Check in time-first timer

[ndavis]

Hi-We have a Disney cruise scheduled for December (DH, myself and 4 y/o son). I am considering tacking on a few days of WDW before, we have never been there-if we do so, the flight I would want would get us to the resort between 9-10 am. Considering we will have gotten up at 3 to fly, I assumed we all, especially my son, will need a nap before we do anything. Are there any of the resorts that allow early check in? I'm very early in the planning, but would most likely stay around Animal Kingdom. Thanks so much!

 

[Hopefully]

Hi-We have a Disney cruise scheduled for December (DH, myself and 4 y/o son). I am considering tacking on a few days of WDW before, we have never been there-if we do so, the flight I would want would get us to the resort between 9-10 am. Considering we will have gotten up at 3 to fly, I assumed we all, especially my son, will need a nap before we do anything. Are there any of the resorts that allow early check in? I'm very early in the planning, but would most likely stay around Animal Kingdom. Thanks so much!

They all allow "early check in". But that does not mean you can go to your room. You want to know if any resort has rooms available early. The answer is generally no. The only way to guarantee you have a room with a morning arrival is to book it for the night before.
Disney runs at very high occupancy. Check out time is 11 AM and then rooms need to be cleaned and prepared for arriving guests after that. You can request a room early, but it is only a request, not a guarantee.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The issue isn't so much checking in early, but it is uncommon that they will have a room ready for you at 9AM. Check-out is at 11 for prior night's guests. Disney properties run at a very high occupancy rate.

The only way to ensure you'll have a room upon arrival is to book the previous night and do online check-in to that room, and make sure Disney know your arrival will be in the morning.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi-We have a Disney cruise scheduled for December (DH, myself and 4 y/o son). I am considering tacking on a few days of WDW before, we have never been there-if we do so, the flight I would want would get us to the resort between 9-10 am. Considering we will have gotten up at 3 to fly, I assumed we all, especially my son, will need a nap before we do anything. Are there any of the resorts that allow early check in? I'm very early in the planning, but would most likely stay around Animal Kingdom. Thanks so much!

No, not really. You can check in any time that day but I'd plan on your room not being ready until 3 or later. You could get lucky and your room be available early, but I'd consider that a bonus, not something to plan for.

I almost always take a very early flight so I arrive on property 9:30-10AMish. I've had my room ready that early once, around noonish a couple times, but more often than not it's around 3pm (and once more like 4).

Hope that helps.

 

[ndavis]

Thanks so much for your input! I didn't realize that would be an option to rent the room and just check in the next morning, I think for sanity's sake, that would be nice to do.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

It might be cheaper to reserve a room off property -- say on International Drive if all you are going to do is use it for a well needed, well deserved, nap! You could land, take a taxi/uber to a hotel and then go check in at Disney after -- even with the expense of a cab, it would probably save you some $.

Tom

 

[cwis]

Hi-We have a Disney cruise scheduled for December (DH, myself and 4 y/o son). I am considering tacking on a few days of WDW before, we have never been there-if we do so, the flight I would want would get us to the resort between 9-10 am. Considering we will have gotten up at 3 to fly, I assumed we all, especially my son, will need a nap before we do anything. Are there any of the resorts that allow early check in? I'm very early in the planning, but would most likely stay around Animal Kingdom. Thanks so much!

FYI, the Hyatt hotel located inside the airport main terminal sells rooms for day use. You could get a nap there before you reach DME for your resort.

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks so much for your input! I didn't realize that would be an option to rent the room and just check in the next morning, I think for sanity's sake, that would be nice to do.

Just to stress as @_auroraborealis_ stated BE SURE TO NOTIFY DISNEY that you will be there in the morning, so they don' t think you are a no show the night of your reservation.

 

[willmccready]

We got to AoA last year at 10:00 and checked in but didn't get room assignment. They were able to get us in before 11, but we didn't have the luxury of any requests then, basically just went with first available.

Not going to work every time but worth a shot if you're not picky about your room.