Late check out after the race?

[Keke]

Trying to decide if we should stay on property for the Princess. We are thinking of heading home on Sunday after the race, so we'd be checking out that day. Has anyone had good luck with requesting a late check out the day of the race? Does it help if you stay at a host resort? I just don't want to be rushed trying to get back to shower. There is no way we'll be in corral A. Not to mention that we sat in gridlock in the Epcot parking lot for an HOUR after this year's race. So we really need that extra time just for peace of mind if nothing else.

 

[Bookwood]

My only thought on it is request a late check out when you make your reservation and see what they say. Be sure to explain the reason and I'd think they'd be reasonable. (however, you never know with Disney)

 

[stitchfan18]

If you are at a host resort you will probably save time by taking the bus back. The buses go out of the parking lot through a back road, so they get where they are going quicker. The race starts so early that you should be fine without the early check out. I was at the BW last year, started in corral B, ran around 2:40 for the 1/2, hung around the finish area for a little while after the race before hopping on the bus back to the BW. My mom and I were both able to shower, pack, get checked out before heading to Epcot by 9:15-9:30. When we walked through the front of Epcot all the cones for the course were gone, so the race had to be over by the point. The host resorts should understand that some people will need late check out that morning.

 

[escape]

I've always heard that Disney does not allow late checkouts but I don't know if this is true. It never hurts to ask; I hope you can get one but don't assume anything. Even if the Disney reservation agent says you can, you still ought to call the hotel directly to verify it. I once had an agent tell me I could do something when I arrived at my Disney hotel that turned out to be false.

 

[hotblooded]

Housekeeping usually allows a 1 PM late checkout if you request it that morning. Any later, and you'd have to pay half a night's rate.

 

[es45]

Housekeeping usually allows a 1 PM late checkout if you request it that morning. Any later, and you'd have to pay half a night's rate.

We received late checkout for the 2011 Princess by doing this; we were at a host hotel.

You might want to consider staying an extra day after the race, especially if you are driving from NC. Sitting in a car for 10 hours could make you a stiff mess by the time that you make it home.

I also agree with a PP who said to use the resort bus (if you are staying at a host hotel) to avoid the gridlock at EPCOT.