First Available Worked

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I have reported in the past that I really doubted that the resorts were really using the "first available" room system that has been discussed here. Well I doubt it no longer.

After arriving at the BWV last Saturday at 8:30 A.M. after getting back from a 7 day cruise, we checked in. I was amazed to hear the CM say the room I was assigned was not ready but they would be glad to give me another that was. This was for a standard view 2BR at the end of Presidents' week. I'm still stunned that we were in our room by 9:00 A.M. that morning. It was especially nice considering how tired we were after the cruise. It allowed us to rest for a while before venturing to the parks.

It was the earliest time ever for my family. Considering that back in December a CM at the VWL told me he didn't know what I was talking about with "first available" it was a very pleasant surprise.

I doubt no more!

HBC

 

[DisneyHumbug]

We arrived at BWV on Sat 2/14 at 11 a.m. and were also told the room they had for us was not ready yet, but there was another that we could have immediately. We took it and were very happy - it was a Boardwalk View. My guests were very impressed.

 

[gopherit]

Just out of curiousity, did they let you see where the assigned rooms and vacant rooms were? (Like, did they say, you can either wait for room 3004 or if you prefer, 4004 is open with no waiting)?

We will be checking in very early on Sun morning for our August trip... I almost hope they don't give us a choice -- I would wonder for the rest of the trip then, hmmmm... now what would that OTHER room have been like?

Glad your trip was a good one!

 

[Chuck S]

I doubt they would give you specific room numbers for security reasons. They should be able to describe the general locations.

I know at OKW we are often given choices of "areas" and sometimes specific buildings, but specific room numbers are never mentioned.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by gopherit
Just out of curiousity, did they let you see where the assigned rooms and vacant rooms were? (Like, did they say, you can either wait for room 3004 or if you prefer, 4004 is open with no waiting)? Glad your trip was a good one!

No they didn't give that out. They won't give you your room number until the room is ready.

HBC

 

[BWVDee]

From my experiences, all WDW resorts have been using the "first available room" policy for years, it is just now they admit it. From my experiences checking into many, many different WDW rooms including many DVC rooms; the room was pre assigned-- they have to be so that they can match up the number of available rooms with the number of guests checking in. But the pre assignment of rooms was/is also very easily changed if another was available in the same price, view, etc category, if you were there and your assigned room was not ready. I have always asked: "is anything else available?" if the CM told me the room was not ready and did not offer to look on their own. Many times I have ended up in a better location than my orginal pre assigned room!
I know some people vehemently oppose this theory, but this has certainly been my experiences over the last 25 years of checking into many WDW resorts.

 

[OneMoreTry]

As noted above (which is what I have experienced) the staff indicate a room HAS been preassigned. Guests are then given the OPTION of waiting for the preassigned room or taking one that is currently ready.

Does that mean, though, they would give away someone else's preassigned room which is dissimilar with respect to view/location/etc? Or would they release another but similar room?

I guess only thecomputer system knows that.

 

[BWVDee]

They will not switch you out of a SV villa for a PV villa at BWV, for example. But will gladly switch you to a comparable room that is ready. Many times this can mean getting a room that has some of the non guaranteed requests you may want: distance to lobby or elevators, different building, higher floor etc.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by OneMoreTry
Does that mean, though, they would give away someone else's preassigned room which is dissimilar with respect to view/location/etc? Or would they release another but similar room?

I guess only thecomputer system knows that.

That would be my concern, too. It's great if you're the person getting into a nice room early. Not so great if you're the person losing a nice room because you check in around check-in time and they gave away the room that the room assigner thought matched your requests. I hope that it's not that big a deal and that they are switching out rooms that are roughly in the same area/same requests.

 

[msdis]

WE have stayed at BWV many times and NEVER gotten our room before 4pm and several times not till 5 or 6pm. This is great news. We are all too happy just to get a room when we arrive. So for us this is great news. Thanks for the update.

 

[DebbieB]

I think alot has to do with the occupancy rate. When I checked in at BWV last December, I wasn't thrilled when they told me our assigned standard view room was near the end of the hall. They wouldn't tell me exactly where, it wasn't ready (around 1:00pm). I had requested across from the bus stop. I asked if they had anything closer, I was told they were sold out and all rooms were pre-assigned. I could check the next day for a room change. Another cm came over and said our assigned room was very nice. I thought she was just saying that. Turned out it was very nice, the corner room over the pond with a big kitchen & living room, huge balcony. It was ready around 2:30pm. Needless to say, I didn't ask for a room change! So sometimes you are better off waiting for your assigned room.

 

[pelicanpouch]

We stayed at WL in December after getting off the Disney Ship. They told me the room was not ready. This was around 10am. I sat in the lobby with a 3,2 and 5 month old, oh let me add my 92 year old grandfather. My children were so tired, they just needed a bed to rest their heads. It was raining and chilly so swimming was out of the question.

I went to check to see if our room was ready, and the cast member said no, but you can go to any of the parks and check in later. I explained that I just needed a bed so my children could nap and she said "Oh". I walked away and a few minutes later a "manager" came over and said he could help me. He said my room wasn't ready but gave me a few choices to choose from, ie bunkbeds or queen beds. Anyway, I was so thankful. Everyone took a nap including me.