If you do not get your room request...

[Jenniww]

Maybe I am wrong I can admit that. Maybe I would be wasting my time. But would it really hurt to call a week or a few days before arriving? Has anyone ever tried it? Whats the worst that could happen? They laugh and say we can't help you or its only a request. I would say thank you and hang up. I don't care what they think of me when they hang up. I will know I tried.

 

[TDC Nala]

Maybe I am wrong I can admit that. Maybe I would be wasting my time. But would it really hurt to call a week or a few days before arriving? Has anyone ever tried it? Whats the worst that could happen? They laugh and say we can't help you or its only a request. I would say thank you and hang up. I don't care what they think of me when they hang up. I will know I tried.

Please don't expect it to help. If they have availability they will probably do their best to get you the request. But they might not have the availability.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Thank you.. I do plan on letting them know we are more then happy to wait if they can accommodate me later in the day. If they can't accommodate then they can't I still loved our last trip and I'm share I will love this one.

I look at it as even the worst room is better than being at home! I think that letting htem know you're willing to wait is a good way to go.

 

[Jenniww]

Please don't expect it to help. If they have availability they will probably do their best to get you the request. But they might not have the availability.

I haven't even brought up the whole buzz tower or Andy's room topic to my son. Trust me learned my lesson last year. I plan on telling a little white lie that the rooms were all taken again, and if it works out in my favor it will be a wonderful surprise Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

I haven't even brought up the whole buzz tower or Andy's room topic to my son. Trust me learned my lesson last year. I plan on telling a little white lie that the rooms were all taken again, and if it works out in my favor it will be a wonderful surprise Thanks!

Hope he gets his Buzz.

Can you check in early? That might help if you plan to wait for a room.

 

[Jenniww]

We land at MCO at 12:45 in the afternoon and are taking Mickey's Magical express to the resort. Would that be early in your OP cuz I'm really not sure?

 

[BamaFan121s]

A few years back WDW resorts used to allow guests to fax requests to the room assigner a few days prior to checkin. They were inundated with faxed requests and stopped that practice. Now, you put in your request with CRO or WDTC when you make your reservation and it doesn't even go into the resort's computers until it's assigned.

Funny you should mention that. I have read that same thing on these boards several times. Odd thing is, we STILL fax our request(s) in to the resort 4 days prior. Since I've read those claims, I've asked them at check in and each time, they assured they DID get the fax. Does it mean they actually care? Who knows? I do know that they've always been able to accomodate us with our room requests EVERY time and so far as I know, we have not been labled as 'problem guests.'

So again, what's it going to hurt? Not a thing, if you ask me.

 

[TDC Nala]

Funny you should mention that. I have read that same thing on these boards several times. Odd thing is, we STILL fax our request(s) in to the resort 4 days prior. Since I've read those claims, I've asked them at check in and each time, they assured they DID get the fax. Does it mean they actually care? Who knows? I do know that they've always been able to accomodate us with our room requests EVERY time and so far as I know, we have not been labled as 'problem guests.'

So again, what's it going to hurt? Not a thing, if you ask me.

Hm, thought I read over on allears that faxes were not going to be accepted anymore.

 

[TDC Nala]

Okay here it is. Wilderness Lodge and DVC are not accepting fax requests.

Jenniww... take a look at this link, maybe you can try a fax.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/cro1.htm

 

[DisneyNotes]

Hm, thought I read over on allears that faxes were not going to be accepted anymore.

I believe that I read that somewhere, too. Even when they were accepted, I always preferred to put it on my reservation from the beginning.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Hm, thought I read over on allears that faxes were not going to be accepted anymore.

Yeah, I read that too...but they always assure me they got it. (I also always have any requests noted ahead of time as well.) Now they may get it, blow their nose on it, note on my ressie 'this idiot sent a fax' and trash it for all I know.... I have yet to be kicked out for sending one, soo.....I may be the only human left doing it, but I don't lose sleep over it.
I wish for anything you could pay extra for ALL requests like you can with preferred location rooms. <sigh> Only in a perfect world...

 

[TDC Nala]

Yeah, I read that too...but they always assure me they got it. (I also always have any requests noted ahead of time as well.) Now they may get it, blow their nose on it, note on my ressie 'this idiot sent a fax' and trash it for all I know.... I have yet to be kicked out for sending one, soo.....I may be the only human left doing it, but I don't lose sleep over it.
I wish for anything you could pay extra for ALL requests like you can with preferred location rooms. <sigh> Only in a perfect world...

Well... then everybody would be mad because they'd be out money since someone was already in the rooms they wanted... whatcha gonna do.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Well... then everybody would be mad because they'd be out money since someone was already in the rooms they wanted... whatcha gonna do.

They already do it with preferred locations where they have them? They can tell you ahead of time if what you are asking for has already been booked. I'd rather know ahead of time if I couldn't get my request vs wait until I get there and have to try to figure out what to do on the spot.
But I don't have any major complaints about the rooms we've gotten <knock on wood> so it makes no difference to me.

 

[TDC Nala]

They already do it with preferred locations where they have them? They can tell you ahead of time if what you are asking for has already been booked. I'd rather know ahead of time if I couldn't get my request vs wait until I get there and have to try to figure out what to do on the spot.
But I don't have any major complaints about the rooms we've gotten <knock on wood> so it makes no difference to me.

sure, but they can't get too specific with the requests, then they'd spend all their time blocking out rooms ahead of time and then people will cancel or just not show up, and it'll have to be redone. I think they do it the best way they can.

