A Little Confused w/EE during DLH 'check-in' day?

[PrinceOfPeace]

I was given conflicting information....

I was first told I can check-in early the 'first' day on my visit....to take advantage of Early Entry...even though the room might not be available. For example check in at 7am, for EE at 8am.

I spoke with another person and cast member and they told me, 'No', you can't take advantage of EE because you will need a 'room key' to do that. He suggested I register for EE, since we are Pass Holders.

Can some other cast member confirm this?

Or can someone with the same situation, explain what is true?

I would hate to go to the hotel early, only to find out, we can't go into the park early.

Thanks!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

I was under the impression that your check in day counts (you can go to EE even if your room isn't ready). I'm always given my room keys and told I'd get a text when my room was ready, or to check with the front desk later. But early check in gets you your room keys and paperwork (maps, park entertainment guide, hotel guide, etc) right on the spot.

If you are just dropping luggage and not actually checking in then on that I'm not sure how that works.

Hope this helps!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I was given conflicting information....

I was first told I can check-in early the 'first' day on my visit....to take advantage of Early Entry...even though the room might not be available. For example check in at 7am, for EE at 8am.

I spoke with another person and cast member and they told me, 'No', you can't take advantage of EE because you will need a 'room key' to do that. He suggested I register for EE, since we are Pass Holders.

Can some other cast member confirm this?

Or can someone with the same situation, explain what is true?

I would hate to go to the hotel early, only to find out, we can't go into the park early.

Thanks!

We were not there for EE, but we checked in early once at DLH and our room wasn't ready yet. They checked us in and gave us room keys which we were told had been activated if we wanted to use the pool while waiting for our room. We were given the option of being called or texted when our room was ready, and we were able to use the keys to go straight to the room when it was ready. So I see no reason that you wouldn't be able to take your keys and use early entry after an early morning check-in. I'm pretty sure I've read about others on this board who have done just that.

 

[hjgaus]

I checked into the VGC @ 7am to do early entry as a guest & yes you need a room key to enter park . If you are NOT staying on property AND want to use your AP then you need to registe.r for an early entry

 

[hjgaus]

Remember it doesn't matter what kind of park ticket you have as long as you checked in as a DLR guest

 

[hjgaus]

And have valid room key card to show. My room will not be ready until after 3pm today....but got fast passes for RSR by 8:15 am i guess you or CM are confusing difference between being property guest vs. Just AP event

 

[marcemc]

I was under the impression that your check in day counts (you can go to EE even if your room isn't ready). I'm always given my room keys and told I'd get a text when my room was ready, or to check with the front desk later. But early check in gets you your room keys and paperwork (maps, park entertainment guide, hotel guide, etc) right on the spot.

If you are just dropping luggage and not actually checking in then on that I'm not sure how that works.

Hope this helps!

Yes, we always sleep in a near hotel the day of arrival & early (very early) morning the next day check in at one of the Disney hotels. If your room is not ready, they will still give you room keys so you can take advantage of EE.

Go straight to check in, they will help you there.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

We are staying on property at the DLH....but would prefer to park our car at the hotel...rather than the parking lot. I specifically asked the cast member if I can take advantage of EE the day of check-in even though our room will not be ready, and he told me, 'no, you can check-in your bags, but you will not be able to take advantage of early entry'. He then advised me to register online with our AP under the EE registration you can get for both parks.

I was told from another reliable source that I can INDEED check-in early (even though room is not ready), and take advantage of EE.

I really would like to know....

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

We are staying on property at the DLH....but would prefer to park our car at the hotel...rather than the parking lot. I specifically asked the cast member if I can take advantage of EE the day of check-in even though our room will not be ready, and he told me, 'no, you can check-in your bags, but you will not be able to take advantage of early entry'. He then advised me to register online with our AP under the EE registration you can get for both parks.

I was told from another reliable source that I can INDEED check-in early (even though room is not ready), and take advantage of EE.

I really would like to know....

If you just check your bags with Bell services and head out then no, it won't work. However, if you check your bags and then go to the front desk to check in then it will be fine. You can check in as early as you want and will go through the whole process (payment, getting maps, assigned a room number, etc). They will give you your room keys ans either text or call when the room is ready (I've had rooms available an hr later and as late as 4). Regardless you will have room keys in hand

 

[HydroGuy]

We are staying on property at the DLH....but would prefer to park our car at the hotel...rather than the parking lot. I specifically asked the cast member if I can take advantage of EE the day of check-in even though our room will not be ready, and he told me, 'no, you can check-in your bags, but you will not be able to take advantage of early entry'. He then advised me to register online with our AP under the EE registration you can get for both parks.

I was told from another reliable source that I can INDEED check-in early (even though room is not ready), and take advantage of EE.

I really would like to know....

OK, if you really want to know then here it is: You can check-in early and get room keys and use EMH on your check-in day. It is a well known thing to do, discussed around here for many years, and experienced by many folks around here. Sorry you got some bum information from a CM. That happens.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who responded! If I could hug you I would!lol we will then do the check in process as suggested. Hydroguy I really appreciate your to-the-pointness...haha if that's a word!

 

[gatorfreud]

We did this at GCH a few years ago. Arrived about 6:15am, got our keys and on to early entry!

Kim

 

[bumbershoot]

I really would like to know....

FWIW, you'd already been answered very specifically before writing that.


The CMs at Disneyland call centers, *just like* the CMs at WDW, aren't necessarily at the parks, haven't necessarily ever been to the parks, and might even be entirely out of state. They are clueless when it comes to the way things work.

 

[JacksGirlz]

We might do this to save $ as we get in late one night and I'm thinking of checking in late at a Harbor hotel. Then get up early the next AM and check into DLH so we can take advantage of the EMH. Thanks OP for posting this and to everyone for answering.

 

[cmwade77]

I was given conflicting information....

I was first told I can check-in early the 'first' day on my visit....to take advantage of Early Entry...even though the room might not be available. For example check in at 7am, for EE at 8am.

I spoke with another person and cast member and they told me, 'No', you can't take advantage of EE because you will need a 'room key' to do that. He suggested I register for EE, since we are Pass Holders.

Can some other cast member confirm this?

Or can someone with the same situation, explain what is true?

I would hate to go to the hotel early, only to find out, we can't go into the park early.

Thanks!

Ok, both statements are actually correct....sort of....you do indeed need a room key to use EE.

That being said, you can get your room key as early as 6 A.M. (possibly earlier) on check in day, even if your room is not ready. You simply need to check in to the hotel, they will give you your room key and then text you your room number when your room is ready. You can then use EE.

 

[hjgaus]

We might do this to save $ as we get in late one night and I'm thinking of checking in late at a Harbor hotel. Then get up early the next AM and check into DLH so we can take advantage of the EMH. Thanks OP for posting this and to everyone for answering.

Yes! This is exactly what we did - Stayed the night @ other hotel close by DLR Aug. 17th then checked out 6am. Checked in Aug. 18th @ VGC 6:30am for Early Magic Hour. You get 2 Early Magic Hours (or Early Entry) for the price of 1 DLR stay!!

 

[mad hatter fan]

We did this at the end of July. It made for a real early morning but worked great.