How do you pick your stateroom?

[dragynally]

Do you hand pick your stateroom or put yourself at the mercy of the luck of the DCL draw (after you choose category)? I've done both. My first cruise my group chose the category but Disney picked the room. My second cruise was VGT and I had to take what I got. My upcoming cruise on the Magic I handpicked room 6134 (secret verandah!).

I don't really have a preference but I know when picking rooms people can care about location aft or forward or mid, if it connects to another room, or if it's near the elevators.

I'm just curious to see what others do. Thank you!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I always pick them /request them myself. I go on DCLs website to see what's available and ask my TA or i grab them myself. On two cruises in different years on the Magic, we requested the same room. We're too picky about our accommodations right now w/5 of us either in the same rooms or adjoining rooms. I have made mistakes that thankfully with a good TA and my own understanding of the room categories, it's always worked out. We prefer to be on higher decks. With our room preferences it always seems to work out. But that's not to say we wouldn't change our mind for a great deal. We've been creative and flexible with adjoining rooms on our 3 upcoming cruises. .. we'll see how it works out!

ETA : We like the higher decks bc we like to be able to walk up to the pool decks/ buffets quickly. We also like to be quite forward bc it seems less crowded. We will have/had two aft rooms as well. But I think we wouldn't prefer midship bc of the crowded feeling.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

I pick midship due to seasickness problems. I have never picked a gty room.

 

[Dug720]

The more forward the better! I love the motion (if I didn't or it made me sick, I'd do land-based vacations rather than making myself miserable)!! After flipping around in cabins for my 2015 Fantasy cruise to the point that my desired category (8B - well the Cat 8s) was in GTY status and getting stuck with a stupid 4E on Deck 5 that was midship (WAY too low, plus the kids running to the Clubs...UGH!!!) I said "Never again" to GTY or *GT.

If I'm on Dream Class, it's 8B (preferable 9000 or 9500), but if I have to 8C.

I've only been on one Classic ship cruise, and I liked Deck 2, so I've booked a 9C (Deck 2 but more forward).

 

[CamColt]

I like to pick the room. If we are doing a verandah on the newer ships we like cat 7A and I have found 1 we really like and 1 we didn't care for, so now I try for the one we like. I actually have that this summer on the Fantasy and for B2Bs on the Dream next year. Otherwise we look at what category we are doing for that trip, what rooms are available and go from there. My preference would be whatever is least forward of aft for less walking.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

We've always chosen midship, and must have a verandah to me there's no point in cruising if I can't have my own personal view of the ocean. We spend 50% of our awake time watching the waves. I would consider booking a VGT but it's never worked out cheaper our upcoming cruise is nearly 1000$ more then we paid and I picked my room. This trip we had to go with Afr to me an extra 500$ for midship was not worth it. Hopefully no motion sickness

 

[CamperMomma]

We chose our room for the first cruise (6670 on the Dream - Deluxe Family oceanview) and also chose for our 2nd coming up next year (9174 - aft extended veranda). I like choosing where we will be. I've heard to steer clear of 10, due to noise above from the pool deck/cabanas, and we wanted to try out specific room types. Location on the ship (aft, mid, forward) isn't as large of an impact to us, I just happened to pick both aft. Our 2018 trip in 9174 is a room on the back of the ship, REALLY excited for that view!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I always pick my own stateroom. We have a favorite category and I always try to get a room in that category. I also tell DCL to note on my reservation not to move or upgrade me.

 

[dragynally]

I always pick my own stateroom. We have a favorite category and I always try to get a room in that category. I also tell DCL to note on my reservation not to move or upgrade me.

Interesting! So many people are hung up on upgrades. Kind of cool to see someone say "no thank you".

