Check in morning after first reservation day?

[psac]

Is it possible to check in the morning after the first reservation day?

Here's the issue -- we have a reservation in November (not Thanksgiving week) for BWV. We have enough banked points to reserve one extra day. We can't actually get there the night before, or leave a day late, but we often take an early morning flight, and have to deal with not being able to check in until later in the day. If we reserve the day before, will that guarantee us immediate access to the room when we arrive early that first day (which will actually be the second day of the reservation?)

We've done this before with some "real" hotels (including Portofino in Universal) when package or extra day rates basically make that extra day free or close to it. It's nice to be able to go to the room right away, unpack, and have the whole day uninterrupted. But on those past occasions, it was always easy to call the hotel direct, and tell them we're arriving the next morning. With DVC/WDW reservations, there is no calling direct. (Or is there?)

In terms of whether or not it is worth using those points in this way, we definitely can't actually come a day earlier or leave a day later, and because of the expiration timing of the banked points, there is no other date we could use those points, and we don't want to get involved with the hassle of renting for those few points.

Has anyone done this successfully or unsuccessfully before?

Thanks!

 

[kamik86]

I would think this would be theoretically possible due to the situation of a flight getting canceled due to weather at the last min. causing someone to fly out the next day. Just not sure what you would have to do to ensure that they knew you were doing this and didn't cancel the room.

 

[lilpooh108]

My understanding is that it's possible for MS to "modify" your reservation to drop the extra day without losing your entire reservation. You should call and ask

 

[dzorn]

I would have them note on your reservation that you will be arriving very late on day1 after midnight into early morning. I think if you let them know ahead of time it should not be a problem.

Denise in MI

 

[psac]

Good ideas, thanks! Any others?

 

[LaurenT]

Good ideas, thanks! Any others?

I would do on-line check in...if you do that, you're room is set aside for you..it should be ready and waiting when you get there. I bet there's a direct number to the front desk as well - so that you can let them know you've "been delayed" but that your room is paid for and you will be arriving early in the morning and will expect to be able to go straight to your room.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have been told, by MS that people do this to get to the room as soon as they arrive. The MS person said to note it on the reservation. I think that a call to remind the resort would be prudent.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

I thought that if you don't show up on the day your reservation started, your reservation would be cancelled and you lose all the points. You would have to arrive before 6AM to make it as late as possible.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I thought that if you don't show up on the day your reservation started, your reservation would be cancelled and you lose all the points. You would have to arrive before 6AM to make it as late as possible.

I asked MS and if you tell them what you are doing, the reservation is not cancelled. I haven't done it yet, but it was something I have thought about at VB. We've never gotten a room before 4 there.

PS. I was also told that "people do it all the time." You couldn't tell from these boards.

 

[DVCconvert]

....I haven't done it yet, but it was something I have thought about at VB. We've never gotten a room before 4 there.....

I'd love to do this there too! But at 60-100 points per night for a beach cottage...that's a "little pricey" !!

 

[psac]

Thanks again for all the help. I would think it would be a more common practice, but I guess the more active Dis-ers are generally good planners who wouldn't have points to burn like in this case. The extra day of banked points we have are from what came over in the resale contract we bought. We wouldn't plan for this case in the future when we have more control. (Not complaining about the extra points, of course!)

 

[Sandisw]

I thought that if you don't show up on the day your reservation started, your reservation would be cancelled and you lose all the points. You would have to arrive before 6AM to make it as late as possible.

I was told that you had to check in as well, prior to the system reset, or it would be considered a no show.

Since check out is technically at 11:00 am, I would think that you would have to be there before that time, at the very least.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'd love to do this there too! But at 60-100 points per night for a beach cottage...that's a "little pricey" !!

Yes, when it was just a room, I would have done it.

In June, our DGC's family MAY join us, so I've only booked inn rooms, and DGS asked me if they come can we have a BC? No...we're only doing rooms if its only a Maybe!

 

[Sammie]

The other problem I see is that until you arrive to check in, your room is not going to be released, and therefore there is no guarantee you would get it any earlier.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I've booked an extra night when our flights leave after 6pm. There is only 1 nonstop for us and it leaves at 8:30pm so I started booking the extra night. That is the most relaxing way to leave WDW

I dont like to be homeless that long and having to vacate the room by 11am makes for an early morning and a long day. We can take naps, take care of laundry, or just chill.

Once we did not arrive until the 2nd day of our reservation because we missed our flight. I called MS and our room was held. We arrived at the resort early and our room was ready as it was held from the night before.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have done it by 'accident'

I was "suppose" to land late one night at MCO after a late afternoon flight from LAX. Weather created problems and it turned into a red eye flight from LAX.

I did call OKW from the airport and warned them. They put a note on my "account" at the time and when I got there at 7 AM they did give me the room.

Personally I would call the hotel the day of the reservation and make sure they understand. Document WHO you talk to and what they say.

 

[Grumpy6264]

Same thing happened to us in October. Missed our connection in Detroit. Ended up flying to La Guardia and spent the night there. Got on the first flight out of New York and got in about 11:00.

I called Member Services to let them know. They said that our room would be ready for us when we got there. It was, thank goodness.

I would call them and let themselves know, but you should be okay.

 

[MrShiny]

It should be fine, as they have to make similar arrangements for unplanned delays all the time. I know with some credit cards, you are guaranteed a room until 6PM the next day. Of course that doesnt apply here, but I think the practice still holds.

That being said, if it is a really busy time and they are overbooked (and ALL resorts overbook in my experience), you could be "walked" to another resort (I doubt they would leave you out in the cold!).

My advise is just let EVERAYONE know what you are doing! Tell MS, put it in the comments of Online Check-in if you can, and even call the desk of the resort the day before (I'd call about the same time you plan to arive as you might get someoe who will be working that shift the next day). And take the names of everyone you speak with! It seems everytime I've had a problem at a hotel and I tell them I confirmed everything, the first question is always,, "Who did you speak with?"