OKW - Checkin - First Come, First Serve

[Tigger7570]

Hi Everyone:
Just got back on Friday from 11 days at OKW. We arrived on Tuesday night and stayed at the Studio and then checked into our two bedroom the next morning. We did receive one of our requests (we just request buildings, not floors, rooms, etc.) which was wonderful, but we were offered other buildings that weren't part of our requests. Later in the week we stopped by the front desk about something and I recognized the CM who waited on us as one I have seen over the past several years (we're members since 93). Anyway, I did ask her about the "first come, first serve" trial. She said the reason they were doing this is because they have had so many problems with people checking in and being irate that they didn't get their request. She said that they have been demanding about getting the building, floor, room, view all of it. She also said that it didn't matter that they reminded them that they are requests and not guaranteed. She said it got to the point that CMs were having to either deal with them being irate or giving in. So for now they are leaving the assignments up to the CM that you see when you check in. From the way she talked, and by the way, she was very nice, people checking in have been pretty rude. How sad for all of us who know the rules and go by the rules. CMs should not be treated that way. I hope like everyone else that this is a trial, but after talking with her, it became clear that the problem was created by some Members who feel they are the exception to the rules. My personal feeling is if you don't like the rules, sell, we don't need you. I love OKW and the thought that the me, me, me, people will change it for the rest of us makes me angry. I will continue to make my requests and hope for the best and hope it doesn't mean that in the future, I will have to arrive at 6:00 a.m. to have a shot at a request. After these people get their way on that, what's next? We have never had a bad unit and we have been in many units over the years and we would never allow the location of our unit to be a major issue. It's always wonderful to be at OKW no matter where our unit may be. We had a wonderful trip. The bus service which we used a couple of times was great, the rest of the time we had a car. We toured the new BCV, very nice. All the CM we encountered were helpful, cheery and courteous and I can't wait to go back.

 

[CarolMN]

From the CM's remarks, I must assume that most of the rude, irate and demanding members tended to arrive and check in early in the day. Or perhaps it is easier to tell someone who checks in later that all the other rooms are occupied?

I'm sorry to hear that the CMs are treated so poorly by some. And even sorrier to hear that the best way to get your way is to be rude, demanding and irate!

 

[Peterd]

I thought they used to have a room controller who would map out the rooms two to three days before check-in. I hope it goes back to the old way. I don't think it's fair if you request something 11 months out but check in later in the day, (I know it's only a request), and someone requests the same thing two to seven months out checks in earlier than you, and you don't get any priority on your' request. I guess the 11 month window is now only good for guarenteeing a room and nothing else.
Anyone know what the earliest you are allowed to check in is? We had a two bedroom at the Bw one year for our first night, and were checking into a GV the next morning. We were coming in late one night (around 2 a.m.), so I asked if I could do the paperwork for the next day's checkin. They wouldn't let me do it, but they've let me do it around 6 a.m. before. We usually only ask for non-smoking, BW or Pool view, and at Okw to be by the main pool. We don't get into room number or the floor thing.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with Peterd. I would think it will just be a different group of irate people.

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[Laurel]

I have to agree with being upset when the only thing you request is a non-smoking room and you get stuck with a smoking room. That is the only thing we ever request and on the last two trips we had alot of difficulty at OKW with it. Both trips were booked months in advance and both times I had to argue to get a non-smoking room. I could care less what floor it is on , what building it is in, or what view I have. I JUST want a non-smoking room and at one point I had to threaten to move somewhere else, like one of the hotels or whatever they could come up with. I simply refused the smoking room. I get migraines whenever I am around alot of smoke and can't chance wrecking a vacation with being sick in bed the whole time, all the while the room I would be in would keep making me more ill!! I was really upset when the people checking in next to me had no trouble getting the building and the room number and non-smoking unit they requested and they booked later then I did. I stuck to my guns and was given a non-smoking room and ended up having a very nice trip, but it sure started out badly!! Just don't cave in!!!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by DVCLady
I can see a big complaint in this one. First of all what if you book 11 months out for a non-smoking room and get a smoking room? Who cares about the view when it comes down to this. Especially when you have allergies and asthma. It just wouldn't be fair if a smoker got a non-smoking room at 4 months out and you got stuck with a smoking room when you booked 11 months. I really don't care what view I get at OKW. All the views that I have had are great! Just give me my non-smoking. room.

You will never have to worry about this "when" eventually DVC makes all there resorts "NON SMOKING."

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You will never have to worry about this "when" eventually DVC makes all there resorts "NON SMOKING."

That will never happen. Disney will never cut out a chunk of prospective buyers this way. Disney knows there are smokers and smokers do spend money, hence, they will never ever eliminate the smoking units completely.

