Requests granted

[iwannabeindisney]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed a million times but are my chances greater if I DONT do online check in? We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, and although I'm aware that it is a small resort I've called and made a note on the reservation for a room close to the main building. I understand this isn't guarranteed, but does it hurt my chances of it being fulfilled if I check in online prior? We're arriving at 10am so I have a feeling the room won't be ready anyway so regardless I will have some interaction with the front desk. Opinions please!

 

[englanddg]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed a million times but are my chances greater if I DONT do online check in? We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, and although I'm aware that it is a small resort I've called and made a note on the reservation for a room close to the main building. I understand this isn't guarranteed, but does it hurt my chances of it being fulfilled if I check in online prior? We're arriving at 10am so I have a feeling the room won't be ready anyway so regardless I will have some interaction with the front desk. Opinions please!

It doesn't help your chances, I'd imagine. I've always had requests filled, and this is the system I've used:

1) Place the request when I book the reservation as a note in the system
2) Online Check In...put the request on the online check in form
3) Repeat the request whilst checking in

Last trip I had my room ready at 9a, when we arrived from the Fantasy. Prior trips I got the exact section and non-preferred "view" I wanted, and on one trip connecting rooms in the section I wanted. Due to steps 1 and 2, the hotel was already aware and seemed to have been ready for me, as even when I repeat it to the check-in CM, they have always already had me taken care of.

 

[reptar77]

I have had about 80% success rate with online checkin and request. Usually the earlier that we arrive the less likely the request are met.

 

[englanddg]

I have had about 80% success rate with online checkin and request. Usually the earlier that we arrive the less likely the request are met.

However, if you are willing to make the request and put your bags with Bell Services while they get things ready for you for a later "room check-in", that goes a long way... They'll even call your cell phone when your room is actually ready, if you ask.

Bell Services will even let you get some items out of your bag (like, say if you wanted to put swimsuits near the top of one of the bags, so you can easily remove it from your luggage and then hit the resort pool while you wait!)

Magicbands will be active for everything during this process, so you can head out and do stuff while you wait!

I've done it before, and did it in August at AKL without an issue.

 

[mouse_luv]

We made requests, did online check in. Checked in around 1130am and got our requests.

 

[officialtom]

Don't exactly know how it works, but I do know POR like the back of my hand and even the "far away" rooms really aren't that far of a walk. We've stayed all around the resort and love every part. POFQ is much smaller and everything is within a very reasonable distance of the buses, etc.

 

[ginadee]

Last month we did online check in and had a room request. As soon as our flight landed at 9:30am I got a message that our room was ready. We had our bands so we went straight to the room. No stopping at the desk. It was great.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Online check in allows them to prepare the folder/packet and get your CC info tied to your account, and possibly a few other things I am forgetting at the moment, however, there are still many times that room assignment isn't done or can be changed when they are handing you your folder and checking your PIN for CC access etc.

Room assignment is very fluid, and while they begin to assign rooms a few days before you arrive, there are many things that cause changes up to the moment of you checking in.

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

I requested, by phone and with online check-in, a room in the Cabanas section at CSR. When we arrived, around 1pm,we were given a room in the Ranchos section. I politely asked the CM if it could be changed for a room in Cabanas (I felt Ranchos was too far since our 4 year old was with us), first she said no, then I insisted a little (again, very politely), saying it was a birthday trip for the 3 of us (which was true and added by phone on the reservation). She checked with the manager and we were granted our request! I was very grateful, I know request are not guaranteed, so I was very happy and thanked them for their efforts to accommodate me!

 

[Master Yoda]

How you check in has little to no affect on your request being granted.

What will affect them are the requests themselves.

Requests need to be on your reservation prior to your arrival. The best time to make them is when you are booking your trip. It is also a good idea to have them confirm your requests if you make any changes to your reservation.

The big mistake people make is making the requests too specific. Requests need to be general in nature, and unambiguous. Request like close to the elevator, away from the pool, ground floor, etc are what you want to make.

If you get too specific, it not only makes the request harder to honor, but it might not provide the cast member enough information to choose an alternate location.

A great example of this is some will request an actual room number and that is it. If that room is unavailable, the cast member has no idea why you wanted that room. He/she might think that you wanted that room because it was away from the elevator, but you really wanted it because it was close to the parking lot.

You of course can request a specific room if you like, but you will want to add the reason why so a cast member will know what to do if it is not available.