Renting points-can I make a request?

[alohamom]

Hello DVC gurus,

I have rented DVC points in the past for Aulani and I am doing so again this summer (at Aulani)
I would really like to request the highest floor possible for our stay and learned today in another post in this section (Aulani villas and views) that units ending with 73/79 offer better views. So, my question is-can I? Do I just call up to Aulani and request this or does it have to be done by the DVC member I rented the points from? Is there a special request line? I just want to make sure I follow protocol, if any exists-thanks ahead of time for any and all input!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It has to be done by the DVC member you rented from.

 

[disneynutz]

The DVC owner can have your request added to the reservation, you should add it now.

Bill

 

[alohamom]

Thanks so very much for the answers folks!

 

[SuperRob]

If you want, you can request a specific room number. I find that for whatever reason, I have better luck with room assignments if I request specific rooms than if I only ask for something more vague.

 

[CarolMN]

If you want, you can request a specific room number. I find that for whatever reason, I have better luck with room assignments if I request specific rooms than if I only ask for something more vague.

Really? What are the odds that a specific room will be available when you check-in? If it isn't, the assigner wouldn't have any idea why you requested that particular room. Seems that your odds would be improved if you made more general requests such as near elevators, pool view, top floor, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

If you want, you can request a specific room number. I find that for whatever reason, I have better luck with room assignments if I request specific rooms than if I only ask for something more vague.

IMO you are very lucky, requesting a specific room ties the hands of the room assigner. They do not know why you requested that room, did you want to be on that side of the building, close to the lobby, does that room have a certain layout, certain view, close to ice machine, high floor, could be anything?

Bill

 

[SuperRob]

IMO you are very lucky, requesting a specific room ties the hands of the room assigner. They do not know why you requested that room, did you want to be on that side of the building, close to the lobby, does that room have a certain layout, certain view, close to ice machine, high floor, could be anything?

Bill

Not sure why it's always worked for me. Maybe I'm lucky, but I've gotten every specific room assignment I've asked for. I figured it was because they'd just make sure those types of assignments were filled before others, because they were so specific. Anyway, that's been my experience so far.

 

[disneynutz]

Not sure why it's always worked for me. Maybe I'm lucky, but I've gotten every specific room assignment I've asked for. I figured it was because they'd just make sure those types of assignments were filled before others, because they were so specific. Anyway, that's been my experience so far.

In addition, what are the odds of that room checking out the day that you want to check in, we get our requests about 50% of the time and that's when we are just requesting a building or floor.

Bill

 

[SuperRob]

In addition, what are the odds of that room checking out the day that you want to check in, we get our requests about 50% of the time and that's when we are just requesting a building or floor.

Bill

Is it possible that Disney's booking systems have been upgraded so they can better plan for requests in advance? I've noticed that a lot of the advice handed out in these forums from DVC vets has run contrary to my experience as a newer member. I highly doubt that I'm just that lucky. I guess we'll see if I get the room I requested again in April.

 

[disneynutz]

Is it possible that Disney's booking systems have been upgraded so they can better plan for requests in advance? I've noticed that a lot of the advice handed out in these forums from DVC vets has run contrary to my experience as a newer member. I highly doubt that I'm just that lucky. I guess we'll see if I get the room I requested again in April.

Room assignments are done by back office CM's at the resort and it's a manual process where several days prior to any given date, they start assigning room numbers. That assignment can change as the check in date gets closer and it can change the day of check in as guests at the front desk request a different room.

Bill

 

[SuperRob]

Room assignments are done by back office CM's at the resort and it's a manual process where several days prior to any given date, they start assigning room numbers. That assignment can change as the check in date gets closer and it can change the day of check in as guests at the front desk request a different room.

Bill

So if I request a specific room number, why wouldn't the CM's see that, and make sure whatever guest they assign to that room before me are checking out the day I check in (or before)? Seems to me like that's actually easier than if I just say "high floor", because it would be trickier to plan around with a whole floor's worth of guests to juggle.

Sure, there's a chance they can't accommodate me and I'll be disappointed (namely, in the case where someone else requested that specific room and won't check out in time), but less likely that a less specific request just not being given the same attention.

