We’ll be at the Polynesian for 10 nights in early January during Marathon Weekend (Dopey) and have some important room requests.I know Disney doesn’t guarantee requests, but we’d like to increase our chances of being in a specific section.
We can either book direct with Disney or save ~15% through an online 3rd party (they book Disney via another broker).
My question: Does it matter where you book when it comes to room request priority? (For example, do direct bookings get preference over 3rd party ones?)
I can’t say for sure, but I suspect the answer is no. Once a booking is in the system, I think the room assigners just work on room requests without regards to how it was booked.
But, as @Flutegarden mentioned, using the TP room request system raises your odds. Still no guarantees, though. It will partly be determined by house full they are booked when you are going. There might just not be a way for them to grant your request.
There is no way for the room assigners to know how the room was booked.
So no, there is no priority given to anyone based on how it was booked.
The MDE and DVC systems are separate. Even if MDE has a hidden flag showing whether it’s a DVC or Disney booking, even the DVC system can’t tell if a room was booked via a broker. An owner has to have made the booking.
I guess the priority is given based on the order that all reservations starting on the same day are picked up by the room assigners.
I’ve used Touring Plans room request on my previous trips & received close to what I was looking for. I also put in room requests directly with Disney after booking, but tell the CM I understand absolutely nothing is guaranteed, however, it doesn’t hurt to have them add your preferences into the reservation.
I make sure to speak and treat all the cast members kindly and with respect, as their jobs can get challenging at times, & also mention that I did put in a few requests, but again understand nothing is guaranteed.