Online Check-In "Room Requests": That's IT?

[Weather_Lady]

I did online check-in today, and the ONLY option under "room requests" was to click "Pack 'n Play" or not. I was told I could select "up to two" of the options, but that option was the only one listed.

I know my travel agent is or was faxing over a more specific request on our behalf. Does the fact that I only saw one option reflect that her room request info. was already added to our reservation, or does it just mean that they're not offering those kinds of requests with online check-in anymore (or is it a glitch in the system, which had been down all morning up until now)?

 

[Master Yoda]

On line check in has never been the place to add room requests. There is a field for it that comes and goes, but I have yet to see it work. The requests should be put on your reservation. Faxing in requests is a long shot at best. By policy, faxed room requests are discarded. You might get lucky and get a CM that will look at and input a faxed request, but most hit the trash. If you have specific room requests make sure your TA has them on the reservation.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I did online check-in today, and the ONLY option under "room requests" was to click "Pack 'n Play" or not. I was told I could select "up to two" of the options, but that option was the only one listed.

I know my travel agent is or was faxing over a more specific request on our behalf. Does the fact that I only saw one option reflect that her room request info. was already added to our reservation, or does it just mean that they're not offering those kinds of requests with online check-in anymore (or is it a glitch in the system, which had been down all morning up until now)?

It has never, even one time, actually let me add a room request. The pack n play was my only choice the last time for me also. Most times, it gave me no choices and wouldn't let me add anything.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Thanks for the replies -- I'll double-check with our TA to make sure she added our request to the reservation. I realize that a request is just a request, but it can't hurt to try.

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks for the replies -- I'll double-check with our TA to make sure she added our request to the reservation. I realize that a request is just a request, but it can't hurt to try.

One thing to remember is not to make your requests too specific. Requests like ground floor, top floor, far away from pool, close to transportation, etc, can typically be honored to some degree without issue. If all you do is tell them you want room 5458 they have no way to know why you wanted that room if it is not available. They might think it was because it was close to the elevator but you wanted it because it have the perfect view of your favorite tree.

 

[Weather_Lady]

One thing to remember is not to make your requests too specific. Requests like ground floor, top floor, far away from pool, close to transportation, etc, can typically be honored to some degree without issue. If all you do is tell them you want room 5458 they have no way to know why you wanted that room if it is not available. They might think it was because it was close to the elevator but you wanted it because it have the perfect view of your favorite tree.

Our request had both a general and a specific component: "Alligator Bayou, preferably Building 16." Since building 16 is the closest building to the main bus depot that is NOT in a "preferred" category, I'm sure they get a lot of requests for it. If they can only honor the "Alligator Bayou" part of the request, we'll still be happy. In fact, we're just going to go ahead and be happy no matter what we get.

 

[luv]

Our request had both a general and a specific component: "Alligator Bayou, preferably Building 16." Since building 16 is the closest building to the main bus depot that is NOT in a "preferred" category, I'm sure they get a lot of requests for it. If they can only honor the "Alligator Bayou" part of the request, we'll still be happy. In fact, we're just going to go ahead and be happy no matter what we get.

I love AB and really don't like the mansion rooms at all. I wish they would let people make a reservation for one or the other!

I would call them up and have my AB request added to my reservation.

Good luck.

 

[JaJaMa11]

I did my online check in a few days ago. Two of my requests were on there: ground floor and pack n play or crib. I knew I had also requested one or two building #'s so I called to verify. They were indeed on the reservation. I was told online only shows 2 requests max.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

The last time we did an online check-in we had an option for a ground floor room as well as options to add the pack-n-play, a trundle bed and a refridgerator. I think it depends largely on the resort obviously too though (i.e. if it's a resort where every room has a fridge, you won't see that option). The one time I had a specific request I e-mailed it in and it was accomodated.

 

[LongballMG]

When I did my online check in for sports last week all the buildings were listed as well as ground floor and near transportation.

I had previously requested Building 10, Touchdown section, close to bus stop through DRC.

I selected "Request Touchdown!" and "Near Transportation" and that's what I received at check in, but since it was my DRC request I can't say if the online check in requests mattered.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Never fax in or email about a room request. Call Disney Reservations with your confirmation number handy and do it by phone. I have found that they ALWAYS have filled my room request in dozens of visits. Usually, it's just a "I'd like building 90 or 95 please"....never fails. But you have to CALL.

 

[Briangwen7]

When I did my online check in for sports last week all the buildings were listed as well as ground floor and near transportation.

I had previously requested Building 10, Touchdown section, close to bus stop through DRC.

I selected "Request Touchdown!" and "Near Transportation" and that's what I received at check in, but since it was my DRC request I can't say if the online check in requests mattered.

