Requests and such

[Pixieflip]

I know requests are just that...not a guarantee, but a request. Don't make too many, don't request a particular room, be general.

My question is about how they are handled. If I make my request at 7 months, is that then "in a line" before someone who makes that same request at 5 months? Or if I make a change to my request, do we have to then get "in line" all over again behind others who already requested that at an earlier time?

In my head, there's an urgency to getting those requests in early before anyone else. But maybe that's just a guess, I don't know.

 

[JGR]

As far as requests go...I think you get what you get. It would totally depend on the room inventory. If you want a water view at OKW - if they have one I bet they would give it to you. I think it depends on what they have when you check in. I think the earlier that you arrive - the better off you are when it comes to requests. Even if your room is not ready - you can talk to the CM at the desk and I think that helps too.

 

[Sandisw]

I do not think that when you put in the request matters at all, nor do I think it should.

And, to be honest, I am not sure that requests should be allowed (I know...but just my opinion) only because I have been behind a few different people who complained about not getting what they asked for. While they say no guarantee, I have read so many posts on the DIS (DVC and regular resort guests) who were really upset that Disney didn't give them what they asked for when they booked.

Last summer, a woman in front of me threw a fit because she felt that it should be honored because the request went in 11 months prior and that should be enough time to give her priority. When the manager came out, he didn't budge and she huffed away not a happy camper.

We don't usually request because I am okay with getting whatever. My feeling is that someone is going to get the dumpster room at VWL, or the 3rd floor MK view room. I figure that over multiple trips, things will even out in the end.

And, if people were not allowed to request (and had to take the rooms that they get), there might be a lot less disappointment all the way around.

 

[disneynutz]

You are at the mercy of the room assigner and it seems that each resort makes assignments differently. At BLT they made room assignments the night before arrival and at BWV 7 days in advance.

Bill

 

[wdwnut]

If we have a request and get it, it's great. If not, it's okay-we're on VACATION! For our upcoming April trip, I did not make any requests when I booked 11 months out. When I called to delete one person from the ressie, MS asked me if I still wanted to keep "my"? request of top floor. I advised MS I had no requests.

 

[snowhyte]

I do not think that when you put in the request matters at all, nor do I think it should.

And, to be honest, I am not sure that requests should be allowed (I know...but just my opinion) only because I have been behind a few different people who complained about not getting what they asked for. While they say no guarantee, I have read so many posts on the DIS (DVC and regular resort guests) who were really upset that Disney didn't give them what they asked for when they booked.

Last summer, a woman in front of me threw a fit because she felt that it should be honored because the request went in 11 months prior and that should be enough time to give her priority. When the manager came out, he didn't budge and she huffed away not a happy camper.

We don't usually request because I am okay with getting whatever. My feeling is that someone is going to get the dumpster room at VWL, or the 3rd floor MK view room. I figure that over multiple trips, things will even out in the end.

And, if people were not allowed to request (and had to take the rooms that they get), there might be a lot less disappointment all the way around.

I agree with you!!! I don't like to make requests because I'm one of those people who believes everything works out in the end.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I get the impression that the more requests you make the less likely you are to get ANY of them. They already know they can't make you completely happy by giving you all of them, so they might as well not give you any of them.

We rarely request anything, and if we do it is one very general request. Often it is something like "buildings 45 or 46 at OKW" or South Point or something like that. We never have had an issue not getting what we request when we make just one general request like that.

 

[EAP'sDAD]

Been a member since 1996 and have made requests every trip I have gone on, nothing to crazy. Simple things like colf course veiw at OKW or close to the elevator at BW. I never tell anyone about the request and if they come in great, if they don't great I'm on vacation. Last year we went to VB and I made a couple of requests, near pool top floor. Well we got neither and by accident I said something to the group we were with. Well never do that again because the complaining started right away. Prior to telling them everything was great and then after telling them everything was terrible, my DW was calling the front desk. Well it ruined the first day and now I will not make any requests.

 

[huskies90]

I figure that over multiple trips, things will even out in the end.

I used to make requests and never got what I requested even when they were general so I stopped making requests to reduce any disappointment. Has it helped? Have things evened out over time? Nope, I still get crappy room assignements every time.

There was a great post on the Resorts board from a former room assigner that described the room assigning process like a game of Tetris. The CM needs to try to fit the right number of vacation stay evenly over the allotted inventory. Making everything "fit" takes first priority and then there are certain requests that are medical related that have to be honored, then if there is a room request and they can make it "fit" they always do so. It sounded pretty complex.

 

[lilstint]

I am totally baffled concerning how requests are honored. We generally stay at OKW where everyone is so friendly and bend over backwards to make you feel "Welcome Home" really means something. The CM's at check-in will gladly tell me if my request has been granted and, if not, they will pleasantly show me other buildings that have rooms that are "ready" and allow me to make a choice or suggest that if I am willing to wait until later in the day other options will become available.

Due to the pool at OKW being closed last February we switched to SSR. I was a little nervous walking up to the desk because I am generally a shy person and find the atmosphere there rather unfriendly.

Anyway, I had requested either The Springs or Congress park and was at the check-in desk at 7AM. I was told that my room was ready in The Carousel. Having 4 kids under 5, I pleasantly explained this would be extremley difficult for us to be so far from the main area and said that I would be more than willing to wait until evening, if neccessary, for a closer location. I was told (in a very unpleasant tone) that waiting was not permissable and that was all that was available to us handed me my packet and then said "Welcome Home"

I will not be staying at SSR again. If it the only resort available for the time we want we just won't go to Disney.