Rooms now being assigned by computer

[gigi1313]

I have always read on here that 2 adults/4 kids are never a guarantee for connecting rooms. You could always have adults split between rooms (yes I know not the best idea, I have 4 kids also)

it's true, it's not a guarantee, despite the confirmations saying "GUARANTEED" (LOL... it's a disney thing!)

 

[Sue M]

Thanks Rusty for taking the time to explain the changes.

It will interesting to see what I end up with in Jan at POR. We loved our stay there in Aug 09, so returning this Jan. I had requests at booking for Magnolia Bend, Magnolia Terrace or Oak Manor, upper floor.

I hope we get a building in the Mansion section, and upper floor. Our last stay we did get one request, Magnolia Terrace but ground floor. So we were thrilled to get at least our building request. Don't love ground floor, because of everyone looking in, but can deal with it

I had put these requests on our res. before the new system I guess, so will post how it turned out.

I understand requests are just that. Hope some pixie falls on us and we get an upper floor in Mag. Terrace.

It's sad that some people put up a stink at check in because they didn't get what they asked for, but you get that in all places, not just hotels. No class.

 

[larryz]

Well, I'm gonna send the computer an electronic tip, 'cause we loved our rooms at WL -- standard view (we were over the smokehouse, with a great view of the higher MK fireworks!).

4062 and 4064. Nice rooms in good repair, close to but not on the lobby and half-way between the lobby elevators and the elevators just past Roaring Fork.

 

[tiredsigh]

I personally have never made an advance room request. I did request a different room one day into a stay at CSR once. The toilet wouldn't stop running and the air died. Took speaking to a manager because the CM at the desk said all day that someone would be by to fix it. When it didn't get fixed, I got moved.

I was debating a room request this trip since I am travelling with my 3 year old alone. I thought requesting ground floor might be helpful. Sounds like I shouldn't bother. If I had made the request, I would say that I am not feeling "entitled". I originally reserved a value as part of a couple's only trip. My DH cannot go due to work issues so I am taking my youngest instead at the last minute. Would I have paid to stay at CR or Poly if I had known in advance, sure. I'm going during the week of the marathon so not many room options now.

I do have to say that we often stay at DTD Hilton on our first night. We always stay on points. Even on our points stays, we are always offered requests that go a long way (feather or foam pillows, feather-free room, king or double, etc.). The front desk staff are always very helpful. This isn't just Hilton. We both have seen a lot of business travel over the years and Hyatt's, Marriott's, etc. have always treated us like welcome guests. We give our business to companies that treat us well. Could disney find that they are alienating too many people? Of course. Another poster said that Disney is banking on the magic. The attitudes of some CM's on this board aren't particularly "magical". THAT's what bothers me more than some room requests that really aren't so difficult to honor once in a while....

 

[sndral]

There are many many hotels and resorts that DO take requests and service their guests without treating them like they are doing THEM a favor by letting them stay there. I've travelled extensively outside of WDW (gasp!) and I cannot think of a single hotel that did not accommodate my room request for connecting rooms and also view, etc.

So, I would think a newbie would compare a WDW vacation to other vacations and see that the resorts there are seriously lacking when compared to other vacation destinations and other hotels/resorts.

And folks who get to that point aren't the folks Disney is aiming for. Disney is specifically aiming their offerings at guests who truly appreciate (read: value) the affinity of staying "in the middle of the magic". If you ever get to the point that you're comparing Disney resorts to off-property resorts, and you don't give Disney a (let's say) 35% bump just because it is Disney (and for no other reason), then it really might be time to start staying off-site.

Which is why I seriously question their attempt w/ Hawaii or their other vacations. Why would I pay Disney prices in Hawaii or to go to Europe when I know that others offer a far better product and customer service? It's one thing when Disney is the only game in town, but unless they plan on building a theme park in Hawaii, I wouldn't even think about using Disney's new DVC there when there are so many wonderful options already.

But, in regards to the original topic, it'll be interesting to see how this works out. I'm not sure the new system will help late arrivals, unless cms are UNABLE to give an assigned room to a complaining guest and reassign the complained of room to the unlucky late arrival. If that is the case and only rooms not already assigned are available for swapping and rooms already assigned to guests whether they have checked in or not are not touched, then I think it would be great.

