Anyone book for the night before you arrive?

[westjones]

We did the Disney Cruise this past week and went to WDW on Thursday when we got off of the ship. We arrived at our resort by 9:30. Our teen daughters were exhausted because they were out late on the last night with the other teens, and they really needed sleep (and to be honest, so did we).

Our room wasn't ready until 3:30 and we needed it when we got there. So we are thinking of booking our room for the night before so it is ready when we show up next year at 9:30 am again.

Has anyone done this? Do I need to call the resort and let them know what is going on? I know it is sort of like losing a day's worth of points, but it will be worth it not to go through what we did this year.

 

[minniemoms]

I did that same thing going to the grand villas. I knew we MIGHT come in VERY LATE or very eary the next morning, but didn't get there until around noon. I called ahead of time, and told them I would be arriving late, and NOT give up my room. I wanted to check in early, so I would be coming. When I got to the desk, the CM said they did NOT have me in the reservation. I explained what happened, and she still couldn't find me anywhere. Finally another CM, came over and told her to look somewhere else, she finally had to go the back. When she came back she told that she found my reservation, but my room was NOT ready and would call me when it was... I said NO... That is why I used UP my points from last night. so it would be ready when I got here today. Can you please go ask them again,.. It should be ready now, since I wasn't here. It was a hassle, but I got my room right then... I guess if you aren't there, they think you are NOT coming, even tho you tell them you will be late... Well, good luck...

 

[smcabee]

Im doing that this year. Due to a conflicting work schedule, we wont be arriving until about 4am. So we booked the night before so we could check in when we arrive at 4am. I have already told them I would be late and plan on calling several times from the road to remind them that I will be late. Hope it works out.

 

[westjones]

I guess I should tell member services as well as the manager at the resort. I won't be able to call them right before because we will be at sea on the Disney Cruise.

Oh I would be SO mad if my room wasn't ready. Like you said, that is why I would be giving up a day's worth of points! Just to have it waiting for me that morning.

 

[murphyjh]

Im doing that this year. Due to a conflicting work schedule, we wont be arriving until about 4am. So we booked the night before so we could check in when we arrive at 4am. I have already told them I would be late and plan on calling several times from the road to remind them that I will be late. Hope it works out.

Why don't you do an online check-in. That might hold the room.

 

[westjones]

Why don't you do an online check-in. That might hold the room.

I didn't know we could do that. Is that something you do on the DVCMEMBER.com website?

 

[Inkmahm]

I didn't know we could do that. Is that something you do on the DVCMEMBER.com website?

Yes. 10 days before checkin date, you can to to the site and checkin online.

 

[westjones]

Yes. 10 days before checkin date, you can to to the site and checkin online.

Thanks, I will try that along with calling the manager ahead of time and telling member's services.

 

[d-r]

I don't know if they still do it or not, but it used to be that from about 2 to 6 am the computers were all offline at the resort desks. If you checked in after 2 they already had your packet and room keys made just sort of waiting for you. At six it rolls over and comes back on-line for the new day, and after 6 it counts as a new day. I haven't checked in after 2 for a few years though so I don't know if it is still that way.