WDW Resort Reservations: Are they truly reservations?

[susan mccartney]

It can be frustrating for some. In our situation DW is in a power w/c. We need an accessible room with a roll in shower. There are only so many rooms of that type available in our resort. We like a certain building thats located closer to the main building and bus stop. Even though we book reservations a year in advance and make specific room/ building requests with oiur reservations... we are not guaranteed it.
I run a business that takes reservations. If my customer asks to reserve a certain spot I can make sure that spot is open a day before their arrival or the day they arrive by proper advance planning. Theres no reason Disney could not do the same with advanced planning knowing when guests are arriving and departing.

I have always reserved a Wheelchair Accessible room. Twice they had to move me to a different hotel because the room was not available or not really Wheelchair Accessible. I have always asked for a 1st floor, and have not always gotten it. That is NOT ACCEPTABLE to me. HOw would I get my daughter down the stairs in case of an emergency or in case the elevator was out of service. Those are things that should be made available especially since i book at least a year in advance.

 

[susan mccartney]

The problem is that there are too many combinations of elements. You can't let a guest book a king bed, plus pool view, plus fourth floor, plus near the elevator, plus building 12, plus close to the lobby, plus pirate theming. That type of room might not even exist. This isn't an issue at most "normal" hotels because the beds are all that matter.

But you should be able to book 2 queen beds in a Wheelchair Accessible room on the 1st floor. that should be a no-brainer, because people have to worry about getting a wheelchair bound person off the 4th floor in an emergency, don't you think?

 

[susan mccartney]

Question:
Does everyone on the a cruise ship get on and off at the same time??

No, you get to pick boarding times when you do your check in. But the way it works is Platinum get to book first, then gold then silver and then first timers. But when you book you do get to pick your room, and that's the room you get. That's why I like cruising better.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But you should be able to book 2 queen beds in a Wheelchair Accessible room on the 1st floor. that should be a no-brainer, because people have to worry about getting a wheelchair bound person off the 4th floor in an emergency, don't you think?

Handicap accessibility is already a bookable category. That already exists today, so I'm not sure what your complaint is.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No, you get to pick boarding times when you do your check in. But the way it works is Platinum get to book first, then gold then silver and then first timers. But when you book you do get to pick your room, and that's the room you get. That's why I like cruising better.

Ok...but hotels don’t work that way...which is the point

 

[susan mccartney]

Handicap accessibility is already a bookable category. That already exists today, so I'm not sure what your complaint is.

My complaint is that YES handicap accessible rooms are already bookable, but them being on the 1st floor is not. Also, wheelchair accessible and handicap accessible are two totally different things. Last year we were in All Star Movie and when we went into the room, my daughter couldn't even turn her chair around between the beds. There was no room between the bed and the dresser without her hitting her hands on the dresser. They moved us to PORS for a bigger room. When I ask a question during booking and I'm told things that aren't true, doesn't make me a happy person. I will always advocate for my daughter.

 

[susan mccartney]

Ok...but hotels don’t work that way...which is the point

I certainly understand not being able to pick your exact room number, but I do expect to get the room that I need.

 

[susan mccartney]

Handicap accessibility is already a bookable category. That already exists today, so I'm not sure what your complaint is.

Like I said, booking handicap is available, being put on the 4th floor is NOT AN OPTION for me

 

[CaptainAmerica]

My complaint is that YES handicap accessible rooms are already bookable, but them being on the 1st floor is not. Also, wheelchair accessible and handicap accessible are two totally different things. Last year we were in All Star Movie and when we went into the room, my daughter couldn't even turn her chair around between the beds. There was no room between the bed and the dresser without her hitting her hands on the dresser.

A room at All Star Movies is 260 square feet. A room at Port Orleans Riverside is 314 square feet. There's no booking category that will change either of those two facts.

With respect to you and your daughter, you're asking for room to maneuver a wheelchair around two queen beds in a hotel with rooms that aren't physically big enough for that to be possible.

Also, I'm not sure what being on the first floor has to do with the space between the beds. A room on the first floor at All Star Movies has exactly the same layout as a room on the fourth floor.

They moved us to PORS for a bigger room.

So it sounds like they accommodated you. It even sounds like you got an upgrade that you didn't pay for.

When I ask a question during booking and I'm told things that aren't true, doesn't make me a happy person.

If someone actually lied to you in your booking process, that's obviously unacceptable. But that's not what we're talking about here.

 

[susan mccartney]

A room at All Star Movies is 260 square feet. A room at Port Orleans Riverside is 314 square feet. There's no booking category that will change either of those two facts.

With respect to you and your daughter, you're asking for room to maneuver a wheelchair around two queen beds in a hotel with rooms that aren't physically big enough for that to be possible.

Also, I'm not sure what being on the first floor has to do with the space between the beds. A room on the first floor at All Star Movies has exactly the same layout as a room on the fourth floor.


So it sounds like they accommodated you. It even sounds like you got an upgrade that you didn't pay for.


If someone actually lied to you in your booking process, that's obviously unacceptable. But that's not what we're talking about here.

You are right.......room on 4th floor and 1st floor has exactly the same layout.....being on the 4th floor in an emergency or with an elevator being out of service doesn't help. How do you get someone down from there? When I desire a 1st floor and get a 4th floor, that IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. And when I booked and described my requirements to them, they should have told me that the room was too small. They gave me a new room because they DID NOT have a roll in shower, which I required. I prefer to cruise because I get the room I want, not the room they decide to give me.

 

[susan mccartney]

To pick up on one point.

Rooms are assigned about 5 days prior to your arrival. That’s just how far ahead they work. Which is why Touring Plans send s the faxes at that point.

