Midnight to 1 AM check-in... is it OK?

[Vermin]

We'll be getting into WDW area, driving in from the north, somewhere between midnight and 1AM, and staying off-site (La Quinta Inn - south side of WDW) the 1st night.

We have a PS for Breakfastosaurus at 8:10 AM in the morning - AK very close to the La Quinta. Poly is much further from La Quinta.

We'll also be transferring to the Poly for the rest of our stay.

In order to maximize efficiency, and sleep, as well as not have to pay for parking at the AK the 1st day, we would like to check-in to the Poly when we arrive sometime after midnight, just to get the paperwork out of the way and more importantly, the resort ID's. All of this knowing the room would not be ready, thus the room booked at La Quinta.

Has anyone ever checked in this early before? Does anyone know if it is OK to do this?

 

[ducklite]

I do'nt think they'll let you check in that early--even though it's still considered that "day", by hotelier standards it's the night before...most places won't allow a check-in until 6:00am.

I know I've checked in at 2:30am and it was considered the previous day.

Anne

 

[BrianD]

I believe I have heard, and I could be wrong here, that the earliest one could check-in was 6:00AM. Arriving between Midnight & 1:00AM would still be considered the previous day and you may even have problems just getting past the guard at the entrance to the resort. The guards have a list of whose checking in that day, so his/her list would probably be for the previous day.

Why not just have someone from your family run over to the Polynesian first thing in the morning, then come back to the La Quinta and pick everybody up?

 

[VickiVM]

We had two rooms reserved at ASMu and drove in from Texas. Arrived at almost exactly 1am and checked in...was charged for the room for that night. We checked out later that same morning. We were fortunate enough to get a 12pm checkout on one of the rooms so we could sleep in just a little longer.

 

[LvsTnk]

Better call and ask, we check in after midnight but have paid for the the day before. The computers also shut down after midnight.

 

[Vermin]

hmmm...

not quite what I wanted to hear, but I'm not surprised.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I'll probably be the sacrificial lamb and haul my tired butt out of bed, like Brian suggested. Hey what's an extra half-hour, right?

If anyone else out there knows different, please speak up!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Vermin
I'll probably be the sacrificial lamb and haul my tired butt out of bed, like Brian suggested. Hey what's an extra half-hour, right?

Did you buy a package with park passes? If not, is that really worth $6 or $7 to pick up your paking pass? IMO, it's not. Just pay the parking or ... bring your confirmation with you to the toll gate and show the CM. S/he may just wave you through.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I am sure you would be charged for the night. We ended up getting in at 5:00 am on our last trip(it's a long story) anyway we called from the road and they had a room ready and we were HAPPY to be in it! We were charged for the night. They were very nice, and actually had our room keys ready and waiting on us when we finally walked in the door.

 

[Cris]

the computer goes down at 2am, but anyway you can just have teh front desk credit you the 7 dollars just remember the parking receipt. -Cris

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

When the computer shuts down, what happens then? Can you still check-in and everything? Or, do you have to wait and come back? We've checked in at 12:30AM with no problem, but may be arriving later next time.

 

[CarolA]

Well at my last late check in the had everything all ready for me. I am not sure the computers actually shut down anymore. They used to, but technology has advanced.

 

[Magic2000]

This past Dec, we had driven down and spent our first night at Universal. The next morning, I drove and dropped DH and 2 DDs off at MGM, and the youngest DD and I went to check in at the Grand Floridian. (We were surprising the older two with a stay at the GF.) Anyway, when we went through the parking toll area at MGM, I just showed them my reservation confirmation # for the GF and they did not charge me, even though I had not checked in yet.

 

[LvsTnk]

That's why everything is ready and waiting (nice for quick check in and nice to be called by name) they do it all before the computer shuts down. I also had a problem once when I checked in after 12am and it could not be fixed until the next day. Last trip checking in late was Dec. and it could have changed since then.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

You'll lose at least an hour of sleep by doing this ... is it worth potentially saving $7 ?? I wouldn't think you would get charged for parking if you have a reservation slip for the same day.

At that time of night, all I would want to do is get to my room and to sleep, especially if you have an early morning PS.

 

[Experiment626]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
When the computer shuts down, what happens then? Can you still check-in and everything? Or, do you have to wait and come back? We've checked in at 12:30AM with no problem, but may be arriving later next time.

Before they shut down the computers they print out everything needed for anyone who has not checked in yet. After a pretty bad chicago snow storm delayed my 8am flight I got into AS Sports at 2:30a... when I walked in they even said my name and said they were expecting me, as I was the only one left to check in I couldn't, however, buy park tickets and maybe not even put charging privs on my key at the time (IIRC) and had to come back to the front desk the next morning to take care of those.

 

[Vermin]

Thanks everyone.

Robin and trapped... If the decision was solely due to the $7 parking, then I wouldn't have bothered with the post. After dropping a couple grand on resorts and tickets, the $7 parking fee was just another reason. I'm really not that cheap.

There are other reasons behind my question, that is why I asked. I appreciate everyone who replied with the answer.

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by Vermin
... After dropping a couple grand on resorts and tickets, the $7 parking fee was just another reason. I'm really not that cheap....

LOL! You'd be surprised how many people are!

Have a great trip!!