Just wow

[eandt]

Check in may start at 4 pm but no hotel guarantees your room will be available unless they explicitly say they guarantee check in time (which they do with some special rates)

We all know what 4pm means ...... if I am not in by 4pm I am complaining to the hotel manager and will get compensated. Not even Disney is going to get away with telling me my room will be available sometime between 4pm and midnight which is what you are saying.

 

[CBMom01]

We all know what 4pm means ...... if I am not in by 4pm I am complaining to the hotel manager and will get compensated. Not even Disney is going to get away with telling me my room will be available sometime between 4pm and midnight which is what you are saying.

The T&C say that check in is generally between 3 and 4 and that some hotels are after 4. It’s not a guarantee. I just think maybe with all that’s happened and happening in the industry we cut those folks some slack

 

[eandt]

The T&C say that check in is generally between 3 and 4 and that some hotels are after 4. It’s not a guarantee. I just think maybe with all that’s happened and happening in the industry we cut those folks some slack

Perhaps check out time needs to be adjusted if they need more time to get rooms refreshed. Inconveniencing those coming in, for any reason, is unacceptable.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

So many people have their hand out demanding compensation. No wonder prices are so high.

 

[sleepydog25]

The truth is no company--not even Disney--can plan for the several dozens of potential variants that occur each and every day. That the huge majority of guests actually do receive their rooms in a timely manner is a testament to the dedication of the staff. Yes, it's annoying to not get into one's room by four; it is also very much a first-world problem.

 

[RoseGold]

This thread is weird to me. Haven’t we all had late rooms in DVC? I kind of expect it at this point.

I think I got fast passes once. It’s a shame Disney doesn’t have anything free to give out anymore, like a fast pass.

 

[kes601]

Perhaps check out time needs to be adjusted if they need more time to get rooms refreshed. Inconveniencing those coming in, for any reason, is unacceptable.

What would also be nice would be an option in the MDE app or something that allows the guest to let the resort know you are checking out. This would let them get to rooms early when a guest leaves early. We usually try to stop by the front desk to let them know when we are out of the room on the last day.

 

[The Jackal]

This thread is weird to me. Haven’t we all had late rooms in DVC? I kind of expect it at this point.

I think I got fast passes once. It’s a shame Disney doesn’t have anything free to give out anymore, like a fast pass.

There is nothing stopping them from giving you free Lightning Lane passes.

 

[igrsod]

Not only would it be helpful if we as guests can let them know we are out of the room on checkout day, it would also be helpful for those of us who arrive, drop our bags and go straight to the parks, to let them know that they can do our room later, as we won't need it until after park closing. I would be happy to let them clean someone else's room who need it by 4:00.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Not only would it be helpful if we as guests can let them know we are out of the room on checkout day, it would also be helpful for those of us who arrive, drop our bags and go straight to the parks, to let them know that they can do our room later, as we won't need it until after park closing. I would be happy to let them clean someone else's room who need it by 4:00.

I would love that idea. There are times I am dropping my bags and hitting the park and I know I won't be back until 9-10pm. I would be more than happy for Disney to prioritize another DVC member room as long as they know they will have mine by 9pm. Or maybe I am catching a late flight and won't be arriving until 10pm - again, do another room. And if I am arriving at 3pm and planning right to the hotel, it would be nice for them to put my room early in rotation.

Having said all that, as someone who is typically a Disney Apologist as I am, I think it's unacceptable for Disney to not have rooms until 7pm, 8pm or later (as has happened to me). Every hotel I have been to generally has rooms by 3. I don't know why Disney can't get even close to that.

 

[kristenrice]

There is so much blame to go around on all sides...

Disney ABSOLUTELY has a responsibility to have rooms ready in a timely manner. Their (available) staff needs to be properly trained to work efficiently to get rooms turned and readied for the next guest in a more efficient manner. I do not know what system they have in place, but it is not working. There is definitely a communication gap somewhere in the system.

