room request pixie dust, HOW?

[Disneytam]

To preface this I am not a complainer (don't ask my husband). I'm pretty easy going and as far as room locations go at Disney hotels I usually just take what we get. But I read about all the happy dis board members who get all their room requests and I have to ask...How do you do it?

In our many stays at Disney over the years the only time we got what we wanted is when I didn't know I could request a room location. Way back in the early '90s we stayed at the GF RPC and spent a blissful 2 weeks with a theme park view (I don't think they called it that then) that looked right over the marina. Since then I started doing my homework before our trips and started making some requests. That was probably my first mistake.

We requested 2 rooms theme park view, lounge floor for a family get together at the GF RPC. We were only staying 3 nights and were upgraded to a three bedroom suite. WOW right? Well it was on the 5th floor overlooking the Poly and we quickly found out why the group before us demanded to be moved. The tub was leaking a lot of water out onto the floor and we spent two of the three nights with industrial sized fans trying to dry out the rugs. One night my husband and I slept on the floor in the living room area because the smell in the room we were sleeping in was so bad. The hotel was booked so they couldn't move us.

We also stayed one year at Dixie landings requesting a mansion close to the main building. We received the farthest possible room away looking at the parking lot. What a walk to anything, that took care of ever doing a moderate again. Another family trip this time at the YC requesting adjoining rooms. Not even close, it didn't have to be adjoining but the same county would have been nice A stay at AK CL requested close to the lounge. We were in the Zebra hall at the very far end. A looong walk to the lounge. I was really starting to take it a little personal. Our latest trip at the BWI CL requested boardwalk view and of course received a garden view. I know you can pay more and stay deluxe which are all boardwalk view but 2 of us just don't need all that room.

I'm saying a lot of this tongue in cheek but gosh how do you people get your room requests? Is there some kind of I don't know about? We always travel during the slow times of the year and this last time I went to the CL desk and asked to be switched to another room. They didn't have any boardwalk view until halfway through our trip and we did move halfway through to a boardwalk view.

Sorry this is so long but please somebody show me how to get a little room request pixie dust for our next trip in Sept.

 

[Infamousmare]

Gosh, sounds like you've had a string of bad luck!

Our group had 3 rooms at the WL in September 2010 - two were adjoining and the third was right next door - no sweat. CMs always warn that they can't guarantee adjoining, but we had no issue. I'd requested a woods view at the time of booking (paid a tad bit more, I think) and we were on one of the upper floors overlooking the pool/wooded area. No complaints.

The last three trips we stayed at SSR and BLT. At SSR I didn't request anything, but I also knew that the layout of the resort was such that we were going to be a bit of a walk to everything. It wasn't bad. 5 minutes and we were at the bus stop or the main building. Again, though, I went in knowing it would be that way and it was okay.

At BLT we paid up for the theme park view and never had any issue. We got lucky our first year and just happened to be on the same level as the skybridge over to the main resort. Last year we were one floor above - no big deal. Again, though, I never made a request (beyond paying up for the view so we could see the fireworks) because I didn't realize I could.

I *thought* that in order to get things like theme park views and such, one had to pay for them. Maybe I'm just a sucker and I'm paying for it while others are just asking nicely and getting it for free.

 

[minnie mum]

I really don't know what to say, other than that you must be one of the unluckiest disers on the forum.

Of course requests are never guaranteed, and we all know that. But over time we usually get SOME of our requests. Ours are always the same: first floor and easy walking distance to the main area of the resort. (Unless we pay for preferred.). The few times we haven't gotten our request, I have asked a front desk CM to do that voodoo that the do so well and see if they can find a different room that can meet our needs. Only once was I unsuccessful.

Now there are so many different paid categories of rooms, you have to be careful that you aren't requesting a room that is a paid upgrade from what you have booked.

 

[Disneytam]

When we stayed at the GF RPC back in the early 90's you didn't pay for theme park view like you do now. Things have changed a lot over the years and I know now you will pay extra for some room views. I joke about it now but when we stayed at Dixie Landings ( now called PO) we could not have been farther away if we tried. I think it was called Arcadian house and we were at the farthest back corner looking at the parking lot. Oh well we were young then so the walking didn't kill us (it might now).

 

[Infamousmare]

When we stayed at the GF RPC back in the early 90's you didn't pay for theme park view like you do now. Things have changed a lot over the years and I know now you will pay extra for some room views..

Ahhh, didn't realize that.

Yeah, now when you book you get 17 view choices, such as: theme park, woods, lake, parking lot, dude peeing in parking lot, cinder block wall, and so on.

 

[Disneytam]

Ahhh, didn't realize that.

Yeah, now when you book you get 17 view choices, such as: theme park, woods, lake, parking lot, dude peeing in parking lot, cinder block wall, and so on.

Almost choked at this, but your not to far off!

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Ahhh, didn't realize that.

Yeah, now when you book you get 17 view choices, such as: theme park, woods, lake, parking lot, dude peeing in parking lot, cinder block wall, and so on.

I think I need to have that noted in my reservation. The things I don't want...

 

[Sue M]

Yikes, you must be unlucky!! We have our requests noted on reservation and most of the time we get them. Except last Aug we did a split stay, first stay was GF garden view. Requested Boca Chica, NO dormer!! We got Dormer room. Went back down to desk and asked for another room and got it. Next resort was YC. Standard view, worst view ever, again went downstairs to desk and asked to be moved. And was. Ugh!!
Our Jan. stay was at POR, and I requested a room in Acadian House near foot bridge to Old Man Island and got it. Great location close to everything. Yay!!

 

[Disneylover99]

You're not alone OP. If I request first floor, I get third. if I request third floor, I get first......I always make a reasonable request and never get it. I've done regular check in and online checkin with the same results.

I've always (except once) been able to switch rooms upon arrival to something more suitable for me. Now, when I check in.....I just expect that they'll put me in a far away room beside the dumpster. Any change I can make at check in will be pixie dust for me.

 

[goofy4tink]

I seldom make any kind of request. I did for this stay at BWV tho. I asked for highest floor possible, close to the elevator. Couldnt be happier with the room we got. But, I've ended up in the boonies at other times. And POR (DxL)? Bldg 34.....waaaay in the back was our first resort stay. Heading there tomorrow....wonder where they'll put us this time.
I guess it's pretty much luck of the draw....I figure any place they put me is better than being at home!