Check-in strategy advice needed

[Honor]

We are booked for SSR (our home) for Dec 22 (Saturday) to Jan 5 (Saturday). We have now decided to drive down (2 days) instead of fly. This means we will not actually arrive until late on Dec 23 (Sunday). What is the best strategy to get a room in our desired section and building knowing that early check-in increases your odds: (1) keep the Dec 22 check-in and call that morning to be assigned a room knowing we will not be using it and "wasting" points for one night, (2) arrive late Dec 23 (Sunday) chancing on lousy room availablity, (3) stay off sight Dec 23 (Sunday) and check-in early Dec 24 (Monday), hoping people have left to go home for Christmas? Will they even let us call on the morning of Dec 22 to be assigned a room if we are not there in person?

 

[GoofyforWDW]

If I was you I would cancel the booking for the 22nd as would not want to waste points.
Not sure what you mean by lousy room as I would say I have not ever had a lousy room but if you are talking about a certain block then I think you will just have to go for it and be happy with what you get.
As for staying offsite on the 23rd personally I would say this was a waste of both money and time. You will then need to get up and move the next morning and in all honesty there is no guarantee you will get your room choice anyway.

Think of it this way, you are getting to spend christmas in WDW (you lucky people) so hey what the hell to the room, I would assume you wont be in there much anyway.

I dont think they will let you check in over the phone anyway so option 1 would definetely be a waste. If they would let you call to check in you still might aswell cancel tthe 22nd and call on the morning of 23rd on your way down.

Good luck

 

[DisneyPhD]

Definitely don't waste the Saturday night points if you can help it. Friday and Saturday nights are twice as many points compared to Su-Th. The question is, will you be able to use those points some other time during your use year. Once you have booked a room with points, they must be used in that use year (cannot be banked). As GoofyforWDW said, I don't believe you can check in via phone.

 

[slappy magoo]

It's a crap shoot no matter when you go that time of year. Keeping your Saturday booking doesn't guarantee you a better view or location than Sunday. It's just as possible someone will leave Sunday morning that had a room wiith a location you'd love that you can now get, as it would be if you kept your points on Saturday. So why waste the points?

 

[Honor]

Issue resolved ---

We just booked a flight. To heck with driving for two days down and two days back. A two hour direct flight and a $600 car rental for two weeks (Alamo). Thanks for the responses.

 

[Disneybabyboomr]

Enjoy Xmas down there- we went in 2005 and are hoping to go again this year. The weather was wonderful and the parks beautiful (but packed). GREAT photo opts. in the resorts. Used settings for next years christmas cards.

Enjoy and dont worry about the room- you're there with your family and on a wonderful part of the year too!:xmas: