Check in time question

[ttfn3]

We're staying one night at Coronado Springs before 5 nights at the BWV. I'm trying to decide if we'll hit a park the day we check out of CS and checkin at BWV. Does it make a difference to checkin early at the villas? I really want to make sure we get a good room - however, I don't want to waste a whole day checking in. How do you all do it - if you arrive the prior day?

 

[dianeschlicht]

It seems to me that very early checkin will only get you what is available early i.e. from those who checked out early and whose rooms have been cleaned early, or those that were unassigned the day before. I never really worry about "where", but then, I don't stay at BWV, so that might make a difference.

 

[DebbieB]

Anytime I have checked in at BWV, including twice in the past year since "room ready" started, our room was preassigned. I would still go over early because if someone else isn't happy with their room, they may switch with your pre-assigned room if you haven't checked in yet. It should only take a few minutes then you can head off to a park. Epcot would be a good idea, you could just walk there. If your room isn't ready, they give you a card with a phone #, you can check while you are in the park to see if it is ready.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I would still go over early because if someone else isn't happy with their room, they may switch with your pre-assigned room if you haven't checked in yet.

You know, I was thinking the same thing at first. But what really irks me is when people are told, at check-in, "we've got a room that exactly meets your requests." Then 6 hours later when they call and actually get the room number, they find out that the room is nothing like what was requested.

In other words, their "perfect room" was given to someone else who complained.

I guess there's really no way to combat this. Just venting.

I, too, would check-in as early as possible.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Originally posted by tjkraz
In other words, their "perfect room" was given to someone else who complained.

What do people complain about? I've stayed at OKW twice and one was a great room, well except they forgot to make the beds and give us towels and startup stuff, (it's like they left right in the middle of cleaning it or something) and one was a far away 3rd level room. So what? It's just a room. As long as everything is working.

One call to the front desk had someone there in a flash to finish making the beds (and the room). I didn't complain, though, I just said the room's not finished.

OK, I babble. I'm done now.

 

[CarolA]

I am with FortheLoveofDisney.

I checked and all the rooms are at Disney which is what I want LOL!

Searching for the "perfect" room seems to lead to a lot of disappointment when you don't get it.

 

[tjkraz]

ForTheLoveofDisney, CarolA:

I'm with both of you. But I think it has a lot to do with expectations. The one post I most vividly remember was someone who requested upper floor, Epcot view, 2 Queens in 2nd bedroom at BCV. They were told at check-in that the room assigned met those requests. Per standard practice, no room number was given.

When they later got into their room, it was pool view, low floor, sofabed.

While I don't have any real strong preferences at this point, I can also understand how this sort of treatment could really get a trip started on the wrong foot.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I like to check in early, so if the room is ready, I can move my stuff from the other resort without feeling homeless. If it is not, I have a bit more time to leave the first place. Especially if it is a place I really enjoy (for the pool, dining, etc). I have always gotten a room that I like, no matter when I check in.

Last time, I drove over to the DVC resort while my husband was still out running and my son and his cousin were still sleeping. Our DVC room was ready, so I was able to move some of the stuff from the car into the room. Then go back and get the family and our stuff from that resort.

 

[adriannabannana]

We like to check in at the very last possible moment, it's like playing the slots in Vegas. You'll never know just what you'll get!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Flights from the Twin Cities usually arrive in MCO around noon, so we rarely get to the resort before 1 or later. Occationally we have gotten right into our OKW villa, but usually we have to wait until 4. I do think they stick with their pre-assignment, because I have asked if we were getting our requested area, and have been told yes, after they check our requests. That being said, I no longer bother to request. There really is not a horrible area at OKW that I have stayed at yet.

 

[castleri]

Checked in early at OKW Dec 28 after 3 days at AKL and GV was ready at 8am - not my favorite building but met my request to be near a pool - it was right under our balcony - also was smoking villa when non smoking was requested - just opened all the windows and betwen that and the "de-smoking" Disney had done it was fine.
In April again at OKW checked in early for a studio and was given a choice of 3. In October at BCV checked in at noon and had to wait until 4 and the only request met was upper floor. Jan 1 had checked out of OKW and had to wait for room at BCV until 3 or 4 which turned out to be Epcot view top floor over the canal everything I had requested, Expected that wait because of the resort being full for NYE. Spent a great day by the pool. We will be off property for the first 3 days this time and I plan to be up early and at OKW to try for early check-in on Sept 26th. I have decided having the room early is more important to me than it's location. If the room is not ready we will get the paperwork done and then enjoy the day at a park or waterpark and only have to make that phone call when we get back to the resort to find out where our room is.
Good luck!

 

[Cruelladeville]

Well, I am one of those "boardwalk view" people, so I do like to check in early before I go off to the parks. I don't care if my room is ready or not, I am more interested in its location. Of course, now that boardwalk view is guaranteed, an early check-in isn't necessary, but old habits die hard.

 

[ttfn3]

Thanks everyone for responding. I think I'll take the advice of one poster and run over early to checkin, while I let DH and DS sleep in. I'll have a car and I'm an early riser so that should work fine. If the room is ready, we can just move everything in after checking out of Coronado Springs. Maybe we'll plan to hit MGM that day. Looking forward to trying both resorts pools!

 

[cseca]

yep, do early check in if you can.
I couldn't check in until 1am and their computer was down (BWV).
She told me straight up that the room was at the end of the building 2002 and that I could change the next day if I want to.
I told her that I don't mind waiting a little bit if she could find me a closer room, and she said there's nothing she could do because the computer is down (not because the resort is full).
I figured oh well, I'll just move tomorrow no big.

Well, I moved to a closer room (at 7:30am) only to find out on the last day that I've been charged for the move ($30 for the housekeeping fee).

I know for sure the resort was not to capacity (the place was EMPTY). So during check out I talked to the front desk lady. She wasn't happy definitely, but I got my $30 back.

Moral of the story, check in early and get the room you want right away. They'll charge you if you move the next day.