Has Check-In Room Guaranteed Time Changed to 5pm?

[tjkraz]

who votes for an early checkout time if i'd get u in the room earlier

Trading an earlier checkout time for an earlier arrival time probably would not work.

The resort staff can't clean every room simultaneously and there will always be some people with early departures.

Keeping with the SSR analogy, it really doesn't matter if there are 100 rooms vacated by 10am (just those with early flights / plans) or 600 rooms vacated (everyone.) The staff can only clean so many at a time.

Dare we suggest that they hire a few more housekeepers? Enough to get the job done in the time allotted - and get everyone into their villas before 6 pm? I'd even be happy to let them tout it as another "enhancement of guest experience".

DisFlan

But then you're wasting resources--a LOT of resources.

Let's say that a resort needs a housekeeping staff of 100. If the busiest days are Sunday and Friday, all 100 people work on those two days. So you then have everyone one work 3 of the remaining 5 days in the week in order to be considered full-time.

300 work days divided by 5 calendar days = 60 employees per day.

So the resort would be staffed at 100 EEs on Sunday and Friday, and 60 EEs the remaining days of the week.

Unless I am waaaay off in my assumptions about member patters, the 60 EEs already have far too little to do on those slower days. But bringing in more people to work Friday & Sunday also means more people on those other days.

You and try to hire part-timers but you won't get (or keep) good people that way.

Regardless, I do want to add that I contacted a DVC executive rep who reported that there is no truth to this rumor. The check-in time is NOT changing to 5pm. No changes have been made.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

How about this policy - if you don't get into your room until 5 or 6, you are allowed to stay on check out day an equal amount of time after 11? So when my room isn't ready until 6, I can stay on departure day until 1???

 

[jekjones1558]

How about this policy - if you don't get into your room until 5 or 6, you are allowed to stay on check out day an equal amount of time after 11? So when my room isn't ready until 6, I can stay on departure day until 1???

But that makes it even more likely that the next guest will not get into your old room on time. And this would be awfully tough to administer. Disney does a poor job of getting late-stayers out even now.
Disney needs to figure out what is currently causing rooms to not be ready at 4:00 and fix that problem. I'm willing to bet that even the 5:00 time would not be long enough to have rooms ready in every case. So then will it eventually be moved to 6:00?

 

[DisFlan]

Tim - I don't much care how DVC handles staffing to get the villas cleaned on time. If a significant number of villas aren't ready (meaning adequately cleaned) by 4 pm on heavier check-in days - or any other day, it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

DisFlan

 

[tjkraz]

Tim - I don't much care how DVC handles staffing to get the villas cleaned on time. If a significant number of villas aren't ready by 4 pm on heavier check-in days - or any other day, it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

DisFlan

I agree with that. The problem is we don't really know the volume or even the cause. Occasionally we'll hear of a problem. Are we hearing from a representative sample or just the complainers? With something like 2500-3000 DVC villas available now, there are an awful lot of check-ins happening every week. Tens years ago we didn't have the resources (web forum) to share feedback with fellow members so our perceptions were largely limited to first-hand experience. Just because people have delays now doesn't really do much to tell us how widespread the problem might be and whether it's any better or worse than it was a decade ago.

Nor does it tell us who is to blame. Is it a staffing problem? Guest who refuses to leave?

I hate to sound like a Disney apologist but I have a feeling these things are never as clear-cut as we'd like to portray them.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Dare we suggest that they hire a few more housekeepers? Enough to get the job done in the time allotted - and get everyone into their villas before 6 pm? I'd even be happy to let them tout it as another "enhancement of guest experience".

DisFlan

Good idea in theory, however, I would forsee an increase in dues to the members in order to do this. Sigh...

 

[DVCGeek]

I hate to sound like a Disney apologist but I have a feeling these things are never as clear-cut as we'd like to portray them.

I agree. It's hard to say what else is happening behind the scenes. Maybe knowing when people are expected in advance thanks to Online Check-In will help them plan for demand?

i.e., we need 3 studios @ VWL for early arrivals @ 11:30 AM but no one new is checking in to 2 Beds until 3 PM so do the studios first... Or carrying it further, Grand Villa check in @ 7 PM; do it LAST for the day!

 

[backyardponder]

I agree. It's hard to say what else is happening behind the scenes. Maybe knowing when people are expected in advance thanks to Online Check-In will help them plan for demand?

i.e., we need 3 studios @ VWL for early arrivals @ 11:30 AM but no one new is checking in to 2 Beds until 3 PM so do the studios first... Or carrying it further, Grand Villa check in @ 7 PM; do it LAST for the day!

Using on line check in plus Magic Express data, Disney IT could probably help make these projections. OH, Never Mind.

