Room Not ready at check-in???

[FSUSammy]

Hi everyone! When we were checking in at the POFQ in July we got there early and hoped to get our room around 1ish. It wasn't ready. No problem, but they told me it wouldn't be ready until 4 which is an hour after their check-in time. I was irritated because I had a 9 month old that was in desperate need of a good nap before we hit any parks and walking around the property in his stroller wasn't working for him. I ended up finding out when it was almost 4 and I called housekeeping yet again to find out about our room and demanded another room that they cleaned the carpet in our room and were waiting to confirm that it was fine for us.

When we go next month, is there anything I can do or say when I check-in if they tell me that the room won't be ready until after their check-in time? I'd rather be prepared and know what to say instead of just going "Ok whatever you say I'll go walk around".

 

[gmi3804]

When we go next month, is there anything I can do or say when I check-in if they tell me that the room won't be ready until after their check-in time? I'd rather be prepared and know what to say instead of just going "Ok whatever you say I'll go walk around".

I'd add a request to your reservation voicing your concerns and stating that getting into the room on time (or even early) is preferred. I've found that they do try to do their best to accommodate requests.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't think there is anyway to find out before you arrive if your room will be ready or not. For example calling the Resort would not work because your actually calling a call center, even though they would answer the phone with the Resorts name.

 

[ols386]

I think check-in time is generally around 3pm. I don't think they can guarantee that your room would be ready prior to that.

 

[FSUSammy]

I'd just want a guarantee that at 3 I'll have my room ready. Not have to wait until 4 or later.

I mean if we go in November and they told me my room won't be ready until 4 can I demand they move us to a room that will be available at 3 because of our son? I guess when I told them I had a 9 month old last time they didn't really have much sympathy for him needing to nap.

 

[All American]

We had some problems with our room at All*Star Movies. I'll spare you the details and give you my dad's line, "A deal's a deal". If you are paid in full when you get there, then the room should be ready at three or whenever check-in is because it is paid for. If not, there is some wiggle room for them and you may have to wait it out. If that is the case, remember cool heads prevail and take it from the aspct of "What can you do to help?" and explain the situation. I've noticed that approach really helps.

 

[aurorae]

I'll bet that if you check in close to 3, and your room is not ready, and you have no preferences on any specific room or building, that the cast member would check for you and see if they could put you in a room that was ready.

They gave us a phone number to call later to check if our room was ready, so we went off to Downtown Disney for lunch and then called that number when we returned.

We didn't have a cranky toddler then, though. I'd look for a shady spot to sit and rest, maybe away from the pool area where it was somewhat quiet.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you get people not vacating their rooms on time and some requesting to stay longer (late checkouts), it's harder for the housekeepers to get all the cleaning done for the new incoming guests. If I were you, I'd plan ahead for something to do if your room isn't ready in time. How about going to the pool for a swim? Or taking the boat over to DTD?

For DVC villas, check in is AFTER 4PM, not AT 4PM. I wonder if the non-DVC resorts are really AFTER 3PM, not AT 3PM.

 

[wdwrich]

I seem to recall seeing on our reservation form that check in is after 3pm. To me that would mean that it's not guaranteed to be right at 3. However, as a pp mentioned, if you let them know when you first register that you would take any comparable room at 3pm or earlier, I'm sure they will try to accommodate you.

 

[drew64]

Check-in begins at 3. It does not guarantee every room will be ready at 3, but after 3.
Often, rooms are ready much, much earlier. Depends on when you go, occupancy, etc.

Also, the more specific you are with requests, the less rooms there are to give you which could mean a longer wait. For best chances of early check-in refrain from making specific requests as to building, floor, view, etc.

 

[cathydisneynut]

When you get people not vacating their rooms on time and some requesting to stay longer (late checkouts), it's harder for the housekeepers to get all the cleaning done for the new incoming guests. If I were you, I'd plan ahead for something to do if your room isn't ready in time. How about going to the pool for a swim? Or taking the boat over to DTD?

