Room Assignments & Requests

[Buckeye Fan]

I was reading through the threads tonight, and started thinking about our vacation in April (can't wait!!!). I don't think I've ever seen this question asked...so here it goes.

When you call to make a reservation, how does Disney assign rooms and handle requests? To the best of my knowledge, it seems your actual room is already pre-assigned prior to check-in (not we have 50 vacant 1-BRs open at the moment, so we'll assign you this one).

For example, I reserved an AKV value for Spring Break. The MS rep said that we could have a sav view, pool view or parking lot view with a value. She said we could not request a view, and no view is guaranteed. I also booked a 2-BR lockoff at Vero Beach at the 11 month window. I asked for the top floor, so what determines who gets the "ocean view" rooms that you cannot request?

DH and I have just not had much luck with requests anyway. There have been several times that we have traveled with my BIL/SIL. When we made reservations (at SSR/OKW, several months out, on same day), we asked to get rooms that were side by side or at least in the same building. Out of 3 or 4 trips, it's only worked out once at SSR. This was only because MS messed up both of our bookings, and ours was a pretty bad mistake IMHO. Because the manager was involved, he moved BIL/SIL across the hall from us. Otherwise, we would have been in the Springs building closest to DTD, and BIL/SIL would have been in the Carousel section.

Just curious if anyone knows how the system works? I am guessing there's some computer system that just randomly assigns people rooms based on trip dates and room size needed. I'm not sure how much a request actually matters, unless it's a booking category that MS can actually book (like Hospitality House or Boardwalk view). Thoughts?

 

[tjkraz]

DVC resorts use two different assignment systems--room ready and preassignment.

Preassignment is pretty self explanatory. Before guests even arrive at the front desk their room has been assigned by a CM based upon requests and the rooms available that night. They will try to meet all requests, but there are no guarantees.

Room Ready is a system whereby the room is not assigned until you arrive at the front desk. Upon arrival the CM will make every effort to put you into a room that is ready (thus "room ready") at that very moment.

Neither system is perfect With preassignements you theoretically have a better chance of getting your requests met, but a guest arriving at 9am may have to wait until after 4pm to get in if their assigned room is not cleaned early.

With Room Ready guests get into rooms much quicker, but requests may be harder to come by since the CM is only looking at the small group of rooms ready for occupancy rather than the whole. Room Ready also seems to put the late arrivers (international travelers, those coming over from the west coast) at a disadvantage since they often arrive late and have little to choose from.

Making matters worse, there really is no way of predicting which system the resort will be using at any given time. Based upon our experiences, SSR and OKW appear to use Room Ready the most, while we've had rooms pre-assigned at BWV and BCV. But I've also heard reports from guests with different experiences at those resorts.

It never hurts to list the important requests, but many times it's just the luck of the draw as to whether they are met. If the resort has 5 rooms that meet a certain criteria and 20 people make that request, many will be disappointed. And if they are using Room Ready to assign, rooms will just go to people who happen to check-in shortly after they are cleaned.

 

[Dean]

When you call to make a reservation, how does Disney assign rooms and handle requests?

Very poorly in my book. I do think it varies somewhat by resort. To me the bottom line is that they put little effort into unit assignments and non longer have a formal priority like in the past where it was based on date of reservation. IMO, they should give owners at the resort priority, followed by other DVC owners, followed by cash guests then exchangers. The date of reservation accomplished almost the same thing due to the home resort priority.

Still, if you don't ask you're likely to not to get what you want. Your chances are better if your preferences are known. People have been able to request a view in the past, it was just not guaranteed. I'd call back and place your request as savannah view. I'd reiterate that request on check in early in the contact.

 

[mickeyworld]

call the night before. I had certain requests... a specific savannah, etc., and I called to remind them the night before. Then, because I was so certain of what I wanted, I called at 8am, and when the room wasn't what I wanted, I asked them to see what they could do and when I gaot there, it was perfect! Always be polite, and friendly, pixie dust goes a long way!

 

[SamSam]

call the night before. I had certain requests... a specific savannah, etc., and I called to remind them the night before. Then, because I was so certain of what I wanted, I called at 8am, and when the room wasn't what I wanted, I asked them to see what they could do and when I gaot there, it was perfect! Always be polite, and friendly, pixie dust goes a long way!

Do you call the Resort direct and ask to speak to the room assigner?

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Thanks, everyone, for the comments. I called back today and the MS rep allowed me to request a view for AKV value. She noted it, said it wasn't guaranteed and that she would send it to the "unit" responsible for room assignments. Interesting! So, at least I have a request now!