Tell me about the check in process (please!)

[jenrein]

I am getting so excited- we check in on the 14th but we are leaving NY the 12th. We picked up our Disney Paperwork from AAA today. I notice we have all the vouchers for the little free things for booking with them. Do we get our Dining Plan info upon check in? Our hotel checks in at 3. So we plan on getting there at 3 anyways- tell me the process. We are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside- they have 2 different types of rooms- do we get a choice at all? Do we get dining info then?

 

[CleveRocks]

I am getting so excited- we check in on the 14th but we are leaving NY the 12th. We picked up our Disney Paperwork from AAA today. I notice we have all the vouchers for the little free things for booking with them. Do we get our Dining Plan info upon check in? Our hotel checks in at 3. So we plan on getting there at 3 anyways- tell me the process. We are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside- they have 2 different types of rooms- do we get a choice at all? Do we get dining info then?

You can check into the resort as soon as you want to. Actually, the sooner the better! Even if your room isn't ready, you'll get your park tickets and dining plan stuff when you check in, whether your room is ready or not.

So don't wait until 3:00 p.m.!!!

I've checked in and found my room ready for me as early as 10:00 a.m.

Your room key, your park tickets, your dining plan card, your resort ID ... they are all one and the same card!!!

 

[jenrein]

You can check into the resort as soon as you want to. Actually, the sooner the better! Even if your room isn't ready, you'll get your park tickets and dining plan stuff when you check in, whether your room is ready or not. So don't wait until 3:00 p.m.!!!

Your room key, your park tickets, your dining plan card, your resort ID ... they are all one and the same card!!!

As far as waiting until 3- we arent going to the park that day- only to Downtown Disney. Do you think it is still worth it for them to "set my luggage aside" until a room is ready? That makes me nervous

 

[pl'smama]

As far as waiting until 3- we arent going to the park that day- only to Downtown Disney. Do you think it is still worth it for them to "set my luggage aside" until a room is ready? That makes me nervous

Yes, it is worth it to have your luggage put aside and check in as early as you can. We arrived at about 2:00pm and I lined up to check in. I was about sixth or so in line and I waited about 15 minutes or so to have my turn. There were lots of CM to check in people but the process took about 10 minutes or so per family. When I was done there must have been 20 or more people in line to check in! I was so happy not to be at the end of that line. We stayed at POFQ!!

Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[jenrein]

Yes, it is worth it to have your luggage put aside and check in as early as you can. We arrived at about 2:00pm and I lined up to check in. I was about sixth or so in line and I waited about 15 minutes or so to have my turn. There were lots of CM to check in people but the process took about 10 minutes or so per family. When I was done there must have been 20 or more people in line to check in! I was so happy not to be at the end of that line. We stayed at POFQ!!

Have a wonderful time!!!

Thank you! So if they take your stuff and your room isnt ready- lets say you leave and go do something. Do they put your luggage in your room for you while you are gone? Is parking too far away to leave stuff in your car and grab it later?

 

[kellyg403]

I agree to check in when you can! We always get to WDW around noon and check in. At CBR our room was ready and we were able to get in, at POR we did have to wait until later to get our room assignment. We did go to MGM though and to our dinner ADR at Sci Fi. We have always driven so I am not sure about the luggage question. The desk was able to tell us what bldg we would be in, we parked there and grabbed a bus.

And also, once you check in everything will be on your key! It seems that whenever we have been to the checkout area between 2-5 are the busiest times.

Kelly

 

[jenrein]

I agree to check in when you can! We always get to WDW around noon and check in. At CBR our room was ready and we were able to get in, at POR we did have to wait until later to get our room assignment. We did go to MGM though and to our dinner ADR at Sci Fi. We have always driven so I am not sure about the luggage question. The desk was able to tell us what bldg we would be in, we parked there and grabbed a bus.

And also, once you check in everything will be on your key! It seems that whenever we have been to the checkout area between 2-5 are the busiest times.

Kelly

Thanks Kelly! So getting there before 2 is a must!

 

[kellyg403]

Thank you! So if they take your stuff and your room isnt ready- lets say you leave and go do something. Do they put your luggage in your room for you while you are gone? Is parking too far away to leave stuff in your car and grab it later?

No, you can park outside of your bldg. POR was very good about not giving us a room assignment but did have a bldg assignment available.

The earlier you check in the better your parking spaces choices will be. We parked anywhere we wanted when we got there and picked a spot close to the bldg in the front. We called from the park to get our room #s. When we got back to the resort, parking lot was FULL! Glad we checked i n when we did because our walk was nothing to our room, essentially right around the corner from our car.

Have fun!

Kelly

 

[hematite153]

Thank you! So if they take your stuff and your room isnt ready- lets say you leave and go do something. Do they put your luggage in your room for you while you are gone? Is parking too far away to leave stuff in your car and grab it later?

Since you will have a car, don't bother bringing your bags with you when you go to check in. (The parking for check-in and for your room are unlikely to be in the same place regardless of when you check-in!)

The main reason why you should check-in as soon as you arrive in Orlando is the DDP. Since you plan to spend the day in DTD, you will probably want access to those credits.