 

[mischief32]

We actually like the bigger rooms. Our first cruise(last year) was a corner room 9C(I think) 8504 on the Dram. We loved the room but thought there was a lot of movement and the noise when backing into port was very loud. We choose 5520 this time for the large room and double port holes with seats. I hope we like it. It is also forward but a bit farther back. WE did get a bit seasick and noticed more on the lower decks. The first night was Royal Palace and I did not make thru dinner. Back to room and Dramamine and bed. My husband finished dinner, daughter went to kids club and I passed out. My husband commented I looked green. I feared we would never cruise again but we were all okay until the last night. I think the speed of the ship was what bothered us the most not the waves(there were not any).

 

[Quellman]

We try to base our location on things we plan on doing or using the most. It sometimes varies by cruise.

Magic - We chose aft port side on deck 5. We were in close proximity to the secret deck 7 and Cabanas.
Fantasy - We did a VGT and were considered rear mid ship starboard on deck 9. It was ok, the long hallways were not for us and I considered it too noisy in the hallways.
Dream - We chose 5e Deck 8 both times. Close proximity to kids spaces, dining, and adult evening entertainment.
Fantasy - Deck 6 forward starboard. This was chosen due to proximity to areas of interest with a mobility challenged adult. Close proximity to the stage shows, movie theater, adult deck areas, and midship enough for 2 restaurants.

 

[diznymom]

I usually tell my TA which type of stateroom I want (deluxe family w/ verandah, etc) and she books the room. For this upcoming trip, we requested a specific room in concierge.

 

[MaryGingerAnn]

At first, we didn't have any real preference other than being on the boat.

After a couple sailings and learning how we spend our time on board, we've determined that Deck 7 aft is the place for us. Easy walk upstairs to the drink station for fresh cups of tea, near the way back staircase that is far less traveled, away from any theatre/club/restaurant noise.

And I always check for reviews/youtube videos before I commit to a final destination. I like to go into any situation as informed as I can.

 

[Madame]

For us we want the most economical available. As a family of 5 that's a bit limiting.

On the classics it's 2 adjoining 11Cs. On the Dream class it's an 8D family oceanview. Both are fairly limited in number (especially the 8Ds).

 

[darnheather]

First cruise I let Disney pick. I was very happy with the result. This upcoming cruise the TA found a secret porthole room and I'm very excited about it. I like the idea of being on Deck 5 so I can really walk everywhere.

 

[dcassetta]

My favorite cabins on the classics are the secret verandas on deck seven, with a preference for portside. I haven't sailed in an ocean view or inside on the classic chips. I've also never done a GT or GTY on the classics. With the Dream class, I have sailed in insides, oceanviews, and verandas. I really enjoy the magical porthole, so the last two trips I've actually been in a GT which I thought was a good rate. Both times assigned an 11 A on deck nine. Enjoyed both of the rooms very much.

 

[Lisa F]

i get a kick out of getting a "special" cabin, the ones where you get a good deal. I have a 7a booked and it is one of the ones with the least obstructed normal sized verandah. I was VERY tempted by those oversized porthole ones too though (dream class).

 

[Cackyschmackers]

i get a kick out of getting a "special" cabin, the ones where you get a good deal. I have a 7a booked and it is one of the ones with the least obstructed normal sized verandah. I was VERY tempted by those oversized porthole ones too though (dream class).

Same! We have a 7A booked on an upcoming cruise (Dream class). Same sized verandah as we're used to, little bit of obstruction for a lot less $$$$!

 

[mathgeek]

I always pick my own stateroom. We have a favorite category and I always try to get a room in that category. I also tell DCL to note on my reservation not to move or upgrade me.

I guess I should do this too. I would be most upset if my room got changed unless it were out of service for some reason.

 

[Lisa F]

Same! We have a 7A booked on an upcoming cruise (Dream class). Same sized verandah as we're used to, little bit of obstruction for a lot less $$$$!

I booked 8520, which mousesavers has listed as a 20% obstruction. My parents are coming and I booked them in the full priced verandah next door, lol (hey they can pay a little more) so the connector is a benefit and we'll open up ht epartition between the verandahs. But even if they weren't coming, that is hardly an obstruction... I'm find with it for the savings. it wasn't a huge difference but more than enough to pay gratuities and rainforest pass and a few grownup beverages.