PVB Connecting Studios Request

[SpaceMountain77]

Hello Everyone,

If you have booked two studios, within the same category, at PVB and requested connecting rooms, then were you successful?

Many thanks,
Jim

 

[kandlsutton]

We requested connecting standard view rooms last May. Our rooms were adjacent but not connecting. Not ideal as our magic bands didn't work for both rooms. We went back to the lobby and asked about connecting rooms and CM told us we would have to switch rooms the next day. We were in Pago Pago and the view wasn't of the parking lot, and it was only a 4 night stay, so we just kept the adjacent rooms. Adults kids enjoyed their freedom!

 

[EYL]

We were successful with our request for Lake View connecting rooms in September 2019.

 

[Uh_Oa]

We got connected rooms in Feb 2021. The only request I put in was traveling together. We also just went January, had five rooms, only two were connected in Pago Pago. One of the other rooms was on a different floor in Pago Pago, and the last two were on different floors in Moorea. All were on the same end of the buildings so we were all close. I didn't think they'd be able to get us all together with that many rooms so we were okay with it and made it work.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We have stayed at Poly many times and always gotten the connecting room request. Until this past trip (2 weeks ago). We were not close. I pushed the issue a bit further as I know that nearly every room at PVB connects so it should be easy to fill. We were willing to be in any location and wait any amount of time. Finally with some calls to the room assigner they were able to get us connecting.

My sister checked in last week and had no issues with her connecting room request.

 

[tjkraz]

I pushed the issue a bit further as I know that nearly every room at PVB connects so it should be easy to fill.

There are a lot of rooms that connect. But putting parties in connecting rooms is heavily dependent upon which rooms are being vacated each day and the numbers of incoming parties who have made that request. If the newly-emptied rooms are scattered across different buildings and different floors--or they have 3 pairs of rooms being vacated and 5 incoming groups who have asked for connecting rooms--it may be impossible to give everyone what they want.

 

[Minniemoo15]

There are a lot of rooms that connect. But putting parties in connecting rooms is heavily dependent upon which rooms are being vacated each day and the numbers of incoming parties who have made that request. If the newly-emptied rooms are scattered across different buildings and different floors--or they have 3 pairs of rooms being vacated and 5 incoming groups who have asked for connecting rooms--it may be impossible to give everyone what they want.

I realize this and I was certainly not rude when pushing the issue. But considering 358/360 studios at Polynesian connect, I felt confident that if we were flexible in location and timing they could find us two connecting rooms which they did.

 

[jlab]

Hello Everyone,

If you have booked two studios, within the same category, at PVB and requested connecting rooms, then were you successful?

Many thanks,
Jim

We were not. The rooms were right next to each other, but internal doors did not connect.

 

[tjkraz]

I realize this and I was certainly not rude when pushing the issue. But considering 358/360 studios at Polynesian connect, I felt confident that if we were flexible in location and timing they could find us two connecting rooms which they did.

While all of that is true, not all of those 360 rooms are options for you. Hotels aren't like cruise ships where everyone arrives and departs at the same time. On any given day, only a fraction of the rooms are being vacated. If 20% of guests were departing on your arrival day, that's about 70 options for your room assignment. And at PVB, those 70 rooms are spread over 2 different views (Standard / Preferred), 3 buildings and 3 floors in each building. Some of the rooms are undoubtedly the same view + building + floor, but if they aren't right next door to each other, they don't meet your request.

If it took that much effort for the front desk to assign you to connecting rooms, It's very possible that they did not have enough open pairs to meet all of those requests, and subsequently took the connecting rooms away from another party.

There's more to it than simply believing it should be an easy request because there are so many room options available. In reality, only a fraction of those rooms are options on any given day. Room assignments are very challenging, especially at Walt Disney World where there's so much information available about room locations and views, and a lot of guests requesting the same things.

 

[EYL]

I'll throw out another possibility on why OP didn't get connecting rooms: They didn't read the room request.

It's true that room requests are just that...a request. But in August, we requested 3rd floor when we reserved Lake View. We got an early text saying that our 1st floor room was ready. I called room assignments and they were able to switch me over to a 3rd floor room before check in. So, that begs me to ask... I put in the room request a bit more than 30 days in advance by calling. If they have the room I requested available, then why didn't they assign me that room? The only answer that I can come up with is that they didn't read the room request.

 

[tjkraz]

I called room assignments and they were able to switch me over to a 3rd floor room before check in. So, that begs me to ask... I put in the room request a bit more than 30 days in advance by calling. If they have the room I requested available, then why didn't they assign me that room? The only answer that I can come up with is that they didn't read the room request.

3rd floor is an incredibly popular request at poly. We'll never get clear insight into every day's room assignments at a resort. But in my mind, the simplest explanation is that there were more requests for 3rd floor than there were rooms available. When you called, they bumped someone else who had also requested 3rd floor. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, etc.

As I said in my last post, today there is more information than ever about what rooms are "most desirable" at WDW resorts. Not a day goes by that I don't see posts on social media asking "what should I request at __ resort" and "give me some room numbers." Everyone expects the "perfect room". More and more people are asking for the same things, which means more and more people won't get it.

 

[Sandisw]

I realize this and I was certainly not rude when pushing the issue. But considering 358/360 studios at Polynesian connect, I felt confident that if we were flexible in location and timing they could find us two connecting rooms which they did.

And it’s also possible that the rooms you were given were for another guest who had requested connecting rooms and since you arrived sooner, they swapped it. Those guests might now find themselves in your position.

It is why it would be great if they allowed it as a booking category.

