Really confused as to the necessity of online check-in

[Road_Dog]

We just finished a stay at Pop Century. I booked a standard room but had called in and put in a room request for something as close to the skyliner as possible.

The employee did suggest that I upgrade my room to a Preferred if I wanted to guarantee that, but I said as close as they could get me in Standard would be fine. I specifically suggested anywhere in 50s or 70s.

Well we ended up getting a room in 90s, which if you know is the farthest you can be from the skyliner. The only positive was we got a room in the most north west corner so we were right by the parking lot, and it was quite easy to cut through the parking lot to the busses. So while the walk wasn’t terrible to the food court, we still had a haul to the skyliner.

basically, I called in to make my room reservation. But then 3 days ahead of my visit, I also did online check-in. I did NOT select a room request during online check-in because I was under the impression that it was override or erase any previous room request I established via phone.

I was obviously disappointed to get a room in 90s, so upon arrival I asked the front desk if there was anything else and she said they were sold out and only had empty (unchecked in) rooms in the 90s I could switch to.

We didn’t arrive until 6PM so perhaps we just got the short end of the stick when it came to getting assigned rooms? Or did I screw up when I did online check-in? I’d really like to know because we have a stay in a Preferred view at Poly coming up, and I have a request in for a 3rd floor view of the fireworks, and I don’t want to jeopardize that and get giving a 1st floor. I told my wife that I almost want to switch our flight so we arrive at the hotel as early as possible so we’re more likely to get the room we want filled first (if that’s even how it works).

 

[elvispursley]

Requests are just that...a request, not a guarantee. You specifically booked a standard and even though you requested 50s or 70s, you unfortunately were not able to have your request met. I'm sure your request was not the only one which requested "near the skyliner'. I don't think online check-in had anything to do with it as you mention you did not add any requests. It just allows you to bypass the front desk. Did you happen to ask if you could be moved to you desired area later during your stay? I think the rule of thumb is book where you want to stay (e.g. preferred, etc).

 

[Road_Dog]

Requests are just that...a request, not a guarantee. You specifically booked a standard and even though you requested 50s or 70s, you unfortunately were not able to have your request met. I'm sure your request was not the only one which requested "near the skyliner'. I don't think online check-in had anything to do with it as you mention you did not add any requests. It just allows you to bypass the front desk. Did you happen to ask if you could be moved to you desired area later during your stay? I think the rule of thumb is book where you want to stay (e.g. preferred, etc).

Thanks, I didn’t mean to sound snotty or like I was rude to the staff. I even told the front desk “i know requests aren’t guaranteed, just seeing if there’s anything closer”.

I just felt I rolled snake eyes on my chances getting a room in 90s and not even 80s, so I’m trying to attribute it to perhaps checking in later in the day or maybe having done something I shouldn’t have with my online check-in.

 

[fla4fun]

We just finished a stay at Pop Century. I booked a standard room but had called in and put in a room request for something as close to the skyliner as possible.

The employee did suggest that I upgrade my room to a Preferred if I wanted to guarantee that, but I said as close as they could get me in Standard would be fine. I specifically suggested anywhere in 50s or 70s.

Well we ended up getting a room in 90s, which if you know is the farthest you can be from the skyliner. The only positive was we got a room in the most north west corner so we were right by the parking lot, and it was quite easy to cut through the parking lot to the busses. So while the walk wasn’t terrible to the food court, we still had a haul to the skyliner.

basically, I called in to make my room reservation. But then 3 days ahead of my visit, I also did online check-in. I did NOT select a room request during online check-in because I was under the impression that it was override or erase any previous room request I established via phone.

I was obviously disappointed to get a room in 90s, so upon arrival I asked the front desk if there was anything else and she said they were sold out and only had empty (unchecked in) rooms in the 90s I could switch to.

We didn’t arrive until 6PM so perhaps we just got the short end of the stick when it came to getting assigned rooms? Or did I screw up when I did online check-in? I’d really like to know because we have a stay in a Preferred view at Poly coming up, and I have a request in for a 3rd floor view of the fireworks, and I don’t want to jeopardize that and get giving a 1st floor. I told my wife that I almost want to switch our flight so we arrive at the hotel as early as possible so we’re more likely to get the room we want filled first (if that’s even how it works).

