OKW Check-In Policy-Version #1

[PJMPA]

I called MS today to extend a dedicated 2BR waitlist at OKW during Thanksgiving. Before I hund up, I asked if she was aware of the debate regarding the status of first come, first served for special requests at check-in. She seemed surprised that there was a debate(my description) and said the policy is and has always been: special requests are prioritized based on when the reservation is made, not when the member checks in. She mentioned that they were having a meeting tomorrow(Wednesday) with the "top people" at DVC and chuckled that if there is a debate, they're sure to hear about it. It's amazing how people get completely different stories about the same issue.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Thank you for the feedback. That is great news. It's the fairest way!

 

[new_yawka]

When I checked in last Sunday (the 13th), it was clear from the check in that the rooms had been assigned PRIOR to my walking in the door. I was one of the first people to check in. I got there at 7:45am (although there had been several others before me). I had made two requests about 3 months ago (near hospitality house and non-smoking). We got both (building 13 rooms 1324 - a 2BR and 1325 - a 1BR), but I do not believe it had anything to do with early check in.

We still waited for the rooms (till 2:30pm for the 2 BR and 4:00Pm for the 1BR).

That said early check in was still worth it. No lines and the key cards I received worked in the doors to the assigned rooms, onece the rooms were released from housekeeping without my having to go back to the front desk (just had to call to get the room #s).

I would be very surprised if it was "first come/first served" as that was not the way my check in was handled.

Anyway...the debate goes on

 

[Tigger7570]

It seems that we are all hearing different things. I posted a lengthy thread about our visit. I can tell you that when we checked in 10/9 we were given a choice of several units (we did put our requests in at 11 months, just buildings) and right then and there the CM said o.k. I am going to assign you to your choice. It was not already assigned in the computer as far as I could tell because she commented that she was doing it right then and there and we were given the keys and went right to the unit. Again, I want to see it stay the way it is, but there's obviously conflicting reports. Maybe the trial was over after our check-in and they went back to the original way after our check-in I have sent my e-mail to Member Services stating I want things to remain the original way.

 

[Sorcerer]

It may be that guests with no preference are given rooms first come first serve, but others are getting their rooms based on their preferences. For example, if you request non-smoking, first floor, near the HH, you are assigned a room in advance based on other guests checkout dates. It will probably not be ready when you arrive (unless you arrive after 4pm). If you have no preference, you might be given a room immediately upon check-in based on what is available at that given time.

This solution would satisfy everyone - those with no preference could check into their room immediately upon arrival (which is a priority for me, as we normally drive overnight to get to WDW) and those who have location preferences also get what they want, but they have to wait until "their" room is available (which should be fine, since their priority is location rather than being able to get into their room immediately).

What do you all think?

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by Sorcerer
This solution would satisfy everyone - those with no preference could check into their room immediately upon arrival (which is a priority for me, as we normally drive overnight to get to WDW) and those who have location preferences also get what they want, but they have to wait until "their" room is available (which should be fine, since their priority is location rather than being able to get into their room immediately).

What do you all think? [/B]

I agree, Sorcerer.
This does seem to be the fairest of them all.

When we arrived at the BCV on 10/11 (at about 1:30) the CM said that my room was assigned and ready and they were able to meet all my request. BTW, my room was a studio #559 (great view of Illuminations and Spaceship Earth.)

 

[jjohns]

I can add our experience to the pot.

We were checking in to an OKW 2-Bed on Sun Oct 13. Our ressie had three requests: Non-smoking, First Floor, near HH. DW showed up for check-in at about 12 noon. No room had been assigned to our reservation, since none was available that met our requests. Instead, the clerk pulled about 5 available rooms from the computer and showed DW on the map where they were located - all Non-smoking, but they varied on floor and location.

As luck would have it, DW picked a first-floor room in building 43 - right near the Turtle Pond pool. This turned out to be a wonderful choice for us - the pool was good for the kids (5 & 7) and we had a car to get to the parks most of the time so bus convenience was not too important.

In our case, everything worked out well. We didn't get to stay hear HH, which has always been our first choice, but we did get to experiment with a different area of the resort - and it was nice too!

