Specific Room Requests

[undertheradar]

Just wondering how important it is to people to request a specific room on vacation. Does it impact your vacation if you don't get the room you request? Why does anyone request a specific room and not just "go with the flow" and allow for any room to do? Not looking for flames or insults, just wondering why the "Disney Experience" isn't enough by itself.

 

[Mskanga]

We never request anything....but we do ask for the best we can get at check in.

 

[tjmw2727]

While I never request a specific room I often send a politely worded fax with my requests. If only to make sure I get my "guarantee" (medical reasons) non-smoking room, the two times I have not sent the fax I was first put into a smoking room even though I should have had the guarantee. I also travel as a solo adult with two young kids so the hassle of not getting the room I need and or changing rooms is a bit more challenging than when I travel with dh and the kids.

I always let them know that I understand they are only requests and they can't always be granted, list them in order of preference and thank them for their time. I also never make requests for a room I have not paid for, ie preferred view when I have reserved standard view.

For example, my requests for August, in order of importance at the CR are:

1 - a reminder about the non-smoking guarantee,
2 - north wing,
3 - first Floor

Again, all these requests are the result of traveling with kids - the north wing is closer to the food cort and main building and 1st floor is ideal. That said if we get south wing, or 2nd floor that's not going to be a problem for me and I will be happy to be a wdw. I figure it dosen't hurt to ask and can make my trip alot better if they happen to have a room that fits available.

TJ

 

[DebbieB]

We've been to WDW several times and know which areas we enjoy. For example, when we stay at OKW we like a water view because my mom likes seeing the ducks & birds that hang around the water. Some golf course view buildings are surrounding by trees and heavy brush to prevent balls hits and result in a dark room (an OKW 1 bedroom has alot of windows). So I always request water view, first floor (stairs are difficult for both of us). At BWV I request a room on the top floor across from the bus stop because it has a great view of the Illuminations fireworks, you can even hear the music. It's nice to sit out on the balcony and watch. I know that they are not guaranteed, but we usually get our request. I usually send a fax just to confirm.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by tjmw2727

1 - a reminder about the non-smoking guarantee,
2 - north wing,
3 - first Floor

Isn't the north wing where the Shades of Green guests are?

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by gepetto
Isn't the north wing where the Shades of Green guests are?

I don't know anything about Shades of Green. I reserved a preferred view in the garden wing at an AP rate. Why do you ask?

TJ

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

We've only been twice (3rd time coming up) and the first time we went we stayed at the Poly and didn't request anything other than non-smoking. We got a great room, third floor, on the end, overlooking a garden area which was beautiful at night with the tiki torches and flowers. I don't think we could've requested better!

Second time - we stayed at WL and I was full of requests. I wanted non-smoking, high floor, on the end, overlooking the lake! We checked in and ended up on the first floor somewhere and I was already disappointed. I negotiated with the CM for 3rd floor but was still put off by not having higher. In the end it was a great room but I still think I set myself up for disappointment.

This time we're at CSR and aside from non-smoking I'm not asking for a thing - whatever we get, we get and unless there is a problem I'll be happy with whatever. I can see both sides so I think it's a personal choice for everyone whether to request or not. As long as you remember you're at Disney - it should be good no matter what!

 

[ducklite]

Twice when staying concierge I've made specific room requests by number range, and have gotten the requests granted both time. I also got my request once at the All Stars, but another time got nothing I requested, and was even put into a smoking room after having guaranteed non-smoking for medical reasons--and they were "booked" and wouldn't change. (I've learned a lot since then and if it happened now I'd tell them fine, then move me to another resort if you have to. I spent the entire trip inhaler to my mouth )

I've never gotten my request at the BW, Inn or Villas, and gave up trying a long time ago.

Generally I just leave it to chance, and have only a couple times been disappointed, and a couple times downright upset...but those were like the above with the smoking room, or once at the BC when the room had no balcony and looked out directly at teh back of the facade of the building. Not bad odds for someone who's stayed at WDW as many times as I have.