 

[Sandisw]

I'll throw out another possibility on why OP didn't get connecting rooms: They didn't read the room request.

It's true that room requests are just that...a request. But in August, we requested 3rd floor when we reserved Lake View. We got an early text saying that our 1st floor room was ready. I called room assignments and they were able to switch me over to a 3rd floor room before check in. So, that begs me to ask... I put in the room request a bit more than 30 days in advance by calling. If they have the room I requested available, then why didn't they assign me that room? The only answer that I can come up with is that they didn't read the room request.

Maybe room requests than rooms and since you contacted them before another guest with that room did that day, they moved you and that guest lost their requested room.

Third floor LV at Poly seems to be the most requested floor so there is no way everyone who wants them will get them.

 

[Minniemoo15]

While all of that is true, not all of those 360 rooms are options for you. Hotels aren't like cruise ships where everyone arrives and departs at the same time. On any given day, only a fraction of the rooms are being vacated. If 20% of guests were departing on your arrival day, that's about 70 options for your room assignment. And at PVB, those 70 rooms are spread over 2 different views (Standard / Preferred), 3 buildings and 3 floors in each building. Some of the rooms are undoubtedly the same view + building + floor, but if they aren't right next door to each other, they don't meet your request.

If it took that much effort for the front desk to assign you to connecting rooms, It's very possible that they did not have enough open pairs to meet all of those requests, and subsequently took the connecting rooms away from another party.

There's more to it than simply believing it should be an easy request because there are so many room options available. In reality, only a fraction of those rooms are options on any given day. Room assignments are very challenging, especially at Walt Disney World where there's so much information available about room locations and views, and a lot of guests requesting the same things.

I was told the front desk CM could see connecting rooms available but could not make the change without contacting the room assigner.

 

[tjkraz]

I was told the front desk CM could see connecting rooms available but could not make the change without contacting the room assigner.

The Poly villas consistently operate at 99-100% occupancy so I'm unclear of the context for a CM saying there were rooms "available." It is incredibly unlikely that the resort ignored your request, leaving two connecting rooms to remain vacant for the night.

One explanation is the rooms were assigned to other guests, but the CM could tell that those individuals had not yet arrived. There is evidence that room assignments are changed to the detriment of some. I've read many stories of guests being told by a front desk CM "I cannot give you your room number yet, but I think you'll be very happy with it." And when they finally get the room assignment, the view or location is completely different from anything they had requested.

Otherwise we're arguing that room assigners are so stubborn or incompetent that they're unable to grant the most basic request for "connecting rooms anywhere at the resort."

 

[EYL]

3rd floor is an incredibly popular request at poly. We'll never get clear insight into every day's room assignments at a resort. But in my mind, the simplest explanation is that there were more requests for 3rd floor than there were rooms available. When you called, they bumped someone else who had also requested 3rd floor. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, etc.

As I said in my last post, today there is more information than ever about what rooms are "most desirable" at WDW resorts. Not a day goes by that I don't see posts on social media asking "what should I request at __ resort" and "give me some room numbers." Everyone expects the "perfect room". More and more people are asking for the same things, which means more and more people won't get it.

Fair point. Thanks.

 

[EYL]

Maybe room requests than rooms and since you contacted them before another guest with that room did that day, they moved you and that guest lost their requested room.

Third floor LV at Poly seems to be the most requested floor so there is no way everyone who wants them will get them.

Fair point. Thanks!!

 

[Sandisw]

The Poly villas consistently operate at 99-100% occupancy so I'm unclear of the context for a CM saying there were rooms "available." It is incredibly unlikely that the resort ignored your request, leaving two connecting rooms to remain vacant for the night.

One explanation is the rooms were assigned to other guests, but the CM could tell that those individuals had not yet arrived. There is evidence that room assignments are changed to the detriment of some. I've read many stories of guests being told by a front desk CM "I cannot give you your room number yet, but I think you'll be very happy with it." And when they finally get the room assignment, the view or location is completely different from anything they had requested.

Otherwise we're arguing that room assigners are so stubborn or incompetent that they're unable to grant the most basic request for "connecting rooms anywhere at the resort."

Going to add that this happened at RIV. We arrived earlier...around 1:00 pm and asked if there were any rooms available then...the front desk CM said I can see one is but let me call...they checked and we were moved. It was definitely a room that had been assigned to someone else and the back office was able to change things around.

So, I have to agree with you...that moving someone does not mean the same thing as being vacant...it is more likely than not it was a guest shuffle instead.

 

[Minniemoo15]

The Poly villas consistently operate at 99-100% occupancy so I'm unclear of the context for a CM saying there were rooms "available." It is incredibly unlikely that the resort ignored your request, leaving two connecting rooms to remain vacant for the night.

One explanation is the rooms were assigned to other guests, but the CM could tell that those individuals had not yet arrived. There is evidence that room assignments are changed to the detriment of some. I've read many stories of guests being told by a front desk CM "I cannot give you your room number yet, but I think you'll be very happy with it." And when they finally get the room assignment, the view or location is completely different from anything they had requested.

Otherwise we're arguing that room assigners are so stubborn or incompetent that they're unable to grant the most basic request for "connecting rooms anywhere at the resort."

I’m not saying they are stubborn or incompetent. I am saying that perhaps the room request wasn’t received properly in the first place so it was overlooked. Anyway, I am done trying to defend myself as a reasonable person.

I am just trying to say that in the end, if your request isn’t granted upon arrival it doesn’t hurt to ask again at check in. Especially if you are willing to be flexible on location, timing, or even moving rooms partway through the trip like we were.