 

[waltfan1957]

Good question. In practice I think this has been happening for quite a while. It will be interesting to see if the official policy has been changed to match the reality. I would support adding (at member expense) whatever personnel is required to make 4:00 PM the latest check-in. 5:00 PM is just too late to get settled and have a relaxing evening. In fact I would support 3:00 PM as standard.

when you have to vacate the room by 11.00am 5 hours is way to long to get a room ready, you should be able to check in no later than 2.00pm although we come from the uk and never get to the resort before 5-6pm any way

 

[Chuck S]

when you have to vacate the room by 11.00am 5 hours is way to long to get a room ready, you should be able to check in no later than 2.00pm although we come from the uk and never get to the resort before 5-6pm any way

Wouldn't that depend upon the number and size of rooms each housekeeper has to get ready?

If each housekeeper has 10 rooms, and each room takes 20 minutes, that is 3 hours, 20 minutes of non-stop work, now add problems that may require shampooing the carpet, or special cleanings, and it could easiliy stretch to 30 minutes or more average per room. Likely each housekeeper has fewer rooms than that, but 1 bedroom and larger units take more time to clean, because of the jacuzzi tubs and kitchens. Now add what happens if even just a few housekeepers callin sick. The only real options are hiring more housekeepers and raising our dues, or we can leave it the way it is and occasionally have a late check-in.

 

[lugnut33]

OK, I have an idea that will save a bunch of money and you'll have your room pronto.

OK, here you go! You can have your room anytime after the person in that room checks out, the only caveat is you have to clean the room yourself. You can clean the room as much or as little as you want. Upon check-in, you'll be given a new set of sheets to use on the beds. In the rooms, next to the vacuums (located conveniently in the "magical cleaning closet) you'll find an array of official Disney cleaners, as well as a bunch of official Brawny paper towels. Clean and vacuum til you are content and you can't complain about it being dirty since you're the one doing it!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So then my question is....if "officially" it is writing that check-in is 4p or thereafter....what is the "thereafter" time? 5:00p, 6:00p, etc. What is a reasonable timeframe? What is not? What can we do about it anyway? If CM's are telling us folks this "5p" info on the sly, well its still "thereafter", right? I don't like open-ended timeframes.

 

[lugnut33]

So then my question is....if "officially" it is writing that check-in is 4p or thereafter....what is the "thereafter" time? 5:00p, 6:00p, etc. What is a reasonable timeframe? What is not? What can we do about it anyway? If CM's are telling us folks this "5p" info on the sly, well its still "thereafter", right? I don't like open-ended timeframes.

I believe officially it's worded "after 4", which doesn't mean it's guaranteed by 4. It just means that any time after 4 you'll room will be ready. That could mean 11:59 pm and they are OK. You might not be OK, but they are.

 

[edk35]

How about this policy - if you don't get into your room until 5 or 6, you are allowed to stay on check out day an equal amount of time after 11? So when my room isn't ready until 6, I can stay on departure day until 1???

This would cause a vicious cycle of rooms never being ready probably.

 

[keishashadow]

Trading an earlier checkout time for an earlier arrival time probably would not work.

The resort staff can't clean every room simultaneously and there will always be some people with early departures.

Keeping with the SSR analogy, it really doesn't matter if there are 100 rooms vacated by 10am (just those with early flights / plans) or 600 rooms vacated (everyone.) The staff can only clean so many at a time.
.

i was speaking in a general sense as Diane said more of a pay it forward, i.e. vacate no later than 11 am.

however, as a past owner of a large cleaning company, i see no reason why mousekeeping couldn't work a split shift-a few housekeepers starting earlier. Most businesses i know that offer this type of schedule have no problem staffing and many employees (specifically the moonlighters) need this type of arrangement, imo they tend to be the most dependable employees and are happy to work on-call.

If DVC would institute a program where members would be rewarded to vacate early - say 3 hours prior to 11 am (whether point rebate, resort credit, whatever ); im willing to bet u'd have a fair share who would sign up in advance for this sort of early departure program. Preregistration would allow the managers to schedule workers accordingly to the checkout information.

Many disney employees ive spoken to are part time & work different jobs to earn an 8 hour day (both housekeepers & cashiers @ the value resorts food courts for example)

 

[Chuck S]

If DVC would institute a program where members would be rewarded to vacate early - say 3 hours prior to 11 am (whether point rebate, resort credit, whatever ); im willing to bet u'd have a fair share who would sign up in advance for this sort of early departure program. Preregistration would allow the managers to schedule workers accordingly to the checkout information.

