Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Room Request Fax Thread

[Venomhatch]

We arrive at WDW on 1/21/15. We stay one night at POP & then move to POR for a6 night pkg. since we are arriving at POR on a Thursday, what day should I fax room requests? Will we have a better chance of gating/keeping our assigned room if we go over and check in early in the morning, closer to official check in time, or check in at home? If weather delays our arrival, what happens to our room assignment/pkg?

I would send the Today, Saturday, Tuesday. Nothing will happen to visit package at all!

 

[andrewilley]

Rooms are assigned basically a week before you get there.

That's not normally quite how it works.

The resorts do have the ability to block out rooms in advance of course, and they will often do so for particular reasons such as medical needs, larger parties with multiple room requirements, consecutive bookings at the same resort, more complex special requests (which often includes fax-based requested), etc.

The room assignment team has a series of system searches which are run daily to catch these sort of needs, but these are generally only processed within five days of arrival, with larger and more complex bookings handled further out than single-room bookings. Beyond five days out they don't generally do any room category adjustments (in case any new bookings might still come in) hence my advice not to send faxes prior to that point.

However, the most rooms are still allocated using the Ready Room system, which is done on the day of arrival. This is because the vast majority of guests do not make any special requests, beyond possibly a general area location or floor, and most people are much happier to just have a room available at whatever time they arrive rather than having to wait. If all rooms were pre-assigned, a lot more people would end up waiting for their 'specific' room to be cleaned and readied, when other rooms nearby might already be empty and waiting.

Guests who have done Online Checkin will be assigned their room a little while before their stated arrival time, which will be picked from the pool of cleaned and available rooms at that time - and booking requests will be taken into account if possible, within the pool of rooms they can see at the time.

If you don't do online checkin, the same process will happen when you arrive at the desk to try to get you a free room there-and-then. That's why I always suggest doing online checkin, so if the room that they find you a few hours before your arrival doesn't suit you, you can ask the front desk to check again in the new pool of rooms which has become available in the meantime for something better. That way you double your chances of getting what you want.

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

That's not normally quite how it works.

The resorts do have the ability to block out rooms in advance of course, and they will often do so for particular reasons such as medical needs, larger parties with multiple room requirements, consecutive bookings at the same resort, more complex special requests (which often includes fax-based requested), etc.

The room assignment team has a series of system searches which are run daily to catch these sort of needs, but these are generally only processed within five days of arrival, with larger and more complex bookings handled further out than single-room bookings. Beyond five days out they don't generally do any room category adjustments (in case any new bookings might still come in) hence my advice not to send faxes prior to that point.

However, the most rooms are still allocated using the Ready Room system, which is done on the day of arrival. This is because the vast majority of guests do not make any special requests, beyond possibly a general area location or floor, and most people are much happier to just have a room available at whatever time they arrive rather than having to wait. If all rooms were pre-assigned, a lot more people would end up waiting for their 'specific' room to be cleaned and readied, when other rooms nearby might already be empty and waiting.

Guests who have done Online Checkin will be assigned their room a little while before their stated arrival time, which will be picked from the pool of cleaned and available rooms at that time - and booking requests will be taken into account if possible, within the pool of rooms they can see at the time.

If you don't do online checkin, the same process will happen when you arrive at the desk to try to get you a free room there-and-then. That's why I always suggest doing online checkin, so if the room that they find you a few hours before your arrival doesn't suit you, you can ask the front desk to check again in the new pool of rooms which has become available in the meantime for something better. That way you double your chances of getting what you want.

Andre

It cant type huge amounts of sentences yet. Sorry I trying to help.

 

[VLB]

I just discovered this thread, and its giving me a lot of food for thought. I'd really like an opinion on if/how to proceed.

I've been planning this trip for 6 months, and we booked into POR-pool view with the MYW+Dining Deal the first day it was offered last fall.

