Would you use points to have a room ready after a red eye, or rough it until check in?

[ScubaCat]

You can always stay at one of the many nearby airport hotels, too. If you don't have a car yet, most offer free shuttles. It only takes a few minutes for the ride over. We've used the embassy suites multiple times. 2 room suite, complimentary breakfast buffet... Not a bad way to start off at all.

 

[js]

Good luck OP I would certainly stalk constantly. I was able to piece together a nine night stay last month at BWVs by constant stalking less than 60 or so days out.

The week we will be there,same as you-coming in on January 1, are all listed in TPs as 10 in the crowd calendar and I dont anticipate rooms being ready until late with ppl checking out and possibly less cleaners not working the holiday and stalked since ladt night and added just this morning NYE, even though we dont get in until January 1.

Im staying OKW studio so easier to get than you but I would not give up hope, but it requires you constantly checking.

Now I have to find out where and when I should call to let them know Im arriving a day late. Maybe once I get my room assignment would be best.

Good luck and come back and let is know how you make out.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh and I didn't mention we are coming from the west coast, staying in a standard view 1 bedroom at BWV. I'm continually stalking the site now for that 1 night! Lol.

I think your first post said you were coming from LAX.

Be sure to do online checkin and let them know what time you're arriving. If there is anything available early, telling them can help. Can, not will.

Arrive at 6am. Be off the plane by 6:30. Hit the bathrooms to change into more appropriate clothing for Florida (I carry that in my carryon) and wash my face etc. Saunter through the airport, which can take a bit of time. Pick up the rental car. Get to the resort at around 8, maybe. Check to see about the room. If it's not available, grab some breakfast, wander around the resort and explore. Change into swim gear (I have that in my carryon, plus sunscreen) and hit the pool if weather permits. Relax. Etc. You don't *have to* go straight to a park.

I was able to piece together 6 nights at BCV well after 7 months for my late February trip, FWIW. Keep on checking. Don't rely on the waitlist; check every day at least once.

 

[howardlee2]

by the time you hit WDW it will be at least 8am, if you are able to sleep on the plane I would just dump your luggage at the resort till your room is ready and do some light exploring,food,etc. the day is trying as you are tired and will probably get to bed early to be ready to hit the ground running the next day.

 

[murphy7573]

Rough it! Done it many times flying from Cali as well. Love using the Red eye to save a day of travel. Also occasionally we’ve checked in early in the morning and they actually have had a room cleaned and ready. It may not be fulfilling a room request but if I can shower, brush my teeth and change, cool. If not, rough it and pull my toothbrush and toothpaste out, go to the lobby restroom, splash some water on my face to get some energy going. BAM, good to go for rope drop ! The airline actually cancelled my Red eye we were supposed to fly in on in a couple of weeks so I gotta burn more points so I can check in at “reasonable time” of Midnight-ish ! “Yay” (not)
LAX huh? Is that the American Airlines flight that gets into MCO at around 0600 ?

 

[tinkertoes]

I'm glad to hear that it works for you Murphy because at this point that may be my only choice. In order for it to work, I have to find a Standard 1 Bedroom at the Boardwalk on 1/1. So hard There is actually almost 0 availability that whole week, anywhere! I need to get mentally prepared that this might have to do, lol. That is the AA flight we are taking. Gets in at 6am.

I'll be honest, I am a bit traumatized from a red eye I took from LAX to MCO 8 years ago with a 1 year old and two elderly parents. My 1 year old didn't sleep the whole flight and my dad didn't bring any walking shoes so he had blisters and couldn't walk. We ended sleeping in the parking lot of Ft. Wilderness in our rental car until our Cabin was ready, lol. That 1 year old is 9 now and loves to travel and its just 3 of us. I have a feeling we will be ok. But thanks to everyone for their experiences. Makes me feel so much more confident about it and that we can handle it.

 

[SherylLC]

Rough it! Of course, this situation makes me sad, sad, sad since we'll be doing same in March when I will be whining like a little baby at the loss of automatic luggage transfer and Magical Express

 

[BcIcemen]

I would have the room ready. I think it is a great use of points.

 

[tinkertoes]

After checking every day, I finally got my additional day today! I was ready to just show up and wait for our room to be available, thanks to all the great tips from everyone. But honestly I am so glad I was able to make this change.

Does anyone that has done this know if I have to notify DVC of a late arrival? I would hate for them to think I'm not showing up! Is there a deadline to claim your room?

 

[Sandisw]

After checking every day, I finally got my additional day today! I was ready to just show up and wait for our room to be available, thanks to all the great tips from everyone. But honestly I am so glad I was able to make this change.

Does anyone that has done this know if I have to notify DVC of a late arrival? I would hate for them to think I'm not showing up! Is there a deadline to claim your room?

The rules do say you should notify them so they can note it on your reservation.

 

[CarolynFH]

After checking every day, I finally got my additional day today! I was ready to just show up and wait for our room to be available, thanks to all the great tips from everyone. But honestly I am so glad I was able to make this change.

Does anyone that has done this know if I have to notify DVC of a late arrival? I would hate for them to think I'm not showing up! Is there a deadline to claim your room?

You should be able to notify them via chat or email, although I've read that recent phone wait times haven't been too bad later in the afternoon.

 

[tinkertoes]

I was worried about the long wait time for DVC member services, but I'll try the chat. Thank you!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

After checking every day, I finally got my additional day today! I was ready to just show up and wait for our room to be available, thanks to all the great tips from everyone. But honestly I am so glad I was able to make this change.

Does anyone that has done this know if I have to notify DVC of a late arrival? I would hate for them to think I'm not showing up! Is there a deadline to claim your room?

Remarkable! Great news!

 

[Judique]

After checking every day, I finally got my additional day today! I was ready to just show up and wait for our room to be available, thanks to all the great tips from everyone. But honestly I am so glad I was able to make this change.

Does anyone that has done this know if I have to notify DVC of a late arrival? I would hate for them to think I'm not showing up! Is there a deadline to claim your room?

Happy you got your room, and yes, I've done this several times, as well as overlapping rooms when I've changed resorts.

Yes, definitely notify ahead of time.

 

[miksicnarf]

We also fly out of LAX and have taken a redeye twice. It's not ideal but we rough it out. First time, our GV at OKW was ready around 11:30am so we never even made it to a park. Second time, we dropped our bags, had a nice sit-down breakfast at Olivia's, hit a park or 2 and the room was ready around 2:30pm. DVC member since 1997 and have never had a room not ready before 4:00pm so I tend to roll the dice. I'm in my 60's and these trips were with my adult kids. Now that grandkids are in the mix, we'll def be avoiding redeyes.

 

[taaren]

We've decided the best option for us to be "homeless" until the room is ready when we get there super early, is to rent a pool cabana if they're available ... that way the kids can let off steam, we can enjoy the pool and nap at our leisure in a place that is ours for the day. Store all of your bags, keep a pool bag separate. Hit the park in the morning, then go pick up your pool bag and relax at your cabana until you get the text. I'd rather use the points for adding a night I'll really use it, and pay for the cabana.