Early Check In????

[njmom08]

We will be arriving at the Pop Century on May 25th. We have an early flight and should arrive at the resort arouns 10-10:30. What are the chances of early check in? I have been told that the value resorts are usually so packed that I will probably have to wait until normal check in time. Also, can I bring my strollers on the Magical Express in case we go straight to the parks after check in? Sorry for all the questions but I appreciate any help.

 

[Princess_Belle]

We arrived at ASMu at about 10:30 in Dec and were able to go straight to our room. But in September we arrived at the CR at 11:00 am we had to wait until after 3:00 to get our room.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

You can always check-in early -- as early as 7:30am I believe -- at any resort and at any time of year. The question is whether or not your room will be ready.

When you arrive, you can go to the desk and check in. You'll get your Key to the World card, which will become your room key, so you'll have access to transportation, your park tickets (if you've bought them as part of a package), and your dining credits (if you're doing the DDP). The person at the desk will tell you if you can go to your room early or, if it is not ready, will give you a phone number to call later in the day to get your room number. When you go back to the hotel later, your KTTW card will open your door so you don't need to go back to the front desk. It's really very easy to manage, so no worries! And since your bags will likely not arrive for a while, there's very little advantage to getting in to the room, I'd think.

That said, there's always a chance the room will be ready. It doesn't necessarily follow that the room will be ready if it's a less crowded time of year or not ready at a more high volume time at the hotels. A lot of factors are involved -- really no way to know for sure.

I don't know about the stroller, but I imagine it wouldn't be a problem. A good rule of thumb seems to be to carry anything you wouldn't want to be without on ME with you. If you want to have access to a bag, it's still better to carry it on ME and leave it with bell services, as you'd be able to get to it if necessary.

 

[fuji]

When I used ME, the bus driver put all the bags including my stroller in the storage compartments, when we arrived at the hotel they unload the bags for our resort, you should be able to retrieve your stroller at this time, it only takes a few minutes.

 

[coffeeandfags]

We arrived at Pop at 9am in September and were given a room straight away. We had made a request to be as close as possible to a DSA and this was also granted

Just to add, this was during free dining and i thought we had no hope of getting a room straight away. I had packed swimming costumes and towels seperately so we could at least lounge around the pool til our room was ready!

 

[LuvTigger]

I frequently arrive before the check-in time, and more often than not, I have been able to get my room right away. If I know I'm going to arrive early, I make sure and ask for a request for early check-in to be noted on my reservation. I really believe that helps, and on one visit, the CM checking me in noted that I requested early check-in and I was able to get into my room (this was at about 6 a.m.), and a woman checking in next to me was not able to get into her room early -- and this was during a slower season.

 

[Hopefully]

In our many, many trips arriving between 10:30 and 12 noon, we have only been able to get into our room at check in once. I agree a lot of factors play into whether it is ready early or not.
We do not expect to be able to get in, but rather we plan on checking in, getting our KTTW cards and heading off to a park. I pack a backpack with the things we will need for the day. Everything else goes in the checked luggage and onto ME. That way we have everything we need for the day (I always also pack my prescription meds in the backpack, as I need these if a checked bag should get lost). And yes, you will be able to bring your strollers on ME. They will be put underneath in the baggage area for the ride and given back to you when you arrive at your resort.
The important thing with ME is to be sure to pack a small bag with that days essentials and then just let ME do it job It has always worked perfectly for us.
Have a Great Trip

 

[MommyBuzz909]

Our flight gets on on 7/19 @ 6AM - I figure that should put us at ASMo by about 7:30, right? I doubt we'll be able to get in that early, but you never know, right?

 

[lovesdumbo]

I have always had my room ready when I've arrived at Pop but I've never arrived earlier than 1pm.

If your room isn't ready you can leave any carry on bags you don't want to take to the parks with luggage services.

I've brought a stroller on DME many times.