Early check ins question

[bamamom]

We are planning on arriving around 7 a.m. (driving) and I know we can go ahead and check-in & get tickets etc...and the room won't be ready until later, my question is should we go back to the resort (ASMusic) during the day to check the room or wait until we are finished in the parks for the day. We are going in October and have never stayed onsite (first family trip ) so I'm not sure how all this works etc...
I have heard that if you check in early that you have better chance of getter better room etc...

 

[taximomfor4]

We are planning on arriving around 7 a.m. (driving) and I know we can go ahead and check-in & get tickets etc...and the room won't be ready until later, my question is should we go back to the resort (ASMusic) during the day to check the room or wait until we are finished in the parks for the day. We are going in October and have never stayed onsite (first family trip ) so I'm not sure how all this works etc...
I have heard that if you check in early that you have better chance of getter better room etc...

Personally, just because we were burned on this, I would go back and check the room only if you had specific needs (connecting door NECESSARY, not just requested, location, etc). We called, got our room number, and confirmed that the rooms had a connecting door. We were assured that they really did. well, after spending the rest of the afternoon + evening in the parks, we got back to our room with exhausted children and guess what? No connecting door. Took over an hour in the lobby (since nobody was answering the phone at the desK) to get this somewhat resolved.

So if you have preferences that would not make or break your vacation, don't sweat it. But if there are necessary things you needed, Check up on it!!

Beth

 

[bigmac5]

We are also driving and I was wondering the same thing. Also wondering what time rooms are usually ready. How long have most of you waited?

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Front desk will give you a card w/phone number on it & a "code". This is the number you call to check on room ready/exact room #.

We just call from our cell phones to check up or you can go to Guest Services inside the parks & use the house phone (in house # listed on card as well).

 

[Aimeedyan]

Don't count out the chance of your room being ready - you might be surprised! We checked in at 10am at WL and our room was already ready (meaning, someone was probably not in it the night before OR they left super early and got it cleaned fast!), and when we stayed at the Royal Pacific at Universal and checked in at 830am, our room was ready.

So it might work out that way!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

All except for one time I have been able to get into my room early. This last time was the only exception and I was given a card with a phone # to call to check the status of the room. The only reason it wasn't ready early is because the previous guests did not leave the room until 2:30pm. They took their own sweet time getting out.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

We are booked at All Star Sports October 3-13. We will be driving from MA and depending on when we leave (dh may or may not have to work that weekend before we head out) we may get there a day early. With our reservations set for the 3rd how difficult would it be to check it on the 2nd and would we be able to stay in that room for the duration? I know answers posted will be hypotheticals especially with the free dining ending around then rooms might be booked but wanted to feel out the situation. We are prepared to spend a night in a hotel in Orlando if Nec. but would rather stay the whole time in WDW!

 

[PixieDust742]

Rooms are not guaranteed until between 3-5. It may seem late but take some things into consideration, such as specific room requests (there may be few rooms that fulfill your requests, such as a king bed), occupancy of the hotel, and whether or not someone was in the room before you. I don't know if I would reccommend stopping by the front desk again to make sure your requests are going to be met...confirm that at check in, and remember that as of right now, Disney cannot really guarantee any specific requests.

So go and enjoy the parks and if you are worried, give a call. When you return from your day the room will be all ready for you.

 

[zumbergc]

We've been hit or miss. Sometime the resort is ready, sometimes not. I'd check-in early and hope for the best. Just make sure to pack a change of clothing if its necessary in a convenient place (in a carryon). So, if need be you can change into clothes in the resorts restroom before heading to the parks.

The attitude to take might be to expect to get into the room some time after 3pm-4pm. If its ready, awesome, a great surprise!
If your wanting some particular room request you might want to take a break and check the room out in the middle of the day. All depends on what you requested.

Connie

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We've been hit or miss. Sometime the resort is ready, sometimes not.

Same here. I'd only check-in early if it's convenient for you. If your room isn't ready, your given a number to call. We checked into Pop on Friday at 1 a.m. (Yes, I mean in the middle of the night. We had a late flight, then DME took quite a while. ) We had made no requests as this was a last minute add-on when we decided to fly out the night before our previously planned morning departure. Surprisingly, we were given a king room in a great location. Friday afternoon, we checked into WL around 2:30. Our room was not ready. It was uncomfortably hot and humid, so we chose to swim until our room was ready. Well, we thought it would only be 30 minutes or so; but our room wasn't ready until 4:30. The same thing happened when we stayed at AKL in May. In May, I thought it was because the resort was so full. WL was not very busy this past weekend. There were lots of vacant rooms on our hallway. Housekeeping was on our floor actively cleaning rooms by 8 a.m., so I have no idea why we were so late getting into our room.