A late arrival does put you at a disadvantage because anyone who arrived earlier and was assigned to a room they didn’t like would have already moved, leaving what some people would consider the less desirable rooms for you to occupy (I say some people because I like the 80s and 90s for easy access to buses and to the parking lot, since I drive). I rarely make a room request because I usually arrive later than 5:00 pm.

My usual advice is that if you have a room request that is extremely important to you, make sure it is on your reservation, arrive as early on check in day as you can (after they have turned over their computers to the current date which happens sometime between 4:00-6:00 am), and go to the front desk when you arrive in case you need to be moved. You can still do online check in, in fact, you can do online check in and then call to have your room request added. Doing online check in will get your payment details on file and speed up the process when you arrive at the front desk. It can also be an enormous help if they are having a computer meltdown on your check in day (happened to me twice, once lasting for several days). I have requested a move from an assigned room only once in many decades of visits and I was able to move, but that was also one of the few times I arrived in the morning instead of evening.

However, as a PP said, a request is just that, a request. Everyone wants the best room, and not everyone will get it. It’s possible that you will get to the Poly and all the third floor fireworks view rooms will be taken by people who checked in prior to your check in day. If there are no more third floor fireworks rooms to check into, you won’t get your request. You can ask if a room will become available at a later date and move if one opens up. You also may have to decide which request is more important to you, the third floor or the fireworks view, as they may only be able to fulfill one of the requests.

I hope you get a room location you enjoy and have a great visit!

 

[elvispursley]

Thanks, I didn’t mean to sound snotty or like I was rude to the staff. I even told the front desk “i know requests aren’t guaranteed, just seeing if there’s anything closer”.

I just felt I rolled snake eyes on my chances getting a room in 90s and not even 80s, so I’m trying to attribute it to perhaps checking in later in the day or maybe having done something I shouldn’t have with my online check-in.

You certainly didn't sound "snotty" and I apologize if I came across as harsh. I can certainly understand how disappointing it is when you don't get your requests met. When we checked into OKW, we had booked a HA accessible room with the request that we be on a ground floor in a certain location (primarily so we could be close to the first bus stop). We checked in at 8:30 am and were offered to a room that was available right then or we could wait for our request. Having been on na red eye from the west coast, we took the available room and were on the 3rd bus stop. Thankfully it all worked out because we had 2 scooters in the party.

Hopefully your Poly stay will be awesome and you'll get the view you requested. Even if you don't, how fun to be at the Poly!

 

[Dave006]

I specifically suggested anywhere in 50s or 70s.

@elvispursley is 100% correct you can't be guaranteed a room in the 50's or 70's building unless you book a preferred room or get there early. Many, many guests request the 50's or 70's buildings do to their location.

We didn’t arrive until 6PM so perhaps we just got the short end of the stick when it came to getting assigned rooms?

Being there at 6:30 AM might have gotten you into the 50's or 70's building by booking a Standard room.

Or did I screw up when I did online check-in?

No you did fine with Online Check-in. The only rule there is not to make any requests during Online Check-in.

I’d really like to know because we have a stay in a Preferred view at Poly coming up, and I have a request in for a 3rd floor view of the fireworks, and I don’t want to jeopardize that and get giving a 1st floor.

There is so such thing as a Preferred View at the Poly resort rooms? Just Resort, Water, and TPV in the regular resort rooms. What exactly did you book at the Poly?

Note: there are preferred views in the Island Tower, and the Deluxe Studios DVC units.

Dave

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Yeah rooms are assigned days before arrival by a team whose job it is to do just that based on room requests and many other factors. They play a big game of Tetris with who is coming and who is leaving and requests. The 90s room was probably the actual room you were assigned. The only thing now would be to arrive early and "complain/ask nicely/what have you" and they may find some empty space in the other buildings to accommodate you. There is still inherent value in walking up to the check in desk as a human to human interaction always has a better chance of getting you something in your favor. I've had check in hosts even show me available rooms and their views on an ipad until I saw one I really liked.