Has anyone ever gotten an early check-in??

[sweetpee_1993]

Due to very limited flights coming in/out of the closest little airport to us we will have to get up at like 4:00 am to catch our first flight at 5:45. We'll be arriving in Orlando at just after 11:00 am and should be on property by noonish. I've got dining reservations at Epcot for our first evening since Epcot is our family's fav park. I'm concerned about how whipped we're going to be. Ideally I would say take a nap and then get moving. That may not be possible if we can't get a room early. I'm doubtful we'll get an early check-in. I'm pretty sure I'm just dreaming about miracles here. Has anyone ever gotten an early check-in? We'll be in the Contemporary Nov.30-Dec.9. Just curious. I'm thinking maybe I'd better change that dinner ressie to a later lunch and resolve myself to being in bed knocked out by 9. LOL!

 

[SarahSmilin1117]

We have actually never ( 5 trips ) checked in at 3 always before and never had to wait. the best one was when we were at AKL and not only got the early check in but the free upgrade to savannah view. i will sing that resort's praises til the end of time...i loved it there...have fun!

 

[DVC Dave]

Hmmm, I have gotten in early before...but only by an hour. i don't know about several hours

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I've gotten there early before and have been given a room. It all depends on the resort occupancy. If you room wasn't being stayed in right before your reservation then it will be ready for you. Otherwise you will have to wait. The quieter the season the better of a chance you have.

 

[msk0879]

Two Years Ago We Arived There The Same Weak At One And Got Our Room No Problem But I Know Thats A Rarity Last Year We Waited Till 3 See You Ther We Arive On The First

 

[imamouse]

I've checked in as early as 9 AM and been given a room, then again, once my room wasn't ready until 4:30 PM. Both visits were in mid-Oct, but different years, so it just depends on whether or not the room has been released by Mousekeeping.

 

[csm7030]

You can always check-in whenever you arrive, no matter what time. They will give you your room keys, park admission(if purchased with the room), etc... They will even take your luggage and it is will be taken to your room for you. They will give you a number to call and your room keys become activated as soon as your room is ready. That way you can check-in upon arrival and then go to one of the parks or lay by the pool until your room is ready.

 

[Did Knee]

CSM7030, I think you missed the OP's point. They want to be able to get in the room and get a power nap prior to their late afternoon festivities. I always arrive early (like 8AM)on check in day. Three times at the WL and once at POFQ in the last three years. WL didnt have a room for us once, but the other two times at WL and at POFQ we got a room right off the bat. I'd say chances are good in my opinion.

 

[CleveRocks]

3:00 p.m. isn't the time that they tell you you must wait for to check-in. 3:00 p.m. is the time that they pretty much guarantee that your room will be ready (4:00 p.m. for DVC resorts).

In other words, if you check-in before 3, it's not like they're doing you a special favor or it's something you've gotta try to request in advance. If a room is ready at 7:00 a.m., it's yours. Purely a matter of availability.

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

On July 6 we arrived at the Polynesian at around 10:50am and checked in. Our room was ready and we went straight to the room before we had lunch and went to the Animal Kingdom.

 

[gunsnroses]

Last year in Sept. at Carribean beach our room was ready at 11:00, we headed to MGM, (sorry Disney Studios) rode Tower & RNRC a few times then went back to room and our luggage was there at 4!

 

[DisneyMusician2]

The last time I went, I got checked into my room at All-Star Movies a little after 11:00AM. It justhappened to be ready early when I got off the plane, and was an adventageous stroke of luck for me.

 

[Nansafan]

It's pretty much six of one, half a dozen of the other. You could get into your room early or you might not as others have posted. Just like hotels all over, you might get your room early or might not. We (3 couples) went to Vegas. My husband and I and another couple flew together meeting couple number 3. We arrived first, checked in at 10:30 AM and were told we could get into our room at 3:00 PM. Fine, we stashed our bags with the bell hops and waited for couple number 3 to arrive. They arrived about 1/2 hour later, checked in and got into their room immediately. It is just the way it worked.

 

[WDWEric]

If I had to guess I would say at that time of year you should have no problem getting into your room early. This is no guarantee but I would think that it wouldn't be a problem. Our last two trips (July 4th week in 2003@ ASMusic, end of april 2007@Pop) we had no problems getting our rooms early and our flight arrived about the same time yours does. Good Luck!

 

[WDWEric]

Last year in Sept. at Carribean beach our room was ready at 11:00, we headed to MGM, (sorry Disney Studios) rode Tower & RNRC a few times then went back to room and our luggage was there at 4!

Disney's Hollywood Studios! :ROFLOL:

 

[crazydaveh]

I have never had a problem checking in early. I have done this dozens of times at all three levels of resorts at WDW. It just depends if your room is ready or not. At least you can get rid of your luggage!

I know when my family comes into town that early they are usually too excited to go in for a nap, they want to hit the parks! They slow down around 3... Maybe this will work out for you so if a room isn't ready you can go back and grab some Z's in the late afternoon.

The only time I had a problem was when I checked in around around midnight. My non-smoking room had been given to someone else (back when they guaranteed NS rooms) and when I checked in, no more rooms at the inn! I waited until 1:30 am when they sent me from Caribbean to AKL and put me in a suite because it apparently was the only non smoking room left unoccupied on property! That was a crazy situation and the CM went well above the call of duty for me.

 

[Dagger]

Maybe you could mention your situation and let them know you could wait for the first available, if possible? Couldn't hurt. Like others say, I think you have a good chance though. The week after Thanksgiving to the 2 weeks before Christmas should be some of the less crowded (well, there is a marathon in there I believe)

 

[LeeSeeBabe]

We have barely EVER had to wait (I don't say Never because I didn't care about getting to the room when I was young so I don't know if we did years ago). That is, until this past trip (15-17 at CSR). And when I say we didn't get early check-in, our room was ready at 2, so I supposed it still is early check-in. Typically it still seems like they often have rooms ready early, or maybe I'm just lucky?


P.S. look for my trip report in the next few days. I had to drive my momma home to Fort Myers, so I'm heading back to Tallahassee today then I'll get started on it. :wave:

 

[Purple413]

3 years ago we checked in at 8AM and our room was ready at AS Music. We were even given an upgraded room for free. That was the only time and it hasn't happened since.

 

[csm7030]

CSM7030, I think you missed the OP's point. They want to be able to get in the room and get a power nap prior to their late afternoon festivities. I always arrive early (like 8AM)on check in day. Three times at the WL and once at POFQ in the last three years. WL didnt have a room for us once, but the other two times at WL and at POFQ we got a room right off the bat. I'd say chances are good in my opinion.

I did not miss their point. I guess it is okay for you to give your input, but not for me to give mine.