This will be our 3d trip to DW. Both times we stayed at CBR, but the first time we got a Pirate room. It was fine, but nothing so great that we were willing to pay extra the next time. On trip 2, we were quite content with the CBR standard room. For this trip, we discovered that POR has queen beds and a more deluxe-like vibe, which has always tempted us. When booking, I mentally classed the Royal rooms with our experience with the Pirate room - not worth the upgrade. I was quite content until I phoned Disney 3 days ago to update our Magical Express arrival flight. As I spoke to the lovely CM, she told me that I would LOVE a mansion room and that she would put that in a room request for Magnolia Terrace on my check-in. That prompted me to look on line at room options...and now (much to my chagrin), I am DEEPLY regretting not booking a Royal! I tried phoning today to find out how much it would cost to upgrade, and if it is even possible with our package. Unfortunately, there weren't any available.

I'm embarrassed to come across like I want "more," when this trip alone is very special. I'd be more comfortable asking if a Royal were available upon arrival (and pay the difference), however, we are flying in from a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Even with our 6 am departure, we won't even land in Orlando until after 8 pm. I fear that by then, any possible upgrades may be gone.

Is there any point, after all that, to submit a fax request for the opportunity to upgrade to a Royal Room (view would be irrelevant, if we were staring at those headboards!)? Unfortunately, I can't say we are celebrating anything particularly pixie-dust worthy, like a birthday or wedding. It's just been a hard year of work and promotions (that brought more work!) for my husband and I, and we deliberately decided to take our girls out of school to just play as a family for a week.

We are going to have a GREAT time, no matter what! Thanks for any feedback. Truly, this is a lovely dilemma to have to puzzle over.

Vanessa

PS: Edited to add, that I can't see where the CM requested Magnolia Terrace on my on-line check in...just the checkboxes for room locations (corner, floor, etc). So I don't know what she put...and that was before I discovered the Royal rooms!

 

[Venomhatch]

I just discovered this thread, and its giving me a lot of food for thought. I'd really like an opinion on if/how to proceed.

I've been planning this trip for 6 months, and we booked into POR-pool view with the MYW+Dining Deal the first day it was offered last fall.

This will be our 3d trip to DW. Both times we stayed at CBR, but the first time we got a Pirate room. It was fine, but nothing so great that we were willing to pay extra the next time. On trip 2, we were quite content with the CBR standard room. For this trip, we discovered that POR has queen beds and a more deluxe-like vibe, which has always tempted us. When booking, I mentally classed the Royal rooms with our experience with the Pirate room - not worth the upgrade. I was quite content until I phoned Disney 3 days ago to update our Magical Express arrival flight. As I spoke to the lovely CM, she told me that I would LOVE a mansion room and that she would put that in a room request for Magnolia Terrace on my check-in. That prompted me to look on line at room options...and now (much to my chagrin), I am DEEPLY regretting not booking a Royal! I tried phoning today to find out how much it would cost to upgrade, and if it is even possible with our package. Unfortunately, there weren't any available.

I'm embarrassed to come across like I want "more," when this trip alone is very special. I'd be more comfortable asking if a Royal were available upon arrival (and pay the difference), however, we are flying in from a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Even with our 6 am departure, we won't even land in Orlando until after 8 pm. I fear that by then, any possible upgrades may be gone.

Is there any point, after all that, to submit a fax request for the opportunity to upgrade to a Royal Room (view would be irrelevant, if we were staring at those headboards!)? Unfortunately, I can't say we are celebrating anything particularly pixie-dust worthy, like a birthday or wedding. It's just been a hard year of work and promotions (that brought more work!) for my husband and I, and we deliberately decided to take our girls out of school to just play as a family for a week.

We are going to have a GREAT time, no matter what! Thanks for any feedback. Truly, this is a lovely dilemma to have to puzzle over.

Vanessa

PS: Edited to add, that I can't see where the CM requested Magnolia Terrace on my on-line check in...just the checkboxes for room locations (corner, floor, etc). So I don't know what she put...and that was before I discovered the Royal rooms!

I was reading this and want to help if I can. You may also PM me if you need to. Clearing this up you want royal room? You could send my fax, modified for your needs, in it mention you didn't know about the royal rooms and now really wanted to see about transferring to a royal room, with pool, river, what view you wanted. Mention that if necessary you pay the difference if you need the is needed. It is possible the may upgrade you if they can. Not saying it will happen just the reservation computer is not often 100% correct.

