New Computer System To Assign Rooms

[cseca]

Resorts are required to have a certain amount of handicap accessible rooms. If they don't have as many guests request that type of room, someone is going to get it. That's just how it goes.

I understand that, but they can't possibly say "Absolutely no room change" if there's room available. Even if that means moving room the next day.
That seems like it's punishing families with small kids albeit really tiny percentage of them just to spite the bunch of people who wants to change room "just because".
I couldn't care less if we are put in a dumpster view room or end of the hallway room.
But I would like a clean room with amenities I need including being able to give my kids a bath during my stay there. Unless they're going to give me a baby/toddler tub to give my kids a bath I would definitely request a room change even if I have to talk to a manager.
I am not a difficult guest but I think being able to bathe your kids during a 3-10 day vacation is a must.

If they put that rule in place then it's a silly silly rule. I would definitely voice my displeasure at that.

...
I could completely understand if Disney were to stop taking any room requests in advance and just tell people to make their request at check in. Most hotels (and even Disney from what we have seen) rarely pay attention to the request anyway and allow the front desk to do their job and help the guest at the check in process.

Now this I agree.
Yes, this would not be beneficial for people checking in late in the day (which we almost always do). But at least it makes sense.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I checked into a Standard studio, Jambo, in person around 11AM on Tuesday and the room was not ready. When we got to the hotel at 10 that night, I was given a HA room. The floor in these bathrooms is much larger than in other studios and it gets wet and I am not steady on my feet and I have a great fear of slipping and falling. I went down to the front desk and was told there was no way they could change me since the computers were down, and they had no way of knowing what rooms were vacant. Am I really supposed to believe that? At any rate, the manager told me I could get a new room the following day.

In the end a new room wasn't necessary, as I had my water shoes with me. I must have dreamed of this solution (the water shoes are skid proof) because that was my first thought when I woke the next day. I did ask for and was given extra bath mats to help keep the bathroom floor dry as I walked on it
with the wet shoes.

I know someone here once mentioned that they often get HA rooms and they don't need/want one. I must be second in getting these types of rooms. I would appreciate a tub with a hand rail to hold on to, but these aren't a specific type of room, at least as far as I was told.

Then on Wednesday I got a message from the front desk saying that a new room would be available for us on Thursday if we wanted one. I had already told the front desk in person that I wouldn't need the move, and they had accomodated me with the extra mats. So, apparently they are still willing/able to change a member's room.

Bobbi

 

[sweetdana]

Though I understand someone having a # of requests.. ground floor, near tranportation, view of something, would be difficult. and should be ignored except 1st choice..

I think not everyone has the same requests.. Some want view of fire works at BC, others, pool view, others want to be near the parking lot. Some want the Springs at SSR, others want close to DTD, others want near a pool ect. I think if they have the option to assist, they should try. I think taking all requests out of a room costing a few hundred a night would be something even a motel 8 wouldn't even try to ignore. I am not saying they should be garenteed, or that someone should be disappointed.. but why put someone who wants a firework view in a 1st floor, near the parking lot and someone who rented a car with there 92 yr old gramma, on the 4th floor. When it is an easy win to make both their vacations magical.

I can see something ignored.. like view of sav. (EVERYONE would want that), or not HA (without the obvious need), but I cannot see ignoring everyone. IF you can help, even 1 in 5.. why not? ..Maybe this is the new "free perk" for higher point holders?

 

[UConnJack]

Thinking back, I posted last December that when checking in at BLT we were told that Disney was changing their policy on room requests and that they were not allowed to make changes.

At SSR last week we were told the same thing.

Bill

When I checked into BLT in April, I asked what was available, they showed me a map of the building with which rooms were open, and I choose one (this is what they often do when I ask). Checked in later that week into BCV in the AM, and they moved me to a room that was available for early check-in. Haven't had anyone tell me yet that room "assignments" can't be changed.

 

[disneynutz]

When I checked into BLT in April, I asked what was available, they showed me a map of the building with which rooms were open, and I choose one (this is what they often do when I ask). Checked in later that week into BCV in the AM, and they moved me to a room that was available for early check-in. Haven't had anyone tell me yet that room "assignments" can't be changed.

Until our BLT stay, that's what has always happened to us. Seems like some CM's/resorts allow changes and others don't.

Bill

 

[Brandis]

If they do this because guests are upset because they didn't get their requests, then they should introduce specific booking categories for locations usually requested, then we can book them as long as there is availability and are pretty much guaranteed that they will get that.

It's what they do now at OKW with the new "Near Hospitality House" booking categoriy. So they won't allow any "Near Hospitality House" location requests anymore, but you can book it.

 

[Chuck S]

If they do this because guests are upset because they didn't get their requests, then they should introduce specific booking categories for locations usually requested, then we can book them as long as there is availability and are pretty much guaranteed that they will get that.

It's what they do now at OKW with the new "Near Hospitality House" booking categoriy. So they won't allow any "Near Hospitality House" location requests anymore, but you can book it.

The more "booking categories" the more pressure to book early, and less chance of getting a longer vacation in any single category. For instance, if they made each area of OKW ambooking category, it would make the odds less of getting all of your nights in a single category, unless you call right at 11 months every time.

 

[lugnut33]

My one allowable room option for AKL-Jambo when I did on-line check-in was to be "near transportation". Well, we were assigned a room 1 section away from the farthest you could be!! Haha, jokes on me.

It was OK though, I don't mind walking and our room was ready early. I'd never let something so trivial as room location ruin a vacation.

 

[Sandisw]

I also think that I like the idea of having requests handled at check in. I have witnessed guests getting pretty upset that they weren't being given a room that met requests.

If nothing can be done until check in, it could make it much easier, I think, to handle things as there will be no expectation prior to arrival of having "reserved" something specific.

And, when checking in, the guest or CM can simply ask if there were any special requests, search for rooms, and make changes if rooms are available.

 

[toniosmom]

I have witnessed guests getting pretty upset that they weren't being given a room that met requests.

I'm still amazed that some guests act like they have a "right" to the rooms they request. Unless there is a specific need -- like a physical handicap -- no one should express anything more than disappointment if their requests are not met. As has been stated a million times, requests are not guaranteed.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Oh, Oh-my biggest concern is with the fact that Disney computers are getting more involved in something. Our experience is that Disney's IT system is VERY bad! We've already had the experience of part of one reservation getting inexplicably cancelled by the computer-so now, who knows what room we'll get on our next trip!

 

[Bob Price]

I am not a difficult guest but I think being able to bathe your kids during a 3-10 day vacation is a must..

This is not necessarily true. I was recently with a tour group from overseas and none of us showered all week.

 

[lugnut33]

This is not necessarily true. I was recently with a tour group from overseas and none of us showered all week.

Hmmm, something smells fishy about that?

 

[smangan10`]

thanks for the info

 

[dclfun]

We were at AKL Jambo last week and their computers went down, so when I wanted to get a room key for my son to stay with me for two nights, they could not issue anything but an elevator key. They also could not check on or book dining reservations, tours, etc. I felt badly for the CM's who were valiantly trying to help all the guests with various requests that required the use of their computer. As to the new system, I'm fine with it. I've requested first floor for medical reasons only at resorts that have no elevators and it's always been noted as "medical" vs. just a request, so I figure the room I need is already blocked just like an HA room. Other than the trash and traffic view we had once at OKW, there really isn't a room location that's totally unacceptable to me. Of course I have preferences, but most DVC members, esp, probably feel the same way as we have been fortunate to stay at WDW resorts more often and as such, have locations and views we've really enjoyed. Who knows...maybe we'll all discover hidden treasures in various room locations!---Kathy