First Come...First Serve at OKW!!!

[Mickeygolf]

I recall recently someone stating that all reservations at OKW were being accepted as first come first serve upon check in for room requests. This was supposedly going to be a trial period.

I was wondering if anyone has ran into problems with your room requests you made at the 11 month window that you may not have gotten due to checking in later.

I hate the thought of making my room requests at 11 months and not getting them just because the person who made their reservation 2 months ago arrives at OKW earlier in the day than I do...

 

[baileybrad]

Has anyone confirmed whether this is actually true or not? My four year old says lots of things but they are not all accurate. I think that doing this takes away a bit of the advantage of the 11 month window. I have always had castmembers tell me when I have made specific requests at HH at the 11 month window to the day that there was a very good chance of landing what I asked for. Obviously, if you ask for an exact room and some one is there upon your check-in, won't happen. I think taking away any advantage that comes with booking early is a step backwards for members. It would make the front desk and reservations jobs easier but I am not sure if that is really in the best interest of the DVC as a whole.

 

[OKWKirt]

I don't have an answer, but an observation. I recall the last time I checked in (June) I was told "my" room was not ready. This makes me believe that the rooms are assigned ahead of time and not as you check in.

 

[Pa@okw95]

That was just a rumor. Imagine the mess they would have if they did do that with people lined ups to check in the first thing in the morning. I doubt that DVC would try this.

 

[Tigger7570]

I agree with Pa@OKW95. As I posted earlier, could you imagine people lining up at 6:00 a.m. or earlier. It would be a nightmare. It seems like the program they have in place works well, so why mess with it. Yes, it may be easier as people arrive to assign them, but once the word got out, they would be backed up with people very early in the morning wanting to be first. I can understand if there are rooms available that haven't been requested, sure why not let the early arrivals have them, but not a first come first serve basis on all rooms. I go home within the next 12 days and I will try to remember to ask about this and see if the trial is over and how it went and if there are any future plans to do this.

 

[colleen costello]

I don't know if this rumor is true or not, but I do know that if you get in early, you have a better chance of begging a change.

We went to BCV this summer on the day it opened. We got there around noon and were promptly assigned to a room with a great view of... THE ROAD. I was instantly very sad. I have 2 small children and could just imagine them crossing the pretty green lawn to that highway!

I backed out, hightailed it back ot the lobby and begged. I got a bit of a lecture but they did move us, upstairs to a lovely studio with a pool view and no vehicle hazards. Moral of the story? If you know the layout of the place and get there in time, you can ask for a reassigment if there is room for them to "juggle." I guess they put a Granny with no kids to worry about in my original room!

 

[colleen costello]

Oops -- forgot. I asked the last CM who helped me at the 800 -reservation number. She said the room assignments were done a few days ahead, in order of when reservations were made. She said the first one listed was the main one they tried to accomodate. Ours always says "medical nonsmoking" (allergies) and then something like "poolview please" or "ground-floor."

It sounds like they try hard. I can only imagine the scope of this job. It must be like the air-traffic controllers, who only work short shifts due to stress!

 

[Mickeygolf]

I'm glad to hear that most feel this was a rumor. I know nothing is guaranteed when you make requests, but it is a lot better knowing that you might get a request if you put it in early enough.

Thanks for all the feedback...

 

[~Magical Princess~]

**** IT IS NOT A RUMOR! I JUST ARRIVED HOME FROM OKW **** and I spoke with the resort manager who told me it is "not implemented in stone" but simply a "temporary trial basis" for maybe 2 weeks or maybe LONGER!

Let me say firstly, I have a long trip report to type out and report, but I will say I was very disappointed when after making our reservation at the 10 month window to hear the girl at check in say when I handed her my confirm sheet on Sunday at approximately 12:30 pm, ... "Ok, let's see what we have available for you ...." I almost CHOKED! I said - WHAT? You mean it's TRUE? It IS on a first come first serve basis? You DONT have a room already selected for our family???? There wasn't a room report printed out a week ahead of time and everything assigned and bla bla bla?? And she said emphatically, "yes it is, I know some people are disappointed, but that's how we just started doing things ...."

Our requests were to be in building 62 - 64 or building 23, and specially I had requested rooms in building 62 (2nd and 3rd floor) and rooms in 23 (2nd and 3rd floor) (specific rooms that is) - and was hardly surprised when she said, "Well there's nothing available in the 60's ..... of course except for a room on the 3rd floor in building 62 that was COMPLETELY enclosed with trees. And of course why should there be? They had already had 135 check ins since 6:00 AM and so why would there be anything left in the buildings right by HH when they are doing "first come first serve!"

