Room Request ????

[Mermaid4me]

Does it really do any good to fax in a request to the resort? A CM I spoke to says it does not. Anyone have any good advice?


Mermaid4me


Poly Apr 06
CR 05
ASMO 01
Offsite 86
CR 79

 

[MikeWD]

The cast member who told that to you either really doesn't "get it" or just isn't "in the know." Yes, it does matter. Disney will not guarantee that it can accomodate all requests -- and some requests (like prefered room) will cost you extra. We have made requests in the past and have pretty much received what we asked for. Now, if it didn't make any difference, then I really can't explain how Disney just "happened" to meet the requests????

 

[safetymom]

Most of the resorts are ignoring faxes. If you have your requests noted in your reservation there is no need to fax.

 

[bicker]

There was a time when special requests were a lot more significant -- mainly because there were so many fewer of them. Now, many people make special requests, and typically request the same thing, preferred rooms, upgrades, etc. So if everyone requests the same thing, the system goes back to the way it was before anyone requested anything: random chance.

 

[jen54321]

For the first time, we requested a certain building and floor at POP over the phone. I won't be faxing the request. Even though I am not going until May 27, I will post the outcome of our request. I have never made a request so I am curious if it will work or not. Although I have to say I have never been disappointed with the rooms we have ended up with.

 

[BCV23]

So if everyone requests the same thing, the system goes back to the way it was before anyone requested anything: random chance.

I can't speak to all resorts but I don't think it has ever been random at the Polynesian. We've stayed there over 30 times since 1983. We request only nonsmoking first floor. Our first stay or two was in the building that is now Hawaii but before it was concierge. After that for many trips we were always assigned Samoa. We now sometimes need an accessible room which means Rapa Nui or sometimes stay in concierge (Hawaii). If we are just doing regular old gardenview, we have always been placed in Samoa which is a very nice assignment indeed.

I've also noticed on these boards that many people who frequent the Polynesian speak of always being put in the same building whichever it may be. I suspect the assigners do it on purpose which is both charming and smart in my book as there is nothing like Polynesian memories.

But I also agree with most posters. Just make general requests when you book and forget about faxes.

 

[disneyfan61]

I also heard they do not honor faxes. In the past I did fax & always got the section we wanted. This time we booked thru AAA & Jan was supposed to put
it on our reservations but when I received the paperwork it did not say anything about wanting the 50's, 4th floor lakeview. All it said was non smoking so I called Disney reservations this morning (we leave Thurs.) & they put it into their computer. She was very nice.

 

[MikeWD]

I don't get the sense that Disney is ignoring faxes. I think the issue is that people make an assumption that if they request it, they are going to get whatever they requested. Disney is clear that they will try, but cannot guarantee all requests. See intercot.com on this issue. I think some people get irked when they make a list of requests and only get 1 or 2 of those items. As intercot.com suggests, guests should prioritize their requests. The more requests, the more likely it is that you will not get everything. Some people think if they ask for a nonsmoking, third floor, pool view, in a specific building and only get a nonsmoking room in a building that the request was "ignored". Face it, seldom do you get everything that you want. Disney, however, is pretty accomodating even with last minute requests.

 

[safetymom]

You will find many people here that will tell you also to prioritize your requests. But they can't grant everyones request. It also got out of hand once the word spread that you could fax your requests to the resort.

It is much easier to just have the requests in the reservation. Then there is no need for someone to match up a piece of paper to a reservation, it would already be there.

Personally if you need to make a request most CM's are very accomodating when you check in. I wouldn't live or die by my requests. If there is something special I expect to pay for it when I reserve my room. Sometimes letting a CM work a little magic is better than a fax when they assign your room.

 

[MikeWD]

You are absolutely right, safetymom. CMs are often very interested in helping to spread the magic when the request is within their authority to do so.

 

[SueM in MN]

You will find many people here that will tell you also to prioritize your requests. But they can't grant everyones request. It also got out of hand once the word spread that you could fax your requests to the resort.

It is much easier to just have the requests in the reservation. Then there is no need for someone to match up a piece of paper to a reservation, it would already be there.

I remember reading a few years ago something that a CM who worked as a room assigner posted. When people first started sending faxes, the resort received just a few and the room assigner could match them up with the reservation.

But, once the word got out on the internet, some of the resorts went from a few each day to 100 or more each day. There was no possible way for them to match the fax to the reservation, so the majority of the faxes went into the trash without being read.

He also said most of the faxes were to ask for things that were already in the computer. So, he suugested people make requests when you make your reservation, if at all possible. Make your requests in the order of importance - the room assigners assume you listed the most important one first when you made your requests and they will try to fill at least that one, if possible.