I don't set myself up to expect much more than non-smoking, clean, and not over the dumpster or looking at the back of a facade five feet from my window.

Anne

 

[tjmw2727]

I know what you mean Anne! My girls are so sensitive to smoke that a smoking room just won't work for us. Funny thing is your mention of the BC - as that was the first place that tried not to honor our "guaranteed" non-smoking room. I had the written confirmation in hand and luckily I have traveled enough that I had a dr note from the pediatrician. Even with that note I was made to feel like they were doing me a HuGE favor. I agree with you, if there is ever no alternative I will have to move resorts or pay for an upgrade, whatever it takes, as staying in a smoking room is just not an option for us.

To try and bet back to the OP's topic. I try and play by the rules and reserve what I need or want and not expect otherwise. I don't request upgrades and if I do my research and know the resort I am generally happy with few requests.

TJ

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by tjmw2727
I don't know anything about Shades of Green. I reserved a preferred view in the garden wing at an AP rate. Why do you ask?

TJ

Because when the Shades of Green resort closed for rehab, they took over the north wing of the CR. You said you requested the north wing. You will more than likely not get that request and will be staying in the south wing.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by gepetto
Because when the Shades of Green resort closed for rehab, they took over the north wing of the CR. You said you requested the north wing. You will more than likely not get that request and will be staying in the south wing.

Ok - whatever, maybe you could have said that in your post. Perhaps I will get my non-smoking room in the south wing and maybe even first floor. Like I said if I get my non-smoking and the view I paid for anything else is a bonus anyway. I think I will give CRO a call and see what they say - IIRC the rep said no problem with the North Wing.

TJ

 

[peachgirl]

I don't make a lot of requests, but there are certain things we know we'd like to have so we ask for those. It isn't a matter of the "Disney experience" not being enough, the room and view are part of that experience. Of course we understand that they are only requests and I've never complained about our room assignment. Then again, I've never been disappointed with what we were given either.

For instance, on our last trip, these were my requests at WL:

1)Non-smoking
2) Room on as high a floor as possible with a view overlooking the lobby.

We also wanted a view of the main pool and courtyard, but I knew with a lobby view that's what I would automatically get, so no need to add that to the list. We got everything we asked for. If we hadn't, I wouldn't have complained unless we had been put in a smoking room. That has never happened.


This year we're staying at CSR one night and I requested to be close to the main pool area, non-smoking. We're staying at OKW for the rest of our trip and I requested non-smoking, close to the main pool and hospitality house on as high a floor as possible. If we get these requests, great. If not, we'll survive somehow.

Whenever we go anywhere that I'm familiar with, there are usually views or areas of the hotel I'd like to have if possible. It's no different at WDW. I don't see any reason not to request the things that will enhance our vacation.

 

[mykidsmom]

We are using Dreams Unlimited and didn't make any special room requests. Do I make the request through Dreams or do I need to contact the resort?

 

[undertheradar]

Thanks to all who have responded out there. I am interested in this because so many threads are posted to obtain specific room numbers to request. I'm hoping to learn why getting a specified room is so important to the vacation experience.

 

[cinmell]

We don't request specific rooms, but we do request a non smoking room and view.

 

[dgaston]

I have made requests for particular buildings (Tokelau, 3rd floor at the Poly and Cabanas 8B at CSR) and non-smoking. At check-in, the CM's have said something like "We were able to grant all of your requests." Over at FtW we have taken a cabin ready earlier rather than wait for our requested loop (which we would have received by waiting), and never got the loop we requested for the tent trailer (twice ended up in the same site!). That was okay, tho.

When we stayed at POR (then Dixie Landings) I was not Disney savvy as now, and payed rack rate (ouch!). I didn't make requests, but as we were checking in late after a long trip including driving thru an ice storm, I asked the CM for the best room he had left for us, and we got a corner room in Alligator Bayou. I didn't even know that was a big deal!

For October, I've requested a bunkbed room at AKL--don't know how that will go.

 

[undertheradar]

Thanks for the info. I see so many posts on the boards looking fo r specific rooms that I was expecting posts stating how many requests they have made.