How do they prioritize room requests?

[Dean]

I know this is not the same as the room request question.

My son and dil checked in Saturday about an hour before us at OKW. We had the reservations liked so we would be close by. Nothing else.

My friend and her hubby also arrived before us - more or less same time as my son - we had all just gotten off the Fantasy. Their room was ready even later than my son's.

Our room was ready before theirs - my son just commented "how is that possible that your room is ready before ours since we checked in before you."

Just a comment but we were curious what order to they follow. (Maybe the rooms are assigned and housekeeping is slower than another one - but my son and I were a few doors away from each other). Again, no biggie just commenting.

separate reservations cannot be linked. different villas are all separate reservations. This was simply a request. Likely the reasons for the timing is that specific rooms had been assigned to each reservation.

 

[delilah]

I would like to know how they prioritize assignments, even when no request is given. Specifically, I always make my reservations about 11 mos in advance at my home resort. I reserve Savanna view, usually 1BR. We go about twice a year, usually. I have been assigned the exact same room more than once, without requesting it. I wouldn't request it,either. It is a 1BR savanna view that is probably one room over from the savanna view rooms that were redesignated standard view. It is close to the service road around the building. It is near the buildings where they feed and examine the animals--certain times of day they signal the animals to come in. I know from my last trip that the people arrive about 6 am, because that is when the lights turn on. However, the headliner animals aren't on this savanna--there are some gazelles, and two Okapi, one of whom was pregnant this last visit. Could hear the workers in the back discussing her exam. So, maybe if I get the same room next year, there will be a baby okapi to see.

 

[crisi]

I've stayed at BWV 3 times. Each time arrived around noon or earlier. Always had to wait until 4 and never got my requests (not multiple requests).

I've had luck with a room request ONCE at BWV - and that was the request to have two rooms close to each other - both were Boardwalk View - because it was my sister's cancer recovery celebration trip - noted on both reservations. That is the only pixie dust we've gotten with BW. Otherwise, if we ask for high floor, we discover that its really nice to be able to walk to the pool without needing stairs. If we want near the elevators, we find out how quiet the far end of the hall really is. Each room location has had its charms (I'd rather not get the HA room right above the Screen Door again - but at least it was close to the elevator).

 

[Dean]

I would like to know how they prioritize assignments, even when no request is given. Specifically, I always make my reservations about 11 mos in advance at my home resort. I reserve Savanna view, usually 1BR. We go about twice a year, usually. I have been assigned the exact same room more than once, without requesting it. I wouldn't request it,either. It is a 1BR savanna view that is probably one room over from the savanna view rooms that were redesignated standard view. It is close to the service road around the building. It is near the buildings where they feed and examine the animals--certain times of day they signal the animals to come in. I know from my last trip that the people arrive about 6 am, because that is when the lights turn on. However, the headliner animals aren't on this savanna--there are some gazelles, and two Okapi, one of whom was pregnant this last visit. Could hear the workers in the back discussing her exam. So, maybe if I get the same room next year, there will be a baby okapi to see.

Other than for medical reasons, they really don't. It's all hit or miss and up to not only the whim of a given resort but given CM.

 

[CarolMN]

I've had luck with a room request ONCE at BWV - and that was the request to have two rooms close to each other - both were Boardwalk View - because it was my sister's cancer recovery celebration trip - noted on both reservations. That is the only pixie dust we've gotten with BW. Otherwise, if we ask for high floor, we discover that its really nice to be able to walk to the pool without needing stairs. If we want near the elevators, we find out how quiet the far end of the hall really is. Each room location has had its charms (I'd rather not get the HA room right above the Screen Door again - but at least it was close to the elevator).

We make lemonade, too - although we've been a bit luckier than your family with requests. We almost always stay at the BWV.

 

[luv2sleep]

It would be frustrating if it's based on arrival time. Coming from the west coast I can't get there any earlier than later in the afternoon even when flying nonstop. I don't spend money on a rental car and wouldn't do that just to get to the resort earlier in the hopes of getting a specific room.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I don't know the rhyme or reason in room assignment! Examples, Kidani I never make requests, none! Standard points, 2bd, and each and every time I've stayed there, 5 times now, we've gotten a very nice view of the Pembeh Savana. I book at 6-7 months, arrive around 12-1pm! Yet I read of people often getting the parking lot view! SSR, since 2 Carousel stays, parking lot view, same room, same building without requests, we now request Congress Park, DTD view and I've gotten it 4/4 times (same villa # twice)! OKW, only request Turtle Pond, 10/10 times, GV #15, 2/3 times. BWV, 2nd floor, standard view, I've gotten front lawn, left of entrance 3/3, favorite area, close to side door to parking lot.

The only time I've asked to see if something else was available was when we had a GV, Studio and 2bd, and the studio was in tim-buck-to, but in the end I left it as it was!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It would be frustrating if it's based on arrival time. Coming from the west coast I can't get there any earlier than later in the afternoon even when flying nonstop. I don't spend money on a rental car and wouldn't do that just to get to the resort earlier in the hopes of getting a specific room.

I agree, I think it should be:

1st, medical needs and 2nd, earliest booking, then down the line!

 

[luv2sleep]

I agree, I think it should be:

1st, medical needs and 2nd, earliest booking, then down the line!

Agreed! I made my request right at 7 mos this time so I'll see what happens and if requesting early worked.

 

[Breyean]

I don't know about the room assignment priority at VGC but on my last visit the front desk did tell me that she had not allowed my room assignment to be switched out to people who had arrived before me specifically since I had booked at 11 months and earlier than the others asking for my room - I arrived mid afternoon. Apparently it was a couple of people that asked for my room and one person came back a couple of times to see if I had arrived yet or if not to ask again if they could switch.

