Question about calling ahead before check-in

[Shammett29]

My family is staying at the Beachclub villas next week. We live 8 hours away and plan to leave around midnight, putting us there around 8am (the kids ride much better while sleeping). My question is, if I call the resort the night before, will they give me an idea about whether our room will be available that early? Even if it can't be guaranteed, would they say, "No, we are completely booked or yes, we have several rooms open"? We have had good luck in the past with early check-ins and this time we want to bring a cooler full of food, so would be really nice if we could get in and get it unloaded. Otherwise, we may leave the cooler behind and go shopping once we get there. Has anyone else ever called the night before and gotten any information?

 

[safetymom]

They won't tell you if the room is ready until you are standing at the desk checking in. Until you are there that room could be reassigned to someone else.

 

[SharonZ]

With free dining going on, the resorts are pretty full. I doubt that a room would be ready as early as 8:00 a.m., since check out is 11:00 a.m. (I think)and you have to allow time for housekeeping. You could check in and leave your bags, you just wouldn't have a room assignment until later.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Calling wouldn't even do any good since you are speaking to a Cast Member at a call center, so your not actually calling the Beach Club Villas.

 

[francie57]

They won't give you any information until you are there in person. If you bring a cooler, just ask the luggage service people to store the food in their refrigerator. We have check-in at the Boardwalk the past few years with all our food purchased and they have stored the bags with our luggage and have refrigerated anything that needed to be. Just bring plastic bags from the food store that you can put the food in and a sharpie marker to put your names on the bags.

 

[disnut8]

Like the others have said, you aren't going to know anything until you are physically there. Think about it. If you called and were told you would have a room available when you get there but it wasn't ready when you arrived, you'd be a little upset.

They could look and see if the room you are assigned is vacant at that moment but then someone could have had a problem overnight and needed to be moved into that (your) room and now it's not available.

There's just too many "what ifs".

If you bring the cooler of food and you room isn't ready, go across the street to the Hess station and get a bag of ice to hold things.

 

[goofy4tink]

The chances of getting into a villa much before 4pm are slim...even at less busy times of the year. The resorts are full up, even the villas. I've been waitlisted for a studio at BCV for while now...I have two of my four nights booked so far...so yes, they are crowded.

 

[Shammett29]

Thanks for the replies. Like I said, we have always had good luck with checking in early. Last month, we were able to check in at 8am and before that, last year at this time, we were able to check in at 7am. Although I realize there are no guarantees that things wouldn't change between calling at midnight the night before, I was just wondering if anyone else had ever tried calling and what happened with them. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with the others. You will not be given an estimate when you call the night before.
I also agree with you, you have been VERY LUCKY to check in so early in the day. Please do not count on this as usual and the way it will be this time.
Have a Great Trip