I've got a questions for the pros out there...

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We are taking our first trip home this Easter. We have a Studio reserved for 3/31 - 4/9/07. My question is, I just booked airfare (thank goodness Southwest pulled through) and we are set to arrive at MCO 10:55 pm. By the time we get to ME and arrive at WDW, it will be after 12:00 am. Does that constitute a Saturday arrival and would they have a room for us? We have never arrived this late - usually take a 6:00 am flight, but it was cheaper to fly down on the last flight out on Friday. We had planned to take ME to SSR, then go over to Budget and pick up a car for the vacation - much cheaper than renting at MCO. Now it looks like I may have to rent the car and stop at a hotel just to sleep. Advice anyone??

 

[canwegosoon]

Many people stay in a Value on a very late arrival. Then you could take ME to the value, have bell services get your luggage(but you really want to have a carry on for your first 24 hour's items) and you can go rent at Budget the next day, or Rent a car, drive yourself, so that you can drive yourself and check in early the next day.

OR...Stay at the hotel in the airport..and rent a car in the am.

***A key point is if you use ME you might want to wait for your bags and bring them on the bus yourself...don't forget it can take a few hours to get them , and if you are transfering hotels, you will be with out your luggage again for several hours.

Just because you are checking in after midnight ...it does not automatically kick you to the next day. Since most hotels run their room charges between 2-4am any check in prior to 4am is usually consideded previous day. I thought that I read somewhere that the earliest somone could check in at WDW was 6am...but I guess not many people have really tried.

If you are daring(and really don't want to spend the money)..I guess you could sleep in the car for the 5-6 hours.

Good Luck

 

[Chuck S]

If your DVC ressie begins on 3-31 (Saturday Night) you most likely will be unable to check-in at OKW until the computer system resets, and that is normally around 6-6:30 am. You may want to book a value resort for the Friday night, tell them you have a late arrival, that way you can use ME and have a room waiting for you. Disney will transfer your luggage to OKW for you.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

That's fine, but what I really want to know is if I get to SSR after midnight, it is technically Saturday already. Will a room be ready for us?

edited: sorry, didn't see the previous post. We must have posted at the same time!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

If your DVC ressie begins on 3-31 (Saturday Night) you most likely will be unable to check-in at OKW until the computer system resets, and that is normally around 6-6:30 am. You may want to book a value resort for the Friday night, tell them you have a late arrival, that way you can use ME and have a room waiting for you. Disney will transfer your luggage to OKW for you.

Our ressie starts 3/31 - not at night, but in the AM. I thought you could check in at DVC like you do at any hotel, when you get there. Are you saying I have to wait until Saturday evening to go and check in?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Edited because I read the original post incorrectly.

...............a lot of DVC members stay off property at some other hotel or at a Value Resort for one night when they arrive late (See canwegosoon's post). That way they don't waste points for a few hours.

HBC

 

[RobDoc]

Our ressie starts 3/31 - not at night, but in the AM. I thought you could check in at DVC like you do at any hotel, when you get there. Are you saying I have to wait until Saturday evening to go and check in?

Your reservation begins on Saturday, March 31, 2007. As noted on your confirmation, check-in is after 4:00pm on that date. If you do arrive earlier in the day, you are welcome to check in - but may not get a room until after 4pm. If you want a room waiting for you when you arrive at midnight, you will need a reservation for that night unless they have one available at arrival - at additional cost (either points or cash).

As Chuck noted, you would NOT be allowed to get a room at midnight - since that would have been for a March 30 arrival. The reservation system is usually downloaded between 6 and 7 am and you can check in after that time on your arrival day. When you check in prior to 4PM and your room is not yet ready, you can store luggage with the Bell staff, get your room keys and use the pool and other resort facilities.

With a late arrival, some will have accommdations elsewhere and move to their DVC resort the next day and others will just reserve the additional day so they don't need to move.

Have a great trip.

 

[Chuck S]

Our ressie starts 3/31 - not at night, but in the AM. I thought you could check in at DVC like you do at any hotel, when you get there. Are you saying I have to wait until Saturday evening to go and check in?

As Doc stated, you can check-in on 3-31 after about 7 am. But, if I read you original post correctly you are arriving a little after 12am, thus will need a room (somewhere) for Friday night/early Saturday morning. This would require a ressie with an arrival date of Friday, 3-30.

 

[senecabeach]

sometimes a good airline deal vs.. a more expensive flight doesn't constitute a "great" deal...if you now need to pay for a hotel room??