Special Requests for AKL - How do I make them?

[Cupcake88]

We are arriving next week to AKL and VERY excited! We do, however, have some requests which we have communicated to Disney Travel but want to reiterate to the hotel. First, my husband is on the transplant list for a heart and we need to have a room that is close to the action and buses. Second, our son is 15 and autistic and still has an issue with nighttime toileting - last year we requested a rollaway bed for him (at CSR) which makes everyone much more comfortable and we want to do that again this year.

I called today to just make sure everything was okay and said I would fax the resort these additional requests. The CM who spoke to me (Ferris) told me that resorts do not take faxed requests. They may look like they are but never do. This was kind of disturbing...I always thought it was appropriate to fax these special requests a week before hand.

Can anyone help me out???

Sharon

 

[purpliequeen]

We had an amazing room when we stayed at the AKL a few years ago. Basically all I did was list my top three room requests when I made the hotel reservation. We are DVC members so when we called I just asked if it's possible for them to note on my reservation what I would like.

I know some people fax their requests a week before their arrival. Usually we are way too busy before we leave so we have never given this a shot. I'm surprised they say that they won't take it.

Seeing as your requests are extremely important I would try calling again and speaking with a manager? I would bypass a regular reservations CM seeing as you know exactly what they need and they need to listen to you. Be adamant and firm.

Good luck! Enjoy AKL; it's truly an amazing resort and one of my favorites up there with the GF.

 

[RMulieri]

the resorts may or may not take faxes.Many of the room assignors simply pitch them in the trash.But I have hear some people having success with it.As long as you have noted your requests on your original ressie ,I would not worry about the fax.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) In most cases, I personally know that faxing does not work.
2) I don't know AKL folks, so I can't answer for them.
3) I would make certain it on the ressie.
4) Then, call 3-4 days ahead of arrival and speak with the resort.

 

[wendypooh]

We used to have to bring my son's portable nebulizer - to give him breathing treatments - he had to have them every 4 hours - he is now old enough for an inhaler, but, I have always made this a point to have noted on my reservation. So, that when I've requested a specific location - i.e., near the lobby, they know why. We have NEVER had an issue - the resorts always try to accomodate our request.

I'd suggest you call the resort directly, (since you are going so soon) and ask to speak to the manager, tell him of your medical needs and make sure he notes it on your reservation. (As rooms are NOT assigned prior to your checking-in, meaning they cannot issue you a room beforehand. The person checking you in will be the one to see your *request* - no one else you may have spoken too - this is why it is SO important to have it noted on the reservation.)

I would suggest based on my experience that you request a room on the 3rd floor near the lobby.

I don't know what level of room you booked, but, if you got a bunk bed room you may not need the rollaway - as he could use the bottom bunk. If this is not the case, then I would also request a rollaway and have it noted on your reservation as well.


Again, I would call the resort and speak to them directly. Making sure to have all of it noted on your reservation. AND - on a side note, whenever you call to book a reservation in the future, make sure they add this information to the reservation - that way you won't need to call the resort directly. We've always done that and again, we've never had a problem. Good Luck!!

I'm sure you already have this, but here is the direct number to the lodge.
407-938-3000

 

[mbanks21]

Rooms are assigned 5-7 days prior to arriving. There is NO guarantee of getting any room due to ANY medical issue. Theyre request only.

and no, faxing usually doesnt do anything, as long as its notated on the res with CRO you should be fine

 

[wendypooh]

Rooms are assigned 5-7 days prior to arriving. There is NO guarantee of getting any room due to ANY medical issue. Theyre request only.

and no, faxing usually doesnt do anything, as long as its notated on the res with CRO you should be fine

Not to argue the point, but, I've always been told rooms are assigned at check-in, not prior.

Absolutely true - any request made is just that..... it does NOT guarantee you anything!

I've never faxed anything either - and agree, the best thing the OP can do is to make sure everything is noted on her reservation!

 

[purpliequeen]

Not to argue the point, but, I've always been told rooms are assigned at check-in, not prior.

Absolutely true - any request made is just that..... it does NOT guarantee you anything!

I've never faxed anything either - and agree, the best thing the OP can do is to make sure everything is noted on her reservation!

I definitely do not want to come across as arguing with you, as I have no idea what they do or don't do, but from our past experience checking in at the Yacht Club last week, the front desk CM told us that the computer had assigned us one of her favorite rooms in the resort. I don't know if she meant that she had pulled up the screen upon our arrival and just so happened to see that room vacant so she selected it (i.e. the computer "selected" the room for us through her- oh wow this is getting complicated ) or if the computer actually selected it.

No idea... I'd love to talk to a CM or someone who has worked at the Disney resorts to see who actually assigns rooms. From my own experience working at exclusive, "boutique-y" (lol) resorts, the front desk agents, or preferably front desk manager or front of the house manager, goes through the bookings a day before to assign rooms based on what's available (who's checking out, ready rooms, what's going on with renovations/refurb, etc.). Now I know Disney doesn't do this, unless you're VIP (I wish I could be Miley Cyrus- have you seen the clip on her 16th bday in Disneyland?), as they're way too busy and this is extremely time-consuming (plus, if you follow me, Disney doesn't have to win anyone over; they pretty much run an on-property monopoly). However, other hotels (such as Marriott and Sheraton, etc.) usually let their property management system (SMS, Opera, etc.) assign rooms. This is MUCH easier bc it doesn't put front desk agents on the spot if someone comes down unhappy with their room, plus it's much faster bc the computer systems have the ability to go through and use a grid-like/algorithm system to assign rooms in such a way so that it can organize check/ins and check/outs to optimize revenue. It would make the most sense for Disney to allow their property management assign rooms. This explains why sometimes people have to wait for a room to be ready upon early check/in. When we arrived at the front desk last week at the GF and were told that our room wasn't ready, the front desk agent knew the room # of our room. Thus, I'm pretty positive that our room at least was pre-assigned (it was a standard Garden view room, not a suite). Now, Wendypooh may be right, and in that case, I would never want to work at the front desk in Disney because it'd put me on the spot. (Nasty woman yelling at me?- Oh I'd assign her a small room far from the main lobby- I'm jk!)

But as Wendypooh mentioned, room requests are just that, requests, not guarantees! Good luck!

 

[iluv2go2disney]

We are arriving next week to AKL and VERY excited! We do, however, have some requests which we have communicated to Disney Travel but want to reiterate to the hotel. First, my husband is on the transplant list for a heart and we need to have a room that is close to the action and buses. Second, our son is 15 and autistic and still has an issue with nighttime toileting - last year we requested a rollaway bed for him (at CSR) which makes everyone much more comfortable and we want to do that again this year.

I called today to just make sure everything was okay and said I would fax the resort these additional requests. The CM who spoke to me (Ferris) told me that resorts do not take faxed requests. They may look like they are but never do. This was kind of disturbing...I always thought it was appropriate to fax these special requests a week before hand.

Can anyone help me out???

Sharon

I just noticed your ticker. We also leave in 8 days and we're staying at AKL. Maybe we'll see you.

 

[Cupcake88]

I just noticed your ticker. We also leave in 8 days and we're staying at AKL. Maybe we'll see you.

That would be neat wouldn't it? I'll have to get my neon green Mickeys out!!!

In the end I decided to fax the resort. Over in the CSR thread, one of the CMs says that thats okay to do so I did...what the heck. Now today everyone's like hey, lets get the bunkbeds and maybe that will work out better!!! So I am calling....

Sharon