The room we ended up in was 3rd floor in building 23 (LONG way up those 4 flights of stairs ...) and yes - you guessed it the room was COMPLETELY surrounded and enclosed with trees (room 2332). Well it took around 3 days into our 2 week trip before the tree trimmers FINALLY came out and trimmed away quite a bit of the trees - which for that I was VERY VERY thankful!! So whoever gets that room going forward, you can thank me for getting those trees trimmed!!

I'll write more later - but just wanted to confirm this is NOT a rumor about first come, first serve - it is TRUE! And hopefully if people raise enough dislike, it will change back to the way it was before. After all - it's only fair for those who make their ressies at the 11 mos. window to get their request before the people who make a ressie 3 days ahead of time and get there at 6:00 am check in day!!

Of course please note I know the disclaimer that these are just "requests" and "not guarantees" - but then again, that's how everything is, and it has been said time and time again that DVC is usually pretty good about getting things you request. But truth is - OKW is a gorgeous resort and we at least were able to get in 23 so I'm happy at least about that - would have preferred a less tree room, but no problemo there! I'd much rather be at OKW in a tree filled room than at home any day!!

Had an incredible 2 week trip! OKW is the BEST and will write more later!

 

[KaraKW]

So, what happens if you request a non-smoking room out of medical necessity and there aren't any available when you arrive? I know my rights: asthma is protected under the ADA. Will they provide accommodations in a comparable resort that has a non-smoking room available? Do they plan to extend this inane system to other resorts?

I, for one, will be writing a letter.

 

[rbuzzotta]

So..........if I camp out at the front desk at 12:01 AM on the day of my scheduled check in then I guess i will be first in line to get my room!!!! LOL!!

I wonder how that would go over.............people camping out in the lobby!!!

I doubt it will last too long and for those people that were inconvenieced by it I feel bad for you. I make my ressies at the 11 month window because we love to be near the HH!!

If I ever got a smoking room I would be sick..........so wouldn't my DD's!!!! I would have to check out!!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Yikes! This is bad news. I had reservations for BCV this March, and I switched us over to OKW. Now I am not sure that was the right thing to do... We are traveling with my parents and selected OKW for my Mom, who has asthma. NO way we could endure a smoking room! Also, Mom needs ground floor or a newer building with an elevator. She can't do stairs at all.

I liked the plan where the earlier the reservation, the better the accomodation on requests. That seemed to give the benefit to folks booking their home resort, which seemed fair. This "first come first serve" nonsense seems potentially problematic in that the folks at reservations claim that smokers often request non-smoking rooms (since the smoking rooms are stinky!) I found this surprising but the woman I spoke to assured me they have to be very careful about offering non-smoking rooms. I will call reservations tomorrow and ask if "nonsmoking, ground floor" can still be guaranteed to someone with a true medical need, and if not, I will try to move us back to the Beach Club Villas!

 

[Regina]

Disney has always guaranteed a non-smoking room when it's medically required. Likewise, if a guest is unable to climb stairs due to a mobility problem, they will guarantee a ground floor accommodation.

You will need to make them aware that these requests are based due to medical requirements.

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks, Kara. I will call tomorrow a.m. to verify that we have a grandma with legitimate medical needs. As long as we are smok-free and downstairs, I don't care WHICH building we get! The whole place really is lovely. Last summer we were out in the boondocks, off the main road and near a quiet pool. Hardly the "requested" area -- and we LOVED it! We had our minivan so we were happy to be off the bus line, and the quiet pool was just perfect.

Let's hope all this nonsense is soon resolved, and thanks for the info. I will try not to become hysterical! I'll let you all know if they tell me anything good when I call tomorrow.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I am offering a different view of first come-first serve. Last summer at OKW I had to wait until 5:30 to get my room because it wasn't ready. I had been assigned to 2321, and it was a WONDERFUL room, but having to wait til 5:30 in a pouring rain and lightning storm was scary, and there was nowhere to go, so we sat in the lobby with a bunch of screaming kids all afternoon, while millions of peoplegot their rooms ahead of us ( the people who had been in our room checked out late). The manager came out and apologized several times, but I still sat there till 5:30--they even sent an extra cleaning crew to help hurry things along. Since I had gotten to the resort at 12:30, after being bumped off my flight, losing my luggage, and getting an escort as a rental car since what I had reserved was gone, I was already unhappy, and having to wait for a room was the final straw. So I think first come-first serve might be OK.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I checked in the same day as Magical Princess, we got there about 10 am ish. The room I had been assigned was ready.
I had requested building 41, second floor, end unit with a lock off. I got exactly what I wanted.

There are only about 5 buildings that are smoking optional, so, if you have a request for non smoking, I doubt you will have a problem. It is the smokers who have one.

Denise, When we spoke it occured to me that I did not ask if the balcony was totally enclosed by trees too.
Personally, I like the trees, more privacy and a noise block.

I am anxious to read your trip report, Denise. It was nice talking to you also.

