room request disappointment.....

[jodyluvsdisney]

hi folks...my 11 year old daughter and her grandma (my mom) just checked in to their boardwalk studio. this trip is quite special as my daughter saved and paid for the air, meals, passes,(everything but accomadations) for her grandmother's birthday present by herself completely. it was quite a thrill this morning at the airport to see them go off together for their hoped for studio with a boardwalk view, close to an elevator. they just phoned and said they are in a studio far from an elevator with a pool view. all of our requests were listed on our file, but the front desk said they are full to capacity and will do nothing. i even asked for a possible one bedroom boardwalkview when i phoned just now and would borrow ahead for the necessary points but they said there was nothing. we are so sad and disappointed because of the hard work and love that went into this on the part of a child. a little pixie dust would be great. any ideas? thx.

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm sorry your daughter is so disappointed. We had a boardwalk view 1BR in March and I would not go out of my way to request it again. It was a very long way from the elevator. We were close to the Atlantic Dance/Jelly Rolls end of the Boardwalk and every night around 2am we heard all the "jolly" dancers leaving. The boats sounded a wake up call most mornings aroung 7am (which I didn't really mind, it reminded me of my ocean front summer place) We had a pool view previously and I enjoyed watching the kids at the pool more than the boadwalk. I hope she doesn't let this spoil her trip. She sounds like a special young lady

Nanajo DVC 8/98

Offsite 5/78
Contemp 11/85
BWV 3/99
OKW 11/99
BWV 3/01
OKW 11/01

 

[DebbieB]

Did you ask if a BW view was available later in their stay? You would have to pay the $25 cleaning charge for a studio but it may be worth it. I had the same experience. I made a reservation for a BWV 1 bedroom exactly at 11 months for last December with a BW view request. I was sure we were going to get it since requests are supposed to be filled by reservation date. Well, we didn't. Got a room over the quiet pool. I pleaded my case, but got the same line that they were filled to capacity. The CM was very nice and did offer to check if a BW view was available later in our stay, but I didn't want to have to pack everything up and move (we had groceries and everything), so I didn't even have him check. Lesson learned: I booked a standard view for this December, I'm not wasting points again. It was too cold to sit out anyway.

 

[KNWVIKING]

When I was in the navy,after boot camp and "A" school you got to fill out a "dream sheet" of duty you would like to have. It was almost a joke that you were better off asking for the dead opposite of what you really wanted because there was no way you were going to get what you realy wanted. Sometimes I think retired navy people are woring in the reservations dept. Next time,ask for the room with the dumpster view. Sorry about your DD trip.

 

[jodyluvsdisney]

thx everyone for your replies and just for understanding the feelings involved. just makes me feel somewhat better somehow !! we are pretty proud of dd courtney and her intentions anyways, and i guess the weather is sunny and 85 ish down there for them so that is a bonus. oh well...

 

[slimplaw]

Sounds like you have a very mature and wise young lady as a daughter. Your family is truly blessed. Tons of pixie dust their way. I hope they have a wonderful time.

 

[jctwizzer]

As info, the only request we get every time is no smoking. Location requests, etc., the average may be 50%. But, what the heck, we're in Disneyworld and all is well. Anything else is a bonus....as is your daughter!!!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

The take home message for you and other members is very important. Basically the more requests you put, the more likely you are to be unhappy unless you understand how the system works. Always make sure if there's a medical reason for a room request you document that. Make sure that the requests are prioritized and listed in the order of importance, even tell MS the order. You can go so far as to fax to the resort your requests about 5-7 days before you go. Realize that certain requests are likely inappropriate to include early checkin, late check out, now studio plus for 5 people at BW and I suppose specific room or building numbers.

To me the smoking preference, medical room types or locations are the big ones; after that certain views, locations, near pool, near bus stop, near elevator are all wishful thinking. They might happen but no guarantees and no one should be disappointed if they don't. I'm sure there's something I've left out so others can feel free to add or disagree if they chose.

To be clear, I feel every member has the right to request about anything that WDW has but not to expect them. There is no provision for ensuring requests are met, no matter how important to the member, other than medical requests maybe. Here's an example of a difficult one for OKW: I would like a First floor, NON handicapped, non smoking room in building X. For BW: how about a NON handicapped, non smoking studio plus that overlooks the boardwalk and is near the elevator.

At most timeshares they handle these items by date of reservation and member vs non member but I'm sure it's much easier when dealing with stays of a week at at time rather than more like hotel reservations of day by day. Just another reason to not arrive late in the day or go off to the park the first day until your room is secure.

Dean

 

[sixcats]

I understand how you feel. We reserved a preferred view requesting BWview 11 months out for the past December. We had the quiet pool view also. We had our Mom along and I was pretty disappointed. I would really love for them to offer a guaranteed boardwalk view for more points. If I had known that I would have a quiet pool view I would just as soon go with standard view and save the points. Watching the valets would be more fun than the quiet pool in my opinion.

Debbie

 

[ParkFreak]

Just remember that a very small percentage of rooms face the Boardwalk (I think it's 20%, but don't quote me), add on to that the 4 different types of rooms (all Grand Villas have BW views), NOW divide that by the 7 days of the week and you'll see that the odds of actually getting a BW view are pretty slim. Basically, if you want a Studio with a Boardwalk view, someone else has to be checking out that same day. We made ressies 11 months out for last January, requesting a BW view and ended up looking at the Swolphin at the far end of the resort, a long trek to the elevators. Disappointed?? Yes, but we had a great time anyway

-Craig

Next trip: 9/01 at VWL!!

 

[PamOKW]

I understand how special this trip is and how you wanted everything to go perfectly. In the end, it may turn out they are happy with this location after all.

