Room Assignment Satisfaction Poll

[WDW LOVR]

I voted somewhat dissatisfied. We had a BW view studio reserved for the first week in May. The only request we made was for an upper floor, didn't have to be the top floor, just an upper floor. Didn't care about smoking/non. We were celebrating our 20th anniversary and wanted a nice view and a balcony we could sit on and enjoy the view. Made the reservation at 7 months out.

We arrived at 2:30 and our room was not ready. No big deal. We were ready for a meal anyway so we went to ESPN. Got our room around 4:00 (again ok) and it was on the lobby level right above the Big River Brewery and right in front of the carnival games. I kindly asked the CM if there was anyway we could move to a higher floor and was told there was nothing available. She even called the room assignment CM and nothing. It was the week of the 50th celebration kick off, so maybe they were saving the best rooms for the VIP's.


What really was dissapointing was the balcony had a solid wall that was almost chest high. I appreciate the fact that this keeps people on the BW from seeing in your room, but if we sat in the chairs on the balcony, the only view we had was the sky. We also could only see the highest of the Illuminations fireworks.

I'm not going to complain as it was a nice view when you were standing up. The restaurant and carnival games didn't bother us at all and we only woke up 2 times in the wee hours of the morning with Jellyrolls patrons singing at the top of their lungs as they walked by on the BW.

The weather wasn't the greatest so we didn't spend much time on the balcony anyway, but I thought by making only one request we'd have a better chance of getting an upper floor room.

One thing that did stink was a person in a room somewhere above us would deposit 2-4 cigarette butts on our balcony each morning. I mean hey, if you're going to smoke in a non-smoking room, at least manage your butts better!

 

[amtrak12]

my last request was a top floor (epcot view) and NS. i got a 1st floor and it was at the far end of the building. our bedroom wall was an outside wall and we listened to the end door slamming when someone left or came in. it was a buzy time but i booked 10 mons. out. not very happy. similar thing happened 2 previous times too! very dissatified.

 

[OneMoreTry]

THere was a thread a while back asking about getting requests for NS and nonHA. Most people always or almost-always got their requests. There were a small number that seemed to have problems getting requests met.



Fortunately, all our requests have been met every visit that I can think of. At OKW we have been given the option of waiting for "our room" or taking one that was ready in exchange for not getting a request. At HH, BWV, BCV we have had to wait for the room.

 

[tjkraz]

I've jotted down a few thoughts on crisi's "designing an equitable allocation thread". Rather than repeat them here, have a look over there and we can continue the discussion on that thread if you want.

I read your comments. Still don't see anything there that directly addresses your criticism of this poll. Even with S/NS, H/NH being guaranteed and different priorities used for granting other requests, you can't fulfill a request that isn't stated.

 

[jarestel]

I read your comments. Still don't see anything there that directly addresses your criticism of this poll. Even with S/NS, H/NH being guaranteed and different priorities used for granting other requests, you can't fulfill a request that isn't stated.

Bottom line:
Your poll doesn't ask the underlying question... would members prefer some type of room guarantee system over the current one? Instead, the poll attempts to skirt the real issue by hiding behind semantics. Asking for satisfaction responses doesn't answer that question. As you recall, I responded that I was very satisfied with getting my one request ( N/S ). But if anyone reads into that response that I feel the current system couldn't be improved, they would be dead wrong.

Sorry, don't mean to pick on the poll, but I think it was structured to get certain responses that could then be manipulated to attempt to prove a point the poll question just doesn't address.

 

[tjkraz]

Your poll doesn't ask the underlying question... would members prefer some type of room guarantee system over the current one? Instead, the poll attempts to skirt the real issue by hiding behind semantics. Asking for satisfaction responses doesn't answer that question. As you recall, I responded that I was very satisfied with getting my one request ( N/S ). But if anyone reads into that response that I feel the current system couldn't be improved, they would be dead wrong.

