MS now limiting room requests ???

[DebbieB]

I wonder why they didn't make the savanna view rooms club level?
That way they would have had them more valuable - and would have made more CL rooms available - it's great to have club level available at a DVC resort!

I don't think the lounge would have the capacity for more rooms, unless they made a separate DVC lounge.

 

[Chuck S]

I wonder why they didn't make the savanna view rooms club level?
That way they would have had them more valuable - and would have made more CL rooms available - it's great to have club level available at a DVC resort!

Probably not practical, from both a cost and logistic view point. If all the Savannah view villas at Jambo were CL, they would need to increase the size of the CL lounge AND hire more concierge CMs, plus the concierge level is the 5th floor, and the other Savannah view rooms are on the 4th floor (or maybe the 6th and 5th floors respectively?).

 

[tiggerrr]

If this is a broader refusal to take room requests, instead of just targeted at AKV Value, I wonder if it is an attempt to drive increased usage of Online Checkin, where you can still make requests.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Another member enhancement? It's been a while since we've had one.

I'm afraid I don't understand the agreement that it's ok for them to eliminate view requests. But my thought process and experiences in the service industry also lead me to conclude this will cause even more problems at the check in desk. At this time DVC has the opportunity to place guests in areas they like ahead of time and the question can be answered immediately at check in if you received your requests. If no requests are allowed and a person is placed into a room in an area they don't like the front desk can either take the time to find a different room or possibly receive negative words. All this would lead to longer check in lines and more stress for everyone.

But I'm also doubtful it has anything to do with the front desk and the only reason to eliminate requests would be to eliminate a room assigner and go to room ready.

This has been reported before with value villas at AKV although not with a meeting date tied to it. If it is applicable to all resorts and rooms I see it as a another decline in service. And I think MS will get a lot of complaints if it is applying to all rooms.

 

[ssawka]

I agree, as long as they continue to meet requests for those with mobility impairments, like "First Floor Medical" at OKW, since they have stairs.

I believe the ADA would require this.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm afraid I don't understand the agreement that it's ok for them to eliminate view requests. But my thought process and experiences in the service industry also lead me to conclude this will cause even more problems at the check in desk. At this time DVC has the opportunity to place guests in areas they like ahead of time and the question can be answered immediately at check in if you received your requests.

I don't think it would cause more problems than it does now. The problem is when requests are not met because there simply is not a room in the area or type being requested. And the root of the problem is the members expecting "their" request to be met over someone else's identical request, or basically expecting their requests to be guaranteed no matter what.

If they can't make requests, then there is no expectation of a guarantee.

 

[crisi]

Plus, there has to be certain requests that everyone is making which would be impossible to deal with--for example, many with MK views at BLT request higher floor.

Village Green Preferred Views at the Boardwalk are another one. So are those "end one bedrooms" that are so big at the Boardwalk. I'd say three times a week we tell someone to request Village Green around here, there aren't very many of those rooms.

There are some request I'd like to see stay...when a family is traveling together "rooms close together" is a big one.

 

[parlay]

By the same token, CL rooms are more points, so they should all be savanna view. JMHO.

The problem with that is based on where the concierge lounge is located, how do you take the rooms that are facing the pool and restrict access to the lounge. The rooms are already on the 6th floor with the key access.

We stayed CL level at AKV facing the pool, and it was still a very nice view. We booked CL for the amenities not the view.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I don't think it would cause more problems than it does now. The problem is when requests are not met because there simply is not a room in the area or type being requested. And the root of the problem is the members expecting "their" request to be met over someone else's identical request, or basically expecting their requests to be guaranteed no matter what.

If they can't make requests, then there is no expectation of a guarantee.

IMO it all goes much deeper than not having a request met - it's about some peoples need to get what they want - or to get what they feel is the "best". It will happen whether they've been allowed to make a room request or not. By at least allowing requests DVC has an opportunity to deal with this and should be able to take care of some of these people prior to check-in. Now, by not allowing requests 100% of these people will be dealing with it at the front desk because they will still want what they want and haven't had another opportunity to express that.

And to some people it makes a huge difference what room they get so I say - try and make them happy!