For DVC villas, check in is AFTER 4PM, not AT 4PM. I wonder if the non-DVC resorts are really AFTER 3PM, not AT 3PM.

That did not stop DVC not having our room ready until 4.50pm, and the carpet was still not cleaned properly, and knocking on the door at 8.40am on the day we left to see if we were ready to leave!

 

[mmmears]

We've had this problem before at the GF. I asked if they had any rooms available since my DD was exhausted and we really wanted the room. Usually there is some room available, it's just not the one they planned to put you in.

We were given the choice of waiting for the room they had planned for us (she said it had a great castle view) or taking one that was available but wasn't as well located. We chose to wait and got an incredible room, since we were going to be staying there for a few days and decided that was more important.

If getting into a room is the most important thing, then let them know that. Most CM's will try to help you out.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would suggest making a note about wanting to get into a room asap when you book your reservation. Then, when you check in, ask for any ready room. If you have made any other special requests, you are narrowing down the possibilities of ready rooms that are available.

 

[cvjw]

Be glad you got your room at POFQ at 3:00. Last time we were there, 3 rooms our family had reserved were not ready til after 5:00. We luckily already had our room, we had checked in a couple of days earlier. We had 14 people in our small room, waiting for their rooms to be ready. It was a nightmare. Repeated calls to front desk accomplished nothing, calls to the grand gathering people did nothing. Rooms are not guaranteed at 3:00 like we thought, we learned a lesson.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

One little suggestion: no need to "demand" another room at check-in. Many times we've asked if another room might be ready now - then they tell us where it is located and we decide to either wait or take the room which is ready. Most CM's will be very helpful and accomodating. Making "demands" is not pleasant for anyone.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[atruesag]

The problem with the French Quarter is that is Popular and also the smallest of all the moderate resorts. I do agree - never does hurt to ask if there is a different room available then the one you might currently be assigned to. Then when they tell you where it is - it's up to you to decide if your want the other room or not. In my experience, generally the Front Desk Cast Members want to have a guest leave happy since the Front Desk experience is the beginning of your Disney Vacation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Check in at (most, at least) hospitality properties STARTS at the published time. Anything before that time is preregistration; if your room is ready, you will be given the active keys when you register - but as the OP found out, even the published start time for check in doesn't mean your room will be ready.

There are some properties that don't even allow guests to start registering for their reservations UNTIL the official check in time. Even when that's not the case, it's impossible for every guest to check in AT that time - that's why, even though we all generally think/expect that 3 PM means the room will be ready for occupancy, the actual official wording is AFTER 3 PM (or whatever that given property's time is).

 

[fall08CP]

As others have said, things happen that can cause rooms to be ready later than expected. Say the person before you clogged the toilet and it overflows and they don't tell anyone and just leave it. The housekeeper might not get into the room until 2 and they need to do a much more intense cleaning than planned. There are two options to make sure you room is ready when you arrive: don't plan on arriving at the resort until 3-4 PM or book the room for the night before you'll arrive so it'll be clean and ready before you even arrive.

Putting in a request for an early check-in doesn't always work because room assigning is done days in advance and they don't know the housekeeping schedule/who is doing late check-outs. Better to ask upon check-in. Just go in not expecting a room until 3 and you won't likely be disappointed.

 

[marsrunner]

I understand the reasoning and I agree with it, but I can't help thinking its funny that they aren't on a fixed schedule to give you your room at 3pm even when you've paid thousands of dollars up front, but you better be out of that room at 11am on your last day darn it!
Just kidding, of course. I know they have to have everyone out by 11am to have a snowball's chance in hades of getting all the rooms check-in ready by 3pm.

 

[FSUSammy]

I wanted to thank everyone that responded. You all are fantastic! I will make sure to just have an alternate plan just in case. Thankfully I'm not too picky with our room location, but if they just can't accomodate us when we arrive then so be it. And I whole-heartedly agree that playing nice WILL get me further than being demanding.

Thanks again!