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.

 

[loves to dive]

As other's have said, doing on line check in isn't going to make a difference as to your room assignment, neither is a request. I always do on line check in but I also always go to the front desk when I arrive just to let them know I'm on property in case they have a room available. I never request anything except early check in. I only book standard rooms. One exception, I did once book a preferred room at CSR but that was only because that was actually less with my AP discount then a standard room. I think once I asked at the front desk at YC if there any upgrades available that I could pay for, there were not. I have had my room moved when I got there, if I'm staying in a moderate because I'm a single woman, they tend to want to keep me off the first floor so they sometimes move me to a more convenient location. I've also been upgraded when I've checked in but not because I've requested anything special, again it was just the luck of the draw. Thankfully, I go often and even if I'm staying in a deluxe, the view just doesn't matter to me (I once had a beautiful view of the roof and AC system at Dolphin and a beautiful view of the canal/swamp behind YC). I'm also in fairly decent shape for a 68 year old woman so if I'm in a room that is further to the lobby/pool/food/bus stops it really doesn't matter to me.

I hope you do get your request, have you tried doing it through someone like Undercover Tourist? I think you have to pay for that service but from what I've read they seem to have pretty good success.

 

[Wood Nymph]

A request like "close to the Skyliner" has got to be a very popular request. And I could be wrong, but I would think that the more expensive room categories would be favored over the standard rate rooms for a "near Skyliner" location. I think that arriving early could improve your chances of being moved to a better location after arrival. But as another person said, rooms are assigned days ahead of time and there might not be enough open rooms to make the switch.

 

[japanese maple]

We did a room request with TouringPlans and also mimicked that request wording with a phone request. We did online check-in and did not request anything.

When we arrived around 11 am, we went to desk and they said there is a room ready now or we can wait for one that fulfills our requests. We waited and our room was perfect.

So they do see requests and try to meet them.

 

[Road_Dog]

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

Sorry if I’m getting the terminology wrong. The longhouse DVC studios (non-tower) are only available in Resort View and Preferred view. We have a Preferred View booked. But my understanding is, all of the Preferred Views are on the lake facing side of Moorea, and really only the 3rd and 2nd floor are able to see the fireworks as the 1st floor has their view blocked by the Bungalows.

IIRC the Preferred DVC rooms are previously known as Lake View.

I called my request a “fireworks view” because I asked for a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor.

 

[Dave006]

We have a Preferred View booked. But my understanding is, all of the Preferred Views are on the lake facing side of Moorea, and really only the 3rd and 2nd floor are able to see the fireworks as the 1st floor has their view blocked by the Bungalows.

OK you are now down to about 65 possible available rooms. There is still a 1 in 3 chance that you will get a 1st floor room in the Moorea longhouse. Are you booking directly with Disney or DVC Member services or renting points from a company or individual?

You will be able to see MK fireworks from all 3 floors due to the height of the fireworks. You should request a balcony since that limits you to the 2nd or 3rd floors, and that should be your only request.

Once you get to the resort, please stop by the Front desk, and ask if your only request was met or if there is a DVC Studio that might meet your request of the 2nd or 3rd floor.

Good luck and enjoy the Polynesian.

Dave

 

[Road_Dog]

OK you are now down to about 65 possible available rooms. There is still a 1 in 3 chance that you will get a 1st floor room in the Moorea longhouse. Are you booking directly with Disney or DVC Member services or renting points from a company or individual?

You will be able to see MK fireworks from all 3 floors due to the height of the fireworks. You should request a balcony since that limits you to the 2nd or 3rd floors, and that should be your only request.

Once you get to the resort, please stop by the Front desk, and ask if your only request was met or if there is a DVC Studio that might meet your request of the 2nd or 3rd floor.

Good luck and enjoy the Polynesian.

Dave

Thank you Dave. I was going to do the online check-in now (get it over with) and then call back in to make sure the room request specifically says I'd like a room with a balcony. That is a good tip, thanks.

We are DVC members and are booking this room directly through the DVC website. It was DVC Member Services that I called to place the room request initially, and it's likely who I will call back once I finish the online check-in.

I also have changed our flight so that we arrive to Orlando by 10:30AM vs our original time of 2:30PM. I figure we'll get to the resort by Noon and hopefully the employees will have better options for me IF my desired room is not available.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We have had very good luck when we use to fax in our requests, but over the last 7+ years we have used touringPlans and also had good luck with them, not always, but most of the time. Also, we do not arrive to the resort until after midnight, because we drive after work on Friday. Last year when we stayed at POP, we got our "room was ready" message just as we were getting on the road to start our 7 hour drive When we did arrive I went to the front to see if they had any different rooms and they said that at least 3 rooms will be ready tomorrow if we wanted to switch. I told her that we will see how the room is and decide tomorrow morning. Well, we got a room int the 80"s building at the end closest to the lake and it ended up being really good, because it was closer to the parking lot to unload (and then reload) a very packed van and the walk to FC and Skyliner was not bad at all. I will say that the only resort that we would even think about paying extra for preferred, would be CBR, we have stayed at POR and CSR many times and cannot justify the extra cost. I do not believe that you have a better chance of getting your room request by arriving earlier, but I think it helps if you want to swap rooms.

 

[Tatebeck]

Yeah it's just a request, which is gonna be a coinflip at best. I have gotten my request on less than half of my check ins.

An usually its something simple like "near elevators" but I almost always end up at the end of a hallway of doom

But hey, I'm still at Disney

 

[DebbieB]

I always do online checkin, also do Touring Plans. I usually get close to my request. It’s nice to get the text and go straight to room.