How do you request a room and actually get it?

[dianeschlicht]

On our past two trips (BWV and then SSR) we have put in simple requests and have gotten what we wanted. YEAH! However, this next trip we are staying at OKW the 2nd week in June as a Grand Gathering with my whole family. (We have 3 studios reserved) We have put in simple requests like close to HH and we would like to at least all be in the same building--I know we will not be next to each other since we are in studios. We are not going to be able to check in until later due to travel, and now I am worried that we are all going to end up all over the resort! Any advice or help on how to get what we want?

Requesting close to HH isn't even a possible request anymore. That is a specific booking catagory. If you really want to be near each other, I'd suggest getting a 2 bedroom lock off plus a studio. Then request that you all be in the same building. That way you should all be in the same building, but you could be on oposite ends of the building or directly above or below each other. Studios will not give you much of the real advantages of OKW, since they are on the ends of the buildings and often lack views.

 

[maraki527]

We have always gotten our requests. Now this past Nov. at SSR I requested the Springs and they gave us Congress Park when we checked in. I then asked the CM if there was anything available at the Springs and he changed it for us, but the room was not ready yet.

 

[Inkmahm]

I checked into a 2 bedroom savanna view at AKV on 3/15. My only request was Arusha savanna view as that is my favorite. Of course, we were assigned to Sunset savanna. I asked if there was Arusha available and said I didn't care if the room was available right now because we were leaving for a few hours and wouldn't be back until that evening anyway. The CM disappeared for awhile and came back to say no, that any of the other rooms available had "worse views than the one you got." I said I made this reservation day by day when I was first able to so what happened to the Arusha request? I was told the resort doesn't even SEE the request until 3 to 5 days before you arrive.

That tells me if there is something that I really really want I'll have to call the resort 3 to 5 days ahead in the future and plead with them to meet a request.

 

[Chuck S]

That tells me if there is something that I really really want I'll have to call the resort 3 to 5 days ahead in the future and plead with them to meet a request.

Given the current limited number of rooms at AKV Jambo, does it really surprise you that nothing was available on a particular savannah? Even at 3 to 5 days out, that doesn't mean the rooms aren't already occupied by guests that are not departing before your arrival day.

 

[kapeman]

This thread has some great info and thanks for that, but holy crap, just when you think you have a good handle on DVC you stumble across another subtle nuance!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

It is always a good rule of thumb to ask to see what is available. Even if rooms are generaly preassigned things happen and people do cancel so I would ask. Sometimes you get lucky and get the best possible outcome. But you never know if you don't even try.

 

[Kathi OD]

This thread has been quite the eye opener. DH and I always stay at OKW as we absolutely love it there. We always request a 1st floor room as I have a muscle condition that makes climbing stairs difficult. Whenever I call to make my ressies and tell the CM why I need a 1st floor room, they have always added, "and I'll make sure it is near a bus stop, too." When we check-in, we always have gotten that 1st floor, near the bus stop room, usually with a pretty nice view too. We generally go early Nov. (F&W, Jersey Week, Super Soap Weekend), so it's pretty busy. Oh, and we very rarely check-in before 11 PM.

 

[bub]

My observation from about 12 years of Disney trips in general (not just DVC) is that getting a room assignment can be a bit stressful. Maybe I'm crazy, but I have sometimes felt as though the CMs are aware that there are some rooms that are less desirable (due to view, location or being handicapped accessible for those who do not need those accommodations, etc.). It seems that they try and assign those rooms to you first, and then if you question or complain, you might get something better. Then, the next person who comes in is given one of those rooms, until they get someone to stay there. My red flag is usually when the CM, without being asked, says something very positive about the room: "what a great location" or "this room has a terrific view." Those have been the times when I've been disappointed.

My requests have been general in nature: non-smoking, and then perhaps upper floor (BWV) or Turtle Pond area (OKW). I don't ask for a switch unless there is a major problem, such as needing a tub for young children and being assigned a room with only a shower (handicapped accessible) or the first time we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, when we were given a room far in the corner where you needed to lean on the balcony to see the animals (we had paid for Savana View). That time, they told us that the room had a great location, very close to the lobby. That part was true, but the reason we stayed there was to see animals from our room, so we asked to be moved.

On about half of our trips, we have had some or all requests met, so I can't say this happens every time. Maybe we've all created the problem of CMs not really paying any attention, as some visitors are so specific and so disappointed if they don't get their requests met. Who knows? It just seems like something else that you need to be proactive about when you visit the World.