Assigning rooms has been likened to one giant game of Jenna. Officially, as @Master Yoda has said, the CMs are told to bin faxes. In practice, this will depend on the CM and who trained them. Clearly they don’t all just bin them.

However I still think the best way to make requests is direct with the reservation CMs. That way it is on your reservation. But the most important thing there is not to select any of the online check-in options. That over-writes anything written on your reservation.

I see nothing wrong with making requests. As long as people realise they are requests. What I think is out of order is complaining about a room assignment. Somebody gettimg angry about their room assignment is totally obnoxious. And if I were the CM, I would refuse to move you the minute you utter certain key phrases or raise your voice. Like “we’ve paid a lot of money”, “do you realise how long ago ....”. Thinking about it, I am going to correct myself. I would move them to the room over-looking the garbage dumpster instantly!

That kind of sums up the attitude they have a some of the Hotels. I never book online, I always speak to the CM, then I also speak to the Hotel itself as we get closer.

 

[DisneyJoe]

You are right.......room on 4th floor and 1st floor has exactly the same layout.....being on the 4th floor in an emergency or with an elevator being out of service doesn't help. How do you get someone down from there? When I desire a 1st floor and get a 4th floor, that IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. And when I booked and described my requirements to them, they should have told me that the room was too small. They gave me a new room because they DID NOT have a roll in shower, which I required. I prefer to cruise because I get the room I want, not the room they decide to give me.

When you book a room at WDW and make requests for a floor and a roll in shower, they let you know that your requests are just requests and cannot be guaranteed. IF the room assigner cannot meet your requests at assignment time, they will give you the best room that they can - but then it is up to the front desk and you to work out the details when you check in.

 

[Joebradley62]

New to WDWMagic website; first time poster.

The thing that doesn't make sense to me is that the resort reservations seem like they don't reserve very much.

Not knowing what your room number is, not knowing what floor you're on, not truly knowing the bedding arrangements until you arrive at the resort... Imagine if buying a car was like this: it has an engine (not sure what size or HP), it has options (as per some of your requests), your colors are limited (brown only) and, oh, by the way, you're paying MSRP. It just seems that with what people pay for these vacations, you would know more about your accommodations than what resort you're staying in and what side your room is on.

I don't mean to come off as whiny or ungrateful (I have no doubt I'll enjoy my vacation), but you'd figure certain aspects of your resort reservation would be more defined and concrete; isn't that the whole reason behind making reservations?

I will now step off of my soapbox; thanks for listening and have a good day.
Pappy Tom
(416 days and counting...)

The bedding is standard for each resort type or you can choose if there are options. Moderates have 2 queens mostly etc. You get your room number when room is available as you can access the room without going to the front desk with online check in and magic bands.

 

[Joebradley62]

Hello DisneyJoe and nickys... Thanks for your replies.

nickys,
I wasn't given a room number or floor level at the time of booking; I was just questioning why this isn't something that would be determined and confirmed ahead of just arriving at the resort.

Once again I'm whining so I'll just shut up...

Pretty standard in hotel business. It is a computer determining a lot based on your requests what is available when you check in etc. Special requests get honored a lot. We have asked for certain locations etc and usually always get what we wanted.

 

[Joebradley62]

I totally get that. I think the bed configuration though should be bookable. Not the rest of it, the various room categories they have just now are ways to upsell, let’s face it. But what really matters to a lot of people is their family dynamic and teens having to share beds.

Quick phone call with your requirement usually gets what you need.

 

[Shouldigo12]

When you book a room at WDW and make requests for a floor and a roll in shower, they let you know that your requests are just requests and cannot be guaranteed. IF the room assigner cannot meet your requests at assignment time, they will give you the best room that they can - but then it is up to the front desk and you to work out the details when you check in.

I think this is more than just a request though. Since theit daughter is wheelchair-bound, being on a room other than the first floor can be a legitimate safety concern.

 

[Joebradley62]

This is normal for pretty much all hotels in the world. A few will confirm 24hrs out, or allow you to select a room on online check in yourself 24hrs out, but in general room numbers are not known until arrival day.
If you do online check-in and have a US cellphone Disney will text you the room number when it is ready on the arrival day so you can find out as soon as it is assigned. But as long as the room meets your requests and is the category you paid for (ie lake view etc) then what else do you expect?

I find rental cars more frustrating for this as they suggest the make/model for the class of vehicle you are getting but when you turn up and get the key it could be similar size but very different make from what you expect.

Or they dont have any cars at all as has happened before

 

[susan mccartney]

I think this is more than just a request though. Since theit daughter is wheelchair-bound, being on a room other than the first floor can be a legitimate safety concern.

Thank you for understanding that. I will say for the most part Disney is accommodating, but there was this one time.....well let's just say it wasn't good.

 

[Joebradley62]

No, you get to pick boarding times when you do your check in. But the way it works is Platinum get to book first, then gold then silver and then first timers. But when you book you do get to pick your room, and that's the room you get. That's why I like cruising better.

They mean everybody gets there and leaves the same day on the ship. That does not happen at hotels. It is a large complicated puzzle.

 

[Joebradley62]

I have always reserved a Wheelchair Accessible room. Twice they had to move me to a different hotel because the room was not available or not really Wheelchair Accessible. I have always asked for a 1st floor, and have not always gotten it. That is NOT ACCEPTABLE to me. HOw would I get my daughter down the stairs in case of an emergency or in case the elevator was out of service. Those are things that should be made available especially since i book at least a year in advance.

The point of all this is that nothing is guaranteed. It is there in black and white when you reserve. They always try to accommodate any requests and it is always best to talk to a real live person when making these requests. Then at check in confirm what you wanted and escalate it up the chain when you need to get it right. Disney is no different than any other hotel business when it comes to assigning rooms. You are asking for what you need and they need to figure out how to give it to you. And usually do.