[fearless1123]

Central Reservations told me that rooms at the CBR were assigned 48 hrs in advance and I could call then to get our room and that most people didn't know this or use this.
So...of course, I called the CBR today and was told they don't assign a room until check-in. But she kept saying they don't guarantee a room until then so now I am thinking I didn't ask the right question maybe??
Anyone have experience with this or heard of this 48 hr. in advance opportunity?

Thanks

[DisneyTeacher]

I have heard the rooms are assigned before you arrive but things change and people are moved so I am pretty sure you can't call to get your room number. Even after you check in and find your room isn't ready you won't get your room number, you have to call to get it after the room is released from mousekeeping.

Two years ago when we checked in to WL our room was not ready at 8 am. However, when the flag family form was filled out for later in our stay the CM put our room number on the sheet while we were checking in. He said he couldn't give it to us until the room was ready.

[bali]

That's the experience I've had too -- the CM assigns your room at check-in, but doesn't give you the room number until the room is ready.

Room assignors assign rooms generally about 3 days in advance, but exact room numbers aren't assigned at this point, I'm guessing -- just buildings, views, etc... . That's why, when you check-in, you can sometimes negotiate with your CM regarding your room area (if they've got you in building 9A, you can ask for building 9B, etc.). Then the check-in CM assigns a room according to what's still available.

No matter what, they surely won't give you your room number 48 hours in advance -- chances are there's still someone else in that room and they won't want you barging in!

[Princess D]

I have always sent a fax 3 days prior to arrival and have had great success with it. I have heard of people calling, but I myself have never used this method. I had read that if you send a 'cute' fax worded in the theme of your resort they like that.

For Example - if going to WL use rustic or cowboy pharases or use 60's pharases to get into the 60's building at PC. I make my Mom help with this. You want to be sure to include your arrival date, reservation # and specific requests like non-smoking. Put your requests in order of importance. You may not get it all but I have had great luck with this method so far!!

Try it, it can't hurt - Good Luck!!

[fearless1123]

Hi All,

When I first made the reservations in Jan. I requested building preferences which they typed into my reservations.

I just got off the phone with them and told them that I knew I couldn't get a room assignment but could I request a certain building, etc. I told them that I had made requests in Jan. but they told me that my requests "didn't come through". They did take my building requests over the phone just now.
Thanks to all who replied!
Karen Lynn
Bay Village, Oh

[LABride]

There is a great page on All Ears about faxing in your room request. http://allearsnet.com/acc/cro1.htm

Passporter has a neat little tool for writing a phone-in script of your request.
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/resortrequest.htm

I just faxed my requests in for later this week and am hoping that it makes a difference. All Ears says that they try to get as close to your requests as they can but if someone checks in before you, you might get bumped out of your room.

[Pooh Fan]

Please let us know if it works. I had read somewhere that Disney is no longer honoring faxed requests. I was so upset when I found that out because my DS absolutely loves Toy Story and I would be heart broken if he could not be able to look out the window and see his favorite characters.

[cinderbella]

I have never heard of this either...I usually just make my request when I make the reservation, and again at check in, and then we take our luck...we've almost always gotten what we need...and if they cant accomidate they usually switch us to another resort. (thats only happened once)

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by Pooh Fan

Please let us know if it works. I had read somewhere that Disney is no longer honoring faxed requests. I was so upset when I found that out because my DS absolutely loves Toy Story and I would be heart broken if he could not be able to look out the window and see his favorite characters.

You can always add that request to your reservation if you haven't already.

[chiasgirl]

When we stayed at AKL in Dec, I was told at check-in that rooms are indeed assigned in advance. However, if someone checks in at 3:00 and doesn't like their assigned room the CM that checks them in can give them any other room that has not already checked in. In other words, you might get assigned exactly what you want but if the guy in fornt of you wants your room he can request and receive it.

[Reiko]

Originally Posted by chiasgirl

When we stayed at AKL in Dec, I was told at check-in that rooms are indeed assigned in advance. However, if someone checks in at 3:00 and doesn't like their assigned room the CM that checks them in can give them any other room that has not already checked in. In other words, you might get assigned exactly what you want but if the guy in fornt of you wants your room he can request and receive it.

UGGH! We don't check into our room until 11pm. Sounds like this could lessen our chance for any requests. Although, if the magic is with us, if our room request is not available, maybe we could be upgraded!?

[LABride]

Originally Posted by Pooh Fan

I had read somewhere that Disney is no longer honoring faxed requests.

According to All Ears, some of the resorts absolutely do not accept room request faxes and they are listed on their website. The others haven't said that they won't but you aren't guarenteed the room assigner will receive your fax or use it when making assignments. Your best bet is make the request with your reservation, call back a couple of weeks before and make sure it is still on your reservation, fax or call the resort 4 days before arriving to check one more time and then hope Joe Blow, that checks in an hour before you but didn't make any requests in advance, doesn't ask for the exact same thing!

[dznygrl]

Although some of the resorts "don't accept room request faxes anymore", I'm going to take the chance and send faxes anyway a few days before we go. I figure if they throw them away, no harm done. But if it helps me get a room I want, great!

We WERE planning on coming in late at night, but now I'm thinking maybe we should take one of the more exhausting flights that arrives early in the morning? Our options are kind of limited from up here.

[LABride]

If you get a really bad room location, you can always ask about moving the next day. Supposedly, they will move your packed bags for you while you're at the park.

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by LABride

If you get a really bad room location, you can always ask about moving the next day. Supposedly, they will move your packed bags for you while you're at the park.

That's something good to keep in mind. I didn't even think of that. Thanks!!