ok upgraders that get in early...some ?'s!

[Ellasgirls]

We got the upgrade from POP to OKW but are coming in a day early so we have to stay a night at POP then transfer to OKW. The problem I am having is how do we check into OKW and get to the park before the 8am Extra Hour for Little Ones start. We have to check into OKW because that is when our package starts for Free dining and all our tickets. I understand that we need to put our POP tags on for ME and then the next morning take our luggage back to luggage assistance and they will make arrangements for it to be taken to OKW. What I am not understanding is what time the busses start running in the morning and do I even have enough time to catch a bus to the park starting the earliest and then a bus to OKW to check in and then another bus back to the MK all by 7:30 to make it to the extra hours for little ones. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I get a taxi to pick me up and take me to OKW to check in at 6:00 am and then have my dh meet me with the kids at MK around 7:30? Thanks!

 

[Jasminetigger]

I think you would be smart to do the taxi. We have used taxis several times while at WDW and it is easy an not too expensive.

 

[RacingPrincess]

I would choose the taxi.,,.,.

 

[NEWEARS2006]

I have read other posts that state that all family members must be present at check-in (something to do with dining.) You may want to confirm that if you are planning to have your family just meet you at MK. It just may not work.

 

[Ratpack]

I would opt for the taxi instead of using the buses. Also, you may want to explain the situation to the people at the front desk of Pop. There might be something they can suggest. And, remember you can check into OKW anytime after midnight since it is the day of your arrival (just real early), so if you don't mind staying up a little later you could be all set and not have to wake up early.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And, remember you can check into OKW anytime after midnight since it is the day of your arrival (just real early),

Probably, really, she can't. As far as the resort's reservation system is concerned, 'any time after midnight' is still the day before. Anybody checking in between midnight and about 6 AM would be required to pay for an additional night. The system 'refreshes' around 6 or 7 (guaranteed reservations are actually valid through 6 AM the day following the res date) and new Guests can check in then.

 

[Hopefully]

I too would choose a taxi. I don't see how you can make it by bus. You would have to go all the way to a park and then transfer to an OKW bus. Buses leaving the parks and going TO the resorts are not as frequent early in the morning as very few people are Leaving parks then.

 

[jamounger]

I would take the taxi. You also do not need to have your luggage sent to your room. The first night pack what you need in a carry on. Let them know when you check in that you want your luggage held and sent on to OKW the next morning. That way you don't chew up extra time dealing with the luggage transfer.

 

[Ratpack]

Probably, really, she can't. As far as the resort's reservation system is concerned, 'any time after midnight' is still the day before. Anybody checking in between midnight and about 6 AM would be required to pay for an additional night. The system 'refreshes' around 6 or 7 (guaranteed reservations are actually valid through 6 AM the day following the res date) and new Guests can check in then.

I guess you're right. I did check in early before but now that I think about it, it was just shy of 6am. And believe it or not, my room was ready!!

 

[REL1203]

I am in the same boat you are about transferring, but I am not interested in getting to the parks at 8am, so i am gonna check out of pop at like 8am, bus to Epcot, then bus to OKW and check in, get my passes (maybe even the room if its ready), and then go to a park (probably epcot or MK), go back to OKW around 3pm and hope my room is ready... Disney will transfer my luggage for me from POP to OKW correct?

 

[tacomaranch]

We are also doing the same thing All Stars Music for one nite the 23rd then over to OKW.

I was told that OKW will send a van to ASMu to take us to OKW with our luggage. They will take our family in the van. She said to arrange it for early pick up when we check in at ASMu and they will be the front desk to get us at 6 am.

 

[Ellasgirls]

I called and talked to both OKW and general CM reservation line and got a couple different answers. The general reservation line said that we could get a van to take us to OKW early in the morning but they also told me that we could "check in" anytime after midnight. When I talked to OKW I forgot to ask about the van but I did ask about the midnight checkin and was told it had to be after 6am. I am going to figure it out for sure when we get to POP on the 25th. I am really hoping for the magical free van to pick me up bright and early at POP and quickly wisk me to OKW to check in, have our room all ready and meet my family at the gates of MK at 7:30! Also, they did say at OKW that only one of us had to be there to check in (vs the whole family)...but I will also be confirming this when we get to POP. Just a little more excitment to add to the day....hope everyone has a great trip! If the van doesn't work out I will be taking a taxi.

 

[Ellasgirls]

We are also doing the same thing All Stars Music for one nite the 23rd then over to OKW.

