I wanted to get an idea of when people find is the best time to check in to Disney Resorts. I wanted for folks to tell me what they have experienced.

Both our previous on-site Disney trips, we checked in late morning i.e. fly first thing in the morning and get to the resort late morning. I got this advice somewhere, can’t remember if it was here or another site but it has worked really well where not only did we get a room pretty close to what we requested but also were able to check into the room right away. In booking our June 2008 trip, I have found some really cheap flights (1/2 price) but we would not get to the resort until after 10-11pm. Are only the dud rooms left that late and should I wait to see if other flights open up or should I not worry about it and book the cheap flights?

I would save the money and go for the later flight - if you don't mind losing a day of park time while still paying for the hotel. Also, it usually takes me a while to wind down after traveling, so it might be hard to be up and at 'em as early as you want the next day.

I'm not ultra picky about my room location/etc, so unless the room didn't get made up, it probably wouldn't matter to me. If it's a truly bad location for you (really noisy due to the pools or something), you can always ask to be moved the next day.

I can only give you my one trip experience but here goes-arrived via DME at CBR on a Saturday at 4pm. Prime check in time. The lobby was overflowing-literally. Took over an hour of standing in line. I'm having flashes of "gee, is the whole vacation gonna be like this?"(it wasn't). I can't even imagine what it would have been like if we'd had all of our luggage with us.

Due to this, when moving to Pop for a night, we cabbed it over at 8 in the morning rather than heading to a park first and then moving over. No one in line-nada. What a difference and a pleasure.

In your situation, I agree with Drince. Take the cheaper flight; check in late. If you aren't happy with your location, you can always move-and Disney will move your luggage for you.

We drive over-night and usually arrive between 7-9am. Check in has varried depending on what day of the week it is as well as which season and which resort. Our average wait time is about 15 minutes for check-in. Most of the time they have a room ready. Only once did we have to wait until 3:00 to get a room. That was a nightmare, too--I had driven all night and was exhausted, but we had to wait six hours for a room!

The longest we waited was at Old Key West. Loved the resort, didn't love the service when we checked in.

Check in has varried depending on what day of the week it is as well as which season and which resort.

This brings up a follow-up to my question. Is there a better day to check in?

My last couple of trips, I've developed a new routine that works pretty well. My flight gets in around 11am-11:30am, and I quickly pick up my rental car and head for my resort. But upon arrival I don't check in right away - I get lunch at one of that resort's restaurants or food court. Then I check in around 1:30pm or so, and they've always had a room available right away.

I'd have a hard time arriving so late and not being able to head into the parks shortly after arrival.

This brings up a follow-up to my question. Is there a better day to check in?

Sundays have been better for us (rather than Saturdays) and I think once we checked in on a Tuesday and there was no one in the lobby.