How and when are rooms assigned?

[MickeyMomV]

Does anybody know how and when rooms are assigned? Our flight arrives at 10:55 pm on a Thursday and by the time we get our luggage, board the Magical Express, and get to the CSR it is bound to be midnight or later. Should We be concerned about getting the last available room in the far corner of the resort or should we be ok? Every other trip we have made we have arrived at noon or so and received great room placement, is this still possible coming in really late?

 

[CaptainShortty]

Truthfully it depends on multiple different things....how sold out the resort is, if there are any groups in house, if an rehab is taking place, how long you're staying, if you're traveling with anyone else, have a connecting room request...Just because you check in late doesn't mean you're going to get a bad room. Blocking the house is a long process that occurs throughout the day and days leading up to your vacation. It's like a giant game of Tetris.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Your arrival time doesn't impact on your room allocation - that should have been sorted well before you check-in. As @CaptainShortty states, it depends on many things, so don't worry about arriving so late

 

[DisneyJunkie]

In the past, room assignments had always been made out about 3-4 days before a guest's arrival. That's also how far out some Disney sites recommended faxing in your room requests (something some say doesn't apply anymore, although each time I go, I fax it in and I haven't had any requests denied yet.....including to get a particular room). I'd still recommend either calling in or faxing in your request at least 4 days ahead so they have it and can add it into the notes of your reservation before assigning your actual room.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

Having worked at a hotel before we always would go through arrivals for the next few days and try to block as many request as possible and groups etc then what ever is left over would get assigned morning or afternoon of arrival. But obviously Disney does it differently Id assume since they have way more rooms to play with. I know anytime I've had a request they've honored it so Id say you'll be fine regardless of arrival time.

 

[MickeyMomV]

Thanks for the info. I was starting to get a little nervous.

 

[CaptainShortty]

Thanks for the info. I was starting to get a little nervous.

No need to worry! If there is something particular you're looking for in your room I would send it to the resort at least a week prior to your check-in date. That way they can do their best to secure a room that meets your requests earlier in the day/week. If you wait until you're at the front desk to make the request it will be much harder to fill because many rooms will already be occupied for the night since it'll be so late. (This message brought to you by a former CSR front desk mgr.) =)

Hope that helps! Have a great trip!

 

[clarabellej]

I just called and put in a room request. I think I blew it. The CM I spoke with did not seem very enthusiastic. I had already completed my online check in with highest floor and 60s requests. Just a warning, the online check in editing option seems to lock in a little over a week before your arrival. I noticed when I tried to switch to ground floor, it did not take it. So the reason I called is we are staying at Pop and I have heard people are requesting a renovated room. So I figured, why not? After all the talk and anticipation and the price tag for our package, might as well be a newer room! That was all I was calling for, but then I got carried away and told the CM a ground floor room would be fine and we prefer 60s. She got a little quiet. Then said she had made note of our requests. I wish she’d read them back to me. Somehow in the online check in editing highest floor ended up as my number 1 request. I really want 60s and new room! Don’t care what floor. I’ll be ok with 70s too. We have paid for a preferred room, so at least I can relax as far as that goes. 5 days to go. I am so ready to BE THERE. Have a bad case of Disneyitis!!! Or is that for after I get back, LOL?!

 

[DisneyJoe]

I just called and put in a room request. I think I blew it. The CM I spoke with did not seem very enthusiastic. I had already completed my online check in with highest floor and 60s requests. Just a warning, the online check in editing option seems to lock in a little over a week before your arrival. I noticed when I tried to switch to ground floor, it did not take it. So the reason I called is we are staying at Pop and I have heard people are requesting a renovated room. So I figured, why not? After all the talk and anticipation and the price tag for our package, might as well be a newer room! That was all I was calling for, but then I got carried away and told the CM a ground floor room would be fine and we prefer 60s. She got a little quiet. Then said she had made note of our requests. I wish she’d read them back to me. Somehow in the online check in editing highest floor ended up as my number 1 request. I really want 60s and new room! Don’t care what floor. I’ll be ok with 70s too. We have paid for a preferred room, so at least I can relax as far as that goes. 5 days to go. I am so ready to BE THERE. Have a bad case of Disneyitis!!! Or is that for after I get back, LOL?!

