Can special requests be made before check in??

[crazeedizneefinatic]

We made our reservations this year with a travel agent. Previous trips I have always made plans myself. I can remember making requests, closer room and such. I know they are not guranteed but it worth a shot! My agent told me she could not request anything. Is this true or is my agent just not informed? We are staying at the CBR and want a room close to the main building. We tried to get preferred but it was sold out with the free dining plan. Please help. I will be traveling with my mother who has some plates and pins and want her to comfortable. Thanks!

[Dopey's Girl]

My agent always notes any special requests and events in my reservation when she makes it...I don't see why your TA couldn't, but what do I know?

You used to be able to fax the resorts, but that isn't encouraged, and most of the resots just toss them now.

I guess if your TA really can't help you, your best bet is to check in as early in the day as you can, and make your requests then...

Good luck!

[crazeedizneefinatic]

We usually get there around 11:00a.m. so we might get the chance to request something. I even thought of calling the resort myself a few days before check in to see if I can request something since my TA suggested I just smile and act really nice. I know they do not do room assignments till last minute. This is the first year I used a travel agent and seems I have worked harder this time around than just making the reservations myself. I could have gotten the same deal and same price calling Disney myself directly.

[TammiMcMan]

Your TA is either misinformed, or simply being lazy. Disney absolutely notes requests on reservations. I guess it depends on how much you want to push this with your TA. You could suggest, that you attempted calling Disney yourself (due to it being a medical request) and were informed that they'd be happy to try, but it must come through the TA. See what the response is then.

I even thought of calling the resort myself a few days before check in to see if I can request something since my TA suggested I just smile and act really nice.

Unfortunately, since you have a TA, you are not able to make any reservation changes on your own. Calling the resort directly isn't going to make a difference. Calls go to a call center and when you inform them that you'd like to make a room request, they'll simply send you back to CRO and you'll get the same thing about needing to go through your TA.

I know they do not do room assignments till last minute.

This is not always the case. During busy times of the year, or when occupancy levels are very high, they will sometimes have the room assignor take care of that ahead of time.

This is the first year I used a travel agent and seems I have worked harder this time around than just making the reservations myself. I could have gotten the same deal and same price calling Disney myself directly.

I've learned my lesson with generic TA's as well. I seem to be better informed than they are. If I do go with a TA, now I only pick someone who is a Disney specialist, like Magical Journeys. They really do take the hassle out of planning a trip, especially if you do have some special requests.

[hope23]

On the info central page there is a section called "room requests" and they have more information on special requests. Additionally, when I made our reservation I made requests for our room and they wrote them all down and said they'd do what they could... of course nothing is guaranteed When I received my written confirmation from Disney, my requests were written on there as well, so you can definitely ask... especially when you explain your mother's medical needs. On the info page it also recommends calling about 4 days before you check in and remind them of your desires (since that's about when they actually make the room assignments). Hope this helps... give it a try, it should work!

[Wayne]

Your TA is being lazy. Disney accepts requests on reservations, no matter who makes them. Contact your agent again and tell them that you want your requests noted on the reservation and don't take no for an answer. If the agent tries to give you the song and dance again, then ask to be conferenced in with the Disney contact.

In the past I traveled extensively for my work. I always used a TA because i was too busy doing my job to worry about the travel details. However, my agent was a business travel specialist and would always defer to someone who was a Disney specialist for our Disney vacations.

[Disneytravels]

Okay while everyone is calling me lazy for being the travel agent who won't make the request for her client please take into fact that I have called and made the request and Disney told me they can take it but nothing is guaranteed... I guess that is what I meant when I told the client Disney wouldn't take them. We have made them in the past and only got my way when we checked in. Also I wasn't aware of the medical problem the mother had- yes most certain I called back and put in in the notes as well. I am a Disney specialist and I have done everything she has asked me to do, even switch resorts after res has been made. I strive to make every client happy and to come upon this post was shocking for me. I had no idea I was making the client work so hard, her ADR were already made before she even made the Vacation with me, other words I would have made them for her like I do with 99% of my clients. I jus wanted to let you all know I am not lazy and I did do the job and will continue to do the job. I love what I do and really like this client and am sorry for any inconvience I have caused.

[TammiMcMan]

please take into fact that I have called and made the request and Disney told me they can take it but nothing is guaranteed... I guess that is what I meant when I told the client Disney wouldn't take them.

While sometimes miscommunication can be chocked up to semantics, it doesn't really seem that way in this case. I could understand if you told the client that Disney won't guarantee them, but by saying that they wouldn't take them is a very different meaning.

I think maybe the OP just needed to vent and being able to come on an anonymous message board sometimes give you a freedom to do just that. Obviously, the poster is not anonymous to you though. It appears that you've talked together privately and are both on the same page now. Hopefully communication will be clearer going forward and problems (if any) will be handled between client and agent.

[LoriMistress]

Make your requests 3-4 days before your arrival. Call them up and list up to 3 requests. Put your highest priority #1, and so on. They might answer a request or two of yours.

[Mickey91]

You can make them, but if you are extremely late checking in, you may not get them.