new policy (no faxing room requests at VWL)

[July]

Oh no what am I gonna do. I only requested non smoking when I made the reservations months ago.
It is our 21st wedding anniversary, and I want to make sure I get a 1 bdr villa with jacuzzi tub.
I have read about folks getting a handicapped unit and the jacuzzi tub is not in that unit.
How do you know before going to your room if it is or isn't. I know they should tell you if they give you a handicapped unit, but more times than not I believe they don't.
Its such a special occasion and we are only going to be there 2 nights.
What to do? Any ideas?

July

 

[JoeMikeB]

Make your request at check in. If there is a non-handicapped room available or that can be swapped, they should be more than willing to accommodate you. My DS has a bad leg that makes it difficult to climb stairs and OKW has always been able to either put us on the ground floor on in a building with an elevator. This would present a problem only if they are very full.

WDW and OKW by January 11 or bust!

 

[RobDoc]

All 1BR villas will have the jacuzzi. The difference in a HCA room is that there will be a roll-in shower and a little less storage space since counters and made to accommodate a wheelchair.

You should be fine. You can still call MS tomorrow and modify your requests if you'd like.

Enjoy and have a great trip!!

 

[InstImpres]

I second the ide to call MS tomorrow and confirm room requests.

Also, if possible, check-in early. Although there is verifying opinion if they are relly using room ready, if you check in erly and don't like what they have to offer, you can make your requests known and wait for a room later in the day.

JMHO
Sandy

 

[July]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh
I am so totally happy. Even the handicap rooms have the jacuzzi tubs. Yipee!
We will be fine then.
Thank You so much.
July

 

[DebbieB]

Only the studio handicapped units have no tub. Non-handicapped Studios have a regular bathtub, not a jacuzzi. Handicapped studios just have the walk-in shower, no tub at all.

 

[Granny]

July...sounds like you are all set, and glad that your needs look like they'll get met very well.

Just referring to the title of your thread, I don't believe they have changed their policy. Fax requests sent a few days prior to arriving were never supposed to be sent in for DVC accommodations...at least not the official policy anyway.

 

[jaysue]

Granny, I think it is rumour at this point but could be truth that WL/VWL is refusing fax requests point blank - I guess they were getting too many to work with and/or they were just disappointing too many guests that all thought they should have the perfect room

thanks
jaysue

 

[RobDoc]

From the DVC Member site:

"As a reminder, the established procedure and appropriate time for making special room requests is when you make your reservation with Member Services. If you have any additional requests, or changes to your original request, call Member Services directly. Please do not call or fax the resort where you'll be staying. To be fair to all Members, the only information we use when trying to honor special room requests is that which comes from Member Services.

With so many Members having special requests, it's important that everyone follow this established procedure. As you can imagine, the number of Members asking for particular rooms, views, floors, and buildings makes it impossible to honor all of the requests. We do our best to honor your requests, but please understand that we cannot guarantee them. "

There was a prior statement on the member's site that faxes would not be accepted for room requests. The above statement is a more recent comment, but seems to echo the same sentiment.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Here, here Webmaster Doc - thanks for the reminder! My philosophy is that if it isn't important enough to ask for when you make the reservation in the first place, it must not be that important! There are the rare occasions when things come up later on that maybe you weren't aware you could request (though its rare), but again people should call immediately an add it!

I'm always amazed at the stories I read about the faxes they send in - people really put a ton of effort into trying to make them stand out

 

[lenshanem]

When we stayed at VWL the week of Christmas the CM at check in woudln't even give me an idea as to where my room might even end up. (The room wasn't ready. It was around 11 am.) I confirmed with her that my most important requests were non smoking and non handicap studio since I wanted the tub to bath my littel ones. She told me that was noted, but woudln't even confirm that for me. She was very nice about everything else but a littel abrupt when it came to this. Makes me wonder if they have been having a really hard time with requests or soemthing?!?
Thsi was the first tiem a Disney resort woudln't at least circle a "general" area on a map as to where our room might end up later in the day.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by lenshanem
When we stayed at VWL the week of Christmas the CM at check in woudln't even give me an idea as to where my room might even end up. (The room wasn't ready. It was around 11 am.) I confirmed with her that my most important requests were non smoking and non handicap studio since I wanted the tub to bath my littel ones. She told me that was noted, but woudln't even confirm that for me. She was very nice about everything else but a littel abrupt when it came to this. Makes me wonder if they have been having a really hard time with requests or soemthing?!?
Thsi was the first tiem a Disney resort woudln't at least circle a "general" area on a map as to where our room might end up later in the day.

I have friends that work in Disney resorts and "Yes" they were having problems with requests. Pages and pages of requests. Some were so long and so cute and so creative that it took forever just to read through and try to figure out exactly what it was they were requesting. Also the volume of faxes received was just getting way out of hand.

Some guests after sending a request thought that was a guarantee everything they wanted would be granted. There were some ugly scenes at the desk at checkin and the standard comment was, "Did you not get my fax!"

I agree that giving your request at the time you make your reservations and at checkin is appropriate and enough.

 

[jaysue]

I think not giving an indication or room number at the front desk is beyond the norm though. Shan, I think you should have at least gotten that when you checked in.

I would assume the problem is guests making a scene at checkin when they do not get exactly what they want - i.e. adults acting as children. There has probably been enough of this that they blanket in these "policies" that do not discriminate and basically lumps all of us into the "adults as kids" classification.

Is it fair? NO!
Is it Equitable? YES!

Policies tend to do that.....deal with a minority problem at the expense of the majority

thanks
jaysue