PatMcDuck
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 12, 2000
- Messages
- 9,652
We checked in today! Came in from east coast (NJ), and arrived at GC at 4 pm exactly. Went inside to check in
. No parks today, we will hit EE tomorrow instead.
I had sent the email request as recommended here on these boards, and had called it in as well. Upper floor, WoC view, Room numbers in order of preference. (we are in a 1BR) The CM had a bit trouble finding our reservation. She kept looking and and then commented that there were 3 or 4 records of it. I was confused. Then I asked about how the room requests worked out. She said, WELL, you are over here, on the FIRST FLOOR. What, I said? She replied that I had been shifted a few times that day. And that now, there were ONLY first floor rooms left.
My son is autistic, Down Syndrome. I did not ask for a handicapped room, because we do not need one. I do not like them, and would not want to reserve one when others may need it. (ironically, this is ALSO a handicapped first floor room as well). But we do need to be off the first floor, because he can reach the child latches, and there is no railing outside, and he could walk away. After more discussion, she said they could move us tomorrow. And that we should note the issue on the reservation, if we HAD they would not have given away our other floor rooms to other guests who did not want a first floor room because of the lack of a view, etc.
As an aside, I also ordered $75 groceries from Vons (first time) and now those must be moved as well.
All in all, I just want to report all this, because the truth IS, you need to check in as EARLY as possible. And push for the room you want, I guess. I was led to believe today that we were assigned a room that met at least one of our requests, but lost it, and other acceptable rooms as the day went on. In the past I have been able to check in early to DVC rooms, even if it meant a cash room the night before, either on or off property. It always seemed to pay off. Lesson learned. It is most critical when the resorts are full, of course, and today was busy for President's Day.
Of course at some resorts, like BCV (my home resort) it does not really matter too much. (I even like the road view there that others despise).
I had sent the email request as recommended here on these boards, and had called it in as well. Upper floor, WoC view, Room numbers in order of preference. (we are in a 1BR) The CM had a bit trouble finding our reservation. She kept looking and and then commented that there were 3 or 4 records of it. I was confused. Then I asked about how the room requests worked out. She said, WELL, you are over here, on the FIRST FLOOR. What, I said? She replied that I had been shifted a few times that day. And that now, there were ONLY first floor rooms left.
My son is autistic, Down Syndrome. I did not ask for a handicapped room, because we do not need one. I do not like them, and would not want to reserve one when others may need it. (ironically, this is ALSO a handicapped first floor room as well). But we do need to be off the first floor, because he can reach the child latches, and there is no railing outside, and he could walk away. After more discussion, she said they could move us tomorrow. And that we should note the issue on the reservation, if we HAD they would not have given away our other floor rooms to other guests who did not want a first floor room because of the lack of a view, etc.
As an aside, I also ordered $75 groceries from Vons (first time) and now those must be moved as well.

All in all, I just want to report all this, because the truth IS, you need to check in as EARLY as possible. And push for the room you want, I guess. I was led to believe today that we were assigned a room that met at least one of our requests, but lost it, and other acceptable rooms as the day went on. In the past I have been able to check in early to DVC rooms, even if it meant a cash room the night before, either on or off property. It always seemed to pay off. Lesson learned. It is most critical when the resorts are full, of course, and today was busy for President's Day.
Of course at some resorts, like BCV (my home resort) it does not really matter too much. (I even like the road view there that others despise).