Anyone else have this problem with POP?

[n2mm]

This is not a Pop Century exclusive problem. This can happen at any of the resorts. We have made 60 trips to WDW and it has happened to us, whether we are at the All Stars or WL. Over the years it has become rare to have a big wait anymore unless you are traveling during an extremely busy time of year. Generally we have been lucky to get into our rooms by 11:00AM. But if we have a multi-room ressie or a special request (king bed w/tub), then we have had to wait, but have always been offered a different room if we didn't want to wait. We had a ressie at Pop last October for 3 rooms and didn't get in until 4:30PM, but it was because there was problems with a water leak and they had to change our location and had to wait for 3 rooms side-by-side to open up....which was understandable.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I had a very, very similar experience at AKL at the end of May. I was given the number to call to check on my room. When I called later in the afternoon, I was basically "chewed-out" for asking about my room before the 4 o'clock check-in time. All I had done was politely ask if my room was ready!!! Fortunately, all else went well that week.

When dh and I stayed at WL in July, our room (an upgrade, so what can you say??) was not ready until after 5. It wouldn't have been so bad, but we were hot and tired.

The only time we've stayed at POP, we checked in after midnight; so, of course, there was no delay.

 

[Candicno]

Just so everyone knows, I have my documents (emailed) for POP sitting right here in front of me, and it clearly says:

(copied directly)

Check-In / Check-Out
-Check-in time is typically between 3 and 4 p.m., and check-out time is normally between 11 a.m. and 12 noon. (During peak periods, check-in may be delayed one to two hours.)

It sounds like a combination of poor information/bad customer service from the CM's, and poor planning on your part. I know I might get flamed for this, but you really have to be a proactive planner if you want you vacation to go as smoothly as possible.

We don't pay Disney enough for them to be perfect. I can't even get a Holiday Inn room around here for the price of the POP. I always try to remember this simple little fact. To keep your prices low, Disney cuts corners and the biggest corner of them all is the CM salaries! You just have to inform yourself ahead of time, and roll with the punches.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wonder how much of this is caused by people staying past their check-out time? I know this cannot be the reason all of the rooms are available so late, but I bet it is a part of the problem. Why does Disney allow people to stay in their room until 2:30 if they are supposed to be out by 12:00? Maybe they should start charging the squaters and extra half day rate. That would help get them out.

 

[bicker]

Oh, I'm sure that'll really got a lot of support from the average DISer.

 

[DianeV]

Geez with rooms not available until 5pm and checkout at 11am you are only getting 18 hours in the room and paying for a day which is 24 hours technically! I know that most hotels are like this too and I never understood it but it does stink

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You really never know, although I think they do make it sound like check-in is guaranteed at 3 pm and so is your room. First stay at GF - room not ready until around 4:15 (of course this was the trip where ds threw up on both of us on the plane so it really was a hardship waiting for the room). Second stay at GF - room ready at 9:30 am, 3rd trip to GF first room ready at 8:00 am, switched rooms the next week and second room wasn't ready until 3:30. We onced checked in at POR and room was ready at 7:00 am and long ago checked in at the Poly at 10:00 am and rooms wasn't ready until 4:00. I think it's all luck!

 

[bicker]

Geez with rooms not available until 5pm and checkout at 11am you are only getting 18 hours in the room and paying for a day which is 24 hours technically! I know that most hotels are like this too and I never understood it but it does stink

Well, if you stay for six nights, for example, you're actually getting 23 hours in the room, on average. And, of course, hotels want to provide guests incentive to book longer stays, since longer stays are more profitable.