby on arrival to check that they had my request and not a single one of the TP requests were on record. Either Disney is ignoring them or TP’s approach is broken and Disney isn’t receiving them (or they aren’t even being sent.

Interesting I’ve never thought to check at the front desk about whether my requests were noted because since I’ve owned DVC I’ve always done them through MS & so far have been very lucky & my very generic requests have been met .
I stay at my 2 home resorts & my philosophy is that in time I’ll end up staying in lots of different areas of each resort, so it’s to be expected I’ll sometimes not have my requests met, especially since DVC villas are booked at close to 100% capacity during my early Dec. vacations.

 

[TinkB278]

I've maintained a TouringPlans account for years and years. I'm not even really sure why. It's another one of those, "It's just $20/year (?)." things, I guess.

Anyway, one thing they're really good at is compiling views from all the resorts on property and posting pics, views pics, and room numbers. You can't see from every room, of course; but you can get close enough to know what a view from a particular room is likely to be. One of the primary benefits of this is that they will submit an email on your behalf, essentially requesting the very room you're looking at or request very close proximity to it if it's not available. I've used it for years to pretty good success.

Anyway. Just thought I'd throw that out there. To me, it's easier and more convenient than trying to do it myself and the online booking request is so useless, it might as well not even exist.

I have an account too but wasn’t sure if the room requests worked for dvc too. So you are saying it does?

 

[keishashadow]

They have been emailing them for quite a while now.

Have utilized it for years with great success

Whatever they are doing doesn’t work anymore. I’ve been on 6 trips in the past year and a half and they haven’t had any record of my TP requests on the first 5 and I was placed no where near any of my requests. In fact I was placed as opposite my request as possible.

Exact opposite with both DVC & rooms booked CRO

May try the chat feature for upcoming trip tho

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I have an account too but wasn’t sure if the room requests worked for dvc too. So you are saying it does?

Yes. As I said, to pretty good success over multiple trips multiple times per year for years and years. As recently as this past Thanksgiving.

 

[Chol]

I like to use the chat feature or the email under Contact Us on the member website, and I usually do it as soon as I know what our requests are for that stay, on the theory of “first come, first served.” Online checkin does have a request section but it’s often irrelevant or incomplete for DVC villas, so leave that section of online checkin blank (it will overwrite any requests you make through MS). BTW you can call MS to submit requests but there’s no need to wait on hold to do so.

Which email do you use? I tried Contact Us form, selected Resort Reservations in the dropdown and got this back 2 days later:

"While we would love to be able to assist you, our email department does not have the ability to access the reservation system."

 

[CarolynFH]

Which email do you use? I tried Contact Us form, selected Resort Reservations in the dropdown and got this back 2 days later:

"While we would love to be able to assist you, our email department does not have the ability to access the reservation system."

I’ve always used the DVC Member website, Contact Us, and I’m pretty sure I would have clicked Resort Reservations. In the text box I type the confirmation number and then my request. I’ve never gotten the response you received - hope it’s a glitch! OTOH, if Chat is available, I prefer that to email.

 

[Chol]

I’ve always used the DVC Member website, Contact Us, and I’m pretty sure I would have clicked Resort Reservations. In the text box I type the confirmation number and then my request. I’ve never gotten the response you received - hope it’s a glitch! OTOH, if Chat is available, I prefer that to email.

Thank you! I tried using the regular web site but I'll try the DVC one. The chat was always unavailable but I'll try that too if it becomes available again.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thank you! I tried using the regular web site but I'll try the DVC one. The chat was always unavailable but I'll try that too if it becomes available again.

Anything DVC related to DVC reservations needs to go thru DVC directly.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Just wondering here, but am I the only one that doesn’t really care where my room is, as long as it is the the right resort and view ?

 

[CarolMN]

Just wondering here, but am I the only one that doesn’t really care where my room is, as long as it is the the right resort and view ?

No, I don't think so. While I usually make a general request, it really doesn't matter much where we end up. There is always something to like about the room, view & location.

 

[Sammie]

General requests have a greater chance of getting filled. I had a friend that worked room blocking at one of DVC/Deluxe resorts. If you ask for a specific room or rooms and they are not available, then you are limiting the options.
Near something, or low or higher floors give them more options to choose from. Also resort occupancy on the day you arrive, etc. I mean they can't move someone out of the room or rooms you want. DVC resorts almost always run very close to 100% booked, and there are not a lot of options.

 

[CarolynFH]

Just wondering here, but am I the only one that doesn’t really care where my room is, as long as it is the the right resort and view ?

We just make general requests, like Near Tennis Courts when staying at BWV in the days of having to be inside DHS before the crack of dawn to try for a BG for RotR ! Or High Floor for BW view at BWV, to have a balcony we can see from when seated.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you! I tried using the regular web site but I'll try the DVC one. The chat was always unavailable but I'll try that too if it becomes available again.

As @KAT4DISNEY said, you need to use the DVC Member website. The regular website can’t help you via email, chat or phone call.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

We just make general requests, like Near Tennis Courts when staying at BWV in the days of having to be inside DHS before the crack of dawn to try for a BG for RotR ! Or High Floor for BW view at BWV, to have a balcony we can see from when seated.

So ….:
Was that a yes?