For all those early check-in veterans, I got a question

[Minnie's Pal]

Just wondering what my odds are for having a room ready when we arrive. We don't plan on going to parks that day and after that long drive, my 2 & 4 yr olds will be ready for a break (aka trap them in the room for a minute so they can run free and I can take my eye off them for a second) before we go explore the campground (where some other people we are coming with us are staying). I am not sure the exact time we will get there (last time it seemed around noon) but it mainly depends on how many stops we make (which depends on the kids). In others words, it could be earlier or later.

[Gail T AGAIN]

I am assuming early check in depends on the time of year you are going, what resort and those types of things. I was lucky this yr, got early check in at AKL, Poly and BWI. Thinking of all my past trips I have got early check in also. I always take the 7am flight out of Boston, get to the Orlando ariport around 10 or so, rent my car and get to the resorts around noon time. Good luck, here is some pixie dust thrown your way.Have a FUNtastic trip.

[MJames41]

It depends - I didn't vote because I've had both happen. If you are going to be arriving around Thanksgiving, then there is a possiblity the room will not be available. If it's before (at least the Friday before) or after (Monday) then you have a very good chance, especially by noon. We were able to check in to the All Star Sports at 9:30 am in November 2000. Enjoy your trip.

[jldriscoll]

We've arrived at variouse resorts at about 11-12 in the afternnoon each time we go and our room has never been ready :(

Took a nap in the WL lobby once :rolleyes:

[disney queen]

when we got to OKW and WL in july our room was ready. we arrived around 1:00 in the afernoon. so does that count for early check-in?:p

[DebbieB]

Our experience has been about 50/50, arriving around 1:00. If you have requests, they will have already preassigned the room. A couple of times they have checked if there was a room ready that met our requests or if we wanted another room that was ready that did not meet our requests. I ask if our assigned rooms met our requests, if they say yes, I'll say we'll wait (don't have kids, so that's not an issue). So if you are willing to take any open room, you chances are better that you can get a room right away.

[dlr25]

Our first trip to WL we had to wait until after 4pm to check in. It was our first trip. We were excited to be there and didn't let anything bother us. Our next trip to BWV we arrived at about 10am and went directly to our room. It was fabulous. The next trip to BWV we didn't get in until AFTER 4pm even though I had explained we had 5pm Hoop Dee Doo Revue reservations and would like to change, etc. before trying to get there by 4:30 as they request.

Don't count on it or expect it but if it happens you'll be thrilled!

[DisneyHumbug]

I've gotten in as early as 12:00 and as late as 5:00.

[GeorgeG]

Like DebbieB, we've also had about a 50% success with early check-in. We usually arrive around noon.

The best thing is to request it, but not expect it. Plan on having a change of clothes handy in your luggage so you can freshen up and change in the restroom before checking your bags if the rooms isn't ready. That way, you can go do something for the afternoon.

[hallie]

Over Easter we stayed at the AKL and checked in at 10am. They did have rooms available but they weren't in the location we wanted to stay in. The CM asked us if we wanted it anyway but we chose to wait and didn't regret it.

Your room may not be ready but if you have any particular requests they stand the best chance of being honored the earlier you check in.

Have a great time!!!

[eeyore0062]

Wow, I can't really answer this poll accurately, as sometimes our rooms are ready, and other times they aren't. It really depends on what time of year you go.

Our 1st trip was the beginning of March, 1993, and we checked in at 7:30 and our room was ready. Of course, our view of the Sassagoula River was really that of the backside of a mansion pillar, so we may have been better off waiting for a room available later. We didn't know any better!

The only other time the room has been ready early, was when we checked into the Contemporary on January 2nd. We checked in about 11 am, and lucked into a great room in the South Wing with a beautiful view of Bay Lake.

When we stayed at the CBR, we checked in about 3:30, and the room was ready.

At both DXL Alligator Bayou, and WL, we checked in at 7 am, and the rooms were not ready, so we checked our luggage, at breakfast, and headed to the parks.

It really is luck of the draw!

[KathyK]

We've had both.

BC in April 1999, arrived at ~11:00 a.m., room was ready

CS in December 1999, arrived at ~10:00 a.m., room was ready

OKW studio in October 2000, arrived ~noon, room was not ready

next day - OKW 2 BR, 10/00, checked out of studio at 8:00 a.m., room was not ready, checked back at noon (that's when my sister's family arrived) and it was.

BWV, Oct. 2000, checked out of OKW at 9:00 a.m., played in parks until 1:00 - room was not ready. We were exhausted, so we just hung out in the lobby until 3:00 when the room was ready (DVC check in is 4:00).

BWV, May 2002, checked in at 10:00 a.m., and the room was ready (and we were upgraded to pref. view).

On our other trips, we have checked in after check-in time.

We always get tehre expecting teh room NOT to be ready, and then if it is, we are pleasantly surprised

[Kteacher]

We've usually arrived mid day, and have never had our rooms ready, but then again, we have always stayed during April vacation week, so We never expected them to be.

[eeyore0062]

Just remember, on the reservation confirmation letter, it does not say that the room will be available AT 3 or 4, but AFTER 3 or 4. So, even if you can't get into your room until after 5 or 6, there never was a written guarantee that said you would.