From what I understand, reservations get transferred from the main Disney Reservation system to the resort system 3-5 days prior to arrival so that they can begin to assign rooms; those assignments aren't set in stone, anything can and will change up until the point you are at the check in desk. Don't be afraid to ask when they show you where your room is and you don't like it. there may be a possibility of moving it.

 

[MickeyMomV]

I just called and put in a room request. I think I blew it. The CM I spoke with did not seem very enthusiastic. I had already completed my online check in with highest floor and 60s requests. Just a warning, the online check in editing option seems to lock in a little over a week before your arrival. I noticed when I tried to switch to ground floor, it did not take it. So the reason I called is we are staying at Pop and I have heard people are requesting a renovated room. So I figured, why not? After all the talk and anticipation and the price tag for our package, might as well be a newer room! That was all I was calling for, but then I got carried away and told the CM a ground floor room would be fine and we prefer 60s. She got a little quiet. Then said she had made note of our requests. I wish she’d read them back to me. Somehow in the online check in editing highest floor ended up as my number 1 request. I really want 60s and new room! Don’t care what floor. I’ll be ok with 70s too. We have paid for a preferred room, so at least I can relax as far as that goes. 5 days to go. I am so ready to BE THERE. Have a bad case of Disneyitis!!! Or is that for after I get back, LOL?!

So you first wanted highest room in the 60's. Then you wanted ground floor. Then you wanted a new room because, "After all the talk and anticipation and the price tag for our package, might as well be a newer room!". Then you wanted a renovated room in the 60's on the ground floor. Then the 70's would be ok. Wow!! I'm hoping you get some magic pixie dust in your direction because I have a feeling you will get a older preferred room facing a parking lot because that is what was included in "the price tag for your package".

Sorry but the "I should get ________ because I paid so much for my trip" really gets old!! Everybody pays the same amount based on the package you picked. If people want something different or special then pony up more $$ or chose a different vacation.

 

[pug]

I just called and put in a room request. I think I blew it. The CM I spoke with did not seem very enthusiastic. I had already completed my online check in with highest floor and 60s requests. Just a warning, the online check in editing option seems to lock in a little over a week before your arrival. I noticed when I tried to switch to ground floor, it did not take it. So the reason I called is we are staying at Pop and I have heard people are requesting a renovated room. So I figured, why not? After all the talk and anticipation and the price tag for our package, might as well be a newer room! That was all I was calling for, but then I got carried away and told the CM a ground floor room would be fine and we prefer 60s. She got a little quiet. Then said she had made note of our requests. I wish she’d read them back to me. Somehow in the online check in editing highest floor ended up as my number 1 request. I really want 60s and new room! Don’t care what floor. I’ll be ok with 70s too. We have paid for a preferred room, so at least I can relax as far as that goes. 5 days to go. I am so ready to BE THERE. Have a bad case of Disneyitis!!! Or is that for after I get back, LOL?!

Yeah you have to figure out your number 1 request and make sure to tell them that upon check in. About What time of the day will you be checking in?

 

[clarabellej]

So you first wanted highest room in the 60's. Then you wanted ground floor. Then you wanted a new room because, "After all the talk and anticipation and the price tag for our package, might as well be a newer room!". Then you wanted a renovated room in the 60's on the ground floor. Then the 70's would be ok. Wow!! I'm hoping you get some magic pixie dust in your direction because I have a feeling you will get a older preferred room facing a parking lot because that is what was included in "the price tag for your package".

Sorry but the "I should get ________ because I paid so much for my trip" really gets old!! Everybody pays the same amount based on the package you picked. If people want something different or special then pony up more $$ or chose a different vacation.

