Quesion on Early Check-In

[tlady]

We are arriving in Orlando at 11:00am on May 7. Disney first-timers. Staying at WL.

What are procedures for early check-in, leaving luggage at resort, etc. even if rooms aren't ready?

What ID do we need to use the Disney transportation system to get to a park with an early check-in?

 

[goin2disneyagain]

If your room isn't ready they can store your luggage for you. I have never had a problem being able to immediately go to my room when I have checked in early.

You don't have to show ID to use the Disney transportation.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Firstly, I hope you have a great time! We love WL. You may get lucky and find that your room is ready, but if not, they will happily store your luggage while you go off and explore the hotel, the parks, etc. You will get your room keys when you check in (although they will not tell you your room number until it is ready), and you can use these for ID if needed. It is quite possible that you will not even get asked to show them to use the transportation.

Hope this helps!
Mike

 

[GaryWT]

At check in you get all that you need for the week. We could have had our first request room but it was not ready so we took a room in the next building that was ready. I was never asked to see anything to get on any bus either at the resort or the parks.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

I would suggest having resort IDs handy just for peace of mind and to avoid any potential inconvenience. It is Disney's policy that you need resort ID to ride Disney transportation, although it seems to be rarely enforced. I was at BB last weekend and happened to notice what appeared to be new signs advising people that the buses were for Disney resort guests only, so maybe they are getting stricter...

Mike

 

[k&a&c'smom]

That would certainly be something new, I've never been asked for my room key to ride any Disney transportation. Can you imagine how long it would take to load, if everybody has to dig out their room key from fanny-pack, diaper bag, pocket, etc.?! And, how would that work on the monorail?!

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Good point about the monorail k&a&c'smom I should have clarified that I was not including the monorail, since it is for park guests also (at least from the TTC and to and from EPCOT). They do try and check that you have valid park tickets sometimes, but they don't catch everybody and it does indeed cause quite a bottleneck at the gates. As an aside, I once overheard some people gloating that they had managed to get in for free since they had made it on the monorail without buying a ticket Now I have taken the thread way off topic...

Mike

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Mike_in_FL - No problem, Mike, I was really just being facetious!! It's a problem I have!

To get back OT, tlady, many, many people check in at 6, 7, 8 a.m., so an 11:00 a.m. check in is no big deal. If they have your room, great, if not, they give you a number to call later in the day, and you head to the parks!! No biggie!

Have a great trip!!