For my upcoming trip, I placed a room request with central reservations (actually a request for a certain set of buildings). In past years I have usually called or faxed my request in (politely) to the actual resort a few days before arriving since I am under the impression that about five days before arrival, central reservations releases the bookings to the actual resort, and from there rooms are allocated.

My question is: if I do an online check-in 10 days prior, is central reservations actually releasing my booking to the resort five days earlier than the standard five-day-before- arrival bulk releases of the bookings? And if so, if I (politely) call or fax in my request a day or two after online check-in, wouldn't that give the allocator a little more time/space/flexibility for raising the probability of the room request being granted since my booking isn't getting grouped into the bulk release five days prior?

I don't have the answer to your question about online registration but I'm hoping John chimes in tonight.

Sounds like you are a pro. We have the ability to change room assignments (subject to availability) at any time. I would continue your usual procedure.

The advantage to pre-registration is that when you arrive we already have all of the blanks filled in one your reservation (address, phone, names, credit card, etc) that you would normally be asked at check in. That allows the resort to have room keys precut and the guest information folders stuffed and ready to go when you arrive. Nothing else changes! We can still accommodate changes in room requests and simply recut keys for the new room.

There are circimstances where a guest will request a room change even a day or more after arriving. If a room is available, we make the change even then, cut new room keys, and arrange with the guest how to best move their luggage to the new room.

Pre-arrival check in does not restrict the resort from giving you the best service possible. It is best, in your case, to do as you normally would at least 24 hours prior to arrival so that we can make any necessary updates to your Key to the World and guest packet.

Remember that Cast Members really do want to assist you! If we say that a request cannot be fulfilled it is because what is requested is actually not available. Even under that circumstance, if there is ANY possiblity of a room becoming available, we can enter your request into a log that Operations uses keep an eye out.

ps. I saw the word (politely).....believe me, that is appreciated. It is the honey v. vinegar paradigm, although we assist even a sourpuss.

Thank you for the very helpful information! Just to clarify, you would recommend that I do online check-in, and call/fax a request prior to arrival, 1-10 days before arrival? Also I am still curious, does online check-in actually release the booking from central reservations to the resort earlier?

Yes, you are absolutely correct. Still do the online registration 1-10 days prior to arrival.

Early checkin does not affect the release from DRC to the resort. I usually suggest sending requests 8-5 days before arrival. That insures that we have received the download of your reservation (you don't want the notes/fax set aside while we wait....there are lots of papers going through ops). If we receive a request even one or two days ahead, that is usually sufficient to make arrangements. Unless we are at one of the big holidays or a large convention has filled the resort, we can usually accommodate requests even at in-house check ins if the resort is at 98% or so occupancy. Remember, of course, that special needs for medical, mobility, age, etc. have to take precedence over request based solely on convenience; but there is (usually) room to maneuver.

Always ask for what you need to make your visit most enjoyable. That is what the front desk CM's are all about. Sometimes I catch guests checking in that actually should have special accommodation, and they almost don't get it because they didn't let us know. Luckily, a concierge has more latitude to chat and find those things out than a cashier at check-in.

WE WANT YOU TO ENJOY YOUR VISIT!!!!!!!! My ego thrives on making a positive difference in our guest's vacation.....and, if I get a chance to work some Disney Magic, that's where the fun is for me, too! It "makes my day" to see guests having a great time, and I go home smiling when a guest is blown away by the magic. I have never enjoyed a job so much in my life as I enjoy being a Cast Member at WDW, and that's after 44+ years in the job pool. I keep telling everyone that on the first day of being a CM, we are told the two most important rules at WDW.....1. Always see that our guests are safe, and 2. Make sure that our guests are having fun! To me, there few things as wonderful as just simply having fun with your loved ones. I really do feel priviledge to be in a place where, every day, I can see hundreds of people laughing. Just can't beat it!

john, thank you again for the great information here and around the entire forum! your passion is a testament to the idea that WDW is not just a "show", but more a reflection of heart. it's that impression from cast members that i took home with me as a kid and have infused in all the work i do now. so you're role there has a huge ripple effect.

We booked a room only reservation the night before our offical MYW package starts. If my TA does the online check-in, Will I be able to stay in the same room for the rest of the week? My TA said that the online check-in might mess things up for this sort of request. We will check in to the hotel around 7:00 p.m.

That is no problem!! When you or your TA does the online check in, be sure to tell the CM that you have a continuing reservation (terminology). We are then able to "block" a room for both of your reservations. That way you will not have to move. Check with the Front Desk CM when you pick up your KTTW (Keys to the World) that this has been done.

On the morning of check out for the first reservation, come to the Front Desk. The CM will check you out of your first reservation and then check you in for the second. In cases like this, the second is usually a Magic Your Way package for several days. When you check in to the second reservation, you will be given new KTTWs for the second reservation that access all of the features included in your reservation, and then.....off to play!

THANKS! I have one more question. Since we need an extra night, I am trying to decide if I should book a King suite the last night. If a standard room opens up while we are there, could we down grade then?

We can make adjustments to any reservation that is not a part of a package (and some that are). If you add the extra night as a separate reservation, we have lots of flexibility. Reimbursement for the extra money when downgrading will be credited "in kind" (check for check, credit card for credit card) at close of business after your check out.

Hello! We booked our CSR vacation after looking at this website!! You convinced us!! Really excited that there is now a forum and that we leave in 2 and a 1/2 weeks ! Question for John - we are travelling from the UK with a tour company, can we make a reservation request via fax?
Can't wait to get to WDW! It is our little girls 4th birthday and we want this trip to be totally magical! Thanks to all for the great photos, advice and feedback! Cx

The only thing that I am not sure of is the provisions of your tour package. If the agency has purchased a set of room, that might be more difficult. Again, we are happy to try to accommodate requests as much as the situation allows. I won't be back at CRS until Wednesday.

I would suggest that you send the request (the info is elsewhere in the forum); knowing that if we can.....we will!

Thanks John! I will send a fax off this week!! Can't wait and would love to say hi when we are on vacation at CSR - first time we have stayed in a disney property!!

kind regards

Clairex

Wait until within 10 days of arrival date to send faxes. The resort does not have a list of reservations until then, only statistics.

John, We'll be there next Tuesday and I have printed out a letter for a room request. Should I wait for tomorrow to fax it or should I send it later in the week. I don't want to send it too early or too late.