Leverage: anyone considering SSR purchase:

[lenshanem]

This is absolutely ridiculous. Actually, amazing. I can't believe I'm getting attacked for needing a nonsmoking room for my child's health issues AND for simply liking a tub in our room for our kids on a week long vacation. This does not mean I want, want, want. Or that I think the world evolves around me. What a crazy comment to make! I'm not asking for the moon, the Epcot ball view, whatever. Geez, put us in a room overlooking the darn dumpster each trip. Don't care. I simply want a room that my daughter isn't gonna get sick from. I never "degraded" anyone's situation, either. Please cite me where I have, cause you aren't going to find it. On the otherhand, our situation has been "degraded" over and over again. And a particular poster on this thread totally keeps contradicting themselves. Say one thing, then later say they never said it. UH? My Dad worked for over THIRTY years in the hotel industry as an area manager over numerous hotels in the southeast for a major chain and I can tell you he would find this incredibly insane.

(By the way, I have contacted DVC regarding this issue months ago.)

 

[tjkraz]

I'm not sure whether you work for DISboards or Disney itself. If you are a DISboards cast member...

If you work for Disney...

FYI, "DIS cast member" is a title automatically applied to accounts after they exceed a certain posting threshold. That notation does not indicate any affiliation with the boards or Disney itself. Post enough and you'll get that title someday.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Let's go back the the previous poster who recommended writing Disney to make your needs heard. We've heard them. We don't all agree. You don't need to keep telling us about your needs and why you need them. We really don't care. I don't care. Let the people who might be able to do something about your request know your need. Why waste another minute here? Most of us have no problem with the way the rooms are handled now, so we don't really see the need for improving the method.

But if you have a genuine need, let the people who can make it happen for you know. We can't help you.

geezus, one of the most rude posts I have ever read.

Flat out saying we dont care, i dont care.

Well DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME, because i care and if you do not then dont read the posts. simple.

its simply amazing some of you always bring up the me, me ,me thing when these people post their needs. Then when a potential solution is given the first thing out of your mouths, is ohhh no that would never do because I may not get my room now or I may have to wait longer for my room
is any asking for the world? I just dont see where its that bad to get a ns room when you are not a smoker, its the 21 st century people it can be done, MS is not chiseling these requests into a stone tablet

 

[JimMIA]

FYI, "DIS cast member" is a title automatically applied to accounts after they exceed a certain posting threshold. That notation does not indicate any affiliation with the boards or Disney itself. Post enough and you'll get that title someday.

Thanks - guess that's why mine says "Earning My Ears!"

 

[lenshanem]

JimMIA, nope you already earned them. You are now a mouseketeer. Look.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks - guess that's why mine says "Earning My Ears!"

Or Mouseketeer! Hmmmm. Better go get that second cup of coffee!

 

[Mike]

MS is not chiseling these requests into a stone tablet

The UPS truck just pulled up with my confirmation from MS - they are bringing the forklift around back right now

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I changed my mind, I dont think these requests should be guarenteed at 11 months. they should be guarenteed at any point.

when you call you should ave the option of taking the room or not taking based on characteristics of the room. period. If its smoking and you still want it then fine book it, if not, then move on to another resort or another date. simple. It should be 100% up to the members whether they are willing to except a certain room. No one should have to plan a vacation and shell out thousands of dollars to get to WDW and find the room they get doesnt meet their standards.

Is is not a more fair system to know that i accepted a smoking room ahead of time because i could get my resort, room type, and time of travel rather than wonder for up to 11 months whether i get my requests met. Is it not a more flexible system to have the choice of smoking room at BW for standard view or non smoking at BCV.

If so many of you say NS/S HA/NHA are no major problems then occupancy will still be at a high level. so no problem there. In addition, if you are flexible to these requests your overall lexibility may go up. maybe a couple of standard view rooms are not booked at BW becasue they are smoking and nobody wants them, but along you come willing to deal with it.

and after thinking about I dont buy this agruement that you cant have this system just becuase there is possibility of something going wrong with a room where that room needs to out of service. these cases would be limited obvioulsy to emergencies that arise. How many emergencies will arise on a given day. 1, maybe each day, maybe none, maybe 2. its probably far better than the numbers who get what they dont want now. Plus a good percentage of these situations there will be an easier answer, maybe a studio can be upgraded to a 1 br, 1br to a 2br.