 

[kelsea823]

Hi! I've never sent in a request before but I would like to try it this time. We (me, dh, dd - 6 mo. pregnant, and dsil - 1st timer at WDW) are going to POR on Jan. 23 - Feb. 1.

We will be there long enough that I would like to get a nice room close to food and bus stops so dd won't have to walk too much - I know, crazy request at WDW! Ha!

We have stayed in AB and dh didn't love the rustic feel. I would like to try the Mansion rooms.

We booked a pool view through Orbitz and when I tried to call Disney to ask questions etc., they said they couldn't talk to me and to call Orbitz.

Do you think Magnolia would be the best for us? Any other suggestions before I fax? I appreciate any feedback. TIA!

 

[andrewilley]

It cant type huge amounts of sentences yet. Sorry I trying to help.

Sure, no worries, all the regulars are here to help out anyway so don't worry about overdoing things too soon.

I'm embarrassed to come across like I want "more," when this trip alone is very special. I'd be more comfortable asking if a Royal were available upon arrival (and pay the difference), however, we are flying in from a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Even with our 6 am departure, we won't even land in Orlando until after 8 pm. I fear that by then, any possible upgrades may be gone.

PS: Edited to add, that I can't see where the CM requested Magnolia Terrace on my on-line check in...just the checkboxes for room locations (corner, floor, etc). So I don't know what she put...and that was before I discovered the Royal rooms!

As Venom has said, you've got nothing to lose by asking! Your current requests are stored in your booking and will be visible to the room inventory team when they check shortly before your arrival, but you won't see them in the MDE system.

Phrase your faxed request as really wanting a mansion building as your first priority, and say that you initially tried to make a booking for a Royal Room which would have guaranteed this but that the system said none were available. You can also let them know your arrival time, saying that you are concerned that any options for mansion building rooms might be gone by the time you arrive.

Then you can ask that if any availability may have appeared in the meantime, you would still love to stay in a Royal Room if possible and would be happy to pay the difference on arrival. (They probably won't charge you a fee, but it always looks better to make the offer anyway). Then after that mention any other smaller requests (always put the most important requests first).

Don't send your fax any earlier than 5 days out by the way, as they normally only look at discretionary upgrades within the last 5 days before arrivals (in case any more guests might book those rooms in advance).

Andre

 

[VLB]

Thanks, Andre, and Venomhatch!
Vanessa

 

[MagentaMulan]

I faxed in my room requests 5 days as suggested. The CM when i checked in told me they received it and even before i asked. I was granted all 3 requests! (Building 3, third floor, non-connecting door way) Room 3319.

 

[yooperfan]

Sure, no worries, all the regulars are here to help out anyway so don't worry about overdoing things too soon.




As Venom has said, you've got nothing to lose by asking! Your current requests are stored in your booking and will be visible to the room inventory team when they check shortly before your arrival, but you won't see them in the MDE system.

Phrase your faxed request as really wanting a mansion building as your first priority, and say that you initially tried to make a booking for a Royal Room which would have guaranteed this but that the system said none were available. You can also let them know your arrival time, saying that you are concerned that any options for mansion building rooms might be gone by the time you arrive.

Then you can ask that if any availability may have appeared in the meantime, you would still love to stay in a Royal Room if possible and would be happy to pay the difference on arrival. (They probably won't charge you a fee, but it always looks better to make the offer anyway). Then after that mention any other smaller requests (always put the most important requests first).

Don't send your fax any earlier than 5 days out by the way, as they normally only look at discretionary upgrades within the last 5 days before arrivals (in case any more guests might book those rooms in advance).

Andre

From what your saying, I may have sent mine in too early. We arrive at POR on Thursday and I sent my fax yesterday (Saturday 1/17). That would make it more that 5 days before. Should I resend my fax?

 

[awalker1015]

Staying at POFQ in March. If we forego any check in requests is there a decent chance our room will be ready early? Trying to decide whether to wing it or make requests. Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

From what you're saying, I may have sent mine in too early. We arrive at POR on Thursday and I sent my fax yesterday (Saturday 1/17). That would make it more that 5 days before. Should I resend my fax?

Saturday to Thursday is exactly 5 days.

 

[andrewilley]

From what your saying, I may have sent mine in too early.

