My account has been flagged as needing extra accommodations

[Gizmo74]

Newer member here and only used my points twice to book rooms. Both times checking in my room was handicapped rooms. First time was at Poly last year and thought maybe it was only room left. I booked both times on line and did not select needing anything special. A couple weeks ago, we checked into Grand Floridian and the lady checking us in saying our room was ready and had accommodations for being deaf. At this point I feel bad because that has been twice I might have taken a room that someone really needed. I asked to be moved but it was sold out. She assured me this room was the same but had strobe lights which would not be activated. I asked why I keep on getting these types of rooms and she told me my account was marked.

She suggested I call DVC so my next trip in November I would not be marked as needing these types of rooms. So before I make a call, is there somewhere on my DVC profile I can update on-line?

 

[bwvBound]

I am not aware of any place in the dvcmembers.com website for making that change. I think phoning Member Services is, likely, your best bet.

I wonder: Did you purchase a resale account that may have been flagged for the prior owner's needs? If so, you might have 'inherited' that status as the account moved hands?

 

[bumbershoot]

I’ve never heard of that.

Our first three okw stays (our first three trips) involved me asking for ground floor because of my aunts needs, but we haven’t been flagged. Wr did get an accessible room at the end of the first stay at Jambo, but that was the one reservation of our split stay that i didn’t do online checkin. And we got there late and didn’t notice it was accessible before running off to dinner at Sanaa. I don’t think it was because of okw.

Weird! Hope you get it resolved.

 

[Gizmo74]

I am not aware of any place in the dvcmembers.com website for making that change. I think phoning Member Services is, likely, your best bet.

I wonder: Did you purchase a resale account that may have been flagged for the prior owner's needs? If so, you might have 'inherited' that status as the account moved hands?

We bought direct through DVC. Seems like I will have to call DVC.

 

[disneynutz]

Let us know what you find out, a flagged account seems like an excuse, not reality.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Let us know what you find out, a flagged account seems like an excuse, not reality.

Bill

I agree. The accessible type rooms are now bookable online and there should be no need for any flagging - if that's even possible. The CM may not have understood what they were seeing or it's easier to blame it on the system than try to explain the room assignment.

OP - with DVC all rooms are in the rotation and if not booked by someone who needs the accessibility it will be assigned to someone who does not need it. Unless you actually select to book some accessible type room when you don't need it you are not taking something away from someone else who does. The hearing accessible is available in quite a few rooms.

 

[Gizmo74]

Let us know what you find out, a flagged account seems like an excuse, not reality.

Bill

So I called DVC and she did say my profile was not marked in any way. She checked my November resveration and it looked fine. Who knows, maybe just my timing to get the first two times booking with accessible rooms.

Just makes me wonder what the lady at Grand Floridian saw in my profile for her to say my profile was flagged.

 

[disneynutz]

So I called DVC and she did say my profile was not marked in any way. She checked my November resveration and it looked fine. Who knows, maybe just my timing to get the first two times booking with accessible rooms.

Just makes me wonder what the lady at Grand Floridian saw in my profile for her to say my profile was flagged.

Sometimes people just see things. What time do you check in at the resort? Do you use online check in. What were your room requests if any?

Bill

 

[moreisgood]

2 years ago, I was given a VGF 2 BR accessible room. All the great upscale features of the 2 BR VGF units were GONE! The kitchen was a basic kitchen because of the wide doorways, the great shower was a typical handi-capped shower, no slipper tub, etc. That's why we go to the VGF - for those great features. And there were no other rooms available. Believe, I tried at the front desk, called Member Services, talked to the Concierge, etc. The next day, I wrote to Member Services via the website, and they were very apolgetic. They also said they could mark my account as NEVER getting an accessible room, unless I specifically requested one. So, I would say that yes, they could mark your account as ALWAYS wanting an accessible room. Try contacting MS via the website. P.S. On our very first DVC stay (and we bought resale), we were given an accessible room at AKL. But, I didn't mind so much because we had booked a 2 BR, and they put us in a Grand Villa! I guess that will never happen again, since my account now says to keep us out of the accessible rooms!

 

[Gizmo74]

2 years ago, I was given a VGF 2 BR accessible room. All the great upscale features of the 2 BR VGF units were GONE! The kitchen was a basic kitchen because of the wide doorways, the great shower was a typical handi-capped shower, no slipper tub, etc. That's why we go to the VGF - for those great features. And there were no other rooms available. Believe, I tried at the front desk, called Member Services, talked to the Concierge, etc. The next day, I wrote to Member Services via the website, and they were very apolgetic. They also said they could mark my account as NEVER getting an accessible room, unless I specifically requested one. So, I would say that yes, they could mark your account as ALWAYS wanting an accessible room. Try contacting MS via the website. P.S. On our very first DVC stay (and we bought resale), we were given an accessible room at AKL. But, I didn't mind so much because we had booked a 2 BR, and they put us in a Grand Villa! I guess that will never happen again, since my account now says to keep us out of the accessible rooms!