 

[fla4fun]

Best thing to do would be to make it like cruises and give you the ability to pick your room from what's available at the time of booking. If you pick the room yourself, you're the only one to complain to.

I agree. I'm a Hilton Honors member, and when I check in online for a Hilton brand property, I can actually select my room from the available inventory. So I can pick the floor, how close to the elevators, etc. Obviously, there could still be a maintenance issue that might result in not getting that room, but so far, I have always been in the room I selected. Granted, I can't do online check in until 36 hours ahead (as opposed to the 10 days at Disney) but I'd rather have the option of selecting my room than the wider online check in window.

As to the off site/on property debate, for me off site would be staying at home, so I stay on property. I typically don't put in room requests, and I've been pretty happy with the choices they've made. The only time I have put in requests is when traveling with my elderly parents, since their mobility issues make some rooms easier to access than others. But they don't come along very often, so I doubt this will be a big deal breaker for me.

 

[PETER.PHIL]

You have to go from Epcot to a resort hotel and then transfer to a bus that goes to Disney Hollywood Studios and/or Animal Kingdom.

 

[bicker]

I ment it is weird to hear sentimental statement from you since you seem to me looking at Disney strictly like business

Businesses generally act analytically; consumers often act emotionally. A business manager that figures that its customers will act rationally all the time will fail.

 

[Missytara]

Wondering if new system was on in September. It was the only time in all my trips I placed request and it was like they never saw it, that would explain it. I am not sure if I like this new idea. As I said I only placed request once so I do not care much about it BUT wouldn't it lead to some employment cuts?

The new system was being finalized while I was there the week after Thanksgiving. We all received a note in our rooms about what times and days the computer would be down, in case we needed to change ressies, etc.

Also, it continues to amaze me how people think that a little computer upgrade would people out of work????

The more technology that is required means more people on staff to maintain it. Slowly, over the last thirty years, technology has allowed people to move themselves up on the ladder, because increased skills are needed.

So thirty years ago, when something was done by hand, you had a great deal of people making minimum wage, doing menial tasks. Now those people are at the desk working the computer, making more money, and the people before them moved up into the technology fields making more money and benefits. Technology has allowed the work force (and sometimes, forced the work force) to move itself up.

I work for a very large company in Facilities Management. Years ago, our maintenance workers were nothing more than mechanics that just worked the tools and made minimum wage. Now, all of our maintenance guys are working on equipment that is controlled by computer and trained for it. They can respond quicker and provide more preventative maintenance. Their skill level, pay level, and benefits have gone up considerably in the last ten years.

 

[bicker]

Also, it continues to amaze me how people think that a little computer upgrade would people out of work????

While, as you point out, technology often leads to more skilled positions needing to be filled, the reality is that it also often leads to less skilled positions being eliminated, and generally the latter overwhelms the impact of the former. So, in a closed system, more people end up with better jobs, and many many more people end up with no jobs.

I think that was the context of some of the concerns you were replying to.

 

[englishrose47]

Personally I always prefer to talk to a Person as opposed to a machine !!At least at check in they will be real people we talk to not a computor at least I hope so!!!I think this change will slow down check in as soooo many will not be happy with their computor room assignment !!!

 

[lovethattink]

Personally I always prefer to talk to a Person as opposed to a machine !!At least at check in they will be real people we talk to not a computor at least I hope so!!!I think this change will slow down check in as soooo many will not be happy with their computor room assignment !!!

That could go by the way side too, quite possibly if they do with check in, like they do with ordering food at a kiosk at Captn Cooks at the Poly.

 

[verticalchaos]

Personally I always prefer to talk to a Person as opposed to a machine !!At least at check in they will be real people we talk to not a computor at least I hope so!!!I think this change will slow down check in as soooo many will not be happy with their computor room assignment !!!

I do think that on here we forget what a small percentage of Disney guests are actually on these boards and have specific requests. From my observation of the number of times I've been down there, I've seen very few people throwing hissy fits about their rooms (though those I've seen have been legendary). I think the vast majority takes the room they're assigned and unless there is some kind of major maintenance issue with it, accepts it and gets on with their vacation.

 

[Lynne M]

I do think that on here we forget what a small percentage of Disney guests are actually on these boards and have specific requests. From my observation of the number of times I've been down there, I've seen very few people throwing hissy fits about their rooms (though those I've seen have been legendary). I think the vast majority takes the room they're assigned and unless there is some kind of major maintenance issue with it, accepts it and gets on with their vacation.