Like I said, I have limited experience, but based on what member services has told me (the more specific your request, the better we can accommodate you), I'll just keep asking for specfc rooms and hope my luck holds up.

 

[disneynutz]

So if I request a specific room number, why wouldn't the CM's see that, and make sure whatever guest they assign to that room before me are checking out the day I check in (or before)? Seems to me like that's actually easier than if I just say "high floor", because it would be trickier to plan around with a whole floor's worth of guests to juggle.

Sure, there's a chance they can't accommodate me and I'll be disappointed (namely, in the case where someone else requested that specific room and won't check out in time), but less likely that a less specific request just not being given the same attention.

Like I said, I have limited experience, but based on what member services has told me (the more specific your request, the better we can accommodate you), I'll just keep asking for specfc rooms and hope my luck holds up.

MS doesn't assign rooms and IMO the CM's there have never worked as a room assigner. DVC and resorts are an entirely different department and one doesn't speak for the other. I'm sure that the resort tries to match as best that they can but within your category of room, how many will be checking out on your same day so that one of the guests could be assigned the room that you want? According to the room assigners that I have talked to it's more of a free for all with a hundred or so checking in each day. The room assignment may be really important to you and me but to the CM assigning rooms, it's just another day at work. Matching room requests isn't even on their work performance evaluation.

Bill

 

[gdrj]

I kind of do a combination of what you two are discussing. If I want a high floor I will give request with specific room numbers (5 or 6) in a certain area of the resort. I can understand not requesting 1 specific room, due to that it might be occupied. SuperRob if one room works for you that's GREAT! If I ever see you at Disney I will have you pick my Lotto numbers

 

[gdrj]

The room assignment may be really important to you and me but to the CM assigning rooms, it's just another day at work. Matching room requests isn't even on their work performance evaluation.

Bill

I wouldn't expect it to be part of their evaluation since it is ONLY a request and as you noted there could be lots of reasons requests aren't filled, the most obvious being the room requested is occupied.

 

[SuperRob]

I kind of do a combination of what you two are discussing. If I want a high floor I will give request with specific room numbers (5 or 6) in a certain area of the resort. I can understand not requesting 1 specific room, due to that it might be occupied. SuperRob if one room works for you that's GREAT! If I ever see you at Disney I will have you pick my Lotto numbers

Sure, but I have next to no luck playing the lottery.

There's a lot of "knowledge" that gets spread around here as if it's gospel. Frequently, I find it's not entirely accurate, or at least, doesn't apply in every case. But considering a place like this attracts a lot of Type-A people (myself included), I'm not surprised. So I try to use the advice I find here as guidance more than anything. And maybe I have just been lucky with my handful of stays. But I think if you're specific about your desires, it's easier to accommodate than if you're vague. Sure, a "no" for a specific room, it's going to be a hard no, but it's less variables to try to make that a yes.

People here just like to think the Member Services don't know much, or that the Cast Members in specific roles are somehow incompetent. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it's that karma working in my favor? I don't know.

 

[gdrj]

Sure, but I have next to no luck playing the lottery.

There's a lot of "knowledge" that gets spread around here as if it's gospel. Frequently, I find it's not entirely accurate, or at least, doesn't apply in every case. But considering a place like this attracts a lot of Type-A people (myself included), I'm not surprised. So I try to use the advice I find here as guidance more than anything. And maybe I have just been lucky with my handful of stays. But I think if you're specific about your desires, it's easier to accommodate than if you're vague. Sure, a "no" for a specific room, it's going to be a hard no, but it's less variables to try to make that a yes.

People here just like to think the Member Services don't know much, or that the Cast Members in specific roles are somehow incompetent. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it's that karma working in my favor? I don't know.

Agreed!

I have to say that 99% of my interaction with member services has been very good, contrary to what some others may say.

 

[nicole88s]

Does anyone know how you can make a room request if you rent through an online booking site?

 

[Sammie]

This time Bill is correct. I have friends that have worked in that department and Rob, you have been very lucky. For one thing by the time they even look at your request, another guest is already more than likely in that room. There is no advance room blocking done. It is a situation of just trying to put someone in a room that will be empty.

Which resort you pick and what day you check in increases your odds.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Does anyone know how you can make a room request if you rent through an online booking site?

You have to route your request through the points owner you have rented from.