If you do not get your room request...

[laura001]

Is it worth pressing the issue? I read a few threads where people are not getting what they requested on their reservation at check-in. I realize requests are not guaranteed, but I usually know what building I want to stay in. It does make our stay more enjoyable.

Your requests are not guaranteed. I have requested something of sorts everytime we stay there and have yet to have a request met. Yet for some people, it works out everytime. I don't worry about it, I just figure that it would be icing on the cake if we got it. Perhaps someday

 

[argue]

I hope I get somewhat what I requested, I leave tomorrow!

 

[DisneyNotes]

I hope I get somewhat what I requested, I leave tomorrow!

How exciting! Get plenty of rest tonight. Enjoy the trip.

 

[Jenniww]

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

THANK YOU!
That is a great resource, I will be faxing instead of calling. Now this is the dis boards I know and love. Full of useful info and helpful people.

 

[BamaFan121s]

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?

Wouldn't that be considered as 'serving our needs?' I'm sure this is a common occurance that they factor in as 'part of their job.'

 

[drmlmeadows]

In my mind they are working to meet our needs by providing the opportunity to make requests. There is a mechanism in place for those requests. If so many of us spend the time reiterating those requests they are going above and beyond the policy in place and it takes extra time for each one of us - time that could be spent on the requests made in the first place.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I guess that's one way of looking at it.

 

[debster812]

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

Wow.

I have neither CM friends who get me 50% discounts, nor do I stay in suites every trip. And believe me, I most assuredly have budget concerns.

That being said, "book what you can afford" has ALWAYS been my mantra. The last 6 trips to WDW we have stayed at:

Offsite 2 bedroom condo with my parents
Port Orleans-Riverside
Ft Wilderness Cabins
All Star Music
Pop Century
Caribbean Beach Resort

I've generally noted my requests at the time of the reservation with CRO. I've actually faxed a couple of times, and not bothered other times.

Of course, we are generally there in early February, when the crowds are not TOO bad, and usually get a room that is more than acceptable to us.

OP--making your request via fax certainly can't hurt, but a phone call generally will probably not accomplish much.

 

[safetymom]

Seems to me a need and a request are two different things.

It seems that making a request is fine, but just don't assume that you will get it. I would just approach the counter with a smile on my face and ask the room location. Then mention you might like to be in ......

I might be missing something but does not getting your request really put a damper on your vacation?

 

[Cool-Beans]

Is it worth pressing the issue?

No. You might get it, you might not. Remember, it is a request. You are asking them to go above and beyond for you. They may be able to do it, they may not. Ask again at check-in if that room/area/building is available, but if it isn't, it isn't.

If they could guarantee it, they would...and they'd charge for it. Since they can't, I don't see the purpose in getting angry or "pressing the issue."

Since you've asked our opinion, I'll give you mine: If you don't get what you paid for, by all means, give them a call. But if you DO get what you paid for, try to be happy with it. No foot stomping, no whining, no nothing.

 

[Jenniww]

Seems to me a need and a request are two different things.

It seems that making a request is fine, but just don't assume that you will get it. I would just approach the counter with a smile on my face and ask the room location. Then mention you might like to be in ......

I might be missing something but does not getting your request really put a damper on your vacation?

I agree a need and a request are two total different things. My mother needs a ground floor room, she can't do stairs in an emergency.

I booked last year threw AAA my travel agent told me I would have no problem getting my request- she was wrong. Which is fine we are all human. I just booked again with her

I can't say by any means it ruined our trip, we loved it we are going back. BUT my son was then six and he is developmentally delayed so everyday when we went back to our rooms we were trying to get him to understand why we were not in Andy's room.
I didn't find these boards but two weeks before leaving and was total unaware that there was a chance that we would not get our room request.

Thanks to these wonderful boards and the helpful people I am going back better prepared!

 

[BamaFan121s]

Whether or not it's worth 'pressing the issue' depends on the individual, and the issue. I certainly do understand the difference between 'wants' and 'needs.' My outlook is that I'm not going to pay for something or stay somewhere if it isn't what my family wants--guaranteed or not. No getting angry or whining or foot stomping here. Either they can accomodate my request or they can't--either I'll stay at the resort or I won't. It's that simple. Naturally, are some things my family views as more important that other families do. If our efforts were in vain, so be it. I don't blame a CM/resort if a requests can't be fufilled--if we think it's going to put a damper on our vacation, we decide if we want to just deal with it, or stay somewhere else.

 

[Minnie]

Wow.

I have neither CM friends who get me 50% discounts, nor do I stay in suites every trip. And believe me, I most assuredly have budget concerns.

That being said, "book what you can afford" has ALWAYS been my mantra. a room that is more than acceptable to us.

You obviously weren't one of the ones I was refering to. There are those on this board that stay conceirge (sp) or in suites and then come on here and complain about others. Now personally if they can afford to stay in a suite at the GF (we could but it would make this accounts head hurt or get an awesome CM discount) and enjoy it great for them!! I love to read the reports and some are just so nice about it. But those that complain about those that have to budget and count on discounts to stay in the nicer resorts and trot out the old "book what you can afford" make me boil. Just my opinion your mileage may very.

