Tips to getting a good room when getting in later? Or can we check in over the phone?

[KalamityJane]

We fly into SNA at a little after 11am on the Friday of Gay Days weekend... we are staying onsite (though not exactly sure which hotel yet, either PPH or DLH). I have heard the way to get the best rooms in a grade are to check in earlier... but the earliest we are likely to be able to check in is probably close to 1pm. We have standard rooms booked, and I know that is a busy weekend, so I am harboring no illusions of an upgrade.

I have heard of people ordering in room celebrations and getting a better room this way? Or is there a way to check in that morning over the phone?

 

[alvernon90]

I would also be interested in any tips on this point. We are arriving on the Friday of Gay Days weekend, staying DLH concierge, but we will not arrive until around 9:00 p.m. Are we guaranteed to be relegated to a broom closet with a giant sign saying DO NOT SMASH BROOM WITH AX?

 

[disneychrista]

I do not think you would have a problem 1pm is NOT late IMO, since most hotels have a check in time of 3pm.

 

[brendahamlincoln]

I would also be interested in any tips on this point. We are arriving on the Friday of Gay Days weekend, staying DLH concierge, but we will not arrive until around 9:00 p.m. Are we guaranteed to be relegated to a broom closet with a giant sign saying DO NOT SMASH BROOM WITH AX?

I have no advice for you but I just wanted to LOL at your last line! Love it!

 

[tallpkb]

I'm waiting to hear some ideas too!

 

[Mel522]

Since no one with more knowledge than me has posted, I'll tell you the little I've heard (and am hoping is true since I won't be checking in until 1 or 2 in the afternoon).

You can make requests (which are not guarantee) with the hotel directly. You can request connecting rooms, certain towers, floors, close to/ away from elevators or the lobby, and view preferences. Call the hotel directly a few days before you arrive to remind them of the requests (or make them if you didn't do so when booking the room,) and even call back the morning of, or day before you arrive, to remind them again.

Don't know how well this works since we are still 2 weeks from are vacation, but it's the only thing I've heard.

 

[krispin41]

Since no one with more knowledge than me has posted, I'll tell you the little I've heard (and am hoping is true since I won't be checking in until 1 or 2 in the afternoon).

You can make requests (which are not guarantee) with the hotel directly. You can request connecting rooms, certain towers, floors, close to/ away from elevators or the lobby, and view preferences. Call the hotel directly a few days before you arrive to remind them of the requests (or make them if you didn't do so when booking the room,) and even call back the morning of, or day before you arrive, to remind them again.

Don't know how well this works since we are still 2 weeks from are vacation, but it's the only thing I've heard.

And even then, this may not work, I did this with my recent stay at the PPH, and my request for a King room, and we did not get it.

 

[BriannaRuth]

From everything I've read, rooms are assigned 5 days out, so get your request in before then. We booked a standard room and I requested the Adventure Tower because it's the only one that doesn't have any rooms with parking lot views. When we arrived (around 1, but not on a busy weekend), we were given an upgraded room (pool view with pull-out sofa in addition to the 2 queens). It was in the Frontier Tower instead, but I didn't complain due to the upgrade.

Having worked in the hospitality industry, my advice is be as nice as possible to the front desk attendant. Try not to be demanding but don't hesitate to ask politely if anything other than a standard, non-view room might be available. It may be that it just isn't, but being nice will never hurt.

Good luck!

 

[Congo Queen]

We stayed at DLH about three weeks ago and checked in at 1pm and were offered an upgrade. So 1pm is not too late at all, though you never can "expect" an upgrade offer (as you wisely allude to KalamityJane). We'd reserved cheapest parking lot view and were offered a v nice pool view room on 4th floor of Fantasy tower. My only preference request had been to ask (when I'd first reserved the room through AAA months before) for a two queen plus sofa-bed room. So of course I was thrilled and v appreciative. You might luck out. You never know.