Rookie mistakes for first DVC reservation

[nd43]

For people making their first DVC reservation, here are two things we missed:

1- I did not specify, at time of booking, a preference for a higher room (or whatever preference you like). You need to tell the DVC booking agent your preference and they add your request to the comments section. This is what the local check in people use to allocate rooms.

2- I did not bother with online check in because it really did not appear to save much time. However, like Southwest Airlines and your spot in line for boarding, once you do online checkin, it routes your reservation to be be placed and increases the odds of getting your stated preference. Once you scan your magic band at the airport if using magic express and online checkin, it will actually assign your specific room (this is what we were told - having not done online checkin - it did not work this way for us).

None of this is a big deal, but if you have a strong preference for a room location, these are steps you need to take.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Keep in mind that requests are just that... requests. Unless a resort has a specific booking category (i.e. Hospitality House), there is never a guarantee regardless of how/when you book.

I don't disagree that sometimes you might be able to get the odds in your favor but I think it's important to keep perspective & not let something like "I wanted a high floor & got the 2nd" impact your overall enjoyment.

 

[DVC Dude]

here is another tip - if you do not like your assigned room, politely ask if you can change rooms to a higher floor and that you are willing to wait

 

[Deb & Bill]

here is another tip - if you do not like your assigned room, politely ask if you can change rooms to a higher floor and that you are willing to wait

And if you do get that change and have already checked into the first room, prepare to pay the cleaing fee for the room you vacate.

 

[rlovew]

It doesn't matter when (unless it is a few days before but from the time of booking until 2 weeks out room assigners don't see the request,so someone who requested 2 weeks out is just as likely to get there request as someone 11 months out. You can always call or email and add your request. Both of these are better than choosing requests during online check-in.

 

[DebbieB]

For people making their first DVC reservation, here are two things we missed:

1- I did not specify, at time of booking, a preference for a higher room (or whatever preference you like). You need to tell the DVC booking agent your preference and they add your request to the comments section. This is what the local check in people use to allocate rooms.

2- I did not bother with online check in because it really did not appear to save much time. However, like Southwest Airlines and your spot in line for boarding, once you do online checkin, it routes your reservation to be be placed and increases the odds of getting your stated preference. Once you scan your magic band at the airport if using magic express and online checkin, it will actually assign your specific room (this is what we were told - having not done online checkin - it did not work this way for us).

None of this is a big deal, but if you have a strong preference for a room location, these are steps you need to take.

I had requested Village Green at BWV for my stay last month, did online check-in and DME. Didn't get it, was across the hall facing the pool. I asked them to double check if any Village Green were available, they did but they were full. On the online check-in, I had said I would wait for my preferred room rather than first available. So it doesn't always work. I knew that, I just didn't want you to get your hopes up that it will get you what you want.

 

[disneynutz]

We always book our reservation online and later send in the room request using the contact form on the member website.

Rooms are assigned starting 5 - 7 days before arrival and shuffled as necessary.

Testing the system we have used online check in, DME, rented a car, and checked in at the resort. We have not been able to see much of a difference in getting requests granted. Often the online check in line is longer at the resort and sometimes the room packet isn't made up in advance.

Bill

 

[MagicJourney]

In hotel business, request note in the reservation is taken care of on the day of arrival, so it doesn't matter when you put in the request. It is always better to send an email directly to the hotel for special request a couple of weeks ahead of arrival. Most of time, a hotel staff/GM will response with updates. Not sure if DVC follows the same rule.

 

[DebbieB]

In hotel business, request note in the reservation is taken care of on the day of arrival, so it doesn't matter when you put in the request. It is always better to send an email directly to the hotel for special request a couple of weeks ahead of arrival. Most of time, a hotel staff/GM will response with updates. Not sure if DVC follows the same rule.

DVC has asked that all requests be made through Member Services, do not contact the resort directly.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I would not beat myself up too much over either of these. Requests are just requests and timing of them really doesn't matter as long as it's done a few days before your arrival.

And the actual room assignment once your band is scanned? That would be something new and don't think it's completely correct - or that may be one way it's done not having done it should not have a great or any affect. I did not do online check in for our stay a couple of weeks ago, had rooms when we checked in at each resort (3 of them and didn't bother until noon or later) and received requests. I think it's more based on what the assignor has available to assign and their interest on that particular day to match up requests.

 

[DebbieB]

I would not beat myself up too much over either of these. Requests are just requests and timing of them really doesn't matter as long as it's done a few days before your arrival.

And the actual room assignment once your band is scanned? That would be something new and don't think it's completely correct - or that may be one way it's done not having done it should not have a great or any affect. I did not do online check in for our stay a couple of weeks ago, had rooms when we checked in at each resort (3 of them and didn't bother until noon or later) and received requests. I think it's more based on what the assignor has available to assign and their interest on that particular day to match up requests.

I think what happens is when you check-in at DME, the resort is notified you are on your way. They will look for an open room for when you arrive (assuming that they have time as you said). That's why they ask on the online check-in form if you want any open room or will wait for your requests.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think what happens is when you check-in at DME, the resort is notified you are on your way. They will look for an open room for when you arrive (assuming that they have time as you said). That's why they ask on the online check-in form if you want any open room or will wait for your requests.

That makes sense and would be nice if you want room ready. It probably wouldn't help much though if waiting for requests.

 

[houseofduck]

Here's one that may not be a first time reservation mistake, but still something to watch. Make sure that banked points are the first points used.

Banked points are usually allocated first when you make reservations, but if you cancel an early reservation that uses banked points, those banked points will not go toward another existing reservation automatically. You have to call member services to get the banked points moved to an existing reservation.

 

[DebbieB]

Here's one that may not be a first time reservation mistake, but still something to watch. Make sure that banked points are the first points used.

Banked points are usually allocated first when you make reservations, but if you cancel an early reservation that uses banked points, those banked points will not go toward another existing reservation automatically. You have to call member services to get the banked points moved to an existing reservation.

To expand on that, always check your point balances after any transaction. One time years ago before online reservations, I had enough current year points for a reservation but for some reason they borrowed points. I checked my balance online and it was way off. They were able to resolve it by redoing the reservation.

 

[JustTinking]

Our trip last May, we did online check in in advance. We took DME to SSR. They had package waiting and room assigned. I can't say when the assignment happened, if it had anything to do with DME, but it might have. Unfortunately it was not a room or location to our liking, so we asked for a room in a different section. The whole process took 20 minutes or so, but if we had taken the first room they assigned it would have been a breeze. I imagine with the MB now, it will taken even longer if we want to switch on arrival.