Also if they are keeping this 3-4% of rooms out of service anyway for maintenance if a bigger problem comes up they just switch these rooms around.

 

[TCPluto]

Thanks - guess that's why mine says "Earning My Ears!"

Looks like you broke into a new category, mouseketeer!

Woops! I didn't read down far enough, you allready saw it.

 

[lenshanem]

I agree sjdisneywedding. I was talking to my hubby about this earlier this morning and it seems your scenario would actually give more options to those who don't care if they get a NS/S HA/NHA room. Makes sense to me.

 

[wide awake]

Crisi,
Thank-you so much for your concern about my family's finances...unasked for and unwarranted though. I agonize about buying anything, which is why we can easily afford DVC and pay cash for a room if we needed to.

 

[crisi]

It really doesn't make any difference what they should be....what is important for your next trip is what they ARE. Yes, Disney could change things. But if you are making a purchase decision now, or planning a trip now, this is the way things ARE. Since changing it is something you have - at best - a small amount of influence over - you are better off controlling the things you can control - i.e. your membership, your arrival time. If you desire to work to affect change, by all means start a letter writing campaign to member services. However, recognize that your own influence over the decision is small - you may be tilting at windmills.

(And I actually do think these boards make a difference, I think Disney management reads them).

 

[SoCalKDG]

I changed my mind, I dont think these requests should be guarenteed at 11 months. they should be guarenteed at any point.

Why they can't do this(or won't).

- Unused rooms are sold to the general public.
- Check in can be any day of the week.

Ex. All rooms booked on Thursday for 1 week except two rooms, one smoking, one non-smoking.

Sam from San Diego checks in next day on Friday, wants non-smoking, for 6 days, paying cash(at $250 per night). You are going to check in on Sunday, wanting non-smoking, having booked 11 months ago.

Does the hotel:

A) Not let Sam check in
B) Tell Sam take the smoking or go find another room
C) Give Sam the non-smoking room

Hmm, let me think.....Hey, must be "C" since Disney shareholders are going to wonder why they are turning down $1500.

The goal of Disney/DVC is to maximize room usage. Why do you think they have AP rates, because they like AP'ers, no, they want those rooms filled. Until the buildings go completely non-smoking, there is a chance you will get non-smoking.

 

[TCPluto]

This is absolutely ridiculous. Actually, amazing. I can't believe I'm getting attacked for needing a nonsmoking room for my child's health issues AND for simply liking a tub in our room for our kids on a week long vacation. This does not mean I want, want, want. Or that I think the world evolves around me. What a crazy comment to make! I'm not asking for the moon, the Epcot ball view, whatever. Geez, put us in a room overlooking the darn dumpster each trip. Don't care. I simply want a room that my daughter isn't gonna get sick from. I never "degraded" anyone's situation, either. Please cite me where I have, cause you aren't going to find it. On the otherhand, our situation has been "degraded" over and over again. And a particular poster on this thread totally keeps contradicting themselves. Say one thing, then later say they never said it. UH? My Dad worked for over THIRTY years in the hotel industry as an area manager over numerous hotels in the southeast for a major chain and I can tell you he would find this incredibly insane.

(By the way, I have contacted DVC regarding this issue months ago.)

I don't think anyone wants to deny anybody a non-smoking room for legitimate medical concerns. I know I don't. It has been pointed out that many will try the "doctor's orders" route to satisify their want of this accommodation. No one said your situation was not legitimate. I would think that those needing a non-smoking room for legitimate reasons is appropriate and should be honored. Just as the legitimate need for a tub, for the autistic child, if that child has as part of routine a bath.

If you don't understand how your vociferous bashing of the H/A rooms can make a handicapped person feel, I doubt I can enlighten you. The message you send about how awful it is for you and your family, can, and is (often), interpreted differerently by those with disabilities.

