Our flight lands at 8:30 p.m. Originally we were booked at CBR, and the reservation CM stated that we would have to retrieve our own luggage at the airport because otherwise it absolutely would not appear in our room until after midnight. When we switched the reservation to POR, the phone CM laughed off my question about whether we should get our luggage at baggage claim. He said there was no problem since we were arriving before 10 p.m., and that the luggage would be in our room around 9:30 p.m.
I know all of the official Disney advice about flight times and luggage delivery, but I'm wondering about the huge difference in advice from two CMs. Should we believe the second CM or just grab the luggage ourselves?
Thanks!
Disney tells us to expect our bags, in our rooms, via DME, 3-4 hrs after resort check in. If you land at 8:30, you'll be off the plane at 8:45ish. Then, at DME check in area by 9ish. You probably won't be at the resort until well past 9:30. It's an average of 75 mins from gate to resort!! So, figure on it being almost 10 by the time you get to your resort. Your bags could be in your room by 10:30, or they could be there by 12:30!
The first CM gave you correct info.....that way, if your luggage showed up at 10:45, you would have been thrilled. However, if you land at 8:30, the chances of getting those bags before 10:30 are slim...very slim. And if you went by what that second CM said, you would start getting very peeved by 11 when your bags hadn't shown up!!!
If you want to be sure to have your bags early, so you can settle in and go to sleep, I would leave the tags off the bags and get them at baggage claim. Yes, you'll add about 15-20 mins to your time that way...probably won't get to the resort until 10:30, but you'll have your bags with you.
I also booked a RR River view room for August. What would you recommend for a real river view? A higher floor? Is 2nd floor good enough or I should request the 3rd floor? Thanks.
We had a second floor river view, in Parterre Place..in an area that had only two floors. It was okay, but had a huge tree in front of it.
And whose fault was that?
But as you say, there's no point in paying for a view if you are going to shut the curtains. I guess no point in having windows at all, come to that.
Andre
Oh come on now......many of us don't want to leave curtains open to have others peaking in. I did that once, while in bldg 14....on two occasions I had little kids stop, put their faces right up to the window and peer in!! Very disconcerting!!! One reason I no longer take ground floor rooms!! Way too much foot traffic going by.
Like I said, I had a 'river view' room at Parterre Place. With the curtains open, I had a terrific view of a tree.....I couldn't have told you there was a river out there if my life depended on it!! Not even a glimpse of water, not until I left the room and headed for the elevator. It did get me a shorter walk to the bridge though....that was my primary concern. So, I basically got what I needed. Loved the location all in all.
When at AKL/Kidani? My drapes are open all the time. The only time they are actually closed is when we are getting ready, if it's dark. Or getting ready for bed. But, once we are done, the drapes are open. Disney will suggest you close your drapes at these resorts, especially if you have a savanna view. There are many, many cameras set up out there, and many of them pick up rooms!!! Especially at night!
As soon as everyone is dressed, we always open the curtains to brighten up the room and enjoy whatever view we have. If someone walks by and glances in the window, big deal. We are either just sitting at the table or someone might be on the bed watching TV. The balconies at AKL are in view of a lot of other rooms(depending where your room is) see below. So are we not suppose to use it and keep it locked
