First time staying on-site!

[bubblezrulez85]

Alright, so my grandmother and I planned a very spur of the moment trip for 11/7-11/8. We're only staying one night at the POP but I'm very excited! One thing that we were both confused about was the check-in procedure and stuff.

I mean, I'm sure it's like normal hotels where they have a set time, but we'll be arriving right around 9 am. I'm pretty sure we'll be able to park at the resort, but will we be able to at least say we're there? :shrug:

This will be my grandma's first time to the World since 1973, so we're of course wanting to see as much as we can in those two days.

I'm also wondering with check-out, can we leave our car parked at the resort after we check-out? Or would we have to drive it to the parks?

Thanks so much!

 

[lilclerk]

Of course! You can check in at that time, but your room probably won't be ready. It might be, though. I've gotten my room at 8:30am before.

I don't think you'll have a problem leaving your car there after you check out. I think you're technically still a guest of that hotel until midnight the day you check out.

 

[bubblezrulez85]

Of course! You can check in at that time, but your room probably won't be ready. It might be, though. I've gotten my room at 8:30am before.

I don't think you'll have a problem leaving your car there after you check out. I think you're technically still a guest of that hotel until midnight the day you check out.

Woohoo! That's what I was hoping. lol I'll be sure to let her know. Thanks for your help!

 

[R W B]

Everything lilclerk said is correct but i just want to add, If your room is not ready the front desk CMs can take your bags and have them brought to your room once it's ready for you while your out enjoying the parks.

 

[mjmyers10]

If you are arriving before normal check in time, I would definitely do online check in before you get there and let them know you are arriving early. Every time we have done this, our room has been ready.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

Of course! You can check in at that time, but your room probably won't be ready. It might be, though. I've gotten my room at 8:30am before.

I don't think you'll have a problem leaving your car there after you check out. I think you're technically still a guest of that hotel until midnight the day you check out.

Yes, you can even do room billing on your room key card after checkout.

 

[SMS55]

I did it once a few years back where I arrived at 8:00am. You can check in and you'll get your parking pass and you can leave your car. You can even leave your luggage with them and they will put it in your room when the room is ready. I've never left my car behind on my checkout day because when I am ready to go home I just want to get going, but it should not be a problem, because the pass is good til the end of the day on your checkout day.

 

[Master Yoda]

Since this is your first time staying at a Disney resort I highly recommend NOT using online check in. While it does increase the chances of your room being ready early it is designed for guests who are experienced WDW travelers. When you do online check in you will be handed a folder with all of your info in it and be sent on your way. When you do regular check in the CM will take the time to explain everything in your packet and answer and questions you might have. Trust me, if this is your first time at a Disney resort you want everything in that packet explained to you.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

Since this is your first time staying at a Disney resort I highly recommend NOT using online check in. While it does increase the chances of your room being ready early it is designed for guests who are experienced WDW travelers. When you do online check in you will be handed a folder with all of your info in it and be sent on your way. When you do regular check in the CM will take the time to explain everything in your packet and answer and questions you might have. Trust me, if this is your first time at a Disney resort you want everything in that packet explained to you.

I wouldn't do online check-in at all, although I would consider myself a quite experienced WDW traveler by now. The check-in with the normally extremely courteous Disney CMs is to us already part of the Disney experience and magic. I even prefer to wait a few minutes in line instead of online check-in to experience this.
And several times we even got a free room upgrade at these check-ins, e.g. from standard view in the WL to courtyard view.

 

[PhilharMagician]

I would like to add that you can leave your luggage with Bell Services at the resort, but they DO NOT automatically deliver your luggage to your room when it is ready. You need to call them when you are in your room.

If your room is not ready when you check in @ 9:00 AM they will confirm your cell phone number and ask you if you would like notification that your room is ready by voice or text message. At that point you are free to leave and do what ever you want. Later in the day when your room is ready they will send you the message on your phone and at that point you can go to your room at your convienence. There is no rush.

Since you have a car, I would not leave your bags with Bell Services. When you gain access to your room I would just drive to the closest area to your room and bring your bags up yourself. You should not have much with you since you are only staying one night.

Enjoy your first stay at WDW.

 

[eroyee]

I would like to add that you can leave your luggage with Bell Services at the resort, but they DO NOT automatically deliver your luggage to your room when it is ready. You need to call them when you are in your room.

If your room is not ready when you check in @ 9:00 AM they will confirm your cell phone number and ask you if you would like notification that your room is ready by voice or text message. At that point you are free to leave and do what ever you want. Later in the day when your room is ready they will send you the message on your phone and at that point you can go to your room at your convienence. There is no rush.

Since you have a car, I would not leave your bags with Bell Services. When you gain access to your room I would just drive to the closest area to your room and bring your bags up yourself. You should not have much with you since you are only staying one night.

Enjoy your first stay at WDW.

Actually, our bags were waiting for us in our room at POP when we got back from the parks check-in day..

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[PhilharMagician]

Actually, our bags were waiting for us in our room at POP when we got back from the parks check-in day..

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I assume you took Magical Express?

With Magical Express that will happen, but when bags are delivered to Bell Services they will not be delivered to your room until you request them. So for people that drive, use a town car service or a Taxi (basically other than Magical Express) will have to call to have their bags delivered.