Do They Really Enforce Check-In Times?

[dishm12/08]

When I made our reservations, I asked for the check-in time for AKL and was told 3pm. DFI wants to leave ASAP for our DHM, so we could probably get there around 11am or noon. Will they really not let us check-in? We just want to get there as early as possible especially if that means us getting a king bed.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have been able to check in and get into my room as early as 10:00 am in the past. You can check in at any time of day. It's whether or not there is a room ready for you that could hold you up. If you check in, and there is an appropriate room ready, you will get it. You will be able to checkin as soon as you get to AKL. Then, if your room isn't ready yet, you can leave your bags with Bell Services, and head off to start your fun. You will be given a phone number to call off and on to see if your room is available. When it is, return to the resort, call for your bags to be brought up and get settled in.

 

[december]

On 11/16 I wasn't able to check into Sports at 2:30! I was told the room woudn't be ready at 3 either-couldn't even tell me where my room would be. I left my bags out front and when we came back at 1am they were in the room waiting for me. So it just depends on what is going on that day.

 

[MickeyNicki]

It depends on how busy the resorts are and if they have enough housekeepers to get the rooms ready. We have been lucky enough to get in early but there have been many times where they said sorry, you need to wait until check in time.

I do vacation rentals in SW Florida and the check in times for the units are 3pm and we hold firm to that time if it is a turnover reservation (one person leaves that morning and the new tenant arrives in the afternoon). Now the tenant signs a contract stating the check in time is at 3pm so they are aware of this well in advance, you would not believe the hard time we get from people that demand to check in early just because they got an early flight or the traffic was light so they made good time. We cannot let them check in because the tenants may not have turned in the keys yet, left yet or the cleaners are not done with the unit yet.

 

[DebbieB]

You can check-in as early as 7:00am I believe. I once checked in at 8:30am. They will give you your keys to the world, including the dining plan and tickets if you bought a package. Your room will probably not be ready (unless there was one empty the night before), they will give you a card with a phone # to call to get your room # later.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

Do you call with your cell phone or will guest services at the park do that? (Would hate to call long distance from my cell)!

 

[Dodie]

When you get back to the resort, you use one of the house phones in lobby area to call the number to get your room number. Or, you can just check with the bell staff with whom you stored your luggage. They can help you.

 

[dumbo33]

Yes, they won't give the room number out because they don't want people sitting by the door, waiting to get into the room.
We have been able to check in at all times, as it depends on whether the room is done and when.
The only time we had to wait until the 4:00 time was when we stayed at AKL. They told us 4, it poured, and we waited until 4:30. Finally when going up to the desk to ask what was going on, they let us in with the explanation that the Vacation Club rooms were just done and they were just released to them. Well the room was worth the wait, and our stay was fantastic despite the slow start.

 

[cara loves the poly]

We had to wait until 5:30 PM at the Poly last year. We did have a request of third floor. We arrived at 9 AM, checked in, got our keys to the world and went to MK until 3:30, came back and hung out in the lounge until 5:30.

 

[acourtwdw]

You can use the phone at Guest Relatiions at any park to check on your room.

 

[maraki527]

We always check in as soon as we get there. We always take the earliest flight out of columbus which means landing at 9:00. Past three trips, 2 times the room was ready and the third the room was ready but we wanted a different section of SSR and were told we would have to wait.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) As mentioned above, you can check in anytime after 6:00am.
2) If the room is not ready, you get a call-back number.
3) When the room is ready, they tell you the room number.
4) The keys will usually work. *
5) However, just because check-in is 3:00pm, the room may not be ready.
6) During peak periods, sometimes rooms are not ready until 5:00pm-7:00pm.

* Your room number is assigned when you check-in. The key actually works for the room at that time. But, they don't tell you the room number, so you won't bust in on someone else. Also, once you use your key to open the door, the previous guest's key no longer functions. If the room assignment is changed, you have to go to the Front Desk for a different key.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Just a note for those that like to check in SUPER early. If you want a complimentary upgrade, checking in early may limit the supply of upgrades if you insist on having your room NOW. Sometimes waiting till later can really open up the supply of rooms available for booking and allow you to get one of those complimentary upgrades.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I was under the impression that rooms are assigned 2 days before your arrival date. So, you can't get into your room until it has been serviced, it doesn't matter when you check in. The check in desk doesn't assign rooms. I thought there was a position at the hotels for a person who assigns rooms. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I got this information from the UG.