You see, those accomodation are set up specifically, obviously, for the handicapped. In the delicate psyche of a person, particularly many handicapped, your negative comments are transferred to them as a group. Not a very pleasant task, consoling a 10 year old about the insensitive comments of another. The unintended message, as pointed out by another poster, is "I have no problem with the handicapped, as long as they stay out of my world".

The message a person sends often has more meaning than they realize. Something that many should contemplate.

 

[TCPluto]

Good points SoCalK. The cost of rooms sitting empty is not worth it, for me being guaranteed the non-smoking room that we ask for every trip. Same thing with H/A. It makes our life much easier, but if someone else needs it more,we can get by quite well.

 

[pumpkinboy]

This isn't just a smoking/non-smoking issue. If you've read all the posts you'll see that I posted that my autistic child NEEDS a tub...and we are set to buy 150 points, so please don't tell me that I can get a one or two bedroom. And no, this does not matter only ten minutes per day. If my child cannot relax in the tub for at least an hour in the morning our day is worthless. No, I don't want a smoker's room either...we're from CA with strong anti-smoking laws...it is not my dream to walk around smelling like an ashtray. BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A TUB, NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS ABOUT IT !!! WHY IS THAT SO HARD FOR SOME TO UNDERSTAND ? IF MY CHILD WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR ALL OF YOU WOULD SAY HE NEEDS A HA ROOM...BUT TO US A NON-HA ROOM IS JUST AS IMPORTANT.

Actually, my child IS in a wheelchair, but we NEED a non-HA room (well, a tub at the very least). Sadly, HA rooms do not work for ppl like my DS, who does not have use of his arms or legs. Bathing him is a tub is a cinch with a little bit of adaptive equipment, but a roll-in shower just does not work. Imagine if you will, how difficult it is for me to hold onto my 55 lb naked DS when he is all soaped up in shower; very difficult, and downright dangerous for just one adult to do this, and still a challenge for 2 adults.

So wide awake's family and my family both have sound medical/ safety reasons for our tub request. Of course, there is a way to guarantee that you will have a tub in the room: reserve a 1BR or larger.

 

[TCPluto]

With regard to the current system, I'm fine with it too. But I don't have a special needs child, or a serious medical issue. The real world is that you and I are extremely fortunate. Many people do have those issues, and they are not trivial issues.

I don't work with the Disney reservation/room assignment system every day, and therefore, I don't know technically how the system could be improved. But a lot of talented Disney CM's do.

I have a lot more confidence in Disney than some on these boards. They are very good at what they do, and I am confident they can fix anything, provided the decision-makers are aware that there is an opportunity for improvement.

Sounds like a pretty thoughtful analysis.

I'm sure the resorts keep DVC fully informed as to the problems encountered at check in at the various resorts. And aside from cleanliness, the top three issues are likely view, smoking/non, and H/A asignments (in no particular order).

Pre-assigning, at any reservation date, would be nearly impossible at a DVC resort.

With reservations before and after your stay to take into account, the various size accomodations that have to be broken down or joined together(studio, 1 br, 2 br, etc.), the smoking choice, H/A option, view, location, etc.

All of these various options and combinations makes it infinitely more difficult to guarantee any particular request. Along with the higher occupancy rate at the WDW resorts as compared to standard hotels, a comparison to the local Holiday Inn is not valid for these reasons.

I think the bright minds of Disney are aware of the problem and continue to look at the issues. However, I think they might have well come up with what actually works best for them, and ultimately us as DVC members.

 

[TCPluto]

So wide awake's family and my family both have sound medical/ safety reasons for our tub request. Of course, there is a way to guarantee that you will have a tub in the room: reserve a 1BR or larger.[/COLOR][/FONT]

You are absolutely correct,and I can not see anyone, particulalry anyone at the resort, arguing with you regarding your need.

 

[crisi]

If you don't understand how your vociferous bashing of the H/A rooms can make a handicapped person feel, I doubt I can enlighten you. The message you send about how awful it is for you and your family, can, and is (often), interpreted differerently by those with disabilities.

