Request a room or roll the dice?

[Jennasis]

We've got our BLT trip in a few weeks and I'm contemplating just rolling the dice on what room we get. Have a standard view studio booked and we kinda like the surprise of seeing what our view is. All we've requested on the online check in form was high floor close to elevator...which is strange as standard views aren't particularly high floors anyway.

So do you prefer to attempt to get a specific room (odd number/north wing/XYZ building etc) or do you just let fate have at it? And as long as I'm asking, how would one make a more specific request for their room? Do I have to call MS? All the online check in form gave me were high/low floor, close to elevator and close to sky bridge.

 

[robndani]

I would just be surprised. If you didn't book lake view with the hopes of scoring a room with a park view (like we did) I would just leave it to chance!!!!!!! Have fun!!! We LOVED BLT!!!!

 

[dwight16]

Requesting rooms seem to be a waste at least for me I am 0-5 and not even close on the requests......

 

[Jennasis]

There is something inherently exciting about not knowing anything about the room. Like Christmas morning!

 

[River Country]

I would love to know how the requests are granted. Like my stay coming up this Saturday I have 2 studios at OKW for a week and then transfer to a 2 BR on Friday for the weekend. I requested the 2 studios in the same building and a ground floor because my parents can not make the stairs and if I cant be on the ground floor I requested a building with an elevator.... seems simple enough but idk what criteria is used in granting requests but in the words of Bruce Springsteen "..its just another roll of the dice"

 

[automaticsoap]

I feel like putting in a room request is essentially rolling the dice. I always put in a room request (there's nothing to lose) and never expect to receive it. When I do, that's great -- if I don't get it, that's fine too.

 

[DenLo]

We have received one of our room requests probably 80% of the time. However, rarely do they meet all of our requests. E.g. at BLT for a lake view we might ask for a high floor, even numbered room, and north end. We get an even numbered room on south end facing CR's mariana and are on the 5th floor. We got one of 3 requests. DH and I think of as getting our request. Others are unhappy if all three are not matched.

Considering the fact that of the requests being made for our view and villa type by others probably match our request, the room assigner has a hard time making everybody happy. It doesn't help that the rooms we want are already occupied by other guests that arrived days before we did.

Perhaps it is a good idea not to make requests so you can get a surprise.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm at least 75% on room requests. At BLT, I requested even number room, north side and got the partial MK view. Last August at VGC, I gave them the 5 1 bedroom numbers that have a park view and got one of them.

The one I'm not too lucky on is BWV. I always request top floor, close to elevator for boardwalk view. Usually get 3 or 4 and at the end of the hall. Part of that is that there are not too many rooms that meet that request. My biggest fear is getting one of those first floor rooms on the boardwalk so luckily that has not happened.

 

[Jennasis]

Where do you even put in a request for odd/even north/south rooms? There were no options for that in the online check in page.

 

[DebbieB]

Where do you even put in a request for odd/even north/south rooms? There were no options for that in the online check in page.

You have to call or email member services.

 

[Dean]

We've got our BLT trip in a few weeks and I'm contemplating just rolling the dice on what room we get.

I'm not sure there's much of a difference for DVC at times. Requests are hit or miss but some resorts tend to do better than others.

 

[Jennasis]

True...when we stayed at Kidani last time, none of our requests were met and we were put at out the butt end of the universe. Actually turned me off of that resort for the future. Not because we didn't get our request, but out of fear of winding up out in no-man's-land again.

 

[Dean]

True...when we stayed at Kidani last time, none of our requests were met and we were put at out the butt end of the universe. Actually turned me off of that resort for the future. Not because we didn't get our request, but out of fear of winding up out in no-man's-land again.

My view is that DVC is a good to very good timeshare at a location that's great for those of us that enjoy Disney. The problem is that they have the potential to be great very easily. The areas they fall down are on those of effort, attential to detail and by choice. With a slightly upgraded refurbishement schedule, more attential to detail on maintentance, a higher level of service and expectation on housekeeping and an active program to meet reasonable requests, I feel they would be great. I believe ALL of these can be done with the same money being spent now. It simply comes down to management, effort, being proactive and having the backbone to stick to their guns when appropriate. They might even save money over their current reactive style.

 

[Minniesgal]

For BLT the only thing I usually request is outer circle as I don't want to be inner circle with other rooms facing towards me

High floor isn't a good request for a standard view as they are all low floors

 

[Julylady]

I've stopped doing any type of room request and instead "roll the dice." In most cases, we arrive in Orlando mid morning and honestly, I would prefer a ready room over anything else. And, even though I know requests are not guaranteed, I couldn't stop myself from being a bit disappointed when my request was not granted. That's not the way to start a trip! On my last visit in July, we were texted the number of our Saratoga Springs room while on the ME bus. On the map, the room appeared very far from the check in building. I asked the CM who greeted the ME bus if I could borrow a wheelchair to take my Mom to our building (before their new policy). She led us inside and invited my Mom to have a seat in the lobby. She then found us a new room in the Springs section very close to both the bus stop and the quick serve restaurant. No more need for a wheel chair!! We loved the location and it was a great Pixie Dust moment!

 

[rcs]

So, Jennasis... did you request or not and how did it work out?

 

[minniecarousel]

At BWV, we requested "close to elevator, high floor" with standard view. We got a high enough floor but
we were about as far from the elevator as possible!

I was so disappointed at the Grand Californian a few years ago. We booked 11 months in advance, asked for high floor, Park view and didn't get the Park view. I thought that booking early got your requests, but later found out that that just isn't so.

 

[Dean]

At BWV, we requested "close to elevator, high floor" with standard view. We got a high enough floor but
we were about as far from the elevator as possible!

I was so disappointed at the Grand Californian a few years ago. We booked 11 months in advance, asked for high floor, Park view and didn't get the Park view. I thought that booking early got your requests, but later found out that that just isn't so.

Years ago they formally prioritized requests by when they were made. They removed this process a number of years ago, I believe at the same time they moved check in from 4 to "after 4". Now it's hit or miss depending on the resort and personnel involved.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

At BWV, we requested "close to elevator, high floor" with standard view. We got a high enough floor but
we were about as far from the elevator as possible!

I was so disappointed at the Grand Californian a few years ago. We booked 11 months in advance, asked for high floor, Park view and didn't get the Park view. I thought that booking early got your requests, but later found out that that just isn't so.

Maybe I am wrong, but don't the Theme Park views at GCV cost more points? They really don't have many rooms there.

 

[minniecarousel]

We had a view of the Redwood Trail & they counted that as a park view. Not what I had in mind as a park view.