How is best to make Room Requests

[DisneyJColeMom]

So Im a Disney novice I guess. Ive been doing a lot of reading on this forum and searching around online for pictures of room views and recommendations. Got excited about finding Touring plans room finder but then found out its not very accurate. We’ll be staying at Polynesian Villas next year, and I happily put in a request for 1 of 3 different room numbers. Just hoping for the best of course! But now I just saw on a FB page that someone said don’t request specific room numbers? And something about DVC requests... but Im not a DVC member. I just made a regular room reservation through Disney, I booked a Deluxe studio standard view. Any advice or feedback with this?

 

[Sepo]

So for DVC, I’ve found an email through their website has always been most accurate. It’s handled by the same folks that would type in a message if you called. See if you can see a similar mechanism for your cash reservation. It’s called something like “send us a message” and will be a form that prepopulates with your reservation number.

I always write in my message something to the effect of: “I realize there are no guarantees, but could we humbly request...”

and I put the request in quotes and keep it short so that they can paste it in. If it’s too long, they will rephrase it shorter to fit their interpretation. The field they type into has a limited number of characters I recall one CM once telling me on a phone request.

Within 72 hours I get an email back confirming the request was added (with a disclaimer that nothing’s guaranteed) and I can see my original in that trail.

In a fair amount of trial and error, I’ve found this most accurate when compared to phone calls.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

So for DVC, I’ve found an email through their website has always been most accurate. It’s handled by the same folks that would type in a message if you called. See if you can see a similar mechanism for your cash reservation. It’s called something like “send us a message” and will be a form that prepopulates with your reservation number.

I always write in my message something to the effect of: “I realize there are no guarantees, but could we humbly request...”

and I put the request in quotes and keep it short so that they can paste it in. If it’s too long, they will rephrase it shorter to fit their interpretation. The field they type into has a limited number of characters I recall one CM once telling me on a phone request.

Within 72 hours I get an email back confirming the request was added (with a disclaimer that nothing’s guaranteed) and I can see my original in that trail.

In a fair amount of trial and error, I’ve found this most accurate when compared to phone calls.

So, even though I made this reservation with a Disney CM by calling 407-WDISNEY, and at the time of the reservation I had them put my request in... That’s not sufficient and I need to contact or make my room request through this DVC website you’re saying? Can you tell me what the website is?

 

[Dug720]

So, even though I made this reservation with a Disney CM by calling 407-WDISNEY, and at the time of the reservation I had them put my request in... That’s not sufficient and I need to contact or make my room request through this DVC website you’re saying? Can you tell me what the website is?

I always understood that cash-based reservations would be handled as any other WDW room request.
I thought you only went through DVC if you own or had rented points - and then the owner has to be the one to do it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can't make a request via the member website if you don't have a login as a member using points to book. For cash reservations, just add it to your reservation which you seem to have already done. I would suggest not requesting a specific room number. If that villa isn't available, the room assigned won't know what you want. Just add a general description of the view, the building, the floor, etc. Once you add a request, don't make any request via the online check in. Just leave that blank because it will override your added request. DVC resorts don't usually accept any faxed requests. They just toss them.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

You can't make a request via the member website if you don't have a login as a member using points to book. For cash reservations, just add it to your reservation which you seem to have already done. I would suggest not requesting a specific room number. If that villa isn't available, the room assigned won't know what you want. Just add a general description of the view, the building, the floor, etc. Once you add a request, don't make any request via the online check in. Just leave that blank because it will override your added request. DVC resorts don't usually accept any faxed requests. They just toss them.

What if what most concerns me is best possible castle/fireworks view? Should i put that first and then a couple room numbers I would prefer? Does it matter what order you put it? At this moment my request is 3 specific room numbers, then the building # & 3rd floor. I know there are limited characters. Should i somehow try to put in there that what I want is best castle/fireworks view? How many characters are allowed?

 

[shoegal9]

What if what most concerns me is best possible castle/fireworks view? Should i put that first and then a couple room numbers I would prefer? Does it matter what order you put it? At this moment my request is 3 specific room numbers, then the building # & 3rd floor. I know there are limited characters. Should i somehow try to put in there that what I want is best castle/fireworks view? How many characters are allowed?

At the Polynesian I always request a specific building, floor, and location. For the Poly I always ask for "An upper floor in the Tokelau building, preferably overlooking the Oasis pool, and at the end of the building closest to the lagoon." I get what I ask for every time at the Poly. I am assuming this is more reasonable than a specific room number, but if they look at the room numbers you are requesting they can likely find something in that general vicinity. I, of course, am very polite in my request and reiterate that I understand that nothing is ever guaranteed.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What if what most concerns me is best possible castle/fireworks view? Should i put that first and then a couple room numbers I would prefer? Does it matter what order you put it? At this moment my request is 3 specific room numbers, then the building # & 3rd floor. I know there are limited characters. Should i somehow try to put in there that what I want is best castle/fireworks view? How many characters are allowed?