I know everyone feels that if you reserve at 11 months out you should get your requests. But, consisder how many people are now reserving at that 11 month mark. Especially at busy/holiday times almost everyone checking in made their reservation at the 11 month mark. It's just not possible for everyone to get exactly what they want. My feeling is that I'll be happy if over the course of my membership I sometimes get a good room and sometimes get a fabulous room. I wouldn't be happy if every trip I end up with never getting the great golf course view or the BW view.

My experience has been sort of like KNWViking. When I don't really request anything beyond non-smoking I sometimes end up with a better villa than when I try to be more specific.

 

[mikek]

First- seems like you really have a great kid!

Second- to concur with Dean:

If you have any kind of medical reason- let them know. My dad isn't 'disabled' but he does have a medical condition that makes walking difficult- especially after 10 miles of walking in the parks every day. Whenever we take my folks, we always let them know the situation and ask for rooms close to the elevator at bw or close to the pool and on the first floor at okw. I make sure to tell them that we dont need an accesible room- so as not to take it from someone who absolutely needs one. They always manage to get us something to help us out. Like dean said- you need to be pretty flexible- for example we tell thj=em any pool is fine at okw and they will find us a spot. I'm not sure we would be so lucky if I asked for a particular area or building if they could find what we needed.

I never thought about listing our priorities for them- but that too sounds like a good idea if we really wanted a few different things.

One last point- theres always alot of talk about faxing your request or calling a few days before. I dont know that i'm not just lucky, but we just ask for our request when we make the reservation and make sure its listed on the confirmation slip. Never bothered to call or fax a follow up and we've done just fine. We even check in late most times- usually well after dinner time- yet have never been disappointed.

 

[mrsdon]

Im sorry to hear of your daughters disappointment, but gosh you must be proud of her.
I've never been fortunate to have a boardwalk view, but you're on vacation.
I just walked outside and waatched the fireworks from the dock.

 

[Lissete]

We've only received a Boardwalk view once. After several stays requesting a BW view and getting a pool view. Then last year, we were just wrapping up our vacation. We were packed and ready to go, then we stopped at BW for lunch before leaving. While sitting there, we decided that we did not want to leave and called MS from our cellphone. They confirmed us, we walked over to the lobby checked in, and went up to our room. We got a BW view with same day reservation, and this time we didn't even request it (we just wanted a room). Go figure.


Lissete

Mom23K's, Katrina, Karilyn & my angel Kristyn

DVC 1995

 

[rbuzzotta]

Hat's off to Courtney for being such a special granddaughter! She must have a special relationship with her grandma. The one thing that Courtney will always cherish is the wonderful time that she and her grandma had at Disney and how they got there. Pixie dust to the both of them during this trip!!

Rosemary
Off-site every year since 1985
PO '96, '97, '99
Coronado '00
WL '94, '00
CB '98
VB '97, '98, '00
DVC member '00 OKW
DxL '97, '01
BWV '01

 

[Bugeye]

Our first experience was on the pool side. We requested and got a boardwalk view the second time. We requested a pool view for later this year. I think the boardwalk view is overrated. Aside from all the little 'presents' left by the birds, I almost prefer the solitude of watching the boats go by on their way to MGM. So don't feel too bad about your daughter not getting the BW view. Besides, I can't really believe that her grandmother doesn't still think that she has the greatest granddaughter in the world.

 

[msdis]

Sorry your request was not fulfilled. I'm sure it must be such a disappointment. Hopefully the view is of the themed pool for a little more excitement. Tell her to keep her chin up and have a terrific time just the same. She will have many special memories with grandma.

 

[Beachangel]

Sorry about the view request but as you know, you have an exceptional daughter!

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the THINKS you can think up, if only you try." Dr. Seuss

 

[HeatherPage]

I've only stayed at BWonce so far for a 3 day stay at the end of May/beginning of June. I took my mom (kind of to show off our new DVC) so I asked for a studio - Preferred view not realizing at the time that it could mean BW or pool view. After checking in and getting to our room we were very impressed with the room. It had a great view of the Courtyard and Boardwalk area by the boat dock and the Yacht and Beach Club across the water. I guess we just happened to get lucky that time. It may be a while before we get back to BW as our first baby is due in October and the first trip after he/she is born will be probably in September of 2002 where I'd like to stay at WLV (since it's close to the Magic Kingdom). Anyways, I hope your daughter and her grandmother have a great time regardless of the view.

-Heather

If you wish hard enough your dreams can come true!

 

[castleri]

You must be very proud of such a great daughter.
Our first trip using DVC points involved 3 different units as members of the family came and went. Our first 2 nights were at BWV in a studio. our request was for non-smoking, near the pool. The location was great- near the elevators and also overlooking the luna pool. It was a "handicapped" room which we did not need or ask for. The shower was wheel chair accessable and when the first shower was taken the entire bathroom floor was flooded- seemed to me it sloped the wrong way. Oh well just remember to stand directly over the drain and use the hand held shower. The thing that really confused me was that you couldn't see anything from the balcony unless you were standing up, as there were wooden panels enclosing it. Seems like a strange thing to do for a room that is meant for someone who might be confined to a wheel chair. All in all it didn't matter since we were only there long enough to sleep, shower and change our clothes anyway. We then stayed in a Grand Villa that overlooked the golf course at OKW and then a 2 BR at OKW that was next to a pool and overlooked the canal- the best yet.
On our nest trip we requested a 1 bedroom near a pool- which was exactly what we got- the pool was being refurbished however so we couldn't use it- we had a good time anyway
Hope your mother and daughter did too.