You're reading far too much into it. The only goal was to try and determine how well the current system is working. With all of the time and energy being devoted to "fixing" the current system, I was satisfying my own curiosity as to whether DVC was "getting it right" 50% of the time, 75% of the time or 90% of the time.

Clearly there are people who think another system may be better. Whether I agree or disagree with that POV is totally unrelated matter.

Sorry, don't mean to pick on the poll, but I think it was structured to get certain responses that could then be manipulated to attempt to prove a point the poll question just doesn't address.

Pointing out that the poll doesn't measure the unmeasurable doesn't lend a whole lot of credence self-proclaimed role as watchdog, IMO.

 

[jarestel]

You're reading far too much into it. The only goal was to try and determine how well the current system is working. With all of the time and energy being devoted to "fixing" the current system, I was satisfying my own curiosity as to whether DVC was "getting it right" 50% of the time, 75% of the time or 90% of the time.

Clearly there are people who think another system may be better. Whether I agree or disagree with that POV is totally unrelated matter.



Pointing out that the poll doesn't measure the unmeasurable doesn't lend a whole lot of credence self-proclaimed role as watchdog, IMO.

If you don't want to get it, that's fine with me, but I suspect you know what I'm saying. In all likelihood, you are satisfied with your house, but nevertheless you're probably still looking for ways to improve it. Simply being satisfied isn't a reason to never invest time or effort into something, or to close one's mind to the possibility of doing so. That's all I'm saying and as such I still don't see how measuring some level of satisfaction ( and we don't even know what level you've measured ) tells us how members feel about the current system other than we have some level of satisfaction. If that's the only point of the poll, well you have your answer. Being slightly cynical, I fully expect you to post a reference to this poll in the next "should we change the system" thread as an argument against change though. If you don't then I guess I shouldn't have been so cynical.

From one self appointed watchdog to another... woof! ( have a great day! )

 

[tjkraz]

If you don't want to get it, that's fine with me, but I suspect you know what I'm saying.

I know exactly what you are saying. You're implying that I will use this as a platform to say "see, 90% of all members are getting what they want, so the current system is fine." That's totally false.

Besides, there are too many other problems with all of the other suggestions I've read to even bother making this sort of comparison...

...I still don't see how measuring some level of satisfaction ( and we don't even know what level you've measured ) tells us how members feel about the current system other than we have some level of satisfaction.

I never said that I was trying to determine how members FEEL. For the umpteenth time, the entire point was to see how well the current system is doing it's job. The equation is simple:

Requests = X
Room Criteria = Y

Does X = Y?

Period. End of story.

The title of the poll is "Did your assigned room adequately satisfy your requests? " 'Satisfy' is being used as a verb (i.e. "did your assigned room adequately fulfill / meet / exceed your requests?")

 

[Bill Blum]

I only have one request, for a non-smoking room... When I check in, how do I go about getting the best possible room... at the Beach Club. This is my first time, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[wdwstar]

2% of my stays have been in a smoking room 98% has been in a non smoking room like requested. 0% HA, 50% on the top floors, 90% dumpster view, 2% pool view 2% boardwalk view, 2% ocean view, 4% firework view.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We're easy. We just want location and always got it. However, past two trips we have had to move 1/2 through our trip or wait about 20 minutes for the CM to look for other rooms, options, etc.

After discussing it with CM for 1/2 hour, we got a great building and a great room.

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

I've always had my request made which is for non-smoking. I'm just happy to be there and not that concerned with making other requests.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think there is one problem with this poll. How many requests did you make? I made one, it was met.

Why is that a problem?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I only have one request, for a non-smoking room... When I check in, how do I go about getting the best possible room... at the Beach Club. This is my first time, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm assuming you mean the Beach Club Villas. As far as views, everyone's "best" is different. But as far as non-smoking, if you're not on the fourth floor, you're all set-the only smoking-optional rooms are on the fourth floor. However, some rooms on the fourth floor are non-smoking. So if you get a room on the fourth floor, don't panic-the room may still be non-smoking. I don't remember which ones on the fourth floor are non-smoking, but the one I was in was. Maybe someone else knows all the numbers.

