Preferred room necessary?

[sandra9968]

Last year our AAA agent booked up the Magic your way package with dining plan and the preferred room. This year, our agent (different) did not book the preferred room. When I questioned this she blew it off as "its just the location and doesn't mean anything" We stayed at Music last year and we were right at the Guitar pool, which sadly closed 2 days into our stay and we walked down to the piano pool...it wasn't until then that I saw just how many building the place had. I don't know if I would have wanted to hike that far at the end of the night with a then 3.5 year old. In October, we are staying at Pop and she will be 5 years old. Would you call back and make her book a Preferred room or is it not really worth spending the extra just for the location? And how much more should I expect it to be? IF they ever have any left! Heck, I tried to get a breakfast at the Castle on October 11 and they have NOTHING that entire week!! Hello! I thought I Was booking early! sigh. Anyhow, would appreciate opionions!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Preferred rooms really ARE a personal 'preference'.

For myself, it really doesn't matter. As much as I like being in the 'thick of the action' -- at the end of the day I'm not willing to pay too much extra for it.

Preferred rooms are generally 10 to 16 $ more per night at Pop Century.

There are some non-preferred rooms which (due to hallways and elevators and such) are actually closer to the bus stops / food court than certain preferred rooms.

All that said -- it sounds like you would appreciate the peace of mind from booking a preferred room and the benefits it could/would provide you.

As such, don't let your TA control your vacation -- its your trip, book it as you see fit.

Hope this helps!

Knox

 

[F1Julie]

I think preferred rooms are a waste of money. Think how much walking you do all day at the parks. Is a little more walking to your room really that big of a deal?

 

[carmie3377]

I think preferred rooms are a waste of money. Think how much walking you do all day at the parks. Is a little more walking to your room really that big of a deal?

That is how I feel. We had a non-preferred room at ASMo and I didn't find the room to be that long of a walk, maybe 2 minutes from the bus stop. We were actually in the back of the resort too.

 

[maxiesmom]

The ASMu is really not that huge of a resort. We have stayed in the Broadway section, and it was only a 3 minute walk to the main building. So unless someone has a physical problem with the walk, I wouldn't spend the money on the preferred room. I would be more worried about why my TA was telling me what they were booking, instead of asking what I wanted.

 

[Alesia]

Non-preferred rooms are often quieter than preferred rooms.

 

[Paparazzimama]

We stayed at ASMu this past November with a non-preferred room and vowed NEVER to do it again!!! At the end of a long day in the parks (even the ones with a break in the middle) a walk to the very back building at our resort was more than exhausting with a 5 and 7 year old! I know that some non-preferred rooms are just as close as preferred, but I wouldn't take the chance of getting stuck in the back. I guess you should just weigh out if you would rather the "quieter" non-preferred section or the "more convenient" preferred section. But, I definitely agree with the pps - you tell your TA what you want, and not visa-versa!

 

[Tink888]

It really comes down to your preferences. We have never done the preferred rooms - personally a waste of money for us. We have never been more than a five minute walk from the main building or buses and the walk wasn't an issue for us.

 

[cobbler]

I have 2 children - ages 7 and 11 now but they have been going since 10 months and 4 years old. I have never paid for a preferred room, personally it isn't worth the extra $$. We also have never had a problem walking that extra little bit with little ones in tow.

Kids become acclimated quickly and it won't bother them so much. We drive from MI to FL ever since they were very small and they are so used to the driving and walking it isn't a big deal.

But like others said, it's personal preference. Me, I have better things to do with $50-100 (depending on how long you stay) than to have a shorter than 3 minute walk.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We are staying at CBR and quite frankly I think it is important to have the Preferred Room. When I get back to my resort at night, I want to be close to the food court to get a drink and I also like having a short walk back to my room. This my personal preferrence, but that is what makes Disney so awesome there are choices for everyone, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Search your heart and do what works for you, if you feel it is worth the extra money then spend it, we do.

 

[Alesia]

Keep in mind that the size of the resort has a lot to do with it. Pop is a lot smaller than many other resorts.

 

[divawife]

I had preferred rooms at ASMu in Calypso building 10 on 3rd floor in the back-Very quiet and there were pool parties going on.

I blessed that preferred room every night since we walked our fannies and feet off. I understand the concept of "its just more walking" but it must be a psychological thing for me- once I see I am 'home" I get doubly tired and just can't make it another step.

I am ok in shape and the walking itself was fine-my feet did hurt at the end of the day but not horribly. But it was such a pleasure not to have an extra hike each night and each morning for drinks or food or bus.

To me it was well worth the extra $57 or so for the 5 nights. Completely and totally worth it.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Get the preferred room if you have any doubts.

 

[Frito]

IMHO booking preferred is definatly worth the extra $$. For us, sometimes the foodcourt is way too crazy to juggle the kids/food/drinks...easier for one of us to run, get breakfast & bring it back to the room. Try doing that staying at the Country Fair.

For something to keep in the back of your mind, Disney recognizes booking preferred rooms as a "request". When you book preferred at the values, it is not guaranteed at check in. This happened to us our last two trips to ASMu. We had booked preferred and ended up staying in Rock Inn and Country Fair.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Depends on which resort you are staying in. I.e., paying extra for a preferred location at Pop isn't worth the extra $$$, IMO. The resort is very compact, nothing is more than a 5 min walk and some of the standard rooms are actually closer to the busses/food court than the preferred rooms. However, some of the more spread out resorts, CBR for example, paying for a preferred room would definately be worth it if your budget allows. Some of those standard rooms (like in Trinidad South!) are so far away you feel like you aren't even in the resort. Which is great if that's your cup of tea, but if it's not...

 

[iheartdisney]

IMHO booking preferred is definatly worth the extra $$. For us, sometimes the foodcourt is way too crazy to juggle the kids/food/drinks...easier for one of us to run, get breakfast & bring it back to the room. Try doing that staying at the Country Fair.

For something to keep in the back of your mind, Disney recognizes booking preferred rooms as a "request". When you book preferred at the values, it is not guaranteed at check in. This happened to us our last two trips to ASMu. We had booked preferred and ended up staying in Rock Inn and Country Fair.

Our last Value stay in Country Fair is the reason I AM paying the extra $$ for a prefered room. It took forver for my kids to walk all the way back, and in the rain 3 out of 3 days at that!
So now my concern is...if I have booked a preffered room, and they see it as a "request" and put me in the back again, do I get my 90 dollars back?

 

[BamaFan121s]

So now my concern is...if I have booked a preffered room, and they see it as a "request" and put me in the back again, do I get my 90 dollars back?

If you are paying for a preferred location, then you are guaranteed to get it. Just find out in advance which locations they consider to be 'preferred.'