But if you DO get what you paid for, try to be happy with it. No foot stomping, no whining, no nothing.

Personally, I see a major difference between asking the CM to see what they can do and being rude about it. We've normally had the best luck by just being happy to be there and asking to be moved if we need to be. No sense being unhappy if you can help it.

I might be missing something but does not getting your request really put a damper on your vacation?

For us it could. We book a particular level for a reason and expect to receive it. It all depends on the reason. Now if you book a standard and expect a suite or a courtyard view that's another story Of course with the awful AP rates and the increase next year we may just stay off site again.

 

[minnie61650]

I put in my request that I would like the first floor since I use a mobility scooter when I book my room. Then when I check in I remind the CM at the front desk that I would a first floor room. Last year I was placed on the third floor .
Not a big deal just took a longer to back into the elevator.

 

[Minnie]

I put in my request that I would like the first floor since I use a mobility scooter when I book my room. Then when I check in I remind the CM at the front desk that I would a first floor room. Last year I was placed on the third floor .
Not a big deal just took a longer to back into the elevator.

Linda - Check out the disability board. I think you can book through a WDW disability line and they should be able to guarantee the room you need.

 

[minnie61650]

Linda - Check out the disability board. I think you can book through a WDW disability line and they should be able to guarantee the room you need.

Thanks Minnie.


My ressies were booked throgh special sevices and I did get a HA room.
That handicapped accessible room just hapened to be on the third floor.
Since the resort had an elevator the room was still concidered accessible.

Have fun at Disney!

 

[Dicecatt]

Here are my experiences, with requests and how they were made. I admit, I've been lucky, though.

POR...booked standard. Requested Building 14, via fax. Got it. September.

Poly...booked Garden View. Requested Samoa facing Volcano Pool when I reserved. Also faxed a few days before. Check in..upgraded without asking. September.

POFQ...booked standard. Can't remember what I requested but I did it on the phone when I booked. Tried for a couple of weeks to upgrade to water. When I checked in, I inquired about upgrading (paying) and they just gave it to me. I don't know if my original request was granted, I didn't ask, I really wanted to get the water view I had been trying for. January.

Pop...booked standard, through Travelocity, so I couldn't note my request, I had to wait until 5 days before arrival. Day 4 I faxed. Requested 70's, when I checked in I asked if my request had been received, CM verified that it had and I got what I asked for. May.

WL...booked courtyard for only one night, through Travelocity. Called the hotel directly 4 days before arrival to request direct lake view, upper floor. When I checked in, I asked if my requests had been received. CM said yes, and not only were they fulfilled, you are in concierge. May.

AKL...booked Savannah, faxed request for Zebra Trail, 3 or 4 floor. I inquired on check in if request was received. She said yes, but "not guaranteed" and I said of course, I know you do your best! She seemed appreciative and told me she could give me what I asked for, but construction would bother me, I told her I trusted her and she found me a great spot, ready right away at 10 AM! May.



I know I've had remarkable luck. Part of it I believe is the times of year that I go. Part of it is being polite and letting them know off the bat that I don't expect anything, that I know they do their best and I'm just happy to be at Disney! Did I enjoy my granted requests? Of course. But had they not been fulfilled, it would have been fine with me, I wouldn't have pressed it unless I ended up with a truly wretched room.

In my experience, faxes probably aren't necessary unless it is in the case of booking through Travelocity or another service. If you book through Disney, just put it on your reservation and ask if your requests were received when you check in. Whether I requested on my reservation by phone, or by fax, Disney got it.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Poly...booked Garden View. Requested Samoa facing Volcano Pool when I reserved. Also faxed a few days before. Check in..upgraded without asking. September.

.

Samoa facing the pool isn't an upgrade- it's garden view.

I've always had good luck at the Polynesian, too. I usually say at check in "we just love the Fiji longhouse"- most of the time the CM turns the computer around and lets me pick a room.

 

[EnnEss]

Whether or not it's worth 'pressing the issue' depends on the individual, and the issue. I certainly do understand the difference between 'wants' and 'needs.' My outlook is that I'm not going to pay for something or stay somewhere if it isn't what my family wants--guaranteed or not. No getting angry or whining or foot stomping here. Either they can accomodate my request or they can't--either I'll stay at the resort or I won't. It's that simple. Naturally, are some things my family views as more important that other families do. If our efforts were in vain, so be it. I don't blame a CM/resort if a requests can't be fufilled--if we think it's going to put a damper on our vacation, we decide if we want to just deal with it, or stay somewhere else.

Lots of times requests aren't filled, LOTS. So out of curiousity, have you walked away from a Disney resort upon not having a request met? By efforts, do you mean making the request, then seeing what happens?

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We made a requrest for a specific building during our stay at Old Key West. Upon check in, we were not assigned to that building, but we inquired if that building was available - it was and they changed our assignment.