What's the earliest you've been allowed to check in?

[SHammett]

We are heading to WDW in a couple of weeks. Since we have young children (one being an infant), we have found it easier to drive at night. We are about 8 hours away.

We have done different things on previous trips, depending on what time we left. We have left around 6pm and gotten a hotel room in Jacksonville. Once we left later and drove straight there, arriving at 5am. That time we parked and dozed in the car until daylight, and were able to check into AKL around 7am. The last time we booked POR for one night since we knew it would be late and hated to pay $ for deluxe for just a few hours. We arrived that time after midnight.

We are unsure what time we will be able to leave on our next trip, so I am hesitant to make reservations for that night. We are staying at AKL. I'm just wondering how early others have been allowed to check-in, assuming rooms are available.

Thanks!!!

 

[spiceycat]

6:30 am - 7:00 am use to be the earlier check in time - (tried once at 6:00 am and got told that)

but sometime later they changed it to at least 6:30am if not earlier.

arrive sometimes at 5:00am myself so definitely understand. that say would much rather drive at night than the day.

flying this time got a better rate for flying than driving.

 

[Mr. Pig]

Note that "check in" and "get into your room" are two different things. I just say that because of your "assuming rooms are available" wording. You will be able to check in that early but the room will probably not be ready. They can hold your luggage and bring it to your room when it is ready and you can go to the parks and return later. The earliest I checked in and got into our room was 10:00AM at CR - and that was at Christmas time no less - but it was also about 15 years ago.