Requesting Rooms...?

[WRLeGrand]

Hopefully I am posting this in the correct place:

I am wondering what is the proper method for submitting a room request at your Disney hotel? The last couple of times we have done the online check-in and made the couple of requests. However, it seems like those have been completely ignored when our room was assigned. That got me to thinking that potentially we are doing something wrong.

It seems like that method has worked for some people, but others have mentioned calling in or faxing the resort. Our upcoming trip is a big one and we would like to at least have the requests considered if at all possible.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[sponica]

I had my requests faxed in.

I think the key is to make them simplistic, realistic and prioritized so when the assignors play tetris, they have an idea of what you're looking for...

For my POFQ stay I was traveling with another party so I had the request worded "traveling with so and so, reservation number xxxxxxx. we would like 1) connecting rooms 2) on the ground floor and 3) in building 5." We got connecting on the ground floor in building 7, so two out of 3 isn't bad.

 

[siren0119]

Requests can be faxed, called to Disney (or your TA, either one can make a note on your reservation), or sent through Touring Plans. Rooms are given preliminary assignments 2-4 days ahead of your check in date, so you also want to make sure any request is made well ahead of time.

The more requests you make, the less likely they will be able to accommodate. It is best to make one or two requests, and note which is 1st priority, which is 2nd priority. Keep them simple and general. At the end of the day, they are requests and you may not be doing anything "wrong", they may just not have had anything that met your requests.

If you can give an example of the requests you made that weren't met, we might be able to help more specifically.

 

[Lynne M]

The easiest, most direct way to make requests is to call the main reservation number. The agent will type the requests right into your reservation record.

I think what you're asking, though, is which way of requesting has the highest chance of getting your requests fulfilled, or at least noticed. The short (and not terribly helpful) answer is that they'll all get noticed, and none give you a higher probability of being fulfilled.

Whether or not you get your requests depends on a lot of factors. Mostly, on what you're requesting. If there are 50 rooms at the resort that meet your criteria, your chances are obviously better than if there are 3 rooms that would fulfill your request. Also, how many people are checking in that day, and how many of them have asked for the same thing you have.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

Requests can be faxed, called to Disney (or your TA, either one can make a note on your reservation), or sent through Touring Plans. Rooms are given preliminary assignments 2-4 days ahead of your check in date, so you also want to make sure any request is made well ahead of time.

The more requests you make, the less likely they will be able to accommodate. It is best to make one or two requests, and note which is 1st priority, which is 2nd priority. Keep them simple and general. At the end of the day, they are requests and you may not be doing anything "wrong", they may just not have had anything that met your requests.

If you can give an example of the requests you made that weren't met, we might be able to help more specifically.

This is my advice as well- keep it to 1-2 requests, and indicate which is the larger priority. It's not likely you'll get the exact room you're hoping for because that just depends on so many logistical issues. We usually fax the request through TP but I have also tried calling and having requests noted, and using online check-in. It's a mixed bag as far as which requests have been honored and which haven't, but I approach it expecting nothing to be honored and we haven't been unhappy with a room assignment yet.

Most recently I got the exact building I wanted at SSR but not the floor I wanted (that was a call to Member Services to request). I got the floor I wanted (4th) at Pop, but not the building I wanted (we were in 60's instead of 70's), that request was sent via online check-in (listing 70's as my first preference and 4th floor as my second preference). In September neither of my requests at POR were met (TP faxed request and online check-in listing the same things). In August at BCV we requested 4th floor near elevator and we were on the 4th floor (called in request because online check-in was not working). We were not near the elevator I hoped we'd be near but we were in fact, on the 4th floor near an elevator as requested just the same.

 

[CheeseheadDave]

Also, make sure your request matches the room type you've reserved. Don't request a room with a garden view if your reservation says standard view.

 

[buzznina]

We have had very good luck and we call and add our request to our reservation and then follow up with a fax 7 days prior. We do not use the online check-in room request feature.

 

[armerida]

We have had very good luck and we call and add our request to our reservation and then follow up with a fax 7 days prior. We do not use the online check-in room request feature.

We do the same and have received what we asked for all but once. Not sure if it’s the call or the fax that does the trick, so we just do both every time to cover all bases.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are staying in a DVC villa, don't bother faxing your request. DVC doesn't accept faxes. Just add it to your reservation.