Do you do DVC online check-in?

[travelbug]

Just wondering how many of you use the online check-in for your DVC reservations, and how many of you just wait and do regular check-in in person? What pros and cons have you found to doing check-in as you do?

Leaving in 10 days and haven't decided whether to try the online check-in or not.

Thanks! :)

[erionm]

If I'm not concerned about room location, I'll do on-line check-in.

[goofy4tink]

I used to, but not anymore. When I did online checkin for BWV in Dec, I gave my credit card info, just the same as always. Nothing seemed to have changed.
But, when I got to BW and tried to pay for my DDP with the gift cards I had brought (expressly for this purpose) I found that the dining plan had already been paid for...directly to my credit card!! I hadn't wanted anything put on that credit card..just put it there for express checkout purposes. I planned on using my rewards card and the gift cards. But, no, they told me that it was the new policy at BW to automatically charge your credit card for dining plans. I was not a happy camper.
No more online checkin for me.

[Daddio]

I use it all the time. I love having my package ready at check-in.


David

[DebbieB]

I don't think it's necessary, I've never seen a line at a DVC resort. I'd rather talk to a person and make sure everything is in order.

As far as room requests, I got the best room I ever had without it last December.

[DebbieB]

I used to, but not anymore. When I did online checkin for BWV in Dec, I gave my credit card info, just the same as always. Nothing seemed to have changed.
But, when I got to BW and tried to pay for my DDP with the gift cards I had brought (expressly for this purpose) I found that the dining plan had already been paid for...directly to my credit card!! I hadn't wanted anything put on that credit card..just put it there for express checkout purposes. I planned on using my rewards card and the gift cards. But, no, they told me that it was the new policy at BW to automatically charge your credit card for dining plans. I was not a happy camper.
No more online checkin for me.

What did you end up doing? Was there anyway to fix it?

[dmoore22]

Our only negative check-in experience was when we used online last spring. I wrote it off as a new system that had some glitches to work out. My DW has sworn off online check-in. When we used the normal check-in this past Christmas all was right with the world. We noticed that the lines for online check-in were longer which, obviously, meant that regular check-in was shorter. We didn't have a wait, our room was ready, and, of course, location, location, location. :) We cannot endorse online check-in.

[Disneypubgal]

We have used On-line check in before... no problems for us..

[jimmiej]

I used to, but not anymore. When I did online checkin for BWV in Dec, I gave my credit card info, just the same as always. Nothing seemed to have changed.
But, when I got to BW and tried to pay for my DDP with the gift cards I had brought (expressly for this purpose) I found that the dining plan had already been paid for...directly to my credit card!! I hadn't wanted anything put on that credit card..just put it there for express checkout purposes. I planned on using my rewards card and the gift cards. But, no, they told me that it was the new policy at BW to automatically charge your credit card for dining plans. I was not a happy camper.
No more online checkin for me.

:scared1: Wow! I'm glad I read this. I have certain things I want to go on my CC & other things on my rewards card. Maybe I'll skip on-line check-in.

[LoveKermit]

We did online check-in a couple weeks ago at BWV. We got in so late, it was nice to just get the folder and go. However, they did not include a parking permit, but they just printed one the next morning.

It seems like BWI and BWV might share check-in? So, on Sunday, when the masses arrived, the line at check-in was very long. I definitely would be glad to have done online, had I been checking in then.

But maybe it was a convention, who knows.

[DVCSAMNH]

I have never used online check-in but after waiting in a huge line at BLT last week I might start making an exception for that property. There was a huge convention group checking in in front of me. You don't run into that at the other DVC resorts. (Haven't stayed at BCVs. May also be a problem there.)
I have to give them kudos though. The CMs at the Contemporary are like well oiled machines! They ran through that line in no time. But, online check in would have definitely saved me a good bit of vacation time that I can't get back.

[travelbug]

Thanks, everyone. It's interesting to hear everyone's take on using online check-in or not. For us, it may boil down to whether we want to have possible input on room location at all or not. (Not that we're very picky --we're not)

Goofy4tink, that would have frustrated me too! I'm glad you shared that experience here, as it may save someone else from having the same thing happen.