I was told that OKW will send a van to ASMu to take us to OKW with our luggage. They will take our family in the van. She said to arrange it for early pick up when we check in at ASMu and they will be the front desk to get us at 6 am.

Did you get the free upgrade starting the 24th?

 

[REL1203]

I called and talked to both OKW and general CM reservation line and got a couple different answers. The general reservation line said that we could get a van to take us to OKW early in the morning but they also told me that we could "check in" anytime after midnight. When I talked to OKW I forgot to ask about the van but I did ask about the midnight checkin and was told it had to be after 6am. I am going to figure it out for sure when we get to POP on the 25th. I am really hoping for the magical free van to pick me up bright and early at POP and quickly wisk me to OKW to check in, have our room all ready and meet my family at the gates of MK at 7:30! Also, they did say at OKW that only one of us had to be there to check in (vs the whole family)...but I will also be confirming this when we get to POP. Just a little more excitment to add to the day....hope everyone has a great trip! If the van doesn't work out I will be taking a taxi.

What did they say you had to do to request the van? Tell POP when you check in? Call a couple days early?

 

[Princess Amy]

We are at the AKL Dec 1-5 and switching to CSR Dec 5-9. I know Bell Services takes your luggage and transports it for you. But my question is should we take a taxi from AKL to CSR to check in or should we rely on busses? How much would it cost? I know AKL and CSR are not far apart so I'm assuming it should't be too much.

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Just my opinion but

Have you not thought about paying the extra $$ for one night and stay at OKW.

We were originally scheduled to spend 2 nights at ASMo then transfer over to OKW for 14 nights with free dining.

As I had made 2 seperate reservations I was able to change my 2 nights (room only) from ASMo to OKW for a exceptionally good rate ($380 for both nights). Granted we have a stuido for the 2 nights before we move to the 1 bed villa but I am hoping to upgrade when we get there (even if I have to pay)

Maybe you should consider doing this. It would save alot of messing around especially as you dont have a car.

 

[Ellasgirls]

What did they say you had to do to request the van? Tell POP when you check in? Call a couple days early?

They just said to talk to a CM when we check into POP. I think that is going to be the best idea....to worry about it when I get there. It wouldn't help to call now, get an answer and then try to convince someone at POP that another CM told me what to do.

We are at the AKL Dec 1-5 and switching to CSR Dec 5-9. I know Bell Services takes your luggage and transports it for you. But my question is should we take a taxi from AKL to CSR to check in or should we rely on busses? How much would it cost? I know AKL and CSR are not far apart so I'm assuming it should't be too much.

Ask at AKL how much a taxi would be to get to CSR and inquire if they also have a shuttle bus to get your family to the next resort...hopefully this free shuttle van thing will pan out for us...I will let everyone know when we get back 8 days until we leave!

Just my opinion but

Have you not thought about paying the extra $$ for one night and stay at OKW.

We were originally scheduled to spend 2 nights at ASMo then transfer over to OKW for 14 nights with free dining.

As I had made 2 seperate reservations I was able to change my 2 nights (room only) from ASMo to OKW for a exceptionally good rate ($380 for both nights). Granted we have a stuido for the 2 nights before we move to the 1 bed villa but I am hoping to upgrade when we get there (even if I have to pay)

Maybe you should consider doing this. It would save alot of messing around especially as you dont have a car.

I thought about this and there is no way my hubby will pay for it. I looked into it and it would have cost way to much for another night in a 1 bdrm. I would have preferred to be at OKW for our entire stay but this won't be to bad...the kids are looking forward to being at POP for a night. If the free shuttle doesn't pan out I will get a taxi.

 

[kaytieeldr]

but they also told me that we could "check in" anytime after midnight. When I talked to OKW I forgot to ask about the van but I did ask about the midnight checkin and was told it had to be after 6am. I am going to figure it out for sure when we get to POP on the 25th.

Wellllll… okayyyy… But there’s really nothing to figure out . If you check in to ANY hotel before their system rolls over - i.i., between midnight and about 6 AM - you need to pay for that additional night.

 

[Ellasgirls]

Wellllll… okayyyy… But there’s really nothing to figure out . If you check in to ANY hotel before their system rolls over - i.i., between midnight and about 6 AM - you need to pay for that additional night.

I didn't mean I had to figure out checking in at midnight. I meant that I need to figure out if they had a shuttle van that would take us to OKW...I have heard different things about this....