How early can you check in?

[mickeyinthehouse]

If your flight to Orlando arrives after midnight, what date do you make a hotel reservation for? If I were arriving at 6am I would not make a reservation for the night before. I realize the room my not be ready and I could find things to do until it was. But what if my flight arrives at 12:30am? As a solo traveler what would you do? If I reserve a room for the previous night and don't arrive until after midnight, does the reservation automatically get cancelled?

 

[Missytara]

The computers don't roll over for the next day until 6 am; therefore, your reservation will still be in the computer until the next morning.

 

[Sandi]

I would suggest that you do on-line check-in, as well. You are asked what time you expect to arrive, so they will have that in the notes. They'll be expecting you then.

If you're using Magical Express, you'll have to get your own luggage from baggage claim. Any flight arriving 10:00 p.m. or later has that restriction.

Some people suggest staying at an airport hotel when you arrive as late as you are. It typically seems that it is done for budget reasons. As a solo traveler, I think I'd want to get to my Disney hotel right away

 

[mickeyinthehouse]

Thanks for the responses. I hate to pay the cost of the room for a few hours but my other option is to fly first thing in the morning (but I would not arrive until after noon) and I'm thinking of those precious hours I could have spent exploring the resort. I will check out the rates near the airport and see if I can find a "deal" then head to Disney at the crack of dawn!!

 

[kappyfamily]

Maybe just stay the first night in a value then switch to your new resort the next day. It's easy to make the switch.

 

[Upatnoon]

If your flight to Orlando arrives after midnight, what date do you make a hotel reservation for? If I were arriving at 6am I would not make a reservation for the night before. I realize the room my not be ready and I could find things to do until it was. But what if my flight arrives at 12:30am? As a solo traveler what would you do? If I reserve a room for the previous night and don't arrive until after midnight, does the reservation automatically get cancelled?

Many people stay at the hotel in the airport for the 1st night, then take magical express after they get up

 

[ParrotBill]

Consider also how you want to be situated for the first day. You can go over and pre-check-in but very rare to have a room ready for you, so you will likely put your luggage into storage, go out and about, and return to get into your room late afternoon. If that's OK then stay somewhere cheaper when you arrive. If you want to have your room available for sure then spring for the late arrive first night. I've checked in at 11:30 or later lots of times.

 

[Bon]

We've checked in as early as 9am and gotten our room. That said - I would opt for one of the value rooms and transferring the next day. Staying at the airport is convenient but can be expensive