Room requests through Touring Plans that cannot be made through MS?

[dismedvc]

I saw two posts where members indicated they were able to make room request through Touring Plans that they could not make by calling MS.
I know you can make room requests on the member website, but those are extremely limited. I have always called MS with more specific requests. However, one of the posters said they called MS and were told they could only add the requests that were available online. However, through Touring Plans they were able to make a more specific room request.

What gives? I do not think Touring Plans is affiliated directly with DVC, so how can someone even make a DVC room request through Touring Plans? As a DVC owner, do I now need to pay $17.95 to subscribe to Touring Plans to make more detailed room requests?

ETA: The two posts I saw were on the Resort forum, but I thought this question was a better fit for this forum.

 

[CarolynFH]

one of the posters said they called MS and were told they could only add the requests that were available online. However, through Touring Plans they were able to make a more specific room request.

It wouldn’t be the first time a CM gave incorrect information, even a DVC MS CM (it also seems there have been new CMs lately, so increased reports of mistakes). MS has been taking requests via chat, email and phone recently, which is normal and actually what’s supposed to happen. Was the poster who called a DVC owner? If so, they were given wrong information; if not, it was correct since only owners can submit requests to MS, and renters have to use online checkin - or TP.

 

[Sandisw]

Honestly i think both will take the same requests and I think all have the same chance of being filled.

MS has never not taken the requests I made..although we tend not to anymore because we want first available when we arrive.

If we are arriving later, closer to check in, then we do.

 

[DebbieB]

I email member services with my requests and also send through Touring Plans. Been pretty successful. I do not put requests on MDE.

 

[Dizzydizney]

I always make my room requests via email to member services. Always get the same response....they’ve made a note on my reservation, yadda yadda. Sometimes I get the request granted sometimes I don’t. That person was given erroneous information about not taking requests.
I don’t like the fact that an outside vendor has the ability to make room requests. If these requests are made by renters and not DVC members, who gets priority? I don’t understand why this is acceptable at all. Does this outside vendor pay DVC to get better rooms for their clients?

 

[myth2001]

Also have done both touring plan and MS. Varying degree of success.
One possible case where touring plan can be better than MS would be the AKL value studios, where MS does not take requests. (My two requests via touring plan for AKL value locations have all been granted)

 

[Best Aunt]

Was the poster who called a DVC owner? If so, they were given wrong information; if not, it was correct since only owners can submit requests to MS, and renters have to use online checkin - or TP.

That's what I was thinking. Someone who rented points probably tried to make a room request by phone and were told that they couldn't (because DVC Member Services only talks to DVC Members). They could, however, use Touring Plans which apparently has the ability to send in an email to make a room request for anyone.

 

[CarolynFH]

That's what I was thinking. Someone who rented points probably tried to make a room request by phone and were told that they couldn't (because DVC Member Services only talks to DVC Members). They could, however, use Touring Plans which apparently has the ability to send in an email to make a room request for anyone.

Yes, and some owners simply choose to use TP instead of contacting MS, particularly recently when phone hold times were so long. But I don’t think it’s impossible that a MS CM (especially if new to the job) gave wrong information!

 

[limace]

I don’t think Touring Plans gets priority, and they don’t charge to make the requests-my sense is that they just know how the put the request in terms that get granted. So, instead of asking for this one specific room number-a request very difficult for Disney to fill unless the previous occupants are checking out same day and no one prior to you asked for it-they’ll ask for a range or description of rooms with certain characteristics. You can’t request a view type for AKV Value, so they suggest you request even numbered, as those are the Savannah view rooms.

 

[dismedvc]

I don’t like the fact that an outside vendor has the ability to make room requests. If these requests are made by renters and not DVC members, who gets priority? I don’t understand why this is acceptable at all. Does this outside vendor pay DVC to get better rooms for their clients?

Totally agree. Even if MS will take requests more specific than the choices online (which seems to be the case) I do not think an outside vendor should be allowed to facilitate requests.

ETA: Especially if they are doing it for non-members

 

[Sandisw]

I always make my room requests via email to member services. Always get the same response....they’ve made a note on my reservation, yadda yadda. Sometimes I get the request granted sometimes I don’t. That person was given erroneous information about not taking requests.
I don’t like the fact that an outside vendor has the ability to make room requests. If these requests are made by renters and not DVC members, who gets priority? I don’t understand why this is acceptable at all. Does this outside vendor pay DVC to get better rooms for their clients?

Except requests are not guaranteed and WDW allows them. DVC has no part in granting them. They pass them along to the resort just like Touring Plans does.

I don't think it matters who puts them in for a guest. I personally wish they wouldn't allow them because I think sometimes rooms are ready earlier but another guest is not given it because it was a "request" that may have been granted. So, if I arrive and would like first available room, it may not happen because of requests.

 

[dismedvc]

One possible case where touring plan can be better than MS would be the AKL value studios, where MS does not take requests. (My two requests via touring plan for AKL value locations have all been granted)

That just seems wrong. If a member cannot make a request through MS for a certain room type, then an outside vendor certainly should not be allowed to make room requests for that room type.

 

[Chuck S]

Someone should email MS just to check the accuracy of this, since several years ago Members were asked several time NOT to make room requests via fax, and ask why we should pay an outside vendor when our dues pay for Member Services management.

I'd do it, but I think Disney is tired of hearing from me, given the calls and emails about the Gold Pass activation and Thanksgiving this week,

 

[limace]

Again, you don’t pay touring plans for the requests.

 

[CarolynFH]

Again, you don’t pay touring plans for the requests.

Don't you have to pay for their subscription service in order to submit requests through them? Or is it free of charge, like their ADR notification service is?

 

[JETSDAD]

Someone should email MS just to check the accuracy of this, since several years ago Members were asked several time NOT to make room requests via fax, and ask why we should pay an outside vendor when our dues pay for Member Services management.

I'd do it, but I think Disney is tired of hearing from me, given the calls and emails about the Gold Pass activation and Thanksgiving this week,

TP doesn't send via fax anymore either....they email.

 

[limace]

Don't you have to pay for their subscription service in order to submit requests through them? Or is it free of charge, like their ADR notification service is?

You are right-I forgot that piece. It’s only a few bucks and I do it every time for their touring plan and wait time services so hadn’t realized it was part of it.

 

[keishashadow]

That just seems wrong. If a member cannot make a request through MS for a certain room type, then an outside vendor certainly should not be allowed to make room requests for that room type.

technically, can find the exact same “request” on their website & submit it yourself In the past you could FAX it, assume email now.

hit or miss for me last few trips since things fired up again after covid closure. Perhaps, less staff to actually read the requests.

 

[dismedvc]

technically, can find the exact same “request” on their website & submit it yourself

When you say "their website" are you referring to the DVC MS website, or the Touring Plans website?

 

[keishashadow]

When you say "their website" are you referring to the DVC MS website, or the Touring Plans website?

Touring plans.