 

[~Magical Princess~]

HI GAIL!!! Oh yes, I think I mentioned in my earlier post that our balcony was COMPLETELY enclosed with trees! In fact - it wasn't just the balcony - it was EVERY window that was in the 2br unit! The windows in the second bedroom were all TREES, the master bedroom was all TREES and the main living area windows were all TREES! Rather disappointing!

The deal at check-in went like this: Firstly, there was "no" rooms available in the "60's" as the girl said. That was our first disappointment, then she told me that there was a 2br in our request of building 23, however, it was on the 3rd floor! Then she went in the back and came out and said, we actually "do" have a room in 62 (our first choice) but it's on the 3rd floor - so THEN it hit me -- ok, are either of these "only" two rooms that are available in 23 and 62 have views of primarily TREES (as I had already been told that the six or so specific rooms PER BUILDING that I requested was completely out of the question (hint hint -- check in on FRIDAYS if you are after a certain room ...) and she said, (looking at the computer monitor) that "oh no, they say water/golf view". I then said ... "ok, are either of these rooms on the "ends" of the buildings (assuring yet again probably not the best of views) - and she said YES they are BOTH on the ends of the buildings! Case closed!

We chose building 23 because the room was availabe at that moment, and the room in 62 wouldn't be available until 4:00 pm. Well needless to say the 23 building room was a hike up 4 flights of stairs, but at least it was ready, and like I said before it took around 3 days to get those trees MAJORALLY trimmed to provide a "better" view (still not the greatest - but better).

I actually asked the front desk to see that room "6230" that we "could" have chose and to my horror (after viewing the room) the view was even WORSE than the 23 room! The trees were 100% completely blocking every available glimpse at the water view!! Very disappointing! In fact, while looking to see if that room "was still available" at 9:30 pm that evening, the "kid" at check in (a college newbie cast member) commented - oh yes - that room is actually available until November 22 ! I said -- WHAT? So that told me that they SPECIFICALLY do NOT give that room out until ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! Boy am I glad we didn't choose that room!

Oh - back to check in - when we were "toggling" between room 2332 and room 6230 - it was quite amusing that there was another couple who were also going after either of those rooms (i.e., trying to get near HH) and the lady (other cm) came over and said - ok, which room are they taking? And I obviously chose the building 23 room of 2332 and so she said - "Ok, I 'll give them 6230 - and at that moment I thought - "Man I hope I didn't make a mistake!"

Well obviously that couple did NOT stay in the room after seeing the view! Because the room was OPEN at night for me to go up with that CM to view it!!! Bad Bad room! Keep that in mind: 6230! (3rd floor - building 62) -- STEAR CLEAR!!!

Whew, I'm not going to have much left to type in my report if I keep going on this thread!!! LOL

Gail it was GREAT talking to you - I only wish we could have met -- maybe NEXT trip though!!!

Keeping in mind - although the Turtle Pond and Southpoint area seem to be "quite popular" - I think that the builgings 62 - 62 as well as 23 - 27 and those 11 - 14 are EXTREMELY requested, and therefore it makes it a diasspointment if you do book just a few weeks in advance and show up on a Friday or at 6:30 am and bump all those 11 monther's out of the way ..... but oh well -- we'll have to see if this continues or if it's indeed a "trial" - whiich hopefully enough people are complaining about it!!!

 

[baileybrad]

I do not think that doing away with requests and allowing those that make them first ie. 11 month window folks is a positive.

Sorry about all the problems that the previous poster had with getting into "their" room at 5:30 but if you had not made special requests then you would not have had the problem. We have always know that any special requests are not guaranteed and could quite possiblly delay us getting into a unit. We have had other rooms offered to us during less busy times and then we have had to make a decision as to whether it is worth the wait. I, repeat, I hope that they are not going to do away with this option altogether.

 

[KaraKW]

Originally posted by dvcreg
Disney has always guaranteed a non-smoking room when it's medically required.

True, but that was under their past room-assignment system. Are they paying any attention to the "medical requirements" of people and placing them in advance? Or do they wait until the person checks in? Because technically, if they wait, there is the possibility that there will be no non-smoking rooms remaining.

(I'm glad to hear that there are only 5 buildings that are smoking- optional )

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

This whole subject really stinks! Coming from the west coast, the earliest flights that ever get into Orlando for us leaving the Pacific N.W. is 4:30pm, and that is w/ us leaving at 6a.m., no matter what airline, that is the absolute earliest we have ever been able to get into Orlando. Having at least a poss. of getting a request made at the 11 month mark is the only way that we will ever have to get some of our preferences, short of staying off site for the 1st night which isn't really a hassle considering we just spent 7 hrs. in the air, usu. a 2 hr. layover and having to get up at the crack of dawn just to get in by late dinner time! If this is truly a new rule I am going to raise holy hell over this one as my membership dollars were just devalued over everyone else in a closer time zone- what a rip!