[disneynutz]

We have used it 7 or 8 times and I don't see the benefit.

Disney has started to roll out their next phase of implementing. We were told at BLT in December that Guests who us online check in aren't allowed to make or modify requests when they check in.

:) Bill

[travelbug]

Disney has started to roll out their next phase of implementing. We were told at BLT in December that Guests who us online check in aren't allowed to make or modify requests when they check in.

:) BillI thought that was always the case. I was assuming that once I would check in online, my room assignment would be locked in before my arrival and I would just be handed my packet and key. That's why I'm debating whether to do it or not. How is the next phase of implementing different from what's been done up until now?

[LoveKermit]

We got most of our "request." We said high floor near the elevator (at BWV). We were on the 5th floor. I might have said quiet pool view since the clown was under construction. We got that.

We weren't close to the elevator, but we were about in the middle of the complex, so we are not complaining.

You have the option to not enter your CC #. If you are paying by alternative methods or have DDP or something, I would deal with that when you arrive, whether or not you've already checked in.

We did not enter the CC. So, supposedly you had to check out at the desk. DH did, but never got the feeling he had to.

[disneynutz]

I thought that was always the case. I was assuming that once I would check in online, my room assignment would be locked in before my arrival and I would just be handed my packet and key. That's why I'm debating whether to do it or not. How is the next phase of implementing different from what's been done up until now?

The packet is made up the night before arrival. The change now is that before, the Front Desk CM's would still let you ask which room you were assigned and you could request a change if desired.

We have found the the room assigners are a mixed bag. Some seem to try harder than others and that has been verified by the Front Desk CM's.

Often prior to online check in the CM's would move us to a room that better matched our request, looks like that's imposable now.

:) Bill

[toniosmom]

Has anyone ever used online check-in at Kidani? We'll be there in about 30 days (on a Saturday) and I really need to be close to the lobby and pool (have a handicapped mother). Perhaps I should skip it and check-in when we arrive. Our flight is early and I anticipate getting to the resort by 11am at the latest. Maybe we'll have a better choice of room.

[travelbug]

The packet is made up the night before arrival. The change now is that before, the Front Desk CM's would still let you ask which room you were assigned and you could request a change if desired.

We have found the the room assigners are a mixed bag. Some seem to try harder than others and that has been verified by the Front Desk CM's.

Often prior to online check in the CM's would move us to a room that better matched our request, looks like that's imposable now.

:) BillThat's interesting. Thanks, Bill, for explaining. :)

[jlovesee]

Just back and used online check in for BWV standard view, got everything I requested, high floor, near bus stop (for illuminations view), got 4119, which had a GREAT view of fireworks.

Jennifer

[quentina]

We arrive Thursday and did online check in. I requested....sunset savannah. That's it. Usually, I have no requests, just take whatever they give me however; I LOVE giraffe's so....I asked.

I will let you know if I get it!!

[Mom B]

We did 3 room/resort switches on our last trip and I think I used it 2 out of 3 times...it was pretty slick at Vero but I can't see that it made much difference one way or the other at any of our resorts, things went pretty fast regardless. And we did generally get our room requests. So, whether I do it or not in the future will mostly depend on whether I get the time to and think of it or not! I think I would do it if we were planning on checking in at a "busy" time but as long as we avoid the Friday before Marathon Weekend or the like I wouldn't worry about it. (We did have one negative experience in the past with checking in at the Pop Century on Marathon Weekend once and, never again!)

[Disneypubgal]

Just back and used online check in for BWV standard view, got everything I requested, high floor, near bus stop (for illuminations view), got 4119, which had a GREAT view of fireworks.

Jennifer

Studio, 1 bedroom?

[jlovesee]

1-bedroom, my husband got some photos of the view I was thinking of posting those, but hadn't got around to it yet.

Jennifer

[jennypenny]

We like online checkin, but we always request a first floor room so it's easier for us. And sometimes the BC desk is swamped with conventions so I like having the packet ready. And it's easier at BCV because most of the rooms are the same view/distance from lobby or parking. It's not like BW or at AKL where you might want a certain view.

