DLH: Early check-in and tips question

[soaringirl]

Hi! We'll be arriving early at Anaheim, 8amish at the DLH next month. My question is, should I just leave the bags to the bell boy and run? well, not running.. I mean, should I go to check-in before going to the parks? I have a standard room and would like to ask a renovated room. I know that the room will be ready after 4pm, I just want to know if they should know that we're there already that early.
About tips... is $1 usd a bag still good for bell boys? $1 usd per person to the mousekeeping? (we usually leave fairly clean our rooms).
Thanks!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Definitely check in. That way they can let you know when your room is ready (we checked in at 11 am and our room WAS ready once). It'll be your best bet to get a renovated room.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I say check-in... oh, and call in advance and have your early arrival and room request put in before you get there. Out of our 3 trips, 2 of the 3 times, we got in our room upon arrival (~10 am!) the 3rd time it was like 1 pm. They knew we were flying in early, and had marked our "file", so I think that helped!

 

[soaringirl]

Great, thanks!! but you have to call 3 hours ahead, right? I don't think that calling at 5am will be ok, or would it? I'm leaving from San Diego at 5:30 am...

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I told them 2 weeks before that I had a really early flight and a little girl that would really need a nap, and they said they couldn't guarantee anything, but would make a note that I would like early check in...

 

[Nonsuch]

...I mean, should I go to check-in before going to the parks? I have a standard room and would like to ask a renovated room. I know that the room will be ready after 4pm, I just want to know if they should know that we're there already that early.

Yes, checkin and get your keys. If Magic Morning is available, you may use your freshly printed key to enter early
You will get a text or phone call when your room is ready.

About tips... is $1 usd a bag still good for bell boys? $1 usd per person to the mousekeeping? (we usually leave fairly clean our rooms).

I usually tip $1 a bag, to both dropoff and delivery, so actually $2 a bag

 

[soaringirl]

I told them 2 weeks before that I had a really early flight and a little girl that would really need a nap, and they said they couldn't guarantee anything, but would make a note that I would like early check in...

I will do that.. good advice!

Yes, checkin and get your keys. If Magic Morning is available, you may use your freshly printed key to enter early
You will get a text or phone call when your room is ready.


I usually tip $1 a bag, to both dropoff and delivery, so actually $2 a bag

Thanks!! just wanted to make sure!

 

[mika911]

Hey, make sure they *MARK* your reservation before you arrive that you want a renovated room.

Call the reservation line and add that request to the reservation. Honestly, it gives the best chance. Keep in mind, standard rooms seem to get the renovated rooms the least from my experience. I was checking in next to two groups with standard rooms, and they told both groups they had the lobby tower, old rooms. However, also look at it, if you get them, as the last chance to enjoy the old rooms.

Finally, yeah, go ahead and check in, and they can also text you when the room is ready.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[Michelle2]

I say check-in... oh, and call in advance and have your early arrival and room request put in before you get there. Out of our 3 trips, 2 of the 3 times, we got in our room upon arrival (~10 am!) the 3rd time it was like 1 pm. They knew we were flying in early, and had marked our "file", so I think that helped!

When you called to do this, did you call reservations or call the hotel directly? I was going to do this a few days in advance of our trip because we will be arriving early too. So excited!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

When you called to do this, did you call reservations or call the hotel directly? I was going to do this a few days in advance of our trip because we will be arriving early too. So excited!

I called the hotel directly... I book through Costco, so they don't actually get the info in their computers at the hotel till a couple weeks before your arrival (it probably coincides with when Costco ships your package stuff to you.) So, about 2 weeks out I call and request a king bed (dd sleeps with me on vacay ) and early check-in.

 

[soaringirl]

I called the hotel directly... I book through Costco, so they don't actually get the info in their computers at the hotel till a couple weeks before your arrival (it probably coincides with when Costco ships your package stuff to you.) So, about 2 weeks out I call and request a king bed (dd sleeps with me on vacay ) and early check-in.

After your good advice, I called the Disney travel agency and asked them to put a request for early check-in.