 

[LSchrow]

i our case(s), depends upon resort.

requests:
smoking
prefer any floor except lowest

requests consistantly granted at OKW & BCV, room ready early or no later than 4pm (we norm get there about 11AM)

same requests at BWV however, have NEVER been met initially (& we can even deal with the lowest floor ). we're consistantly put in a non-smoking room.

we've waited until 6:30PM & later for rooms that met our (one) request.
last trip, not only were there no smoking rooms available, there were NO rooms at all (according to front desk/manager: there was a crossover between DVC & CRO inventory, causing "overbooking" )
took almost 3 hours: they wanted to put us in OKW (TNT). then, "found" a room, which would require us to move twice (including checking out by 11AM & checking in at 4PM each time) during our 8 night stay.
eventually, we rec'd a non-smoking room, & were able to change the 2nd night to a smoking (only 1 extra move for the balance of our trip).

i love BWV convenience, rooms, views, but the constant confusion at their front desk leaves a lot to be desired (btw, we were told to talk to someone at SSR, and to write an e-mail to member satisfaction. SSR ppl agreed that there were probs at BWV that needed to be rectified, member sat's response was essentially "oh, well" )

 

[Alexander]

Don't know what all the %$!*&ing about the poll is for, I thought it was interesting to see that so many people have been happy with their requests being met. There is always so much complaining about not getting the villa you requested that it is refreshing to see that so many people were happy.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I have no clue about my first ressie, but I can tell you that on my last ressie just this past week, not only were all requests met, but SSR gave me my choice of several rooms, and we ended up with a great room on the 4th floor with a view that extended from Planet Hollywood to Cirque du Soleil. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the boats and the wildlife on the water every day.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

I hope there might be a trend here of the CMs offering 'choices'. Psychologically, given the customer a choice...even if neither choice meets many of the requested item...shifts the perceived 'control' back onto the customer who can then choose the best FOR HIM of the two rooms. For repeat DVCers, they can probably choose right at the front desk, thereby not taking up any more time. If I get to 'choose' my room, studies show that I would be more likely to be satisfied.

As to the poll: when the requirement said ORIGINAL assigned room , sigh..I'd have to say that none of my requests were met. (nonsmpkingmedical, a bathtub, far down the 'standard' wing, higher floor).
It may have been nonsmoking (I didn't check it out), but it was a handicapped room right above the entry.

When I asked if something else might be available, I was told that there were NO ROOMS at all. (This during a very slow time and early in the day). So I persisted, because I just hate lying. The manager came over and I wanted to meet him anyway, so we chatted awhile. He offered me a lovely view room on the main level close to the lobby..and offered to show it to me. I said sure, but jsut at the door he said oh...it's handicapped and I said , sorry, I really need a tub. So he went away and came back with a lovely studio in the 'croquet' courtyard on the main floor, nonsmoking with a tub.

So, the deal is...I was happy with the result. I didn't mind having to 'work' for the result. I didn't 'take' someone else's room as the rooms above, to either side and below me were vacant. (The sale's office rooms). But, it wasn't the original room assigned and there was some lying involved.

Now that I've been to BWV, I can make my request easier for the 'assigner' to comprehend, and I think it will be a smoother ride.

Hanname!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

My last DVC stay was at BWV, a two-bedroom boardwalk view, with a request for the fifth floor, non-smoking. We arrived at 4PM, and were assigned a villa on the second floor over the construction of the DVC sales offices (the villas that the Vacation Magic said would not be in use). We asked for a different room, and got a 4th floor villa, above the one we were supposed to have. It was fine, but there were other villas I would have preferred to have.

 

[CharlesTD]

We got a free upgrade from a studio to a 1 bedroom because they had to do a repair or something to the studio we were supposed to get. THe upgraded room was on the first floor not a specification but nice regardless. The new room was in the same building we had requested so no problem there so I would have to say it was above and beyond our expectations especially getting a 1 bdrm for the points of a studio.