[barbara]

We will be staying at OKW for the first time in 16 days (yea!!).
We are flying down the day before and staying with relatives just north of Orlando, and we are thinking it would be much cheaper to do some grocery shopping away from the WDW area. Since we will have perishables in the car, we are thinking we should not arrive at the resort much before the 4:00 check in time. Should I take the time (30-60 minutes depending on traffic) and drive down earlier in the day and do the early check in so at 4:00 we could go straight to our room? Will it be a problem if I'm the only one who goes to check in (the room is in my name) as we will have a 2 year old with us and this way my son's family can stay at our relative's house and enjoy the pool while Grandma takes care of arrangments? I've stayed at other resorts (CB and POR) and have usually found if you can stay away from the 11:00 check out time and the 3:00 or 4:00 check in time, you cut down alot on wait time. Any thoughts?

[PharroutRacing]

I have always been able to check in early in Sept. and get my room. I have never stayed at OKW though. Get their early and hit the parks.

[skybug]

You might think about going down early to check in. The concierge has refrigieration available for your perishables & they will deliver them to your room after it has been cleaned and assigned. We do this every year...works great for us!!:) :) :)

[mickaholic4077]

I have always been able to get my room early. i am sure you will have no trouble at all.

[tralden]

Go ahead and checkin early (I've checked in as early as 6am before). If your room is ready, great!. If not, you will still get your keys and can call back later to check to see if the room is ready.
We always go straight to the parks after checkin. As another has said, you can leave perishible with the bell hop (make sure you ask for cold storage for those items needing it).
You most certainly do NOT need your whole party with you to checkin. It only takes one person to checkin. Just confirm with them how many will be staying in the room and how many keys you want (and which keys should have room charge capability).

Enjoy your trip,

Todd

[Jennly]

Originally posted by tralden
Go ahead and checkin early (I've checked in as early as 6am before). If your room is ready, great!. If not, you will still get your keys and can call back later to check to see if the room is ready.

That's exactly correct, you can "pre-register" as they call it. If the room's ready, then you're good to go. If not, you've already got the check in process out of the way, you have your keys and you can call back to the resort later in the day to get your room number once it is available.

Another thing I should mention although I am not too sure how pricey it will be. OKW will also be able to stock your kitchen area from their general store. You can call them with or fax them a list. (I would call in advance to verify the process) and they will add those items to your unit. I guess you pay for them with your hotel bill as well. Just a thought, although I know the prices will most likely be higher. I would also suggest staying away from the Goodings in the Crossroads plaza as their prices are pretty outrageous.

Hope this helps!

Jenn

[barbara]

Thanks so much for the advice. I had no idea that they could store our perishables for us! Since we're traveling with a 2 year old that still naps in the afternoon I may still go down early to check in, thinking by the time I get back nap time will be over. We are not planning to do any parks that day anyways ... our thoughts had been downtown Disney or maybe the electrical pageant at Seven Seas Lagoon. We've heard it's fun to take the monorail over to the Polynesian and watch it from there.
14 DAYS TO GO!!

[iluvwdw]

Barbara, I can't wait to hear how your trip goes! We are going in December, staying at OKW for the first time. Please let me know what you think of this resort! THANKS!!! :D