Just back from the Polynesian

[robinb]

Originally posted by dmfuru
A request is a request. Nothing more.

True, but Zulaya was told that her request was not as high of a priority as someone else's request. My guess is that the cruise line blocks those rooms for their guests so they can all be together. That does not bode well for staying in that longhouse (which is my first choice) and I will make sure that I have a secondary longhouse choice when I fax my request in a few days.

 

[dmfuru]

How Disney chooses to honor room requests is their business.

For all I know, they go through them alphabetically, or by length of stay, or price paid, or whatever. As long as they don't disciminate by race, religion, color (you know, all the usual stuff) then I have no problem with how they do things.

As long as Disney resorts accept room requests there are going to be happy guests and disappointed guests. And as long as there are disappointed guests who post to the DIS, we will read more of these posts.




*edited for lousy spelling*

 

[srsmom]

Daisymeo,
Thanks for your input, the Tokelau is high on my list, but I'll just wait and see if I can get my request. Is it better to stay near the GCH or TTL for transportation. I am just worried about having to walk around w/3 small children going from pool, food, monorail-buses, entertainment, etc. especially if it is as cold at night as last january. At the AKL everything is in the hotel except the pool of course but you don't have to walk far to get into the building to warm up from swimming (50 degrees). Any more suggestions that could be useful?

 

[freediverdude]

Lisa3,
I'm sorry that they wouldn't let you stay another night, but from what I've heard (and I experienced this same problem at the All-Star Sports, and was told all 3 all-stars were booked, plus a lot of the other resorts as well, which was hard to believe for a fall date that didn't have any events going on that day), Disney blocks certain numbers of rooms for certain lengths of stay. Like, for example, if you'd said you wanted to stay 2 or 3 nights longer, the response might have been different, because of the way their computer reservation system works. One way to get around this seems to be to call up CRO from your room, and request a longer length of stay than what you really want (like if you want to stay 1 more night, request 3 or 4 nights more). Then if they say it's available, make the reservation. Then call back later and cancel the days you don't need. I know, it seems like you're lying to Disney, but in a way, they're lying to you, because in most cases, there really are some empty rooms for that night, but they're just saving them for longer length of stay guests. Also, if you deal with CRO instead of the front desk, they'll be able to give you the AP rate or Disney Club rate (if available), since technically you'd be making a reservation "prior to arrival" which is what those rates require.

 

[Lisa3]

Thanks for the tip Freediverdude. I never thought of calling CRO - I should have known better. I guess I had just read about all the wonderful service of staying at a "Deluxe" and would have liked a little more help even by the way of them checking other resorts or even giving me the information to do so.

Please don't get me wrong. We had a wondeful stay and I would definately stay at the Poly again if we are able (that AP rate was goooood!). Everyone was very friendly and my kids enjoyed saying "Aloha" to everyone who passed by.

While we didn't have any "towel" animals (please don't take this the wrong way, I know this is just an extra talent some of the staff have), we were surprised by Arielle's name being written so that when the bathroom steamed up you could read it on the mirror.

I don't think most of the adults complain about not having anything special from Mousekeeping but the kids look forward to this on their trip (yes, even though you tell them not to expect it). Last time we stayed at Dixie Landings and the kid's animals were alway put back in a way that was very simple but always amusing - one day they all had a towel wrapped around them simulating Kali River Rapids. They were disappointed to find them in a heap on the chair one day on this visit. It is hard to explain why their things aren't where they should be to a tired 6 year old.

 

[antkim]

I just had to tell my story about check-in at the Poly.I had my request faxed over from AKL.I requested Tokelau 3rd floor.When I arrived the CM said there was nothing about my request on file.I asked him for Tokelau and he said it was all booked(this was last week 7th-15th).So he put us in Rapa Nui.We were a little disappointed so he said if we were not happy they would change it.We decided we would rather wait for another room.Again I questioned whether Tokelau was full.He seemed quite aggrivated with me and assured me there were NO rooms in Tokelau.(Let me just say one thing-I was very pleasant-I was a TA in the past and know a request is just that.I just found it hard to believe that at this time of year ANY building is full)Now he put us in Rotatonga.Fine.He didn't give me my parking permit so back up to the desk I went!A different CM helped me this time.When he was helping me I questioned him about Tokelau being full and he said there was NO problem with getting me a room there and changed me to 3rd floor Tokelau!
I know it sounds like I was really being a pain but in my defense I was laughing and smiling the whole time.I was just really excited to be there.This particular CM was just really unpleasant.The only one the whole trip(except the old man working Dumbo who was yelling at everyone to stay back!haha).
Anyways,we got exactly what we were told we couldn't have thanks to a more helpful CM.I asked him why the other CM had said it was booked and he just shrugged his shoulders and said"I have no idea"!I thanked him 100 times and he again said "it was no big deal".
Tikiman,this resort is the best!I think next time we might try for the other side-like Figi!
Kim