I hope jenni tries the fax... I'm DVC and I thought they meant everybody didn't take them anymore.

 

[Minnie]

OP - First, please don't be sorry for asking the question. For some reason the old "book what you want/afford" gets trotted out by those that either have CM friends and get 50% discounts or stay in a suite every trip and don't have budget concerns. Must be nice

Anyways.... to answer your question. We've only had one trip where we had a problem.

At the BC in July 2006 I had put... day bed, full balcony, upper floor on our reservation for requests. We got.... none of the above

Now the main reason for paying the price for the BC was to have the daybed. My DS kicks like a mule so none of us want to sleep with him. And the daybed works out wonderfully. And the full balcony we use as a 2nd room area for my mom early in the morning as she gets up way earlier than us.

Though the CM wasn't able to move us the first night. She did provide us with a daybed and gave us an outstanding room the next day.

Day bed, full balcony, upper floor, Epcot view (perfect view of fireworks).

So it pays to put your requests down in order (the fewer the better) - next time I'd just put down the first two, try to check in early, be very nice yet persistent with the CM, and be willing to move the next day.

Oh and if they can't accomodate you ask if they will move you to an alternative resort if that is your choice.

Have an awesome trip!!!!!!!!

 

[BamaFan121s]

sure, but they can't get too specific with the requests, then they'd spend all their time blocking out rooms ahead of time and then people will cancel or just not show up, and it'll have to be redone. I think they do it the best way they can.

I hope jenni tries the fax... I'm DVC and I thought they meant everybody didn't take them anymore.

Well, you already here about people complaining because the 'view' they wanted isn't available, or the preferred locations are booked. Seems like in some resorts your concerns are already happening.
I agree with you though, I think they do the best they can as it is.
My whole point is, it's never going to hurt to try what you can and ask *politely*--you never know. In a perfect world we'd all be able to get the exact room we want, but we all know that isn't the case.
As far as faxes, some say one thing, some say another. What's it going to hurt to try? Either they'll take it into consideration or they'll throw it away...no harm done. I don't think they ever kicked anyone out for sending one.

 

[kileybeth]

don't you all think that some times, maybe even most times it all depends on what capacity the resort is booked to for one, time of check in certainly helps I think for two, but most importantly?? I would say it has to do with the CM you get when checking in??

I only have one on site stay to reference (Jan 2008) but it was a doozy!

Messy loooooong travel day and bad directions (finally got decent directions from a local at a mini mart after 9pm) and arrived close to 10pm at Vero Beach with no dinner in our bellys.

Only 2 CM's at the check in desk (chatting away I might add and ignored us for a full 5 minutes!!!). told us basically nothing about resort although I tried to be pleasant and chat with them (weather, how was your day stuff) I did add we were bushed and hoped to take a quick dip in the pool and turn in after we grabbed a bite to eat. At this point, they looked up at us and said, sorry (with no genuine emotional at all that I could detect) restaurant is closed, pool is closed for refurbishment and I could pay for chairs on the beach tomorrow and sit by it!

I turned to my DH and nearly had a melt down (quietly I promise! mostlywith my eyes!) He then stepped up and said, look we received no notification of a pool closing, this is our first ever on site Disney stay and I am working the next three days. My wife and I have 6 children at home, this was to be a nice quiet relaxing time for her to sit by the pool and read uninterrupted. Can you please help us out here? Those are almost verbatim words from him. They said, we're sorry and handed us a room key and inadequate directions to our room!! DH talked me into just going up to see the room, promising to drive me back out (for those of you who have not been to Vero, yes it is back out!) for something to eat, and changing resorts next day if this didn't work out. We go to the room (finally found it) and it was the smallest corner room (studio) I have ever seen in my life. With no view (they told us it had a view) except the nice stained concrete wall. . .

My DH took one look, after trying to turn lights on that did not work (bulbs burned out) and got mad, very very mad. Not to worry I had reigned him in before we hit the lobby!

Back down to check in and two different guys were there. Night and day is all I can say. Apoligized for last two CM's, helped us for 45 minutes to get someone on the phone in Orlando who could help us out. Asked us if we wanted a free upgrade on site for night and move next day or drive that night back to Orlando, offered us snacks and drinks, and more.

We drove back to Orlando wondering what the heck a Saratoga Springs DVC was anyway and at 1:30am fell promptly in love with the place and collapesed into a heavenly bed. Manager called several times until he reached us personally to apoligize for mix up, and assure us we would be getting the low rate we booked with at Vero. <huge sigh>

And that's the magic I'm holding onto for our upcoming trips. If I get a bum CM, I will get out of line and come back and wait for a nicer one to help me!!

 

[DiszyDeanette]

Please don't expect it to help. If they have availability they will probably do their best to get you the request. But they might not have the availability.

But hey, while a request IS just a request, the worst they can say is no, right? And if you don't ask, they can't know what you want.

 

[DisneyNotes]

But hey, while a request IS just a request, the worst they can say is no, right? And if you don't ask, they can't know what you want.

Well stated.

 

[drmlmeadows]

But....... if we all ask - more than once - aren't the CM's spending more time taking request calls/faxes and less time trying to serve our needs?

If there is a system for requests why should you go outside of the system and take someone's time to call again or send a fax that has to be read and acted upon? At my job "I know the REAL procedure, but it can't hurt to ask - I will shoot her a quick email" results in about 150 emails a day and several hours of time I am not able to attend to business. It seems Disney Resorts would be similar (or maybe I am grouchy about answering emails ).


Michelle