To check in early, or not to check in early?

[Philadisney]

that is the question....so, we have a reservation at CSR for three nights. our first night we are staying with a person my friend knows in orlando, since i won't be flying in til midnight and there's no point in spending $$ on a resort when i'm just going to crash right away. should we get up super early the next morning and check in to CSR (though we probably won't be able to actually get into the room then), or just go to the parks and check in at the end of the day (probably 10-11 PM)? i had figured we'd just check in at night but now i see all these posts where people say that the 'good' rooms are given on a first come, first serve basis. what does this mean? Are we endagering our reservation by checking in so late? heeeeelp?

 

[MagicKingdom05]

I would atleast call them and let them know you are at the parks and will be checking in that late.

 

[jordgubben]

I wouldn't bust your butt just to go check in super early but maybe you stop and check in on the way to the Magic Kingdom whatever time that might be. Then at least when you are tired from a day at the park you don't have to go through the whole routine at the front desk, you can just head to the room.

 

[Philadisney]

yeah i'm just worried that we'll show up at 10pm and they'll be like, "oh, we thought you weren't coming, now we're all out of the type of room you requested. can you take room with a single bed? or a smoking room? actually we have no rooms at all, would you mind staying at one of the value resorts for the night?" ooooo yes i am a worrywart.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Philadisney,

I think as long as you call them and let them know you decided to stop by the parks before you checked in, you should be fine.

 

[FLORIDAFUNFAMILY]

They charge you the first night as a deposit when you make your ressie so theywill save the room for you its more a problem if you don't show up and don't call you loose your first night because they do hold aroom for you . It si possible if you don't like your room and check-in late that they might night be able to move you if they are full. I've also been told of people checking in late and being upgraded because they ran out of the rooms that they booked, so who knows you may end up at the GF in the Presidential suite because they overbooked and were full when you arrive late. You just never know. Good Luck

 

[Philadisney]

i think i'm definately going to at least take your advice, magickingdom05, and call them that morning. the more i hear, the more i want to try to convince my friend to check in before hitting the parks

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest checking in before you head off to the parks. That way if you have any requests you have a better chance of them being met. Also as someone else mentioned when you come back from a day at the parks you can just go to your room instead of checking in.

If you really don't want to check in first then call central reservations and have them note in your reservation your late check in time. If it is a busy time of year you may not get all your requests. As far as I know CSR doesn't have any single beds.