Late Arrival=Yucky room?

[estherhead]

We will be arriving at MCO at around 8pm on a Friday night in August. Will we get a yucky room because we are late? We aren't preferred as that pool will be closed & I don't want to pay to be far away from the pool.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Rooms are probably given out on a first come, first serve basis so if you get something you don't like I would request to be moved the next day. Where are you staying?

 

[DumboDash2006]

That was our experience in Aug. Due to a flight cancellation because of engine failure, we ended up arriving in Orlando around 11pm instead of 9:30 am. We had requested Jamaica #45 at CBR. Instead they assigned us to South Trinidad? Whichever village is way way out at CBR. Luckily after much begging we were able to convince them to switch us and we got Jamaica #41. Still further than we would have liked, but much better. I didn't even think to ask them to switch us the next day...

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I don't think check-in time matters very much. We've checked-in after midnight and gotten a room with a wonderful location at Pop and checked-in really early and gotten the pits of a room at AKL which we weren't able to get changed until the next day. (Note: AKL still remains my very favorite WDW resort!) We checked-in at CSR late in the afternoon on the Saturday of Memorial Weekend when all WDW resorts were completely booked (We wanted to tack on a couple of days to our week at AKL and caught a last minute cancellation at CSR for the weekend.) and got the absolute best location!!! Who knows what you'll get??? I do know that we do much better when dh does the check-in and I wander around with the kids. Go figure.

 

[bradk]

rooms can be pre-assigned. what this means to you is that it's still possible someone checking in before you can end up with that room instead (CMs are able to re-assign rooms at check-in except for blocked rooms), but the odds of someone taking your pre-assigned room are relatively small, but again, still possible.

just ask the CM when you check-in. it's possible a more desirable room is available or worst case, if it's THAT bad, you can probably check back the next day or later in your stay and change rooms.

 

[maxiesmom]

A few years back, we had a late arrival for a stay at ASMu. Even though we had a preferred room reserved, we were stuck back in the Boradway section, because all of the preferred rooms were taken. My mom had just had a small medical procedure, and we wanted to be as close as possible to the food court, so I was more than a little miffed. Grrrrrrr, it still makes me mad! Why charge extra for a preferred room and then not have any available?

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Last year we checked into the WL early, like around 10:00 am and we got a horrible location. So, checking in early doesn't help. We asked if they had a different room available, and we were told that the room next door was open, not much better. So, we kept what we had.

 

[jess20k]

In 2006 we stayed at POR. We ended up arriving at the resort at 3am in the morning , due to a flight delay. All of our requests were luckily granted. We were put in the mansion buildings with a beautiful view of a courtyard with a nice fountain.

So, I guess it just depends on the availability....hopefully you will not have any problems. Good luck!

 

[TxTiggergal]

Several years ago, we were unhappy with the room choices available to us at check in at the Polynesian. The CM said she could accomodate our requests the next day if we would be willing to move. She was wonderful about the whole thing, and knew we were disappointed in where they had put us. So at her suggestion, we did just that and were thrilled with our new location. So, I guess if you don't like your original assignment, and are willing to make a move, it doesn't hurt to inquire what might be opening up.

 

[Debbie]

A few years back, we had a late arrival for a stay at ASMu. Even though we had a preferred room reserved, we were stuck back in the Boradway section, because all of the preferred rooms were taken. My mom had just had a small medical procedure, and we wanted to be as close as possible to the food court, so I was more than a little miffed. Grrrrrrr, it still makes me mad! Why charge extra for a preferred room and then not have any available?

That's my fear for this trip. We have paid for a preferred room-first time ever-because I don't want to be stuck in Country (been there, done that). I could live with Jazz or even Broadway (love the look of that one! ), take my savings and run....but not if I were stuck in the boonies.

That said, this is a relaxing trip, just hubby and me, so I can deal with whatever comes my way.