That being said, guests also have to bear some of the responsibility. You can peruse the DISBoards and find all sorts of posts asking about requesting a late checkout and praising Disney for honoring that request. That right there is a huge barrier to turning over rooms and having them ready for the next guest. If we expect rooms to be ready in a timely manner, then we must take the responsibility to vacate them in a timely manner. When housekeeping comes knocking on the door at 8am, it seems like an annoyance to us, but they are trying to get that room in service for the next guest. Nobody wants to be rushed out of their room (myself included) but the staff needs time to clean the rooms properly. If guests expect properly cleaned and maintained rooms, there has to be time to do it in between stays. Disney has set that timeframe at 5 hours, between 11am and 4pm. Between those hours, guests should not expect to have access to a room....period. If they do, BONUS! It should be considered exceptional. After 4pm, the rooms should start becoming available and *that* is where Disney is to blame. They need to figure out where the breakdown is in their system that is preventing them from meeting their 5-hour target. If they are having issues with guests overstaying the 11am checkout time, then perhaps it needs to be moved to 10am (yuck!). Or, as a PP mentioned, perhaps "late fees" need to be added to their resort charges if the room is not vacated by 11 and then those fees can be used to compensate the next guest who will not be able to receive the room at 4pm due to the delay.

Whatever the solution may be, getting a room at 10pm, 9pm or even 7pm is NOT acceptable. There is no excuse (staffing, COVID, etc) that can justify this scenario.

 

[RoseGold]

You can peruse the DISBoards and find all sorts of posts asking about requesting a late checkout and praising Disney for honoring that request

You can? I thought this was impossible.

There is nothing stopping them from giving you free Lightning Lane passes.

Now, THAT I can get behind. A free Remy when your room is late again works for me!

 

[eandt]

So many people have their hand out demanding compensation. No wonder prices are so high.

Compensation for wasting my time when Disney doesn't uphold their end of the "bargain" is their fault not the inconenienced party. I am always out by 11 (and almost always by 7) so I uphold my end and if for some reason I did not and Disney charged me for my mistake I would understand.

Those saying the OP should have "gone and done something else" rather than sit around waiting on the room to be prepared, perhaps the family just drove 16 hours and simply wanted to get in their room at the advertised 4pm check-in time. Not much to ask. Perhaps they didn't want to spend an expensive day's ticket to go hang out a few hours at a park at that point. This I believe involved an accessible room so that could have played into their decision. There are lots of reasons to "sit around and wait" In these cases it is Disney that needs to show understanding for the plight of their customer and do whatever they can to make things right ...... I'm not sure Disney's "prices are so high' because they might have to buy a few dinners or in an extreme case comp a room. Frankly with all of the attractions that are closed and reduced park hours we are already getting less for our money yet Disney had no problem demanding full compensation from us.

 

[RoseGold]

Come back, OP! We need to know what they did!

 

[DonMacGregor]

Compensation for wasting my time when Disney doesn't uphold their end of the "bargain" is their fault not the inconenienced party. I am always out by 11 (and almost always by 7) so I uphold my end and if for some reason I did not and Disney charged me for my mistake I would understand.

Those saying the OP should have "gone and done something else" rather than sit around waiting on the room to be prepared, perhaps the family just drove 16 hours and simply wanted to get in their room at the advertised 4pm check-in time. Not much to ask. Perhaps they didn't want to spend an expensive day's ticket to go hang out a few hours at a park at that point. This I believe involved an accessible room so that could have played into their decision. There are lots of reasons to "sit around and wait" In these cases it is Disney that needs to show understanding for the plight of their customer and do whatever they can to make things right ...... I'm not sure Disney's "prices are so high' because they might have to buy a few dinners or in an extreme case comp a room. Frankly with all of the attractions that are closed and reduced park hours we are already getting less for our money yet Disney had no problem demanding full compensation from us.

Except that OP was complaining at 5:25 that they had been sitting around since noon. Granted, that's still 1-1/2 hours after the magic "after 4:00 time", but the first four hours sitting in the lobby isn't on Disney.

 

[CBMom01]

Not only would it be helpful if we as guests can let them know we are out of the room on checkout day, it would also be helpful for those of us who arrive, drop our bags and go straight to the parks, to let them know that they can do our room later, as we won't need it until after park closing. I would be happy to let them clean someone else's room who need it by 4:00.

That’s a great idea. And they could incentivize room flexibility like that.

 

[Lorana]

On a side note, it's more than just staffing. The Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving tend to be extremely busy days as a high number of guests leave for home after the holiday. Even with a full complement of housekeepers, inspectors, engineers, and housekeeping attendants, such a barrage of guests leaving requires a superhuman effort. Among other things, CMs can't get into the rooms until guests leave, and many don't leave until right before 11 and often after. One housekeeper may be assigned four rooms, and if none leave until 10:30, 11, or even later, said housekeeper is already behind the power curve.

Another factor is the size of the room. Studios obviously take the least amount of time all things being equal. GVs and cabins take the most. A Grand Villa can take 4-5 hours easily, for example. If the prior guests don't pull out until, say, 11:15, then if a housekeeper gets into the GV right after...well, you get the picture. And, yes, if something goes wrong with the room--heating/cooling system, plumbing, appliance issues--then those have to be resolved first.

