"Guarantee" Room At All-Star Movies

Hi.

I am staying at the All-Star Movies at the end of August 2007 through the first week of September. I booked the reservation directly through WD travel and requested a preferred room in the Toy Story building, in honor of my 8 year old son, who's favorite movies are ....Toy Story 1 & 2 and his idol is Buzz Lightyear!

I told him that we were staying in the Toy Story hotel and I don't want to disappoint him. What do I have to do to ensure that his "dream comes true"?

Thanks in advance for all of your suggestions.

"To infinity and beyond".

:welcome: to Intercot!!!

First of all, there's nothing you can do to absolutely ensure that you'll get that building. Disney never guarantees a room request. However, there are a couple of things you can do to make it more likely.

The fact that you are going with a "preferred" room greatly increases the likelihood, but Fantasia is also preferred. You put your request on your reservation (going directly through WDW travel doesn't increase the chances) which is most important. Secondly, arrive as early as possible. The earlier you check in the more likely you are to get your request. Third, if, for some reason, you are put in Fantasia, explain your situation very politely to the CM and ask if there is any availability at all in Toy Story. Given the time of year you're going it will probably be pretty crowded at the values due to the free dining promotion, but you can still ask.

If you go through all of these steps and it's a no go, there's nothing you can do, so I'd say prepare your DS for the possibility you may not get Toy Story, however likely it may be. Even if you don't get in, though, you'll be at the resort with all the cool Toy Story stuff and he'll still be able to see it all.

I don't want to cause you any stress but, we requested Toy Story three of the four times we stayed at Movies and were only able to get it once. :( That was our last trip. All of the other times we stayed in Fantasia.

We called ahead, noted it on our initial reservations and asked at check in, which was always before check in time. The CM's were always great in trying to meet our requests, they just couldn't.

We always go in September and usually during FD the years it has been offered.

I hope you have more success than we did. It never hurts to ask. But as Strmchsr said, I would prepare your son that it might not be possible to get Toy Story ahead of time so he is not upset if you can't get it.

My kids love the Fantasia building too. Actually, they love the whole resort. We just made sure we took lots of trips down to visit with Buzz, Woody and RC. (The green remote control car, the kids can sit in it) ;)

Just to clarify, when you say you "requested a preferred room", does that mean that you actually booked that room level or did you book standard and just note that you'd like preferred?

The preferred rooms are located in Toy Story, Fantasia and 101 Dalmations. As others have mentioned, there's no way to guarantee a building. My suggestion though, is to try and arrive as early as you can to check-in. There is usually much more room inventory in the morning and if they've assigned you to another building, you can ask them to move you. Of course, that also means that you'll most likely have quite a wait until your room is ready.

Thanks to all for your responses.

Tammi, I booked my original reservation at the preferred level.

I also read that if I call All-Star Movies, directly, before I arrive and request the Toy Story building, that this will increase my chances of getting it. If this is the case, how many days before do you recommend that I call?

Also, you mentioned that I should arrive early to check in. My flight arrives at 10:30am. I have arranged for the Magical Express and I expect to arrive around noon time.

I appreciate your advice.


Thanks again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bubsy

I also read that if I call All-Star Movies, directly, before I arrive and request the Toy Story building, that this will increase my chances of getting it. If this is the case, how many days before do you recommend that I call?

---

Now that many calls go through a call center and not direct, this may not be the best idea. Chances are, if you have a reservation question, you'll be connected to central reservations and not the resort itself.

I'd suggest faxing them instead, 4 days before you arrive (407-939-7111). It's not known if all faxes are looked at or simply tossed in the trash, but there's no harm in trying. A nice friendly request is advisable and let them know why you are asking for that particular building.

Good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TammiMcMan

I'd suggest faxing them instead, 4 days before you arrive (407-939-7111). It's not known if all faxes are looked at or simply tossed in the trash, but there's no harm in trying.
Good luck.

---

I think it's a safe bet that faxes are put in the "circular file" (i.e., the trashcan)

Think about it for a moment. There are THOUSANDS of rooms in those resorts. It would be an impossible job to sort through even hundreds of faxes, then match them up with reservations which only appear on the computer.

The newest most accurate information is to make sure that your request is noted on your reservation. That way your request and your resevation pop up together when rooms are assigned.

If you want to assure yourself that you've done all you can, confirm your request with whomever you made reservations with. (travel agent, AAA, WD Travel Co.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gotta Love the TTA

I think it's a safe bet that faxes are put in the "circular file" (i.e., the trashcan)

Think about it for a moment. There are THOUSANDS of rooms in those resorts. It would be an impossible job to sort through even hundreds of faxes, then match them up with reservations which only appear on the computer.

The newest most accurate information is to make sure that your request is noted on your reservation. That way your request and your resevation pop up together when rooms are assigned.

---

I don't disagree that the first place to put the request is on the reservation. The OP mentioned that had been done already. We have however heard from CM's that do take the time to read the fax requests, so I don't think there's any harm done in following up that way.