Perhaps I can. Shan, if I recall correctly, you have one child with food allergies - peanuts?

This is meant to be an example of how this sounds and is by no means an attack....

"I can't believe how schools have to adapt to food allergies. My kid should be able to bring a peanut butter sandwich to school if they want. My kid eats nothing but peanut butter and will STARVE if they can't have a peanut butter sandwich in the lunchroom. I don't care if its only one table - what if my kid wants to sit with someone at that table."

In other words, we are all expected to make accomodations for people with disabilities and allergies. Disney SHOULD have a written policy that gives people access to NS or NHA rooms when they have a valid medical reason (the issue for abuse of this system is also a valid point - I know several "handicapped" parkers with no disability but a doctor willing to fill out the form), as they do to ensure people who need HA rooms get them - but they don't and as of now have no way to guarentee it. Those of us without special needs (including those of us who find NS rooms unpleasant but not life threatening or those who find HA rooms inconvienent but don't require a tub) are expected to "suck it up" for the good of all. It really isn't great to be able bodied and end up in a smoking handicapped room - but its "count your blessings" time - at least until Disney makes and enforces non-smoking and guarentees Non-HA (I don't see either happening, but I was wrong on the AP discount).

 

[lenshanem]

Quote:
Originally Posted by lenshanem
This is absolutely ridiculous. Actually, amazing. I can't believe I'm getting attacked for needing a nonsmoking room for my child's health issues AND for simply liking a tub in our room for our kids on a week long vacation. This does not mean I want, want, want. Or that I think the world evolves around me. What a crazy comment to make! I'm not asking for the moon, the Epcot ball view, whatever. Geez, put us in a room overlooking the darn dumpster each trip. Don't care. I simply want a room that my daughter isn't gonna get sick from. I never "degraded" anyone's situation, either. Please cite me where I have, cause you aren't going to find it. On the otherhand, our situation has been "degraded" over and over again. And a particular poster on this thread totally keeps contradicting themselves. Say one thing, then later say they never said it. UH? My Dad worked for over THIRTY years in the hotel industry as an area manager over numerous hotels in the southeast for a major chain and I can tell you he would find this incredibly insane.

(By the way, I have contacted DVC regarding this issue months ago.)


Quote:
Originally Posted by TCPluto
I don't think anyone wants to deny anybody a non-smoking room for legitimate medical concerns. I know I don't. It has been pointed out that many will try the "doctor's orders" route to satisify their want of this accommodation. No one said your situation was not legitimate. I would think that those needing a non-smoking room for legitimate reasons is appropriate and should be honored. Just as the legitimate need for a tub, for the autistic child, if that child has as part of routine a bath.

If you don't understand how your vociferous bashing of the H/A rooms can make a handicapped person feel, I doubt I can enlighten you. The message you send about how awful it is for you and your family, can, and is (often), interpreted differerently by those with disabilities.

You see, those accomodation are set up specifically, obviously, for the handicapped. In the delicate psyche of a person, particularly many handicapped, your negative comments are transferred to them as a group. Not a very pleasant task, consoling a 10 year old about the insensitive comments of another. The unintended message, as pointed out by another poster, is "I have no problem with the handicapped, as long as they stay out of my world".

The message a person sends often has more meaning than they realize. Something that many should contemplate.




Well, you didn't cite anywhere where I "degraded" your situation like I asked you to. Instead you choose to attack my character as not being an understanding and compassionate person. I said before that you don't know me - and you don't. While my oldest isn't in a wheelchair, I have other issues I have to tackle. I'm certainly understanding of any parent who loves their child and wants the best for them (probably more so than many others), especially when they face certain challenges. Actually, my daughter's asthma is the least of our problems. While I can blow off your ignorant comments throughout this thread in regard to my daughter's asthma, I can't blow off anyone being so insulting as to excuse me of being uncompassionate towards anyone with special needs. Simply because I would like a tub in my room for the kids on a week long vacation doesn't mean I am not understanding of those that need a different accommodation. I said I was done before, I don't know why I keep coming to this thread to be insulted time and time again.