All that to say, sure, not getting your room by 4 p.m. (which is not exactly how DVC words it) is annoying, aggravating. Yet, I can assure you, the CMs are taking the issue of getting you into your room seriously and working hard to get you there. No one wants a guest to have a bad experience at any time, much less at the beginning of his/her trip.

I can certainly say that Mousekeeping made us feel the rush to get out of our rooms. On Friday morning after Thanksgiving, we were checking out of a Grand Villa (there were 10 of us), and they knocked on the door starting at 8:30am, and about every 45 minutes after that checking in on us (despite us saying we would be out between 10:30-11:00). I get that they wanted to clean up, but it does take away from the last morning to feel like you are being rushed out the door.

Same thing happened on Saturday morning - we all had 1 night in a BLT Grand Villa. Mousekeeping knocked on the door at 9:30 and every half-hour after that.

We were in a Poly Studios - 2 connecting - Saturday night, and on Sunday morning, they also knocked for the first time at 9am. We did check out at 9:30am to catch flights, so I have no idea if they would have kept knocking afterwards.

Like everyone, I do want my rooms to be ready reasonable close to the check-in time. At the same time, I don't want to feel like I'm being harassed endlessly on my check-out morning, because I am the type of person who will forego my casual morning because I am now feeling guilty -- except I shouldn't be when check-out time is 11am.

 

[Lorana]

What would also be nice would be an option in the MDE app or something that allows the guest to let the resort know you are checking out. This would let them get to rooms early when a guest leaves early. We usually try to stop by the front desk to let them know when we are out of the room on the last day.

This would be great. A lot of other hotels already have the option to check-out via an App to let them know you are out of the room. I'd love it if Disney did that as well.

Not only would it be helpful if we as guests can let them know we are out of the room on checkout day, it would also be helpful for those of us who arrive, drop our bags and go straight to the parks, to let them know that they can do our room later, as we won't need it until after park closing. I would be happy to let them clean someone else's room who need it by 4:00.

You are able to assign an arrival time, and you could always select one that is later even if you are arriving earlier but don't need the room till later. But I agree it would be handy to specify a time you need your room by if arriving early but don't need a room as early as 4pm.

 

[eandt]

Except that OP was complaining at 5:25 that they had been sitting around since noon. Granted, that's still 1-1/2 hours after the magic "after 4:00 time", but the first four hours sitting in the lobby isn't on Disney.

Right, Agree up until 4pm the wait is on the OP but a minute after 4pm it becomes a Disney problem.

I was simply saying that there are a variety of reasons to wait around, especially when they told the OP they were working on it which to me would indicate that housekeeping was in the room at the moment.

 

[Dizzydizney]

OP may not want to divulge how they made it right. I know when special things happen during my stay or if member services did something for me out of the ordinary (once I was asked to please not blast it over social media), or if something went terribly wrong at a restaurant and they “made it right” I don’t jump to social media to announce it to everyone.

Totally agree that Disney needs to do something to address the housekeeping situation. Before the shutdown, we almost always had our room ready before 4. It’s not so good now since reopening and now all resorts are open. I know they don’t have enough staff. They had a big job fair last month....they really needed people for housekeeping....the pay is good and they get a sign on bonus. They still need to be trained and watched over. I think the housekeeping supervisor maybe needs to be checking up on them more often.....or maybe they do, but the resorts are big. I know a lot of TV watching goes on.

Perhaps a 10 am checkout needs to be implemented. @kristenrice made an excellent point about having 5 hours to clean rooms. I never really thought if it that way.

I don’t recall ever being nagged by housekeeping the morning of checkout. I always make sure the room occupied sign is on the door and double lock the door. Just don’t answer the door. If the door is double locked, they can’t get in. And I think....but not positive, if the regular lock is locked from the inside, their master key card gets a red light.

If you don’t mind getting your room later, when you do online check in they do ask what your arrival time to the resort will be. Put 4:00.

We sometimes leave early in the morning, and if we won’t be passing the front desk, we call housekeeping on the phone to let them know we are vacating.

And if there are any maintenance issues...please don’t ignore them. If you don’t want maintenance people in your room fixing something, at least make a note of what’s wrong and bring it to the front desk the day before you leave. Maybe this way maintenance can get to it while the room is being cleaned. I know people expect housekeeping to notice things, but they don’t see everything or don’t report it. Maintenance and housekeeping are two different worlds.