Does showing up early for check-in help...

[MrsTink04]

you get the requests you want?

We switched from SL at the GF to LV at the GF, as we really wanted a water view more so than concierge services. Of course, I requested Castle View. If we show up early, will that help? We showed up early last year and got an upgrade, so I figure it would help in getting our requests met. Also, we are going the first full week of Feb, so it will be relatively slow.

Also, do they take into account that this will be our third year in a row staying there the same week, or that we are there for two special occasions?
I'm just a little nervous (and admittedly, spoiled) and this is the last time we will be going for a few years (trying to have kids and will not take them when they are too young to enjoy it).

Any input/suggestions? TIA!!

 

[Sammie]

you get the requests you want?

We switched from SL at the GF to LV at the GF, as we really wanted a water view more so than concierge services. Of course, I requested Castle View. If we show up early, will that help? We showed up early last year and got an upgrade, so I figure it would help in getting our requests met. Also, we are going the first full week of Feb, so it will be relatively slow.

Also, do they take into account that this will be our third year in a row staying there the same week, or that we are there for two special occasions?
I'm just a little nervous (and admittedly, spoiled) and this is the last time we will be going for a few years (trying to have kids and will not take them when they are too young to enjoy it).

Any input/suggestions? TIA!!

Showing up early won't hurt, but it won't guarantee a Castle view as that is the most requested view. As to going for 3 years, and special occassions, thousands of guests celebrate special occassions every day at Disney and many have gone back 30 or 40 times, so my point is many are in the same situation. Also they can't give something that is not available when you check in. I know that does not sound encouraging but just being realistic.

They will try but they can't give the same view to everyone. Is that the only request you made, sometimes that helps that you are willing to take any location, any floor etc.

Good luck, as many times that is the main factor, just luck.

 

[MrsTink04]

Sammie, also requested king bed and smoking room (though advised this was not necessary). We did not request building or floor. I did specify that the Castle view is more important than the king bed.

We got married at WDW in 2004, same week that we are going in 2006, and we got Castle View without even requesting it.

I figure the time of year we are going will help.

 

[kmkja1]

I have been wondering the same thing. Does it help if you check in early in the morning, make your request and tell them you are going to one of the parks so you can wait untill the type of room you requested is available? Does anyone do this? Good luck with the kids! Disney is so much more magical when you are sharing it with your children.

 

[stacy6552]

NO! We arrived at 9am once and our room wanst ready, which was fine. They said to check back at 11am, which was impressive. We planned on swimmiing and checking out the new resort anyway. About noon We checked back in, while up near the lobby for lunch. I explained that we knew we were early and in no hurry and not to rush anything. Well someone felt the need to get us into a room, any room and moved our assignment. We were plucked out of our room with all requests and put in a smoking room, adjoined to chainsmokers!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Not always. We checked in at 8 AM on July 1 for a two week trip. It was our third year in a row at the GF. We had a LV room book with MK view requested. It was our dd's birthday also. At first they were going to give us a LV room with only a view of the Poly. Eventually after some begging they were able to find us a room in Big Pine Key LV. If you looked to the left you could see the castle. After a week in that rooms they were able to get us a LV room in Sago Cay that had a dead on view of the castle. If I were you I would request either Sago Cay or Conch Key for a really good castle view. Good luck.

 

[adrock1976]

Checking in early will virtually always help you. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and sometimes there are no available rooms to accomodate you. Everyday, there are only so many available rooms that will be available for check-in that day. SO, as the day progresses, and guests check-in, available rooms are pulled from the inventory, and your choices decrease. If someone checks in at 7:00am, even if the room is not available at that time, the CM can pre-assign a given room until it becomes available in the afternoon. Another guest checking in at 5:00pm, may find only a handful of available rooms that can accomodate them.

At the same time, and individual CM can have a lot of pull on what happens at the front desk, so it never hurts to ask.