 

[crisi]

IMO it all goes much deeper than not having a request met - it's about some peoples need to get what they want - or to get what they feel is the "best". It will happen whether they've been allowed to make a room request or not. By at least allowing requests DVC has an opportunity to deal with this and should be able to take care of some of these people prior to check-in. Now, by not allowing requests 100% of these people will be dealing with it at the front desk because they will still want what they want and haven't had another opportunity to express that.

And to some people it makes a huge difference what room they get so I say - try and make them happy!

Next step will be shutting them down at the front desk.

And while views are more important to some people than others, it doesn't mean those of us who are easily please should always get stuck looking at the dumpster.

 

[Chuck S]

Next step will be shutting them down at the front desk.

And a simple line of "I'm sorry, we are operating at capacity, we can not move you unless there is a mechanical/safety problem in your assigned room, and then we'd have to relocate you to another resort."

 

[tiggerrr]

I am on the phone with MS as I write this and the CM is adding my room request. Our party of 12 is coming in one day earlier than planned for a January trip. All we could get for that first night was 3 studios at OKW, which I booked last week. crisi's post reminded me that I did not request them to be together.

CM has added the room request to be together to all 3 reservations. Not sure what that tells us - whether it is a specific prohibition, or if not all CM's are doing it, but I thought I'd share my experience. She was very pleasant, no hesitation and it was done in the time it took to write this message.

 

[BeesKnees]

Actually, I think I might find this change to be for the better, if it's true.

So you would be happy if the room you booked for friends or family is so far away it requires bus transportation to meet? Having rooms in the same general area is a room request.

They can get rid of view requests and it would not bother me in the least. I think it primarily affects AKV or BLT owners who have gotten spoiled.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think I vaguely remember someone once before being told this about the AKV Value villas. It was shortly before I was going to reserve a value studio and it made me think they might not take my request for a savannah view. However, they took my request, and it was a surprise. It'll be a pleasant surprise if I get it!

 

[Daddio]

It is my understanding that the ONLY requests being denied by DVC is the savannah view in a value room. All other requests are being noted on the reservations.

David

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And while views are more important to some people than others, it doesn't mean those of us who are easily please should always get stuck looking at the dumpster.

Of course not. And I don't believe that happens now or would begin to if they continue to take requests.

 

[GrumpyPOTFH]

And while views are more important to some people than others, it doesn't mean those of us who are easily please should always get stuck looking at the dumpster.

I agree

 

[crisi]

Of course not. And I don't believe that happens now or would begin to if they continue to take requests.

I don't know. If almost everyone getting a Value room requests Savannah, and you don't, what are the chances you are going to get that view? If everyone wants a partial MK view out of their lake view, how many people not specifying are going to get surprised? The dumpster was an exaggeration - there aren't enough "dumpster views" to go around.

 

[JWG]

I don't know. If almost everyone getting a Value room requests Savannah, and you don't, what are the chances you are going to get that view? If everyone wants a partial MK view out of their lake view, how many people not specifying are going to get surprised? The dumpster was an exaggeration - there aren't enough "dumpster views" to go around.

Give me a point "deduction" equal to the point "premium" for the "nice" views and I'll gladly take your "dumpster" view. When does the "DV" booking category come out?

We've only made 1 room request in 11 years, this past Jan. we requested "near the hospitality house" at OKW. Before they added it as it's own booking category. We were about as far from the hospitality house as possible. But, no worries, our vacation was just fine. Though, they did have a water leak and had to shut of water to our building for about 12 hours. That was a significant issue not having water until after 9pm. Couldn't potty, couldn't get cleaned up for dinner, etc. But, that wasn't the resort's fault.

 

[gkrykewy]

It is my understanding that the ONLY requests being denied by DVC is the savannah view in a value room. All other requests are being noted on the reservations.

David

Thanks for the info. You're probably pretty well-placed to know. If this is the case, I almost wonder whether this is because of castmember confusion rather than every guest requesting savanna view.

On two specific occasions, we've asked at check-in about our savanna view requests for value rooms and had CMs be completely mystified about the possibility. "Savanna view?!? Oh no, we can't do that, those are more points!" On one of these occasions we got pool view; the other savanna.