Wow, sounds like you are due for a Disney break. I had never called with a room request before. It seems like a fairly common thing. And yes I have paid for a preferred room. Big deal. I don’t see anything unusual about anticipating what room we’ll get. It is all part of the pre-trip excitement. The thread is about how and when rooms are assigned. I don’t think my post is so out of order. Take a chill pill . And FYI, I will be happy with whatever we get. Just excited along with many about the Pop renovations. Are there bigger problems in the world? Yes.

 

[clarabellej]

Yeah you have to figure out your number 1 request and make sure to tell them that upon check in. About What time of the day will you be checking in?

Not till 9pmish. I did online checkin, so we will get a text letting us know what our room assignment is. We bypass the front desk.

 

[pug]

Not till 9pmish. I did online checkin, so we will get a text letting us know what our room assignment is. We bypass the front desk.

A downside of checking in later is that the room selection is usually limited but then they are not in a rush to give you a room so they might not give you a room till after check in to meet your request since you are not arriving till later.

 

[clarabellej]

It’ll all be fine. We go every year and have never had a problem. I’ve just gotten a little over excited because of Pop renovations. Thought the thread was interesting, but now regretting posting in my excitement. It was an older thread and I seem to have ruffled the original poster’s feathers. Although she herself began by saying “ Thanks for the info. I was starting to get a little nervous.“ Aren’t we all allowed to feel the same way? Will not speak on the subject any more, but appreciated the input. I thought bantering back and forth was the idea.

 

[pug]

Not till 9pmish. I did online checkin, so we will get a text letting us know what our room assignment is. We bypass the front desk.

When I stayed at FQ in January I didn’t get my Text till 5 PM because I had requested a specific room number.

 

[clarabellej]

When I stayed at FQ in January I didn’t get my Text till 5 PM because I had requested a specific room number.

Okay, I guess I’m still talking. My original flight was going to have us there after 3pm, so I think we may get the notification sooner. It’s all good. We are in no hurry. Will be great to be on Spring Break.

 

[MickeyMomV]

T

Wow, sounds like you are due for a Disney break. I had never called with a room request before. It seems like a fairly common thing. And yes I have paid for a preferred room. Big deal. I don’t see anything unusual about anticipating what room we’ll get. It is all part of the pre-trip excitement. The thread is about how and when rooms are assigned. I don’t think my post is so out of order. Take a chill pill . And FYI, I will be happy with whatever we get. Just excited along with many about the Pop renovations. Are there bigger problems in the world? Yes.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a room request and we will make them from time to time. We also pay for a preferred room to make sure we get in close proximity to the main building. The response was not because you wanted a room request its because you first wanted one thing, and then changed your mind and wanted another thing and then you wanted to add another request, and then based on the "price tag of your package" you should get a renovated room. IMO your first post puts out huge vibe of entitlement because of the money you spent. I'm happy that you will be ok with whatever room your get and I hope you have a great trip.

As for how far ahead the rooms are assigned I've heard anything from 5-10 days in advance. Depends on how booked the resort is. Sometimes there is a fair amount of juggling to make sure all of the check in's and out's are properly scheduled. On our trip in November we booked a POR Royal room and they put us in a Standard room. When we went to the concierge to get it straightened out it took the cast member 20+ minutes on the phone to get us in the room we paid for because they were completely booked for Thanksgiving.

 

[clarabellej]

T

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a room request and we will make them from time to time. We also pay for a preferred room to make sure we get in close proximity to the main building. The response was not because you wanted a room request its because you first wanted one thing, and then changed your mind and wanted another thing and then you wanted to add another request, and then based on the "price tag of your package" you should get a renovated room. IMO your first post puts out huge vibe of entitlement because of the money you spent. I'm happy that you will be ok with whatever room your get and I hope you have a great trip.

As for how far ahead the rooms are assigned I've heard anything from 5-10 days in advance. Depends on how booked the resort is. Sometimes there is a fair amount of juggling to make sure all of the check in's and out's are properly scheduled. On our trip in November we booked a POR Royal room and they put us in a Standard room. When we went to the concierge to get it straightened out it took the cast member 20+ minutes on the phone to get us in the room we paid for because they were completely booked for Thanksgiving.

Thanks for clarifying.