Calling the day of to check in early

[wisbucky]

I was wondering if anyone knows if you can or if anyone has called the resort the day of to check in early. We always fly in and even though we take the first flight out we never get to our resort (OKW) until after 12:00p.m By then our requests such as non smoking, floor and location are barely met. We are always told that they have had numerous check ins before us and therefore are very limited in filling our requests. We book our trips between 10-11 months out. So IMHO it just doesnt seem fair that our requests dont seem to be met. If I called OKW frist thing in the morning before flying out would I be able to check in?

 

[DebbieB]

No, you have to be there in person. If they allow this, everyone would be calling first thing in the morning. We usually arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 and almost always get our requests met at OKW. Last year we arrived after 7:00pm and got 2 out of 3 (second floor instead of first floor). What day of the week are you checking in? We usually checkin on Saturday, which is a low occupancy day. If you are checking in midweek, there probably are not alot of empty rooms to choose from. If you feel strongly about it, why not e-mail member services to let them know you prefer the old method of preassigning rooms by date of reservation.

 

[wisbucky]

DebbieB We usually check in on Sunday but this time we are checking in on Friday. Last time we had a difficult time of getting a non-smoking room. Anyone know if Fridays are high occupany time.

 

[CarolMN]

There are lots of DVC member checkouts on Fridays (to avoid the higher point requirements for Friday and Saturday nights). I think you have a very good chance of getting your requests met especially if you are willing to wait for your room to be ready.

 

[Beca]

If you feel strongly about it, why not e-mail member services to let them know you prefer the old method of preassigning rooms by date of reservation.

Why did they change it in the first place??



Beca

 

[sheryl0521]

for our upcoming trip, we are arriving very late (midnight) and I asked MS to note it on our ressie, and they suggested we call the resort the day of arrival and alert them of our arrival time so they don't mistakenly mark us a no-show.

I don't see this as checking in early, just a "heads up" of our later arrival.

 

[DebbieB]

Why did they change it in the first place??



Beca

They came up with a system called "room ready" a couple of years ago. Under this system, rooms are not preassigned (except those for medical reasons), so when you arrive they will look for a room that is ready for occupancy so you don't have to wait. They claim it is preferred by members because there is more of a chance you will get into a room right away rather than waiting until later. The only problem is the people who arrive later get the leftovers.

Friday should be a good day to check-in. As Carol said, many members checkout on Friday so there should be more rooms to choose from. The downside may be that you have to wait for it to be cleaned.

 

[CarolMN]

Why did they change it in the first place??



Beca

I think they changed it because the Front Desk CMs got tired of people complaining about not being able to get into the room early. Probably a lot less people complaining about requests and it's easier to just say "I'm sorry, that's the only room we have left".

Best wishes -

 

[Beca]

Okay, so here's another question. When I checked in at BWV, they told me my room had already been assigned...before I checked in...BEFORE the actual "check-in" time. They would not give me the room number, but they confirmed that my room was non-smoking, non-handicapped.

If DVC really works on a "room-ready" policy...why is it that my room was assigned already?

Does this make sense? I'm just trying to figure out if it "really works that way" or if DVC is just telling us that. When I went to check into VWL, I was told that my room had not been pre-assigned, and they asked me which one of several I wanted...this was early Dec., and they were at 100% capacity.

It just seems like there is not consistency across the resorts.

And, didn't someone post here that they assign the rooms about 4 days out? My mom called DVC two days before she left home, and was told that her room had already been assigned. I just don't really understand what is going on here.



Beca

 

[bobbiwoz]

In Dec. '03 we checked into our studio at VWL and found the DVC Christmas tree already set up in the room and waiting for us. It was wonderful! That room was obviously pre-assigned. It was our first DVC trip and seeing it there made that trip very extra special.

Bobbi

 

[DebbieB]

I think it's up to the discresion of the front desk. I think they do use pre-assignments during busy times. My experience at BWV in early December has always been pre-assigned. At OKW this past May, it was not pre-assigned. From postings on this board, it seems like OKW uses room ready more.

When it was first announced, I spoke to Jackie Leuders, who was then DVC Member Satisfaction Manager. I told her that I felt it was unfair to those who booked at 11 months. I was sold DVC on the basis that requests were granted by date of reservation. I specifically used the boardwalk view situation as an example. We usually do not arrive until afternoon, we would never get a boardwalk view that late. About a month later, they came up with the boardwalk view as a separate category. It would have been chaos at the front desk if everyone was arriving early to try to get that boardwalk view.

 

[Beca]

Well, I for one wish they would go back to the old system. When you are waitlisted, you feel so lucky just to get in!! I totally wouldn't mind knowing I won't get my "preferred view". But, when I wake up early for a week to book day-by-day...I'd like to think I have a better shot of getting my requests met. But, who knows...the whole "requests" thing may be a thing of the past, anyway!!!

