Late check in advantage!

[PalVal]

I just returned from VWL. I was concerned when I checked in at 11:45 PM that I would have the "left over" of the day. Much to my surprise and pleasure, I was upgraded to a one bedroom from a studio! This was for the full 5 night stay! It was in the mid section - no dumpster view! It was wonderful.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You are one of the few that I ever heard of that got upgraded at DVC. What had to happen was that they had no more studios left or they had a problem with your assigned room. They really can not upgrade like any other resort(non-DVC) unless there is some problem. There may be other ways to do it also but it is rare.

 

[MJTinNH]

Nice surprise!!

 

[rayelias]

I would have NO problem checking it at 11:30PM if I had a decent shot at an upgrade to a 1BR.

There's just the 2 of us, and to conserve points, we stay always stay in a studio. Typically, we arrive way too early to check-in anyway, so we leave our bags and hit a park until about 4, then head back to check in.

I'd very happily spend the entire day at the park, hit dinner, walk around DTD, and come back to the DVC late to check in if they'd bump me.

Seems as though the chances of that happening are pretty slim, though, huh?

 

[John VN]

I would have NO problem checking it at 11:30PM if I had a decent shot at an upgrade to a 1BR.

There's just the 2 of us, and to conserve points, we stay always stay in a studio. Typically, we arrive way too early to check-in anyway, so we leave our bags and hit a park until about 4, then head back to check in.

I'd very happily spend the entire day at the park, hit dinner, walk around DTD, and come back to the DVC late to check in if they'd bump me.

Seems as though the chances of that happening are pretty slim, though, huh?

GEE, what is "way too early to check-in"? Most often we get there around 7:00AM to 7:15AM and check-in. Will be doing just that later this month. Most often we get a room and start the stay early. Will see what happens in a couple of weeks.

John

 

[John VN]

Great for you!!! Never been that lucky.

John

 

[maminnie]

Great news for you.

We checked into the BCV last month at around 1:15 on a Sunday and got probably the worst view; overlooking the lawn area and the arrival/departure area of the BC. We did not get this room due to the room ready policy as the room was not ready and we did have to wait.

For the same points I could have had a Boardwalk view at the BWV and an open main pool. SAB was closed. I took a risk and hoped that SAB would open five days ahead of schedule. It did not.

Upon check in, I expressed my disappointment with the location with the CM at the front desk but she claimed that there was nothing else available. At that point I did not want to be one of those difficult people so I didn't say anything further.

All in all, the two bedroom was in great shape and our time in the room was so limited that the view really didn't matter. Despite the view and SAB being closed, we had a very nice stay at the BC.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

WOW you certainly must be living right!!!! Hope you enjoyed the extra room, but most of all...that jacuzzi tub!

I agree with posts above that most likely there were NO studios..meaning the smoking AND nonsmoking, bathtub and NO bathtub were done gone...so what else could they do, really? It was nice tho that it was for the WHOLE stay and not just the first night and that really is a surprise in that I thought there was usually the least availability in one bedrooms?

Good job! Now if you can bottle that secret...you'd be able to afford a Grand Villa!

 

[rayelias]

GEE, what is "way too early to check-in"? Most often we get there around 7:00AM to 7:15AM and check-in. Will be doing just that later this month. Most often we get a room and start the stay early. Will see what happens in a couple of weeks.

John

Wow! From what I've read, that's more the exception than the rule!

We recenly became members, but the couple trips we went to DVC, we usually arrived at the resort around 10-11AM and were nicely reminded of the "proper" check-in time. I've never pushed the issue, because it's not that important to us, plus I don't want to be stuck in a bad room for trying to push our way in early.

We're usually told to check back around 4-4:30 to check in. No big deal. Our first trim home, we checked back around 4:30 or so, and still had to wait about an hour for our room to be ready. Since it was our first trip home (OKW), we spent that time wandering around the resort getting acclimated, so the time went quickly.

Hope your upcoming trip is MAGICAL!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think you were wonderfully lucky! Yeah, a little extra pixie dust for you and your family!!!

Bobbi

 

[MiaSRN62]

We recenly became members, but the couple trips we went to DVC, we usually arrived at the resort around 10-11AM and were nicely reminded of the "proper" check-in time.

Wow...we've never been "reminded" of the proper time to check-in (at OKW). We ordinarily check-in around 11 am to 1 pm with the understanding we have to come back after 4 pm to actually get our room. If everyone arrived at exactly 4 pm to check-in the lines would constantly be out the door !?
Congrats on your upgrade PalVal. You are the only person I've ever heard of getting an upgrade and I tend to agree with those that said VWL were most likely out of studios and had to come up with something.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Consider yourself very very lucky. Anytime I've known anyone that had an after 6:00 pm checkin, did not get the building, view or cleaned room, they expected.

I hope you tipped well!

 

[CarolAnnC]

We will be checking in late in June at SSR. First time we have ever been this late arriving, but air fares forced us to go this route. So I will let you all know what we obtain when we arrive around 11 pm, eek!

 

[gracelrm]

Seems like I remember someone on this board posting that when they are checking late, due to a late flight, they phone the resort to let them know they ARE coming and will be checking in late. I don't know first hand that this would work, but I guess it might be worth a try.

 

[PalVal]

I called DVC and told them that we would not be checking in until around midnight, and they put it in the computer. It didn't show on the confirmation letter, but it was in the computer when I called the day before we left to re-check that they had the information. They did. Maybe that information helped in getting us into a upgrade, I don't know.

 

[brittsmum1998]

WOW you certainly must be living right!!!! Hope you enjoyed the extra room, but most of all...that jacuzzi tub!

I agree with posts above that most likely there were NO studios..meaning the smoking AND nonsmoking, bathtub and NO bathtub were done gone...so what else could they do, really? It was nice tho that it was for the WHOLE stay and not just the first night and that really is a surprise in that I thought there was usually the least availability in one bedrooms?

Good job! Now if you can bottle that secret...you'd be able to afford a Grand Villa!

Belle, thank you for lightening up my afternoon. I love your sense of humor.