[toniosmom]

We arrive Thursday and did online check in. I requested....sunset savannah. That's it. Usually, I have no requests, just take whatever they give me however; I LOVE giraffe's so....I asked.

I will let you know if I get it!!

Please let me know -- I'm very interested. I didn't realize that you could request Sunset Savannah. I thought there were very few options, such as 'close to lobby' or 'close to transportation'.

[Beth]

I used online checking for our Kidani GV in January.

I didn't make any room requests, and was fortunate to get the first room off of the elevator - it was wonderful.

The only problem we had.... there were 8 of us, 6 adults and 2 children, and they applied my credit card for charging priveleges to all of the room keys. I had to have them recut 6 of the 8 keys...

In the future - if it is just DH and I, I'll enter my credit card but - if we're going to have guests staying with us - I'll wait until I get there to offer the credit card.

I asked the gentleman checking me in if there was anything I could have done online to have prevented this, and he said, "no." ...there was no indication on the website (that I recall) warning me that this would be the case...

FWIW.

[Lost in Neverland]

We did online check in 2 weeks ago. Everything went great. You do have the option of not giving a credit card number when you do online check in. That is what we did due to wanting to pay cash for our DDP for the first half of our trip. If after you arrive you want to add the credit card you can. We got to OKW at 1 pm and our room was ready and waiting. When we went to BLT a couple of days later we checked in at 9 am our room was ready by 1130. All room requests and locations were met even with doing the online check in.So I am sure we will do it again.

[jimmiej]

We did online check in 2 weeks ago. Everything went great. You do have the option of not giving a credit card number when you do online check in. That is what we did due to wanting to pay cash for our DDP for the first half of our trip. If after you arrive you want to add the credit card you can. We got to OKW at 1 pm and our room was ready and waiting. When we went to BLT a couple of days later we checked in at 9 am our room was ready by 1130. All room requests and locations were met even with doing the online check in.So I am sure we will do it again.

Good point!

[ead79]

I used online check-in for the first time this past December at Kidani. It went very smoothly and was a nice time saver. Two thumbs up from us!

[corpcomp]

Seems I'm the only one with a problem. We tried using it last Halloween for SSR and BWV. It did not work with either. Kept rejecting me and we got in very late the first night and had to go through the normal check-in process for both resorts.

[Anal Annie]

I almost always have some sort of a room request & if I have more than 1 option then I'd like to have that choice at the desk when we get there. I'm with others who've never seen much of a line at check-in so I don't think it's that big of a deal.

[Sandisw]

I used to, but not anymore. When I did online checkin for BWV in Dec, I gave my credit card info, just the same as always. Nothing seemed to have changed.
But, when I got to BW and tried to pay for my DDP with the gift cards I had brought (expressly for this purpose) I found that the dining plan had already been paid for...directly to my credit card!! I hadn't wanted anything put on that credit card..just put it there for express checkout purposes. I planned on using my rewards card and the gift cards. But, no, they told me that it was the new policy at BW to automatically charge your credit card for dining plans. I was not a happy camper.
No more online checkin for me.

Did you ask them to switch it? I was there in August and the same thing happened. I told them that I wanted to use my Disney rewards instead. They credited the my CC and then took the rewards card instead.

Matter of fact, I was doing a split stay and had done this at the other resorts. The CM at BWV even went in to those reservations and put a note on them to not charge it as I would pay at check in with reward dollars and gift cards.

But, knowing this, I will never leave my CC any longer if I do decide to do online check in again.

[dairyqueenmom]

We have done online check-in for the last two trips, one in October and one in August. I honestly don't think it saved much time. Maybe 5 min., so if that much time is important then go for it. On our August trip, another Seymour family had done online check-in and they gave us their room. We had to go back and get the correct room. So the 5 min timed saved gone!

[Sheribo]

We have used online check in twice and both times we had to change our room. Last November, we were staying at SSR and requested Congress Park or Grandstand, water view. We got the Paddock. The CM said the room assignment is random and that most people change them anyway. :confused3