Latest strategy for getting the room you want

[Gator Kate]

Hi All,
It's been a few years since I've stayed at a DW resort. Fortunate enough to snag a good AP rate at YC this
Christmas. We have a specific room we love from a previous stay. What's the board's suggestion for the best chance of making that happen? Many thanks!

 

[Miked0292]

Hi All,
It's been a few years since I've stayed at a DW resort. Fortunate enough to snag a good AP rate at YC this
Christmas. We have a specific room we love from a previous stay. What's the board's suggestion for the best chance of making that happen? Many thanks!

Throw this in the YC/BC thread I remember some of us talking about how to go about this exact thing not to long ago.

 

[Dug720]

Touring Plans has a fax request option - I think you have to subscribe to use it though. But it is only a request - and unlike a cruise ship where 99% of the passengers are embarking and disembarking at the same time (leaving 1% out there as possible back-to-back cruisers), the odds of that room being vacant on your arrival date are pretty slim.

 

[buzznina]

It is the same strategy as always..... Luck

 

[AngiTN]

There isn't one
You can make the request that's all
There's no tricks to get the room, especially when it's a specific one. Odds are quite low and it's best to go in not expecting to get it and then being surprised when you do

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi All,
It's been a few years since I've stayed at a DW resort. Fortunate enough to snag a good AP rate at YC this
Christmas. We have a specific room we love from a previous stay. What's the board's suggestion for the best chance of making that happen? Many thanks!

Just curious, do you remember what you requested (if anything) on the trip where you had this room?

I have not used the Touring Plans room request method so I'm not intimately familiar with how it works, but you may want to look into that service. They seem to have a strong following with many DISers.

I call in room requests and have them noted on my reservation. As a rule I don't request a specific room number because I think that's a risky move, but in the past (and depending on the resort) I have requested certain room number ranges or used broad statements that cover rooms that would be in my preferred area.

My advice would be to study up on the floor plans on the Touring Plans site (https://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/disneys-yacht-club-resort) and become familiar with the room locations that fit your specific room/view booking category. Figure out rooms that are similar to what you had before and translate that into either number ranges or more generic requests so that the room assignor has something to work with.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[Dug720]

I would add, if you are going the route of calling in and insist on requesting that room, I would add in “or one that...” faces that direction/is on that floor/whatever you loved about it because that will help the room assigner know why you have that request and if that exact room is not available (very likely) they can try to get you in one with similar traits to it. (Ergo “we stayed in that room before and loved it” is not really helpful. WHY did you love it? The view? The location close to or far from something? The floor?)

If you just request the room number they have no idea why you requested it and will likely just put you anywhere when it is not available.

 

[Gator Kate]

I appreciate all the good tips. We were given that room last trip by chance. It's right up the stairs that are off the lobby. First time in that location but found it so easy to come and go from. Do you think I should call front desk day before arrival or sooner?

 

[Dug720]

I appreciate all the good tips. We were given that room last trip by chance. It's right up the stairs that are off the lobby. First time in that location but found it so easy to come and go from. Do you think I should call front desk day before arrival or sooner?

Rooms are typically assigned 3-5 days out. I would call and have the request noted as soon as possible.

In your case, I'd say "a room right up the stairs off the lobby" rather than a specific room. That makes it a little easier for the assigner.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I appreciate all the good tips. We were given that room last trip by chance. It's right up the stairs that are off the lobby. First time in that location but found it so easy to come and go from. Do you think I should call front desk day before arrival or sooner?

The PP is correct about rooms being assigned in advance. Submitting requests early doesn’t get you any advantage/priority, but you do want to get them in before rooms are assigned. I will sometimes do mine right after booking just so I don’t forget later.

 

[pooh2001]

We just ask for an upper room (if moderate or value) and close to the lobby or bus stop depending on the resort

If deluxe - just close to the lobby or elevator

 

[Upatnoon]

Hi All,
It's been a few years since I've stayed at a DW resort. Fortunate enough to snag a good AP rate at YC this
Christmas. We have a specific room we love from a previous stay. What's the board's suggestion for the best chance of making that happen? Many thanks!

As people have added more and more requests, they have added more and more room categories so guests pay for the privilege of staying in the most-requested areas. Finding out what category your special room is in will help you get it.

 

[Dug720]

As people have added more and more requests, they have added more and more room categories so guests pay for the privilege of staying in the most-requested areas. Finding out what category your special room is in will help you get it.

Excellent point. If you have not booked the same room category as that favorite one, the odds of you getting it pretty much go from very slim to absolutely none.

 

[WEDWDW]

You can also mention you do not mind changing rooms after a day or 2 if your room request is not available for the entirety of your trip initially.