It was nice that I received some priority for early booking and also telling that they sometimes do switch out for the earlier arriving people who don't like their room assignment and try and get it changed. .

This matches what we have been told by the CM a few times when checking in at VGC. That at that resort, they actually look at the room requests and whne they are made, and even appreciate it when specific rooms are requested by number (which has worked great for us). And that if two people request the same room (which must happen all the time) the one who made the reservation first got priority.

One CM even said she had a person not get the room he requested and he was miffed because he booked at the 11 month day. But someone else had also booked that same request a few minutes before him on that day so that person got the room.

Last time, our son checked us in while we were still en route. He saw we had gotten like our 3rd or 4th request, and asked about changing to one of the top 2. The CM checked and said that first night had both rooms still occupied, but they were checking out tomorrow and we could switch rooms then if we wanted. He declined, but they do seem to do assignments a little differently at VGC than the other DVC resorts, maybe because of the small number of rooms.

 

[luv2sleep]

This matches what we have been told by the CM a few times when checking in at VGC. That at that resort, they actually look at the room requests and whne they are made, and even appreciate it when specific rooms are requested by number (which has worked great for us). And that if two people request the same room (which must happen all the time) the one who made the reservation first got priority.

One CM even said she had a person not get the room he requested and he was miffed because he booked at the 11 month day. But someone else had also booked that same request a few minutes before him on that day so that person got the room.

Last time, our son checked us in while we were still en route. He saw we had gotten like our 3rd or 4th request, and asked about changing to one of the top 2. The CM checked and said that first night had both rooms still occupied, but they were checking out tomorrow and we could switch rooms then if we wanted. He declined, but they do seem to do assignments a little differently at VGC than the other DVC resorts, maybe because of the small number of rooms.

I'd never try to take someone's specifically requested room. It's great that they protected your room request!

 

[Breyean]

I'd never try to take someone's specifically requested room. It's great that they protected your room request!

Well, I still think it depends on the CM at the desk. I have been told by CMs there that checking in early helps get your request before people can ask to switch, so I guess some CMs do the easy thing and give away the room assigned to you.

So we play it safe and try to get there as early as possible to increase our chances at getting what we requested.

 

[bakerworld]

At OKW I asked on check-in if we'd been lucky enough to get a golf view and he said no - if we wanted one we'd have to wait so I just took the room. Upon arrival DH ran immediately to the BR to check if it was HA (he has a thing about that) and sure enough .... I pckup up the phone, selected Front Desk and said we did not want a HA room. She tells us to return to the check-in and go to the concierge desk. I didnt have much hope as we just came from here. I explained the phone senario to the concerge and he sad there were no other rooms ready, the Front Desk was different than checkin and picked up the phone. They sat on the phone for like 10 minutes and then we had a regular room in the HH area with a golf view.

So I don't know what the deal is between the room software. DH did say it thought the other room was cleaner altho how he could tell in the 2 minutes we were there IDK!. It was just kinda wierd how the person on the phone could apparently see a more detailed availablity than the concierge or check-in.

 

[disneynutz]

At OKW I asked on check-in if we'd been lucky enough to get a golf view and he said no - if we wanted one we'd have to wait so I just took the room. Upon arrival DH ran immediately to the BR to check if it was HA (he has a thing about that) and sure enough .... I pckup up the phone, selected Front Desk and said we did not want a HA room. She tells us to return to the check-in and go to the concierge desk. I didnt have much hope as we just came from here. I explained the phone senario to the concerge and he sad there were no other rooms ready, the Front Desk was different than checkin and picked up the phone. They sat on the phone for like 10 minutes and then we had a regular room in the HH area with a golf view.

So I don't know what the deal is between the room software. DH did say it thought the other room was cleaner altho how he could tell in the 2 minutes we were there IDK!. It was just kinda wierd how the person on the phone could apparently see a more detailed availablity than the concierge or check-in.

FYI, when you called the front desk from the room you were talking to a call center, not the front desk. When they made the 10 minute call they were talking to the room assigner in resort operations, they probably moved someone who hadn't checked in yet to get you the room.

Bill

 

[Sandisw]

FYI, when you called the front desk from the room you were talking to a call center, not the front desk. When they made the 10 minute call they were talking to the room assigner in resort operations, they probably moved someone who hadn't checked in yet to get you the room.

Bill

Which is why I think that when you check in earlier, and hasn't been given a request, you have a chance of still getting it by asking in person if its still possible. The later it gets, the harder that will e as others are Already in their rooms.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Hopefully you had booked a HH room, cause if not, someone who did book HH was probably very upset.

 

[ScottJayhawk]

IMHO room requests being granted or not being granted is the definition of the word random.

Or as Forest said.... "Room requests are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

 

[OneMoreTry]

I don't know the rhyme or reason in room assignment! Examples, Kidani I never make requests, none! Standard points, 2bd, and each and every time I've stayed there, 5 times now, we've gotten a very nice view of the Pembeh Savana. I book at 6-7 months, arrive around 12-1pm! Yet I read of people often getting the parking lot view! SSR, since 2 Carousel stays, parking lot view, same room, same building without requests, we now request Congress Park, DTD view and I've gotten it 4/4 times (same villa # twice)! OKW, only request Turtle Pond, 10/10 times, GV #15, 2/3 times. BWV, 2nd floor, standard view, I've gotten front lawn, left of entrance 3/3, favorite area, close to side door to parking lot.

The only time I've asked to see if something else was available was when we had a GV, Studio and 2bd, and the studio was in tim-buck-to, but in the end I left it as it was!

What time do you usually arrive?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

What time do you usually arrive?

Always between 12-1:30pm!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Always between 12-1:30pm!

I'm gonna try that.