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[colleen costello]

I agree with DVCLady. Smoking/Nonsmoking is a medical thing, not the same category as "view" or "close to Hospitality House." For many nonsmokers, smoky rooms cause headaches and allergic reactions -- not what you want on vacation!

Whenever I book ANY hotel room, I say "nonsmoking for medical reasons." I have allergies. I think that any Disney property should guarantee smoke-free rooms to non-smokers. If none are available at OKW then they should move you to a comparable property. And they certainly should NOT get fussy because someone refuses a smoking room.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

There are 5 smoking buildings at OKW, definitely in the minority.
I think if you request a non smoking unit the chances are pretty good that you will get one.

Atleast, Maybe DVC should just keep track of the rooms that are non-smoking and once they are booked, they should tell the member the only thing we have left is smoking.

Atleast, Maybe DVC should just keep track of the rooms that are non-smoking and once they are booked, they should tell the member the only thing we have left is smoking.

They do.

And Members should have priority over non-members. Non-members should get what is left. After all we are owners and will be going to our resort year after year. Some of us several times a year.

I COMPLETELY agree!!!!!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
That will never happen. Disney will never cut out a chunk of prospective buyers this way. Disney knows there are smokers and smokers do spend money, hence, they will never ever eliminate the smoking units completely.

Gail,
I thought you might respond to my post . DVC won't care when and if this (non-smoking resorts) happens.Mainly because they will still sell out of there resorts if they are non-smoking, maybe even faster. DVC only cares about the bottom line....."$$$$.
So if the smoking members want to sell there ownership if there is a change to non-smoking, there will be many people willing to buy re-sale DVC.
They also said bars and restraunts would "NEVER" go non-smoking.Check out California and now N.Y., business has even picked up "more" than when it was smoking allowed in California.
And if a person chooses to smoke in a non-smoking DVC villa,there credit card will be charged a $200-$300 cleaning fee like they do at some hotels now.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We always book within at least a 7-11 month lead time and always request a building (not a room). On the past four trips, we did not receive our requested building at check in. We gently expressed our disappointment, but went our merry way.

It is very sad that the squeaky, irrate wheel will be the one who gets the room we want. We are not that type of person, but it seems to be a way to get what you want. Too bad.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

And if a person chooses to smoke in a non-smoking DVC villa,there credit card will be charged a $200-$300 cleaning fee like they do at some hotels

Sure they will, just like they charge the credit cards of people who take things from the villa.

Comparing restaurants and bars in CA and NY is not a comparison. You can still have smoking optional rooms in both states. And....btw, you can still smoke in the bar area of restaurants in NY and in all bars in NY.

As it was presented to me by someone in upper mgmt. at DVC, the theory is that Disney understands that people smoke, they also want ownership available to that sector of the population.
They, as it was told to me, will never have a non smoking DVC.

If you actually think about it, I doubt you would really want that anyway. People will always break the rules and smoke in a non smoking villa if your hope ever comes to light. What a horror that would be for the non smokers. I also doubt that Disney would ever institute a policy to charge for "desmoking" a room/unit.

I am still wondering what difference it makes to you what people do behind closed doors or in an area where something is allowed.
Do you really wish to control all things that bother you?
I can only speak for OKW, but the buildings that house smokers are totally separate from the non smoking buildings. What is your problem?

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Note the day of the week you start your stay can affect your room request regardless of when you make your reservation. One of the resort managers explained it to me personally this way: ie.
If this is the busy season for the resort and you arrive on a Thursday (or ANY TIME other than Sat or Sun), it can effect your room request no matter when you make your reservation. The room assignors fullfil the room assignments bases on arrival day, than day/ time of reservation and than my your list of personal requests. They will not hold a room open, say, Saturday for your arrival on Sunday. Those high weekend pts. can and do effect your room request fulfillment.

We found this out when we split our stay between two resorts. We were having a causal conversation with the CM while checking in at the BWV about our stay at VWL and hoping our room requests at BWV would be fulfilled. (No complaints, we had a dedicated 2 bedroom at VWL and were assigned a lockoff at BWV.) The manager happened to over hear the conversation and came over to talk to us. He asked as about our stay so far and what we liked about each of the resorts. That trip we had stayed at HH, VWL and than BWV. Our main request was to be close to the elevator, no view requested. He mentioned that requests are fullfilled also by order on your list.
1) Non smoking
2) Close to elevator
3) Upper Floor

I don't think I would ever take the job of room assignnor - it must be a logistical night mare.

I hope this helps shed some light on the process.

Sandy B.

 

[OKWKirt]

I just returned from OKW and wasn't sure if this old horse was dead yet, so let me kick it one more time with my info I received. I asked at checkin if my room was pre-assigned or if the CM was assigning a room while I stood there. She said it was already assigned and further said when you make specific requests on your reservation they are pre-assigned. If you don't make any requests they assign them when you check in.