Did you know that you can request a Disney World room or resort area before you arrive for your vacation? It’s true! Where do you even begin, though? The answers are right here. From when to choose to easy tips to help you narrow down a room, here’s everything you need to know.
How to Request a Disney World Room or Resort Area
Walt Disney World is my happy place. While some may call it an obsession, I prefer to use the word “passionate.” When I’m not in the theme parks or at the resorts, I’m planning my next visit. I’ve visited countless times and each resort room offers benefits to staying on the property.
While I’m generally pleased with whatever view I’m assigned when I arrive at a Disney World Resort as I’m in the theme parks more than I’m not, there are times including special occasions when I prefer to have a specific view for my trip. Before stepping onto the property, here’s how to request a Disney World room or specific resort area.
First, Learn the Lay of the Disney Resort Land
Before you even begin narrowing down specific rooms, make yourself acquainted with the resort first. Happily, Walt Disney World has online maps for all its resorts that include building numbers and points of interest, i.e. pools, motorcoach stops, and parking if you need it.
The first time I visited Disney, it was like exploring a new city (it is the size of San Francisco, after all!) and I was overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge I thought I had but didn’t. With each trip, I became more confident about planning my visits and I knew about the two types of room locations:
Standard Room: Located further from the lobby and food court areas, Standard Rooms may not have the best view. If I’m being honest, they may not have a view at all. If that’s not a deal breaker, you will save some money by booking this style of room.
Preferred Room: Located closer to the lobby or near the main pool area, you’ll be paying a premium price for this style of room. I’ve booked Preferred Rooms in the past when my budget allowed and it was a convenience, for certain.
Additionally, Deluxe Resorts (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Polynesian Village) may have even more tiers to choose from including Theme Park Views, so make sure you’ve got them all down before you choose as well.
How to Request a Disney World Room or Resort Area: When to Select a Specific Room
Beginning 60 days away from your check-in day, you may begin online check-in. This will include basic information for the method of payment, Magicband selections (an extra fee), Disney Dining Plan additions (again, another upcharge), and other modifications to your trip including theme park reservations if necessary.
At this time, you can call the Disney Resort Hotel Reservations hotline at (407) 939-1936 and request a specific room or resort building.
If you only want to request a specific building or floor of your chosen resort, you can do that during online check-in.
Knowing What Your Disney Resort Room Looks Like Before You Choose
If you’re like I am, knowing exactly what your Disney Resort Room and its view look like before you lock down a specific room number is part of the planning fun. Sometimes I’ll be able to find photos of a room which can help me pick, but I enjoy a good video tour.
Recently, I learned about the free website called Room Cougar and it’s changed the way I view hotel and resort rooms. It wants to showcase every room around the globe including cruise ship rooms (have you seen the rooms on Disney Cruises – so pretty!), so you’ll have a thoroughly detailed peek at the room and its view, whether amazing or not.
Once you head to the website, you can narrow down where you’ll be staying and check out other users who have already visited and their room tour videos.
Each video is between one to three minutes long and is guaranteed to show the view from the room. If that wasn’t enough of an incentive to test drive it, the website is giving $50 for every new resort or hotel room video you upload. All you need to do is make sure all of the room highlights are filmed (I love a good bathroom, so I like to focus on them) and the view from every window if there’s more than one.
I recently visited Manhattan and, during my stay, filmed four videos – that’s an extra $200 in my pocket for a few minutes – here’s my Room Cougar account to take a peek! Each hotel has a unique discussion forum area where you can chat about the benefits or lacks as well.