 

[Dina]

Last August our plane was delayed 5 hours, and we checked in at 2:00am--- I had faxed the room assignor at ASMo a few requests (actually put the requests into a poem)---- I got everything I asked for, including a room right next to food court with a view of Buzz with a connecting room with MIL. I was kind of shocked---- there was also a note on my reservation thanking me for my funny poem. I should also say, this was during Free Dining--- the resort was fairly crowded.

 

[kaytieeldr]

One year, I checked in to Dixie Landings (so you know it's been a while ) around 11:30 PM. I was the only one there, and the CM gave me a choice of about five rooms.

 

[PamNC]

We were told by a CM at POR that the rooms were "assigned" a couple of days prior and that it absolutely did not matter what time you check in.

PamNC

 

[cinmell]

Last May the CM at the check in at Polynesian told us the rooms are not assigned before you arrive. She told me which rooms were available and I was able to choose the longhouse we would like.

 

[Geoff_M]

As exhibited by people's experiences on this thread, past resort CMs have posted that the resorts that primarily pre-assign rooms are the values (my guess is to speed up the large number of check-ins they have to handle per day). Other resorts are mainly a "first come, first served" process. Your chances are also effected by the season, the busier the resorts, the more likely the "good" rooms are gone late at night. Early in morning is no better, but they'll still be drawing from the previous night's room inventory.

 

[Jrabbit910]

time does not matter. We arrived early and freinds of ours arrived alot later, and they ended up w/ a better location. They didnt pay for a preffered room or slipped the guy cash they just seemed to get a better location.
If you know you are getting in later, and you feel concered about this, it wouldnt hurt to call the resort and ask them if the room is already picked out for you...(which I am pretty sure it is).

 

[estherhead]

Last August our plane was delayed 5 hours, and we checked in at 2:00am--- I had faxed the room assignor at ASMo a few requests (actually put the requests into a poem)---- I got everything I asked for, including a room right next to food court with a view of Buzz with a connecting room with MIL. I was kind of shocked---- there was also a note on my reservation thanking me for my funny poem. I should also say, this was during Free Dining--- the resort was fairly crowded.

I am totally writing a poem! We want to stay in Baseball section so I could easily put them into the tune "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Then I probably would get exactly what I wanted, eh?

They reason I'm so concerned is we're staying at ASsp & it is being refurbished & I definately want a refurbished room. Plus I want away from the Baseball pool.

 

[Irishhockey]

Ok... I always factored in TWO things that could effect room assignments:
Time of check-in, but also, what day of the week you check-in

I always figure that Saturday and Sunday are huge "turnover" days at the resorts and have just "assumed" that by checking in on one of those days, my chances of receiving my requests are "slightly" higher just because of so many checking out. Of course, that all could be in my head.

One thing I have noticed... is that the Dis places a HUGE emphasis on room requests... and yes... all of us here are resort snobs What I've "noticed" works for me... is to actually work with the CM. For the value resorts, I print a room layout map, and ask them to tell me what rooms they have available. Sometimes, theres nothing they can do, and you can request a move on the next day if interested.

 

[kjs1976]

There was a question about this a while ago and someone called and checked and said that rooms are pre-assigned according to reservations (preferred, standard, availability to honor requests) 3-4 days prior to your arrival.

People who have checked in late and requests were not honored or good rooms were "give to other guests" may have encountered sitautions where CMs did switch rooms due to other issues from the guests that they needed to resolve by making a room switch.

We've arrived early and gotten not-so-great rooms and we've arrived late and gotten a wonderful room, even upgraded to a 1 bedroom from a studio for free. So there isn't exactly a rhyme or reason for every location at every time of the year. Be diligent in sending a request or noting it over the phone on your reservation if concerned.

 

[maelstrom]

We got assigned an awful room at the Wilderness Lodge and we checked-in early. It's just the luck of the draw.

BTW, we had to be moved 3 times before getting an acceptable room. I'm sorry, but to me, woods view does not mean "overlooking dumpster, shed, & loud trucks" or "overlooking sandbox, bus area, and parking lot". We finally got a nice view of the Magic Kingdom and otter pond.