Need in room early - any advice?

[auntie k]

We are staying at WDW following a cruise. We would like to leave port and go to the hotel to rest/lay by the pool/relax during the day -then are doing MNNSHP that night.

Any suggestions on how we can check in that early? Should I add that to my ressie as a request? I assume it would be around 10:30-11:00.

I hadn't thought about not being able to check in early until I saw something on another post. (you know it's all about me and what I need - LOL)

Think it would matter which hotel we use? Currently have POP reserved - but flexible on that.

 

[grimley1968]

I doubt you'd get in your room right away, especially with that check-in time, which is a pretty busy time of day for them. If you were there first thing in the morning, you might have a shot, but it's doubtful at that time.

However, if your room is not yet ready, the resort can hold your luggage for you until the room is ready. Then you're free to do what you like. You could go to a park, but it looks like you want to hang out at the pool. In that case, you could maybe pack a small bag with swimming gear and do just that. By mid-afternoon, your room should be ready and you could go in and freshen up for MNSSHP.

I doubt it matters which resort you book, as they stipulate that rooms are not guaranteed until, I think, 3 PM at any resort.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can always check into any hotel early. Whether there's a room available that fits your needs is a different story.

You can still use the hotel's facilities once you're registered - if your room isn't ready yet, you can use the restrooms/changing rooms.

 

[safetymom]

Try putting in early check in with the time in your reservation. They may take that into account when they are assigning rooms.

 

[Shana Rayce]

We did the same exact thing last Nov. that you are wanting to do...left ship and came directly to POP...we were able to get in right away! I know that it doesn't happen all the time...but it did for us! We were in our room by about 11:00 a.m.!!

 

[auntie k]

Well, I tried the call multiple CMs to see what they said.....

one said "no problem" they will know you are coming off the cruise and will have a room ready for you, relax and enjoy your cruise.

I always believe things that sound too good to be true....usually are....

so I called another CM and she didn't stumble when she told me a room was not guaranteed until 3....good luck.

So Shana Rayce---you give me hope!!!!!!!!!

 

[AmyM]

auntie k,

How are you getting from the ship to WDW? In the past we have had a rental parked at the cruise terminal and have gotten off the ship and to Disney by 8:30amish. I would also think your chances at getting a room would be better earlier...again no guarantee though. If it helps after many WDW trips I have finally been able to adopt the go with the flow, hope it works but if it doesn't I have a plan B that's just as good as plan A. Funny, but now that I'm not overly hoping for things they just seem to happen

Good Luck

 

[Belle1962]

I would suggest going to the hotel front desk and asking about checking in. "We're not picky about a room but we just came off the cruise and would really like to unwind before the party tonight. Yes any room you have open would be fine."
I wouldn't ask for things like a specific building, close to a bus stop, etc etc etc jus make it clear you would be happy with any accomodation.

 

[DisneyWisher]

They no longer allow requesting early check-ins being added to reservations. I used to ask for it all the time because most of the time I worked til 4am, went home, showered, woke the kids, and we were off. Driving time to Disney was about 3 hours so typically we were there by 8:30 am. I would say 95% of the time we could get our room right away. Even checking into CR the Saturday after Thanksgiving our room was ready. The only time at a Value was because we had requested connecting rooms.

Pop has 2,880 rooms. I have a feeling your room will be ready. Its all about what you are requesting (i.e. building locations, preferred, non-smoking, which floor) the less requests the easier time you will have. But for me I'd rather wait then have a room in 80's or 90's.

 

[auntie k]

auntie k,

How are you getting from the ship to WDW?
QUOTE]


We are taking the DCL transfer (maybe Mears?)....I booked it along with my room and cruise.

That is why the CM assured me a room would be waiting for me....since I was on DCL cruise, booked DCL transfer and would be going to WDW. (you would THINK with all of that they would save me a room! ha

 

[BethC1952]

Even taking DCL transfers, your room may not be ready. We've done it three times. Twice our room was ready (once at POR, and once at CBR), and once it wasn't ready until after 3 PM (POR again). We make no special requests for a room except non-smoking.

We always keep a day bag with our essentials, check into the hotel, leave our luggage at the bell desk and then go to the pool (weather permitting, of course) and just enjoy the resort.

However it works out for you, you'll have a great time!

Beth