Early Morning check-in at DLH?

alvernon90

Two Decade Veteran

Joined

Feb 12, 2001

• Aug 28, 2016

• #1

I recall seeing discussions years ago saying that people would sometimes save money by staying at a cheap hotel on their first day in California and then checking in at DLH very early in the morning so they could get room keys and go to early entry. Does DLH still allow that?

If so, how long before early entry begins would you check in? I generally leave DLH to start walking to the parks 45 minutes before early entry. Does that mean we should check in 1.5 hours before early entry?

 

Disney_Alli

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 4, 2010

• Aug 28, 2016

• #2

Most hotels turn their books over at 6am. You can check in any time after that (I've done it at about 0605 for a 7am EMH when staying at PPH) then head to the parks for EMH. Easy peasy. Your room won't be ready but they'll give you a room key and text you your room number.

 

rentayenta

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 28, 2007

• Aug 28, 2016

• #3

We have checked in as early as 6:30 am and our room was ready! I was super shocked and not expecting it but once you check in, you have access to all the benefits even if your room is not ready until the standard check in time.

 

5forMickey

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 21, 2014

• Aug 28, 2016

• #4

I would think you're 1 1/2 hour prior would be perfect. That gives you 1/2 hour to check in and then 1 hour for mm line. I think as early as you like they will let you....

 

bumbershoot

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 5, 2007

• Aug 28, 2016

• #5

You can check in at 6am, stash bags, etc and head on over.

 

ParkHopper1

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 5, 2011

• Aug 28, 2016

• #6

Yup...6am for the three Resort Hotels. There are occasional cases as above where they will give you your room right then and there but expect to park, check in, stash bags with Bell Desk, they will give your your room keys then text you that afternoon you actual room number when it is ready for you.

At the resort hotels you get full benefits of all the resort amenities and access for both check in and check out days even though you may only have access to your room 3pm till 11 am on check out day.

 

alvernon90

Two Decade Veteran

Joined

Feb 12, 2001

• Aug 28, 2016

• #7

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

M

Mjmdiva

Mouseketeer

Joined

Dec 29, 2012

• Aug 29, 2016

• #8

Yes, we checked in at 6am. Got our cards for EMH and headed to the parks. We were able to leave our bags at our other hotel until 11am. If you have bags factor in some time to drop them with the bell desk.

 

ktlm

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 20, 2008

• Aug 29, 2016

• #9

FYI- they don't always just text you your room. Sometimes you have to go back to the desk. In July, they gave us room keys and told us they would text us the room number and we would not need to return to the front desk, but then when our room was ready they called us while we were in the park and told us that our room keys would not work and we needed to come back to the front desk to get our room assignment and new room keys. I'm guessing they probably changed us from the room they thought that they were going to assign us. No big deal, and if it happens, there is no rush to go back and get the keys.