Requests - when making ressie today...

[lenshanem]

Today was exactly my eleven month booking window for next spring break.
I made only two requests -
One for non-smoking for medical reasons. Usually it is left at that, but today they asked why and for who.
Second for a studio with a tub. They asked why would I request such a thing, so I had to mention our experience in the past. This got me a little of a lecture about how I didn't need to request such a thing and they only give these rooms if that is all they have left. I had to say PLEASE make note regardless cause I don't want to be in a studio for eight nights with no tub for the kids.

I thought it was a little interesting given the recent talk about requests. She acted like she has been asked for these two requests often lately, especially with the mini lecture.

This was also actually my first time having to give the names of everyone in the room.

Regardless, she was friendly. I just thought the handling of my requests was a little different than in the past.

 

[krdisneybound]

Today was exactly my eleven month booking window for next spring break.
I made only two requests -
One for non-smoking for medical reasons. Usually it is left at that, but today they asked why and for who.
Second for a studio with a tub. They asked why would I request such a thing, so I had to mention our experience in the past. This got me a little of a lecture about how I didn't need to request such a thing and they only give these rooms if that is all they have left. I had to say PLEASE make note regardless cause I don't want to be in a studio for eight nights with no tub for the kids.
I thought it was a little interesting given the recent talk about requests. She acted like she has been asked for these two requests often lately, especially with the mini lecture.
This was also actually my first time having to give the names of everyone in the room.
Regardless, she was friendly. I just thought the handling of my requests was a little different than in the past.

This is not set in gold, BUT I understand that lately DVC'ers have been making reservations for two people in a studio and the resort finds out that many more people are in the room. Maybe they are going to crack down on this. I would like to find out definitely myself for future bookings.

 

[lenshanem]

You can have four in a studio.

I wish they'd just go ahead and make a permanent note in our file regarding my DD's asthma. I would gladly send them an allergist's note.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have never been questioned about the "non-smoking for medical reasons". Maybe it's because I have been requesting that same thing forever!

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

We traded in through II for June and we called today to pay our $95.00 fee, make our requests and sign up for ME. I had the same two requests that you had and the girl also insisted that there was no way I would even be given a handicapped unit and that it was something that I don't even need to request. Well, I stressed it anyway. I too can't imagine no bathtub for my little ones. Also, last year I slid on a wet step at our church and endup with a hairline fracture in my leg. I was off my feet for a good 8 weeks and I am petrified of falling. I can't even imagine water all over the bathroom floor. We are checking in on a Saturday so I really hope we have no problems. I don't think we should, but I am keeping my fingers crossed just the same.

Lisa

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

The change in booking procedure started this year. Whether in a hotel or a DVC unit they will ask you for the vital statistics of every one in the room. I'm not sure if this is a limitation of the reservation system or what. They will give you one key per person in the room. I usually want 2 keys because I am messy.

 

[JimMIA]

I made reservations last week, requesting first floor for medical reasons. I wasn't asked for whom or why, although I probably explained the why in making the request. The CM kept wanting to add handicapped accessible and I had to be pretty insistent with her to convince her that a) we didn't need it, and b) we didn't want it. She was very nice -- if anything, she was just trying to be more helpful than we needed.

We made non-smoking (non-medical) our second request. When I received the confirmations, everything was exactly as I'd asked. [We'll see what we actually get when we check in.]

They did ask for the names of all the people staying in the unit, which was fine. I believe they now put the names on each room key now, right? If so, that's the reason for requiring the names.

 

[ellenmiele]

I just made our Dec ressie today (2BR at BWV, preferred view) and the CM at MS asked me "smoking or non-smoking"? and I said "non-smoking" and that was that. And first she asked me just for the total number of adults and children but then a few moments later she asked for everyone's name - I even think she prefaced it by saying it was a new policy or something like that. Overall, she was quite friendly and helpful, even in making my waitlist request for a standard view.

 

[Paul in CT]

In light of the new EMH at the parks that require a resort ID for each person trying to get in, it is understandable that they want to know the names of each person in the room. I expect each will need a room ID card to use this benefit and if the names are on the card, it is less likely that they can be "shared" by those not actually staying on property if they ask for ID. Just a thought....

 

[JudithM]

This was also actually my first time having to give the names of everyone in the room.

I called a few weeks before our April trip & provided Member Services with the names (& ages of the children) of the seven guests staying in the two bedroom unit. It was nice because when I checked in, the CM verified the names, asked about charging to the room privileges & then printed out al lthe room keys. I also asked that the names of three friends be in our reservation, so they could be given our room number. The CM asked if I wanted them to have room keys.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Also, last year I slid on a wet step at our church and endup with a hairline fracture in my leg. I was off my feet for a good 8 weeks and I am petrified of falling. I can't even imagine water all over the bathroom floor.

I'm very sorry about your fall. But I just wanted to let you know, and everyone else for that matter, that should you get stuck with a HCA room that the floor should NOT be covered in water after a shower. If it is - call maintenance and have them come and clean the drain. We request HCA rooms for my DH for medical reasons. We ran into this problem most recently at AKL. The water soaked the entire floor and out onto the rug!
If the drain is flowing smoothly it should drain immediately down. I usually just place the bathmat right at the edge into the sink area and don't have a problem!

I hope you have a wonderful trip and don't get that HCA room! I understand both sides - I have an HC DH and a DD5 who doesn't care for showers but deals with it on vacation for daddy.
Sending some pixie dust your way in hopes that you get all your room requests.

 

[Machta]

How interesting--we stayed in BCV for our first time to WDW ever in January. When the DVC member made the reservation for us, they asked him for the everyone's info. Naturally, I think of my 12-year-old DS as a child, but for most purposes at WDW he's an adult. This mis-categorization, along with the new park hopper pass system they put into place on 1/2/05, caused us major headaches. Everyone was very helpful in trying to solve the problem, but it still took 3 tries.

 

[DebbieB]

When I checked into VWL with 3 friends in March, we had to give everyone's names and everyone had their own room key with their name on it. This is different than in the past when everyone's key had the reservation name on it. As Paul said, the reason for this is EMH, they can request ID for adults to match the keys before giving wristbands. They weren't asking for ID when I was at MGM on Sunday night but I have heard they sometimes do.

I'm at OKW now, when I checked in, the cm gave me the room # and I asked to confirm that it was non-smoking and non-handicapped. She said yes, kind of with a chuckle. So I think that question is being asked alot more now.

 

[crisi]

I'm very sorry about your fall. But I just wanted to let you know, and everyone else for that matter, that should you get stuck with a HCA room that the floor should NOT be covered in water after a shower. If it is - call maintenance and have them come and clean the drain. We request HCA rooms for my DH for medical reasons. We ran into this problem most recently at AKL. The water soaked the entire floor and out onto the rug!
If the drain is flowing smoothly it should drain immediately down. I usually just place the bathmat right at the edge into the sink area and don't have a problem!

There is also the "trick" of making sure the shower head is not pointing outside the shower. The HC showers usually have the showerhead on a hose, the pipe does extend up, and the head can be fastened (with thumbscrews?) into a spot where it won't point at the bathroom floor. The hose can actually be quite nice for showering kids and yourself.

Its still not a bad idea to make sure the bathmat is positioned to catch water, and maybe have a few extra towels on hand.

Someone posted here about not realizing the shower head pipe extended, and taking showers for a week on their knees! No wonder HC studios are so unpopular!

 

[lenshanem]

I didn't know the shower could be extended. Course, I'm short anyway...