Jeff

 

[laughinplace199]

We checked into OKW on 10/5, and our room # had already been assigned. In fact, the CM checking us in even mentioned that the bed rails we had requested were already in the room (and they were).

 

[Pa@okw95]

I just got back and check in was a little like it was years ago. The cm scrolled down looking for a room to give us. We we given building 63 that I had thought was great at the time. She told us the building baut not the room number because the room was not ready. If I did not like the building she could have scrolled down looking for a top floor and non smoking. It was about 10:30 in the morning. What we might be dealing with here is that OKW is not full so you do have a lot of rooms left to choose from?? How does that sound??

 

[Terry S]

When I checked in at BCV on 9/30. I asked the CM "what room was I assigned?" That is when the CM told me that "they did not assign me a room it was, first come, first serve". Not only did I make a request of Non-Smoking, Top Floor, Epcot view when I made my ressie, I also faxed a request in 4 days prior. I went to the front desk a few days later and asked to speak with a manager, the manager told me that it was true, that they were "trying something new". The reason was that too many people were complaining that their pre-assigned room was not ready upon check-in so they were assigning rooms that were already cleaned and ready when people check in.

 

[new_yawka]

jjohns. We checked in the same day (as did pa, it seems). When did you make your reservation? When did you add on your request for near HH. Our requests were similar except that I did not specify first floor. I'm curious if I asked for the requests before or after you did.

I reserved the rooms at the 7 month window and then added on the requests at the 3-4 month window.

I agree with Pa that it seems there are several rooms to choose from, which would explain some portion of it. I am curious though, how it is that I was simply given a room (granted that met my requests) without any choice. Another issue may be how early you check in. As I checked in soooo early (7:45am) they may not have wanted to allow me to pick a room as I would then "know" my room number and could go bang on the door untill the then-current tenants left

Many issues....One thing I believe for sure. They certainly do what they can to make us happy

 

[~Magical Princess~]

Terry S, you checked right after our two week stay and we were told the 100% exact same thing right to a "T" both at check in and from the manager!!! Let's hope this policy has changed!!!

We were flat out told that there were "no rooms in the 60's" and that was a very big disappointment as those were our main request was to be in 62 - 64, but we ended up in 23 which is good, but was on the end in a tree covered balcony room (which has been fixed now as we all know!!

I really have to say this was a very disturbing thing to me that they did this after always in the past going by when the ressie was made, ours was made well in advance and it just didn't matter ... but oh well ... our trip was incredible and we are proud DVC owners, and all is right with the world!!!

 

[jjohns]

new_yawka - I'm not exactly certain, but I'm pretty sure I booked at the 7-month window and included the requests at time of booking.

DW didn't go over to the resort to do the check-in until after 12 noon, at best. We were moving from another resort, so we packed up and went to MK EE, then DW left early while I stayed with the kids and my parents to play in MK a little longer!

We did get first floor, but Turtle Pond area not HH. I think DW said she was offered HH-area as a choice, but it wasn't first floor. Maybe she was given the choice because there wasn't an exact match? As I said earlier, it all worked out for the best because we've now found another part of the resort that we can enjoy!

I was talking to a check-in CM later in the week, and she said they were essentially all booked - she told me there was only 1 vacant 2-bedroom - now THAT'S bound to make it hard to meet all requests!

Jeff

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

She seemed surprised that there was a debate(my description) and said the policy is and has always been: special requests are prioritized based on when the reservation is made, not when the member checks in. She mentioned that they were having a meeting tomorrow(Wednesday) with the "top people" at DVC and chuckled that if there is a debate, they're sure to hear about it. It's amazing how people get completely different stories about the same issue.

Thank you for posting this, yes, it is truly amazing how people get different stories and hear different things.

 

[PKK/MJK]

It is interesting how the stories vary. One of our closest friends works in MS. I was discussing this new check-in system with her, and she verified that it used to be assigned rooms based on the date the ressie was made--now it is first-come/first serve. So it is obvious, even MS CM's have differing information.