There is no advantage to Disney to do this. Resort personnel and housekeeping are paid by membership dues. And perks offered, such as resort discounts, or free breakfast are either a) going to be paid for by Disney, with no profitable return for them or b) paid by members in the form of higher higher dues. An wouldn't point refunds offered on a large scale basis for early checkout basically be "overselling" the resort?

 

[keishashadow]

There is no advantage to Disney to do this. Resort personnel and housekeeping are paid by membership dues. And perks offered, such as resort discounts, or free breakfast are either a) going to be paid for by Disney, with no profitable return for them or b) paid by members in the form of higher higher dues. An wouldn't point refunds offered on a large scale basis for early checkout basically be "overselling" the resort?

working split shifts would def stretch the manpower, possibly reducing overall man hours which i certainly hope would be reflected in our membership dues...as in the savings could be applied elsewhere that needs it - new furniture perhaps?

i don't see the checking out early necessarily as a perc, possibly could be factored into the overall point structure (we know they can tweak the allocations) or the cost absorbed (see above in the split shift savings); bottom line member would be happy both to check out early & receive a token compensation and likelihood of checking in on a timely basis increased.

it wouldn't have to be on a large scale basis either, easily could be set to X # of units per day to adjust schedules

yes, the idea is a bit far flung, it could be refined-imagineers & all; really doubtful it ever would...why would DVC bother to tweak a system that works - for them.

 

[acourtwdw]

Just to add more to this:
I think part of the problem is that DVC doesn't know when you are out of your room. I could leave my room at 8 in the morning but housekeeping might not check on that room until noon. That room could have been cleaned and turnovered to check in by 10am depending on how quickly the housekeeper could get to the room.

At most hotels, you use your TV to check out so that the room gets released to Housekeeping. WDW doens't have a system like this but needs it badly.

 

[goofygal1975]

My first two times staying with DVC (renting points) we couldn't get in the room till after 4pm.

First time, girls trip at BCV, we got there at 11am, checked in and told them we'd need to be in the room by 4pm to get ready for an ADR. After checking numerous times, our room wasn't ready until after 5pm.

DH and I were at the BCV again a different time, and didn't get in the room until after 5pm (between 5-5:30pm). It left a sour taste in our mouths for DVC!!!

Now, last DVC trip, again renting points, at AKV we got there at 9am, and called to find out our room was ready around 2pm.

I do not feel we should have to wait so long to check in!!! We check in EARLY because we want to get the most of our time at Disney. I will NOT be happy if we have to wait till after 5 or 6pm to check in. We will need to buy food/drinks for our rooms and I really don't want to have to leave it at Bell Services.

I guess we'll see how it goes!! For now, we have been staying in the room until 10:59am since we have late flights out.

 

[tjkraz]

working split shifts would def stretch the manpower, possibly reducing overall man hours which i certainly hope would be reflected in our membership dues...as in the savings could be applied elsewhere that needs it - new furniture perhaps?

Do we know, for a fact, that Disney isn't already doing creative things with its manpower scheduling?

This is a terribly difficult issue to discuss because (as usual) we have almost no facts available. My comments were in the vein of "IF this change is occurring, I think I may understand part of the reasoning..." But now that we know the rumor of an arrival time change was inaccurate the discussion is largely moot. Things will continue as-is.

Sure there will be occasional reports of people getting into their rooms late but we have no way of knowing whether a departing guest or Disney is at fault. And we can't gauge the volume of these occurrences, or whether they are getting more or less frequent.

i don't see the checking out early necessarily as a perc, possibly could be factored into the overall point structure (we know they can tweak the allocations) or the cost absorbed (see above in the split shift savings); bottom line member would be happy both to check out early & receive a token compensation and likelihood of checking in on a timely basis increased.

As Chuck said, for resorts that are fully declared, DVC doesn't have the flexibility to simply add or remove points from the charts. Yes they can be reallocated, but they must still balance in the end.

If the reward had any cash value it would be funded by our dues. It's not realistic to expect Disney to pick up the tab simply because member satisfaction may rise. The 2009 version of DVC wouldn't do this anymore than the 1991 version.

I think part of the problem is that DVC doesn't know when you are out of your room. I could leave my room at 8 in the morning but housekeeping might not check on that room until noon. That room could have been cleaned and turnovered to check in by 10am depending on how quickly the housekeeper could get to the room.

I doubt that plays much of a role.

Beginning in the early morning, housekeepers will begin knocking on doors looking for rooms that have been vacated. Once they have found a room to clean, their time is being occupied and it doesn't really matter that other guests have left.

You could argue that the "knocking on doors" system is not the most efficient in the world, but it isn't terribly time consuming. 20 seconds per door? It would also take time to access a computer or otherwise determine which rooms have been vacated using an electronic system.

And many guests wouldn't even bother to check-out.