Was that with a preferred Room? ​

 

[GoofGoof]

I had a reservation at BLT for a MK view room. My only request which was on my reservation was a high floor. I did online checkin and there were no options available. When I got there I got the 3rd floor. They told me that was all they could do since the resort was full. I know a request is just a request and most people at BLT probably request higher floors, but I still blame online checkin. I probably will skip it next time since I had bad luck this time.

 

[Tom]

I did online check-in today, and the ONLY option under "room requests" was to click "Pack 'n Play" or not. I was told I could select "up to two" of the options, but that option was the only one listed.

I know my travel agent is or was faxing over a more specific request on our behalf. Does the fact that I only saw one option reflect that her room request info. was already added to our reservation, or does it just mean that they're not offering those kinds of requests with online check-in anymore (or is it a glitch in the system, which had been down all morning up until now)?

Yoda pretty much summed it up in his posts, but to add to it....

I attended a tour at the Disney Reservation Center, and there was a Q&A session. Someone asked what the best way to submit requests was, and the agents said that having them added by the Disney phone agents themselves (in your case, your TA would call Disney and add them) is the best method.

The "faxing the resort" thing is old school. I've been told - I believe by someone who works, or worked, at a resort in the room assignment "department" - that they pull the requests right out of the computer. They receive so many requests these days, that they try to streamline it as much as possible. A fax is almost guaranteed to be lost, trashed or simply forgotten.

Online Check-In serves very little purpose, other than to give Disney some of your key information in advance, plus the opportunity to stand in a slightly shorter line at check-in, but only if someone in front of you doesn't think it's OK to ask the CM a million questions, request a room upgrade, or change the CC on file. I know this sounds negative, but in 4 trips using Online Check-In, I have found zero benefits to it once at the resort.

 

[luv]

I've never requested anything and am eager to see if you get AB.

If you're willing to update this after your trip, I'd appreciate knowing.

 

[sxeensweet]

I've never requested anything and am eager to see if you get AB.

If you're willing to update this after your trip, I'd appreciate knowing.

Our last 2 trips all our requests were honored at SSR for a specific section and high floor, and at Kidani for a particular floor and particular view of our Savannah view room. Also always like away from elevator and that's usually accommodated as well.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yoda pretty much summed it up in his posts, but to add to it....

I attended a tour at the Disney Reservation Center, and there was a Q&A session. Someone asked what the best way to submit requests was, and the agents said that having them added by the Disney phone agents themselves (in your case, your TA would call Disney and add them) is the best method.

The "faxing the resort" thing is old school. I've been told - I believe by someone who works, or worked, at a resort in the room assignment "department" - that they pull the requests right out of the computer. They receive so many requests these days, that they try to streamline it as much as possible. A fax is almost guaranteed to be lost, trashed or simply forgotten.

Online Check-In serves very little purpose, other than to give Disney some of your key information in advance, plus the opportunity to stand in a slightly shorter line at check-in, but only if someone in front of you doesn't think it's OK to ask the CM a million questions, request a room upgrade, or change the CC on file. I know this sounds negative, but in 4 trips using Online Check-In, I have found zero benefits to it once at the resort.

Online check ins benefit can really be a crap shoot. I am hovering at around 20 uses and most of the the time it is a wash when it comes to time savings. However, there are times when it is quite nice. When we checked in last Friday the regular check in queue was packed, the online check in line was empty. The biggest perk I have noticed has been my room being ready early. We normal check in between 7:00-8:00 AM and prior to online check in I could count the number of times my room was ready on one hand (maybe 10% of the time tops). Since online check in my rate is around 80%-90%.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I've never requested anything and am eager to see if you get AB.

If you're willing to update this after your trip, I'd appreciate knowing.

Will do!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

When I did my room only reservation I told them the Exact room I had the last time and they actually have it on my reservation...I would be stunned to see if I do get the same room I had...But, It's a loooooong shot..So I'll find out once I get back down there...

 

[sxeensweet]

When I did my room only reservation I told them the Exact room I had the last time and they actually have it on my reservation...I would be stunned to see if I do get the same room I had...But, It's a loooooong shot..So I'll find out once I get back down there...

Just a little advice.. If you give the specific room number most likely you will not get it but if your more vague like I want a certain building and floor (where' yours was located you may end up in that room or something close to it). They do not know the reason you want that room so if its not available they will not know to try and get you something as close as they can to it. My trusted Disney Travel agent who has done many over the years gave me this advice. Also she said not to do online check in and check in like normal when you get there. You can then try to make sure you get your requests and even ask I that particular room is available. If you do online check in they usually already assigned you a room before you even arrive.