Thanks for your post. When checking in at the Grand Floridian the lady made it sound like I for sure had my account flagged as needing that type of room. Kept on asking if anyone in my party was deaf or if I ever made such request. I informed her that it was my only second time using my points. When I called DVC today they made it sound like profiles are not flagged. I will send an email just to make sure

 

[Gizmo74]

Sometimes people just see things. What time do you check in at the resort? Do you use online check in. What were your room requests if any?

Bill

We checked in around noon and the room was ready. Did not use on-line check in and had no room requests.

 

[cmwade77]

Sometimes you might end up with an accessible room if everything else is sold out, at that point you are definitely not taking it away from someone, as they wouldn't be able to book anyway if nothing is available.

 

[Eastcoast02]

I had to take a double take to make sure it wasn't me who posted this thread. The exact same thing happened to me. First ever booking received a handicap accessible ground floor studio at Poly. The stand up shower was basic and had a curtain, no glass...water got everywhere. We stayed in the room though because it was actually nice being able to walk right onto the grass and we were lucky that we could see the castle between the bungalows.

Our most recent trip we splurged and booked a standard studio at GFV. Handicap room, no beautiful glass shower, wonky French doors to the balcony that didn't open or close properly. The kitchenette was extended. It was a beautiful room but I'm 6'5 and roll under countertops that are not even up to my waist was frustrating. The bath was also supposed to be a retreat from our toddlers. They told me the handicap rooms if not requested go to those who booked last and that can be anyone from 7-11 months out. They gave me a $200 credit and moved us the following day to a room with not quite as nice of a view but a much safer balcony for the kids (it was a solid enclosure).

We'll see what happens next trip but I'm definitely going to call and make sure there is no sort of flag on my account also.

 

[keaster]

A few years ago we booked a standard view studio at GVF for our anniversary. I think it was about 1-2 weeks before our trip when I noticed the reservation on the MS site changed from just studio to "Accessible Studio". I called MS and politely told them we do not need an accessible room and would prefer to be in a regular studio as we were looking forward to the glass shower and other appointments. They did change us back and we ended up in a regular configured studio.

 

[DVC_B]

There is not a way for a reservation to be "marked" as requiring an ADA room. Reason being that there are very few ADA units available and they are available first come first served. What happens is if there are ADA units that are open and non ADA units are all booked they may move someone with a non ADA booking into an ADA room to accommodate more members. The resort calls this "moving for counts." Member services does not assign rooms so calling and asking why you were put in those units wont help. The answer is that they do not know. The resorts back office assigns the unit that you will stay in.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

It seems to me that
1) people who request the ADA rooms get priority for them.
2) If someone has requested an ADA room anytime during your stay, you will not be put in that room.

Therefore, your odds of getting placed in an ADA room are highest if you are booking a short stay, e.g. 1 or 2 nights.

This is just logic, unencumbered by facts, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[cmwade77]

Actually, it isn't they get priority, if they book an ADA room, they get the ADA room category that they booked.

Now, once all non ADA rooms are booked, then if there is an ADA room still available, it will get assigned to someone that didn't book it.

If you were to try to book an ADA room on the member site, you would see that you are getting a specific type of ADA room (wheelchair accessible/hearing impaired/etc.)

So if you don't book an ADA room and got one anyway, it is because the rest of the resort is full for the level of room you booked and you are not taking it away form someone that needs it.

Most hotels have similar policies and many will even upgrade your room level before giving out ADA rooms to those that don't need it just to keep those rooms available for those who do need them.

 

[disneynutz]

If I remember correctly the ADA booking categories were added to online booking a few years ago as a result of a federal law change.

Bill

 

[cmwade77]

Technically, it wasn't a change in the law, but rather how the law was being enforced, because really all hotels were supposed to handle it as it is being handled by Disney now, many hotels still don't do it this way, but they are supposed to.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Technically, it wasn't a change in the law, but rather how the law was being enforced, because really all hotels were supposed to handle it as it is being handled by Disney now, many hotels still don't do it this way, but they are supposed to.

Basically my understanding too. Most hotels had long made the change as required (I haven't run across any that don't have the accessible as an option) and Disney was skirting the issue for quite a long time after it should have been done.