Thanks for the info!!!



Beca

 

[wisbucky]

Here is another question I have regarding check in. We arrive Friday and check into a studio. Then on Sunday we are moving to a two bedroom. I will certainly inform the desk clerk of this on check in on Friday. But will they assign us a room Sunday and let us know (by phone call to our studio room) where we are going? Or do I need to go down to HH go through the whole ordeal again. If I have to go through the whole check in ordeal again then I guess I will have to be there first thing in the morning. I am hoping that someone here has done something similiar and give me some heads up as to what to do.

 

[DebbieB]

Is your 2 bedroom a dedicated or lockoff? If it's a lockoff, I would see if they could work it out that you could keep the studio side and add the 1 bedroom on Sunday.

I think you would still have to check back in on Sunday, it's a separate reservation. I don't think check-in is that much of an "ordeal". I had to check back in when we switched to an AP rate last May at OKW, it took 5 minutes at most. Sunday is a big check-in day, I would get there as early as possible. With the new key card system, you will have to give them all the names in your room. If they are not already on your reservation, you may want to call member services ahead of time to add them to save time.

 

[RobDoc]

Unless you want a dedicated 2BR, I'd call MS tomorrow and request that you be able to stay in the same studio and just add the adjoining 1BR villa to make your 2BR. It won't be guaranteed, but can be noted on the reservation.

You repeat the request at check in. If it's possible to do this, you won't need to move, although you may not get access to the 1BR until 4PM- at least you won't have to vacate the studio by 11am.

They will not call you to let you know your new room assignment (unless they can meet the above request at check-in). I would head over to HH early Sunday (with a BIG smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye ) and again "remind" them of your desire to stay in the same studio if possible and how great it would be if they could meet that request. We've been able to accomplish this on a few occasions and it's a great feeling to NOT have to move. Otherwise, you'll need to vacate the studio by 11am and may not have your new room until 4pm.

Since you are arriving on a Friday night and get the 2BR on Sunday, I think your chances are very good that they can accommodate this request.

Good luck!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It just seems like there is not consistency across the resorts.

You're right. On our Christmas 2003-New Year's 2004 trip we spent a week at the VWL followed by 6 nights at the BCV. When we checked into the VWL, they were not doing "room ready". A week later when I checked in at the BCV, they were following the "room ready" policy.

Both were during the busiest weeks of the year but both were handled differently. BTW: I got all of my requests at the BCV with "room ready" and none of them at the VWL by being preassigned. Both reservations were made day by day, exactly 11 months in advance.

Go figure?

HBC

 

[wisbucky]

Lockoff or dedicated. That is a good question. We have gone round and round on this one. I know that the studio lockoff will have the microwave and refrig along with the exit door. Just like any studio we stay in. And I know that the dedicated has the studio with more closet space taking out the exit door and the microwave and refrig. So with that in mind. I would like some advice to see what everyone thinks I should really do. Take the lockoff or dedicated. If my chances are really good of getting to stay in the same stuido and getting the additonal 1br on Sunday. I might swing towards that. We are arriving on Feb 25 and moving into the 2br on Feb 27. I am not to familiar with how busy this time of the year is. Any advice would be great. Oh yeah also I dont remember to much where all the 2br are lockoff VS dedicated. But I would really to stay in any of the following areas. the back area of Turtle Pond, Building 56, or the two buildings off of the golf course near the bus stop at turtle pond.

 

[wisbucky]

Better yet I found the map of the buildings I like, but I dont which 2br lay out they have. The buildings I was looking at are 55, 33, 32, 37, and 54.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Lockoff or dedicated......So with that in mind. I would like some advice to see what everyone thinks I should really do.

Take the lock-off. Your chances are good. I was able to do what you are trying to do at the BWV a few years ago. I just explained to the CM at check-in what my status was and they made it work for me. I had to check out and check back in the next morning but that was it. It was during a busy time of the year too. It is worth it to try.

HBC

 

[RobDoc]

All buildings at OKW have both dedicated 2BR villas and lock-offs. The lock-offs are on the ends of the first two floors in each building and the dedicated 2BR villas are in the middle of each floor (unless there is a GV). Here is a link to the <a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1251562#post1251562">OKW building configuration.</a>

All of the buildings you listed will have 2 entrances to the master bath (one thru the bedroom, the other thru the laundry room).

IMO, there isn't enough additional storage space to give up the chance of not having to move. The lock-off will have a balcony for the 2nd BR (dedicated 2's do not) and the mini-kitchen. Not a big difference either way- except for the changing rooms part.

In late Feb on a Sunday, I think you'll stand a good chance of not having to move. I'd still call MS and see if they will offer any advice.

Enjoy!