Trying to decide on check in dates, Sat or Sun?

[gk90]

Any advice on this issue would be appreciated. We're currently booked for 4 nights at Pop and 2 nights at CSR, Sunday 8/19 thru Sat 8/25. For a couple of reasons (too long to explain) I'm trying to decide on whether to move our dates up a day to a Sat 8/18 arrival. I'm wondering, though, about another factor--I read somewhere (don't remember where) that Saturdays are the busiest check-in days at all the resorts. Have people found this to be true? I know that some lines are unavoidable but if the Sun. check-in lines are significantly shorter I'd much prefer them.

Also, are there any patterns or advantages that go with particular check-in times, I know that with an early check-in the room isn't always available but would late morning or noon be a better check-in time than 1 or 2?

TIA!

 

[johnsonet]

I have been told twice and over a period of five years or so that the busiest day for both check-in and check-out is Sunday. I remember finding that somewhat unbelieveable, since I have never in my life begun a vacation on a Sunday. Anyway, once was at the GF and a bellman told me... and more recently at AKL a manager-type CM (you know the ones that chat with you when you're in line to check in?)

 

[DisneyFans4]

I never checkin or checkout on a Sat. or Sun. as I always notice that those days are the heaviest and there is always a crowd and huge lines at the counter. Whether they are checking in or out I don't know but it is definitely the most busiest time.

 

[ewspy87]

I think some of it has to do with the time you check-in and out. We checked in at 1pm on a Saturday, the 28th of April, and we walked right up to the counter and checked in at ASM. We checked out the next Saturday but it was at 6am and again I just walked right up to the counter. I think if you tried to check in at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, when everyone else is, it would be busier. The same goes for checking out at like 7-9 am.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Alot of it also depends on the time of year that you are there. If your there during their slow months it is probably not that bad but again, you just never know. I know the airlines tell you that Sunday is one of their busiest days.

 

[SnowWtch]

I've done a Saturday check-in and a Sunday check-out before and never noticed it to be worse than any other day at Disney.

 

[mjkaferle5]

I tend to think that you just need to get a little lucky with your timing.

We checked in on a Sunday our last trip. We were second in line and checked in very fast.

However, while we were checking in, a huge line formed behind us. I don't know if a Magic Express bus had pulled up or what. If we had gotten there five minutes later, our check-in experience would have been totally different.


I personally wouldn't check-in on a Saturday. Seeing that the parks are naturally busier on weekends, your first two days would fall on those busy days. We checked in on a Sunday, played at the resort a little, had dinner at Chef Mickeys, and watched Wishes from the observation deck at the Contemporary. Then we started at the parks on Monday.

 

[gk90]

I was also considering the busy park issue but strangely enough, Unofficial Guide crowd ratings say that that weekend won't be too busy--they rate Fri. 8/17 as a 7 out of 10, Sat 8/18 and Sun. 8/19 are both 6 and then Mon 8/20 is a 7 again. Also we want to do the educational part of our trip first (DD is 9 and DS is 7) so were planning on starting the 1st 2 days in Epcot, which I hear tends to handle crowds the best.
Would there be any point to my calling Pop directly & asking them which day is usually busier for them?

 

[DisneyFans4]

We always go in August and to me the parks are always crowded but they are heavier on weekends because the floridians are making their day trips. The parks are also very crowded if a special promotion is going on like the free dining that is currently running. We won't be there during that promotion which is fine with me because I don't want that plan because I don't want to commit myself to eating on Disney property everyday as we also do Universal, SeaWorld and visit friends and we're also staying at the Swan which doesn't participate in it.

Again, this is just my opinion and a reflection of what occurs during my stays.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

We never check in or out on a weekend. I almost always check in on a Thursday or Friday.. mostly because we get 10 day vacations (usually!). But I know most people take 1 full week off work... and I see most of the times its a Sun-Sun thing... at least around here.

 

[gk90]

I just called Pop and spoke with CM Rosa, who said that both days are busy, and fairly even, so if I'm trying to choose a less busy day I'll have to go with a weekday. Hmmm...will have to juggle a number of factors here....

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Since we are locals we tend to check-in early. Saturdays have always been the worst for a room being being ready. Sundays were a bit better, but now we just going during the week.

 

[gk90]

Since we are locals we tend to check-in early. Saturdays have always been the worst for a room being being ready. Sundays were a bit better, but now we just going during the week.

Thank you, the early room issue has me leaning toward Sunday now!

 

[disneydance]

I can tell you that we are not excited at all about checking in on Sunday but what we are doing is my son is coming in on adifferent flight since he is going to disney land the week before DISNEY World and his flight arrives a hour and a half after ours so we are taking ME before the boys and dh will get DS and we go check in and get every thing tooken care of before the boys arrive

 

[tinabheart]

Both trips to CBR I checked in on a Saturday morning. Both times we walked right up to a CM at the desk. One tip I learned was to sit at the front of the ME bus if at all possible...first one off, first one in line! I'm sure that made a difference!

 

[SkcMom]

What time are you allowed to check in to your resort? I understand the that the room won't be ready I was thinking more for my park passes and dining plan. Thanks!