When you check in-are you Really checked in?

[Forever a Princess]

Been spending some time reading throught the current proposed Room Ready policy by Dave.

One poster brought up that she had "checked in" given key cards. The room was not ready so they asked her to check back with the resort later.
Per the report the poster checked back a couple of times with the resort and the room was not ready. Around 4:30 pm. poster was told that the room that had been given to them had been given to someone else (who had checked in that afternoon after her).

I've seen similar posts on this board before. This is what worries me about the check in process.

Does someone have more information on how the check in process really goes?

How often do you all check with the resort regarding the room? For example when we arrive in the am, I usually start checking with the resort on about an hourly basis around 2 pm.

TIA for any advice that you can give regarding the check in process.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have never had our room key not work when our room was finally ready. We check in, usually go to a park and then call the number on the card that they give us around 4 or so. This past December, (VWL) we didn't actually get back from the park and into our room until after 7, but the room key that they had given us at 10AM worked.

I think that poster also mentioned that her charging privileges weren't on the card as she thought it should be. Maybe they weren't really checked in properly, the charge privilege should have worked. It would be inconvenient, but that's when I think I would have gone to the resort, call the front desk, done something.

Bobbi

 

[Doctor P]

We have generally checked in early in the morning and then gone off to the parks. This last trip we stayed at two different resorts. When we checked into BCV at about 1:00 pm (not intending to go to a park that day), they told us our rooms were quite ready, but that it really wouldn't be that long. They gave us the card with the number to call. We went and got some lunch from the Marketplace and then called back about an hour later and our rooms were ready. At OKW, we checked in at about 9:30 am, and DFIL room was ready but ours was not. We were given the card to call and we headed off to AK at about 9:45 am. Since our luggage was being transferred from BCV and we knew that was supposed to take 6 or so hours, we didn't even bother to call until about 4:00 pm to get our villa number. Generally, we don't call back till 3:30 pm or 4:00 pm when they say the villa will be ready by 4:00. If they tell us earlier, we try to call back about that time. Twice our villa or room was not ready till after 4:30 pm, but even that wasn't bad. In all circumstances we were really checked in. We started charging things within minutes of being checked in.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Whew, worrying less about this already.

Thanks for your quick posts.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Forever Princess, that was me you were referring to. I have never, ever had that happen before. When the room charge didn't work, we were already in Epcot and World Showcase, and I really didn't feel like walking back to the Beach Club to see why the card didn't work for charges, assumed maybe they had the credit card number wrong and would fix it when we got back. Maybe the CM who checked us in accidentally gave us a room that was already taken, but I don't think so. I think someone else came after us, complained about their room, and so, gave them our room. It was a one bedroom villa. I never, ever complain, this was the first time I called to complain. The CM we talked to was very rude, and basically told us "tough luck". Then to say everyone had already checked in was laughable. It was 4:30 for God's sake!! So, the moral of the story is, just because you check in early means squat. If you don't actually have a room number, just the key, then you really don't have a room yet. I guess it was about two hours between us getting the keys and our trying to use them to charge lunch. Plus, it was kind of embarrassing when it didn't work. Oh well. As I said, the view we ended up with was great, but I hate, hate, hate those roll-in showers, plus the bed was almost on the floor, and we didn't have the counter with the stools. I'd take a parking lot view any day over a HA room. We do own at the BCV, so that didn't mean squat either. Next trip we have a guaranteed Boardwalk View at the BWV!! Can't wait, first time for that.

 

[Nimblethimble]

To answer the Ops question:

For charging purposes, yes, once you have "key card," you're supposed to be "at" the world (ergo, able to make charges), but until you're actually given a room number (which can come hours later - during our trip last August, we "checked in" at 7:15am but didn't actually get our room number until 3:30pm) you're never 100% sure!!!

 

[patsal]

I have only had the OP scenario happen once at BCV. I checked in at check in time was told my room was getting its finishing touches, yada yada, and to check back in about an hour. Went back in an hour with the envelope to have them enter a room #. I was told that room was not available and given another room, that was clearly not intended for me--food, gifts, etc all around the room. After that mess was straightened out, we enjoyed the rest of our vacation, but I have not stayed at BCV again--now going on three years, I may be brave enough to give it a try next year.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Good Grief! Has anyone every had a room ready when they arrive in the a.m.? This will be our first trip using DVC in March. Previously we have stayed in moderate resorts, usually Riverside or Port Orleans. We have always checked in early a.m. & have always had a room ready immediately. It's a long a.m. when you leave for the airport @ 5:00 & being able to rest somewhere before heading off to the parks has always been much appreciated, particularly with a 3 yr. old! I'm sure our family can manage but I'm a little concerned because we'll be traveling with 7, including 2 "Grammas". Any advice?

 

[bounceliketigger]

Hello fellow South Jersian! Thanks for the info--glad you clarified. So far we've met 2 neighbors on this site. Ever hear of Erial, Gloucester Twp?

 

[PinotFan]

Good Grief! Has anyone every had a room ready when they arrive in the a.m.? This will be our first trip using DVC in March. Previously we have stayed in moderate resorts, usually Riverside or Port Orleans. We have always checked in early a.m. & have always had a room ready immediately. It's a long a.m. when you leave for the airport @ 5:00 & being able to rest somewhere before heading off to the parks has always been much appreciated, particularly with a 3 yr. old! I'm sure our family can manage but I'm a little concerned because we'll be traveling with 7, including 2 "Grammas". Any advice?

DW and I checked in to SSR in October at 8:30 am. They had five rooms ready of the type we wanted, but we opted to wait an hour and get a better view. By 9:30 we were in our room. So, it happens with DVC too, not just "paying" guests.

 

[Forever a Princess]

TeresaNJ,

Thank you so much for your post(s).

It upset me to read that you had checked in and then had your room given to another family.

Sounds like you took this all pretty well, I'm not so sure I would of dealt with it as good as you did!!!

I'm pretty easy going, but somehow this issue really lit my fuse.

Thanks for letting me vent. For dealing with your situation at your check in, here is a big hug.

Renee