You don't enter anything. You call and make a request with Disney Reservation Center. Forget about specific room numbers. Go with Bldg, top floor, castle view (but that would be the preferred view, not a standard view and you booked standard). Maybe try Tokelau, top floor, North end. If you just go with top floor, north end, you might get Pago Pago and you won't have any kind of castle view there since it behind Moorea.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

At the Polynesian I always request a specific building, floor, and location. For the Poly I always ask for "An upper floor in the Tokelau building, preferably overlooking the Oasis pool, and at the end of the building closest to the lagoon." I get what I ask for every time at the Poly. I am assuming this is more reasonable than a specific room number, but if they look at the room numbers you are requesting they can likely find something in that general vicinity. I, of course, am very polite in my request and reiterate that I understand that nothing is ever guaranteed.

Where are you submitting this request? I am not a DVC member. I made my original request through the Disney cast member that made my reservation by calling 407-WDISNEY. It seemed that person was only allowed very limited characters. Do we know that number of characters? Not sure where Im supposed to compose the polite email you guys are recommending if I just booked through regular Disney, not DVC?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Where are you submitting this request? I am not a DVC member. I made my original request through the Disney cast member that made my reservation by calling 407-WDISNEY. It seemed that person was only allowed very limited characters. Do we know that number of characters? Not sure where Im supposed to compose the polite email you guys are recommending if I just booked through regular Disney, not DVC?

You call Disney Reservation Center, just like you already did. You cannot call or email DVC. Just call DRC like you did originally and modify your reservation like I suggested. Tokelau, top floor, North end

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

You don't enter anything. You call and make a request with Disney Reservation Center. Forget about specific room numbers. Go with Bldg, top floor, castle view (but that would be the preferred view, not a standard view and you booked standard). Maybe try Tokelau, top floor, North end. If you just go with top floor, north end, you might get Pago Pago and you won't have any kind of castle view there since it behind Moorea.

Thanks for this! So Im just thinking out loud here... I thought to myself, the 3 rooms I requested are all top floor Tokelau that i could see online had some type of castle view. They wouldn’t just put that together that that is what im trying for? And give me something closest to that? I know my room is standard view, i would book lake view but they are not available for my dates. But it seems there a few choice “Standard view” rooms that do have castle views from what Ive researched online. Of course these seem more partial views than lake view. But im looking for “best possible”.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

You call Disney Reservation Center, just like you already did. You cannot call or email DVC. Just call DRC like you did originally and modify your reservation like I suggested. Tokelau, top floor, North end

Thanks!! North end, not North/West?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you make it too specific, you don't get anything. Tokelau, top floor, north end.

 

[dansdad]

They wouldn’t just put that together that that is what im trying for? And give me something closest to that?

No. They won't know it's the view you're looking for. Could be sentimental reasons or location and put you across the hall from those rooms. Or just think " well can't meet that request and give you whatever in your category.

That's why it's always best to describe what you're looking for. It opens up many more rooms to possibly get.

 

[shoegal9]

Where are you submitting this request? I am not a DVC member. I made my original request through the Disney cast member that made my reservation by calling 407-WDISNEY. It seemed that person was only allowed very limited characters. Do we know that number of characters? Not sure where Im supposed to compose the polite email you guys are recommending if I just booked through regular Disney, not DVC?

I send mine via fax for the Polynesian. Sometimes I do use DVC member services but not always. https://www.thefrugalsouth.com/the-best-way-to-make-a-room-request-at-disney-world-free-printable/

 

[MomOTwins]

Should i somehow try to put in there that what I want is best castle/fireworks view?

Not sure when you trip is, but since you say you are new, want to make sure you aware that fireworks are not currently happening and no date has been announced for their return.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Not sure when you trip is, but since you say you are new, want to make sure you aware that fireworks are not currently happening and no date has been announced for their return.

Yes thanks so much! Im aware! Im doing all this with the hopes they are back on. If it came closer to my trip time, and fireworks & character interactions are still cancelled, I would probably move my trip out until they are back!

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

If you make it too specific, you don't get anything. Tokelau, top floor, north end.

Ok I called & got really friendly, happy cast member! He put the request in for me like this! Said he sprinkled Pixie dust on my reservation bc it was postponed from my son’s actual birthday (Im unsure what he meant by that but sounds nice lol). He seemed to reiterate the advice you guys gave me on here! So fingers crossed and thanks everyone! He put Tokelau, north end, high floor.

 

[Kae]

like others have said don't be too specific and make sure your booked the view or category that will make you happy. Touringplans com has a great room view finder.

 

[Dug720]

Ok I called & got really friendly, happy cast member! He put the request in for me like this! Said he sprinkled Pixie dust on my reservation bc it was postponed from my son’s actual birthday (Im unsure what he meant by that but sounds nice lol). He seemed to reiterate the advice you guys gave me on here! So fingers crossed and thanks everyone! He put Tokelau, north end, high floor.

Fingers crossed for you, BUT remember that pretty much everyone is celebrating something - delayed or not - and many of the CMs will say they "sprinkled pixie dust". He may have been able to do something, BUT don't be disappointed if there's nothing over-the-top special.