It's not a precise science, it's merely a (non-guaranteed) request for a hotel room location. We may give advice based on all sorts of factors, but at the end of the day just send it and keep your fingers crossed.

Staying at POFQ in March. If we forego any check in requests is there a decent chance our room will be ready early?

Yes, quite likely - that's what the Ready Room system is meant to help with. You can make requests too if you like, but make sure you specify your arrival time and say that you'd prefer to accept a ready room which doesn't match all your requests, rather than waiting until later in the afternoon. No guarantees of course, but most people with early arrivals seem to get lucky.

Andre

 

[MyFriendsCallMeMeg]

Just found this thread a week before my trip! Thank you so much to Venomhatch and andrewilley for keeping this going!

I read the first few posts and I think I have a good idea of what to write, but maybe you can help with the wording or give me some tips. I check in next Monday night for our Disneymoon and our second ever Disney trip! We booked a Royal room because we got a deal on them. We stayed in them last time and loved the theming and the beautiful buildings.

My partner has mobility issues, so close to the bridge/ main building/ buses would be the most help.

Do you guys like the preferred king rooms? Should I ask for one of those since it would be a close walk? I know it's silly but I feel like I should be trying to get a king bed since it is our honeymoon., and I know there aren't any royal king rooms.

Also, I've avoided doing online check-in because of our special requests. Should I check in online now, or does it really matter if I'm faxing in special requests?

 

[spritna]

Non guarantee is correct. When we were there in October we didn't get any of our request. Ending up being the worst experience we ever had. Everything we requested we got opposite. .. (not ground floor) got 1st floor... (mansion building) got ab.

 

[siskaren]

Do you guys like the preferred king rooms? Should I ask for one of those since it would be a close walk? I know it's silly but I feel like I should be trying to get a king bed since it is our honeymoon., and I know there aren't any royal king rooms.

There also aren't any Royal preferred rooms (all preferred rooms are AB), so you would be requesting a category other than what you booked.

 

[MyFriendsCallMeMeg]

There also aren't any Royal preferred rooms (all preferred rooms are AB), so you would be requesting a category other than what you booked.

You're right. I never even walked by AB during our last trip so I don't know if we would appreciate the theming as much. Maybe I should just try and get a royal room close to the bridge and forget about a king bed.

 

[Venomhatch]

Just found this thread a week before my trip! Thank you so much to Venomhatch and andrewilley for keeping this going!

I read the first few posts and I think I have a good idea of what to write, but maybe you can help with the wording or give me some tips. I check in next Monday night for our Disneymoon and our second ever Disney trip! We booked a Royal room because we got a deal on them. We stayed in them last time and loved the theming and the beautiful buildings.

My partner has mobility issues, so close to the bridge/ main building/ buses would be the most help.

Do you guys like the preferred king rooms? Should I ask for one of those since it would be a close walk? I know it's silly but I feel like I should be trying to get a king bed since it is our honeymoon., and I know there aren't any royal king rooms.

Also, I've avoided doing online check-in because of our special requests. Should I check in online now, or does it really matter if I'm faxing in special requests?

I avoid online myself. But you can do it if you want to. Also thanks for the kind comments.

Non guarantee is correct. When we were there in October we didn't get any of our request. Ending up being the worst experience we ever had. Everything we requested we got opposite. .. (not ground floor) got 1st floor... (mansion building) got ab.

Sometimes they can get lost. I would have loved to try and help. I know sometimes certain room type might be booked and it can happen.

----------

I usually say fax on any day besides Sun and Monday. I usually say fax a day before before them like Friday and Saturday. So if your five days from say Sunday send it to Saturday instead, usually try morning time or at least before 4pm EST.

 

[CableKC]

Really stupid question....but in this day and age....does the Disney Resorts really pay attention to faxes? Has it really worked to help get special room requests the week before your arrival?

If so, I'm gonna have to hook up my fax machine.

 

[Venomhatch]

Really stupid question....but in this day and age....does the Disney Resorts really pay attention to faxes? Has it really worked to help get special room requests the week before your arrival?

If so, I'm gonna have to hook up my fax machine.

POR/POFQ do for sure! CBR and CSR mostly do.

Deluxes usually dont.