We always check in early, leave our luggage, and hit the parks. We call the number on the card we were given at check in, from the lobby of the hotel upon our return to learn our room #. When we arrive at our room our luggage is there waiting for us.

 

[goofy4tink]

I was under the impression that rooms are assigned 2 days before your arrival date. So, you can't get into your room until it has been serviced, it doesn't matter when you check in. The check in desk doesn't assign rooms. I thought there was a position at the hotels for a person who assigns rooms. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I got this information from the UG.

We always check in early, leave our luggage, and hit the parks. We call the number on the card we were given at check in, from the lobby of the hotel upon our return to learn our room #. When we arrive at our room our luggage is there waiting for us.

Not completely true. Yes, the rooms are 'blocked out' a few days before arrival. These folks are room assigners. But, once you are standing at the front desk, you can get a change of room. I've checked in, and been told that such and such room is ready for me. I ask where the room is located. If I have any issues whatsoever with the room location, I always ask if there are any other possibilities. Sometimes, I have been able to get a different room right then and there. More often, I have been told that I can get a different room if I would be willing to wait until later in the day. On occasion, nothing else is available.
You do not 'officially' have any room until they print out your room key at the front desk. So, although the various rooms have been loosely assigned, it is not etched in stone until you have that room key in hand.

 

[summerlandjeff]

Our past two trips consisted of an early (7:00 AM) plane ride from New Jersey (AC), arrival at MCO @ 9:30, bus trip and arrival at CSR @ 10:30, check-in (but not get a room assignment) and change into our pool clothing to wait for the room sipping boat drinks and sunning our tired bodies . After a rough winter in NJ this is one of the most anticipated parts of the trip !

The CM's are very accomadating, even volunteering to store our luggage until the room is ready, nice touch!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

That makes sense. Most folks are under the impression that the check in desk assigns rooms, and that is not the case. If you arrive and find out that you have received an upgrade (without asking), more than likely the room assigners gave you the upgrade when they were blocking out rooms a couple of days before, it's not because you were being super nice or that the check-in castmember thought your kids were super cute. (Of course you were being super nice and your kids are super cute, but that is beside the point)

Of course you can always ask if there is anything else available.

Also, you're at Disney, where MAGIC happens everyday and dreams come true, so you could get the ultimate upgrade, a night in Cinderella Castle!

Sorry I got off topic, the bottom line is, you can check in as early as you like, your room may or may not be ready. You can hit the pool or hit the parks until your room is ready.

 

[CTJKLAB]

We always check in as soon as we get there. We always take the earliest flight out of columbus which means landing at 9:00. Past three trips, 2 times the room was ready and the third the room was ready but we wanted a different section of SSR and were told we would have to wait.

This is our 1st time at SSR, w 3 DTeens, could you recommend a particular section of SSR to stay in, we will be staying in a 2 BDR villa in June 2008.

Thanks!

 

[Esmerelda]

to answer the original question...we have checked in as early as 9am at AKL...and at SSR...and then I remember one time at WL we had to wait until 1630 with an ill child in the lobby...now that was bad (his temp was 104...yikes) Over the last 15 years...I would say we have 90% of the time checked in early moreso than late (after 3pm). We have never really had any major issue with checkin. I will add regarding SSR: the worst I've ever seen the front desk check in was on a Sunday afternoon between 1300-1400. There must have been 100 people in line to check in. When we inquired at the concierge desk of what was the deal...they said Sunday check-ins were always VERY busy because of the points being cheaper from Sunday thru Thursday. I guess we just stay whenever so I hadn't given it much thought.
That particular day was a zoo to say the leastbut the staff were handling it beautifully.

to answer the SSR question: we love the Springs..and Congress Park would be our 2nd choice. We have 2 teens left at home also that travel with us. We all love SSR...its our favorite of all.

added: Hey we will also be in a 2 bedroom in June of 08...cool!


Esmerelda

 

[Shmily1]

The week before Christmas, we arrived at AS Music around 10:45 am. We checked in and our CM said for us to wait just a minute and he would change our room from what was assigned to one that was alredy ready to be used. We went right to the room and unpacked, freshened up, and off on our adventure. When we returned about 1 am, it was off to bed!

Have a great time!