Check in?

[Disneykidder]

Our trip in 62 days, but who's counting, will be our first stay as DVC members. I know that technically check-in times are what, 4:00? EVERY time I have stayed on property I have NEVER had to wait for a room. I usually check-in in the morning, too. (I have checked in as early as 9:30am!!) So my question is, will I have a hard time checking in early in the morning or earlier than the actual time is?

 

[flagen]

The answer most of the time is yes, they cannot promise check in that early. You can CALL the resort and ask them saying you are coming in early and they can try and accommodate you. Remember too DVC rooms are much bigger then regular rooms (if you staying in a villa) and take much longer to clean.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

When we stay regular, usually our rooms are ready when we arrive after an early morning flight. Our DVC rooms are normally not ready. Usually we'll get a text before 4 pm telling us it's ready though. Only once has it taken until 4 to be ready, and that was probably only a quirk of the system. Checking in on a weekend may increase the wait a bit, since there will be a lot of turnover on the weekends.

 

[Jim Chandler]

Never have had an issue but we always show up after noon. If they have a room you will get it.
If not you can drop off your luggage and they will hold till the room is ready and deliver to the room as well.
If you stay in a CLUB room you get even better service. At the GF they will escort you through the check in process and to your room.
One time a room was not ready and the person helping us had us sit in the lobby and he expedited the cleaning and it only took about 15 minutes.

 

[BCVTalsJam]

They will get you in if its ready...most times we have gone it has but once or twice we had to wait a couple hours. Not a big deal just check in your bags and go eat in Epcot!

 

[bgraham34]

I have gotten my room as early as 10am and as late as 9pm.

 

[dreamfinder]

As mentioned, it really depends on their room situation for the day. You could luck out and the room was cleaned yesterday and empty last night, or you could have it be someone who is checking out at 11 and ends up being the last room that mousekeeping gets to. At the worst, you drop your bags at bell services, and then they will call/text you when the room is ready.

 

[Disneykidder]

Thanks for the responses. So it is really as if I am staying on dollars, DVC doesn't matter.

Thanks!!

 

[journ116]

Our trip in 62 days, but who's counting, will be our first stay as DVC members. I know that technically check-in times are what, 4:00? EVERY time I have stayed on property I have NEVER had to wait for a room. I usually check-in in the morning, too. (I have checked in as early as 9:30am!!) So my question is, will I have a hard time checking in early in the morning or earlier than the actual time is?

According to my calculations, you should be checking into your DVC villa around Aug. 13th, which is still "busy season"? All I really have to say, "Be prepared either way." Our most recent trip (June 5-12 @ BWV), I requested that our room be ready by the time we arrived (10:30 a.m.) above any other request...welp, it wasn't. The CM asked 2 times for a cell# to send a text to when the room was ready. I checked my phone incessantly up until 3:30 p.m., when I finally decided to call the resort directly, and here's what the CM on the phone said, "Oh yes, we show that your room has been ready for a while now. Your room is 2112. And since you already have your resort cards, you can use them immediately to get into your room." I never received a phone call or text, so I can only assume the CM never put my number into the system. If you wanted, you could call the resort directly on the hour every hour...but, having your room ready by the time you get there is kind of luck-of-the-draw, as others have already mentioned!

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the responses. So it is really as if I am staying on dollars, DVC doesn't matter.

Yes, it does matter.

Disney's hotel average about 80% occupancy. That means each resort has dozens--perhaps hundreds--of rooms which sat vacant the night before your arrival. As such they can immediately accommodate the early arrivers.

Disney Vacation Club resorts--like all timeshares--are designed for near 100% occupancy. When a DVC resort is full, new arrivals don't get into a room until the outbound guest has vacated and housekeeping has had time to service it. With checkout time being 11am, it's theoretically possible for the first clean rooms to not be available until nearly noon.

That said, some guests will depart early. And there's always a chance of vacancies from the night before--particularly at larger resorts like Saratoga and Old Key West.

Having been a member for 10 years, it's very hit-or-miss. We have checked in at 9am before (OKW) and received a room immediately. Another time we checked in very early and didn't get our room until just about 4pm (Beach Club.) Last stay at the Grand Californian we were past 4pm waiting for the room. Most stays are somewhere in between--say noon to 2pm.

The safe expectation is to assume you will NOT have a room until 4pm. Pack accordingly. Put a change of clothes in a carryon bag and change in the resort bathroom if necessary. I would not recommend making any elaborate dinner plans for the arrival night because it could be after 4pm before you get into the room and even later before luggage is delivered.

Plan for the worst. Hope for the best.

 

[Disneykidder]

I will definitely hope for the best. In all of my visits I have always gotten a room but we usually head to the park anyway so it's not a biggie.