Very true. DISers are in no way the typical WDW guest. Hard as it may be to imagine , most people just see the ad on TV, say 'hey, let's go to WDW', call up and book a resort, maybe a package, get on a plane and go.

Even among the repeat visitors, not everyone plans, makes ADRs, or requests a room location. Heck, not even all DISers do those things......I don't. I've been visiting at least twice a year for the 9 years I've been a DVC member, and I call Member Services, book a villa, book a flight, and go. No ADRs, no plans. Well, occasionally an ADR. But most of the time I eat CS or dine offsite with friends.

I used to always request a non-smoking room, no need to do that anymore. I very rarely make requests nowadays, I just don't care where the room is. I don't think I've ever had a room location I really hated. There have been a couple of times I've had a CM show me my room location on the map, and I've asked if they had anything in a particular area, and have almost always been happily accommodated.

Anyway (see, there was a point to all that).....will there be complaints? Sure. But there won't be hordes of people storming the front desks of resorts. Those people who booked because they saw a TV ad and did no planning won't care where the room is. The repeat visitors who don't care where their room is will do online check-in, like me.

The guests for whom room location will make or break their trip will ask for their requests at check-in. I doubt if it'll be a huge number, and I think most people will still end up getting what they want. Yes, sure, some people will end up being disappointed, especially if they're arriving late at a busy time. But that happens now. Requests have always been just that-requests. Sometimes you get 'em, sometimes you don't.

I think those who are very concerned about this change should wait to see how it works out in practice before getting too worried. I really don't think it's going to be the nightmare that some fear it will be. Remember....no one's saying you can't make requests. You just can't make them in advance. Guests can still ask to modify their room location at the front desk, same as always. Guests with medical needs can still request locations through the special services number, same as always.

 

[princesspeach]

I do think that on here we forget what a small percentage of Disney guests are actually on these boards and have specific requests. From my observation of the number of times I've been down there, I've seen very few people throwing hissy fits about their rooms (though those I've seen have been legendary). I think the vast majority takes the room they're assigned and unless there is some kind of major maintenance issue with it, accepts it and gets on with their vacation.

That is probably true that most people that go to wdw don't hang out on these boards. I am sure that many people that go to disneyworld are accustomed to traveling, staying in hotels, and making room requests. I would hope no adult would throw a hissy fit.

 

[Missytara]

While, as you point out, technology often leads to more skilled positions needing to be filled, the reality is that it also often leads to less skilled positions being eliminated, and generally the latter overwhelms the impact of the former. So, in a closed system, more people end up with better jobs, and many many more people end up with no jobs.

I think that was the context of some of the concerns you were replying to.

It is closing out lower paying jobs, but it is creating higher-skilled higher paying jobs. The problem is many people don't want to go to school to obtain the higher skills to perform the new positions.

We saw that in our maintenance staff - you don't want to go back to class and better your skills to work on the new technology, then you are going to find yourself out of work.

 

[KellyNY]

It is closing out lower paying jobs, but it is creating higher-skilled higher paying jobs. The problem is many people don't want to go to school to obtain the higher skills to perform the new positions.

We saw that in our maintenance staff - you don't want to go back to class and better your skills to work on the new technology, then you are going to find yourself out of work.

If work will pay for them to go to school and be able to keep this position or fill new one inside the company is one thing. Otherwise, with today unemployment among even college graduates, even experienced professionals who wants to get yourself in additional debt. People take those low positions because they cannot find job in their fields. Go to college, get better job does not really work today. BTW, with all technology and communications, many jobs simply left the country. I worked in the company where our support was in India. Great for company, less money to pay but not so great for people in this counry.

 

[verticalchaos]

Even among the repeat visitors, not everyone plans, makes ADRs, or requests a room location. Heck, not even all DISers do those things......I don't. I've been visiting at least twice a year for the 9 years I've been a DVC member, and I call Member Services, book a villa, book a flight, and go. No ADRs, no plans. Well, occasionally an ADR. But most of the time I eat CS or dine offsite with friends.

I used to always request a non-smoking room, no need to do that anymore. I very rarely make requests nowadays, I just don't care where the room is. I don't think I've ever had a room location I really hated. There have been a couple of times I've had a CM show me my room location on the map, and I've asked if they had anything in a particular area, and have almost always been happily accommodated.

Bingo! We make a couple of ADRs for special meals, but other than that we *gasp* eat counter service. We also don't as a rule* bother with location requests. For Christmas, we will have two rooms - my parents get in on the 23rd, I come in on the 24th and will have a separate room with my sister. We have asked that they be close to each other, but we realize that the fact we're checking in a day apart at the busiest time of the year may well make that impossible. And we'll deal with it. We're big people and can work around things like that. (And before anyone says "You're all adults" when I was in high school, we had two rooms in a Hampton Inn with multiple wings - my parents had a room on the 1st floor in one wing and my sis and I on the 5th in another wing. We dealt.) We're not in the rooms enough that it's going to make or break the vacation.

Now to the *... I *do* have a request for Broadway or Jazz for my stay Marathon Weekend for the simple reason that the only reservation I could get when I decided again to stay on property (I'd had a reservation then cancelled it to stay with sis who lives there...then thought the better of staying with 2 cats (I'm allergic) just before my first half marathon) - well besides something deluxe, and I'm not going to spend that much when I'll hardly be in the room. It's a regular (non-preferred) room, so Calypso is out (I probably wouldn't have paid for preferred anyway unless that was the only option...it's not my favorite kind of music) automatically. I'm not a huge fan of rock or country, but I do love Broadway and like Jazz. However, I'm getting in at 10:35pm - so it will likely be whatever they have when I get there. NABD. As long as it's clean, in working order, and (should they have to move me to another resort) on property, I'm not going to fuss.

 

[ppony]

V
Even among the repeat visitors, not everyone plans, makes ADRs, or requests a room location. Heck, not even all DISers do those things......I don't. I've been visiting at least twice a year for the 9 years I've been a DVC member, and I call Member Services, book a villa, book a flight, and go. No ADRs, no plans. Well, occasionally an ADR.

Same here! A few ADRs and just wing the rest and order in or now go off site to eat. As the years go on (I'm ony 40 but feeling thsoe years ), I'm less and less interested in being HERE by x-time, THERE by x-time, and running there to be on-time for something else. No thanks. the less itinerary, the happier we all are and the better our vacations go. Granted, we go in non-peak times where we can relax. I've only had one room (pre DVC ownning) that I didn't like AT ALL and it was changed when we went back to the front desk and asked. Albeit to a room w/ ghost ants, but we'll not talk about that.

I wish people would give more rooms and resorts a chance. Many seem to be all in a tizzy from just the look on a map that they won't like something. Here's a novel idea...how about give it a try first! I'm sure MOST rooms are quite lovely, people just have to be control freaks.

 

[Sue M]

I personally have never made an advance room request. I did request a different room one day into a stay at CSR once. The toilet wouldn't stop running and the air died. Took speaking to a manager because the CM at the desk said all day that someone would be by to fix it. When it didn't get fixed, I got moved.

I was debating a room request this trip since I am travelling with my 3 year old alone. I thought requesting ground floor might be helpful. Sounds like I shouldn't bother. If I had made the request, I would say that I am not feeling "entitled". I originally reserved a value as part of a couple's only trip. My DH cannot go due to work issues so I am taking my youngest instead at the last minute. Would I have paid to stay at CR or Poly if I had known in advance, sure. I'm going during the week of the marathon so not many room options now.

I do have to say that we often stay at DTD Hilton on our first night. We always stay on points. Even on our points stays, we are always offered requests that go a long way (feather or foam pillows, feather-free room, king or double, etc.). The front desk staff are always very helpful. This isn't just Hilton. We both have seen a lot of business travel over the years and Hyatt's, Marriott's, etc. have always treated us like welcome guests. We give our business to companies that treat us well. Could disney find that they are alienating too many people? Of course. Another poster said that Disney is banking on the magic. The attitudes of some CM's on this board aren't particularly "magical". THAT's what bothers me more than some room requests that really aren't so difficult to honor once in a while....

That's true. We usually stay at a Marriott or Hilton chain when not going to WDW, and we are always given a choice of requests to check off- high floor/ground floor/near elevator/pillow type, etc. Many hotels offer room requests.