So what do you do if your room isn't ready by 4?

[ekm]

We have only had one late check in since becoming members in 1992. We were booked into a grand villa, and it wasn't ready until well after 6pm. We waited patiently at hospitality house, as we were tired after a long flight.
There have been times when we have been able to get into our unit in the morning, so I guess it all evens out in the long run.

 

[jamn]

I always assume we're not going to get in to the room until late in the day. When we get in early I am presently surprised - when we don't I am prepared and have a park plan in place so it really doesn't matter.

 

[Debi]

I haven't read this entire thread (only read the first page), but I have to say jekjones, I agree with you a million percent. Penalize the people that didn't vacate the room prior to 11AM, or the people that made an absolute mess of the room. They are the reasons the next occupants of the room can't get in until late, not Disney. It wouldn't take much on Disney's end to do this. All they need is for mousekeeping to take an extra 30 seconds when they're done cleaning a room to document any damage, so they know exactly who damaged a room. If it's done between each occupant, it'd be pretty easy to prove. Likewise, they could hire someone (or, to save money, have a mousekeeper do this) knock on the door at 11AM to confirm the occupants have vacated the room.

Thankfully, I've only had to wait for a room once, but this is a common problem with DVC. Very, very inconvenient.

 

[DenLo]

I have to admit that having experienced an after 4:00 PM check in, I vote that the DVC needs to make some changes. We checked in at 7:30 AM. Our 1BR villa was finally ready at 4:30 PM. And I think it was ready only because we had called them after 4:00 PM. We were tired and just wanted to be in our room.

I realize that mousekeeping likes to clean rooms in a certain order, but geewhiz if someone is waiting for a room, can't it be given some sort of priority?

 

[dgaston]

We just experienced our first after 4pm check-in. I guess I've been spoiled by all the other times we've had room ready, or ready at 1 or 2 pm. We were staying at BLT and checked in at 10:45 am. I had done online check-in too specifying our early arrival. We were moving over from Caribbean Beach, so gave the OL to Bell Services, and then went to the Magic Kingdom for a bit. We came back around 1, room still not ready, so went off-property to Sweet Tomatoes (love that place), came back room still not ready. We were having multiple conversations with Judy, an absolutely sweet greeter in BLT. Got our suitcases and went to the pool. After bingo ended at 4, we were still not in our room. Judy called for us again, and got our studio switched to one that was ready. We had to wait for new keys from the Contemporary. What a treat! We were in 7406, a standard studio with a view of Bay Lake, and the tennis courts straight off the balcony, and Space Mountain and the castle to the left.

I did find myself getting grumpy during the wait, even though I know the other times were pixie-dusted, and these are the rules. I really don't know when our original studio was finally ready, but online check-in didn't overlap with the mousekeeping schedule. I'm hoping we'll be back to our early in-room times next trip, but know the room might not be ready until after 4.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Needing a treehouse for only one night next week, I sort of expect to have a late room ready experience. It's our family's first visit to SSR, so I'm also guessing the pools, boat to DTD for the balloon ride and even the boat ride to OKW to walk around there will be enough to keep our minds off the wait. IF it's really warm, I'll bet the DGC will opt for a water park. The next day we're heading for a DCL 3 night cruise.

Bobbi

PS. We too, have had many many more early "room ready" stays. Whatever happens, we'll deal with it.

 

[Halle]

I agree that there should be a charge for guests who do not vacate their room on time. Unless there are extreme circumstances such as an illness, then there's no reason someone can't be out by 11 am, esp. since bell services will take and store luggage. I remember though one time sitting around in the lobby at BWV's at 5:00 pm with bags of groceries. We felt really out of place with all six of us sitting there and were getting more and more annoyed with each passing minute. Finally someone came over and said we could head up to our room as he thought the housekeeper must've just forgotten to press the notification button that our room was ready. Lo and behold we got to our room- the one at the very end of the hall- only to find the housekeeper sitting on the sofa with her legs up on the coffee table munching on an apple and watching a soap opera! Later we found more apples in the ice bucket, lol. Needless to say she jumped up really quickly when we came in. I wonder how long she'd been taking her break while we sat in the lobby?---Kathy

We were at BWV and peeked into a GV to see the mousekeeper watching tv. She was not happy to see us....wonder if it was the same mousekeeper???

 

[cm8]

But as more guests decide they will go ahead and pay for the extra night, it may mean that more guests will have nowhere at all to stay.

, so I guess since they have now been charged for the "late check-out" they feel it is okay to stay even longer. Never once taking into consideration that someone may have had plans or is extremely tired and or sick and just want to enjoy what they ALSO paid for