4 PM check in

[Matty B13]

We just stayed at VGF and Kidani and were able to check in by 2PM at both resorts, and both 2 Bedrooms were cleaned properly. I think the only problems we had were at Kidani with a GFI outlet not working and the pullout bed.

 

[beccasmom]

We once waited until well after 5:00 for our room at BCV. The cast member at the front desk was rather surly too. I do understand delays happen, but after a stressful day of traveling, a more conciliatory attitude would be nice. And at the CR during spring break, we've waited until 6:00 pm on a couple of occasions (once we did receive a credit). We've visited WDW dozens of times and these situations are far from our normal experience (I guess why they stick out like a sore thumb!)

 

[Simba's Mom]

At BWV and BCV any time before 6pm is better than most. Both tend to have the poorest service.

Wow! Now I'm panicking! We've never gotten our room at BCV after 4:00, except once, at 5:15. That time, we were given a different room than we'd been waiting for, that unfortunately didn't meet any of our requests, but at least it was ready!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This is one reason I don't do any "special" requests. I take whatever room that have open.

That said once at BCV at about 6 PM I pitched a FIT! Then the manager looked and found out "opps the former guests extended and we assigned both of you to the room" that's the LAST time I used online check in for that resort. Once I was assigned a room they weren't going to bother to see if ANY other studios in the resort were open (Oh and after they finally checked, I had choices!)_

The problem stems from Disney's "home grown" hotel expertise IMHO. They honestly think 'we know how to do anything better' when in truth having some professional hotel management over the years would have been a great idea. I understand it's great to promote from within, but what we have is people who don't really understand hotels training the next managers..

 

[BillPA]

There is no incentive to improve service. They get 12.5% of the dues as a management fee, if they work or not.

 

[disneynutz]

There is no incentive to improve service. They get 12.5% of the dues as a management fee, if they work or not.

And housekeeping gets millions per resort each year.

Bill

 

[goofy kc]

I've gotten in early - swapping rooms at 9am for a split stay (still not over the shock!) - and been kept waiting for hours. I am pretty sure the state of the room is a big factor. This is why we try to tidy up as best we can. Thinking of it as paying it forward

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We received our text at 12:30 that our BLT room was ready this past March. This will probably jinx myself, but I have never had a problem getting into our room by 3:30 at the latest at BLT.

Uh oh - I hope you found some wood to knock on!

 

[msjprincess]

When we stayed at BWV in February I received my text at 11:15. Of course we were driving and still in GA. We decided not to leave too early since we figured the room wouldn't ready until later.

 

[bumbershoot]

once at BCV at about 6 PM I pitched a FIT! Then the manager looked and found out "opps the former guests extended and we assigned both of you to the room"

Yikes.

I personally doubt that it was online checkin's fault but it's still not good.

The problem stems from Disney's "home grown" hotel expertise IMHO. They honestly think 'we know how to do anything better' when in truth having some professional hotel management over the years would have been a great idea.

Agreed for the most part.

 

[jo-jo]

At BLT our DS had his room ready about 10 am. We thought our room couldn't be long behind. We were wrong. We checked with the front desk several times. At about 3:45 I went down again. Yes, the room is clean, just waiting for it to be released. Just have a seat, it will only be a few mins. The few mins turned into 45. The CM did give us two single FP for our room (2 people). Next day, tried to use them. No FP to be found. When I went to ask about the wrong date on DS AP, (which a manager said WAS correct) I asked about the FP. There was none on account. She gave us several for everyone including the baby who doesn't even have a ticket. Not sure how we were to use those.

For moving to Kidani, we checked out of BLT at 11 and of course hoped to get a room ready text quickly. Let's go on a few rides at MK while we wait. Come 2 pm, nothing. Not even "room not ready yet". We go to Kidani, at 3 pm, asked about the text and was told they were having issues with it all day. But the room is ready. We head down to 7841....a 2 bedroom savanna right on the outer edge of Pembe, right next to the pool. Lots of noise from the pool games. I walk back and ask about a room change. Sorry resort is full and everyone else has checkin. Doesn't online checkin or checking out from BLT start the process? Nope. They offered to move us the next day, but we didn't want to unpack and pack again. Maybe if we were staying another week, but we moved to Kidani on Sunday and was leaving on Thur. We had spent the morning packing at BLT, didn't want to spend more time with packing for a four night stay.

I spoke with MS and did get a another FP for every one. Frankly we didn't use all that we had, it was so hot out.

I am not a happy camper with this last trip.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney's high occupancy rate doesn't leave an empty room buffer. Housekeepers have 8 plus rooms to clean or stock each day and the condition that the prior guest left the room in can delay the process. More often than not our rooms have always been ready late afternoon or on occasion early evening. We are willing to wait because we always make room requests. If we requested first available room, we would probably get the room earlier.

The room ready text system only works for us about 10% of the time, CM's have been using the same excuse about the system for years.

Bill

 

[jo-jo]

Disney's high occupancy rate doesn't leave an empty room buffer. Housekeepers have 8 plus rooms to clean or stock each day and the condition that the prior guest left the room in can delay the process. More often than not our rooms have always been ready late afternoon or on occasion early evening. We are willing to wait because we always make room requests. If we requested first available room, we would probably get the room earlier.

The room ready text system only works for us about 10% of the time, CM's have been using the same excuse about the system for years.

Bill

We had requested lower floor and close to lobby. And yes, I know most people request close to lobby. We had neither. Fourth floor and next to pool. And as the CM said it didn't matter that we had done online check in. I believe it was last to check in, worst room. I just hate that we paid savanna view points for that room.

 

[ain0004]

Its been hit or miss if our room has been ready at any DVC location. I have seen rooms that housekeeping is cleaning with doors open. It amazes me how people have no respect. We have our villa nearly ready to go. We strip our linens. Dishes in the dishwasher. I have been guilty of leaving bottle water behind.

 

[disneynutz]

Getting a room early may be a bad thing. The room may have been out of service or just kept empty. At OKW we got an early room that had a bad mold issue and at VB, same thing, mold with a stand alone humidifier.

Both times the tried the filter replacement game but we eventually got moved. I hate it when they waste our vacation time playing games.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I don't know % though I'm sure DVC does for each resort. I would venture that most get in by or before 4 pm but it can't be guaranteed. IMO it was inappropriate to change from 4 to after 4 and it should be a priority to get them all down consistently by 4 pm. This is easily fixable and without extra cost, it just requires effort and leadership. It's a shame that in the areas DVC falls behind other top resorts (and there are several of those areas), they are all fixable with planning and leadership except maintenance/refurbishment and we pay enough in dues for them to follow the 5/10 year standard furbishment schedule for top resorts.