Bypassing resort check-ins

[Mittz]

As far as by-passing resort checking goes, one thing that was not brought up is that at least in the testing face this will inherently be only for U.S. citizens seeing as magic bands aren't shipped out of the U.S.. People like myself, being from Canada, will at the very least need to go to check-in to pick up their magic bands. I would be curious to see if this was a successful roll out, if they would start to ship the magic bands internationally.

 

[lisakramer]

Personally I think this is a great option for families like myself that are dvc or have been a hundred times. I can always ask questions if I want to, but I normally spend 15 min at check in going over everything I already know.

 

[mikelan6]

There will always be a need for cast members at the check in desk for special matters.

 

[Mittz]

Personally I think this is a great option for families like myself that are dvc or have been a hundred times. I can always ask questions if I want to, but I normally spend 15 min at check in going over everything I already know.

yeah I feel the same way especially when you're staying at a resort you've stayed at before. This will be really cool if it gets unloaded full swing and they start mailing the magic bands internationally so that everyone can take advantage of this opportunity.

 

[steve76]

I'm really not sure how I feel about this. I can see the attraction for a city-centre business hotel, where you might have regular business travellers that go there all the time, know the property like the back of their hand and just want to get in and out as quickly as possible.

But I'm not sure whether it's right for Disney - I can't help but think that they are missing the point. If someone DOES goes to a particular resort all the time, and already knows about all of the services, the layout of the resort, etc. etc. then check-in should only take 1 minute anyway. (Confirm identity, confirm reservation, provide keycard, have a magical day). Maybe they should instead focus on speeding up the check-in process for repeat visitors and ensure that they have enough staff to avoid people having to queue?

I'm not sure that losing the personal touch is a good way to go. It seems to me like they are doing this because they can, rather than because they should.

 

[GAN]

Customer Service was always Disney's focus and I suppose that could be debated today. Given that, it certainly is a strange move in my mind. I've always seen check-in as an opportunity for Disney to get a vacation off to a great start, if Customer Service is your greatest strength -then lead with it ...no? It's like giving an intentional walk to a pitcher. I'm sure there are many people who would rather not spend 15 minutes in line, but I still wouldn't let them bypass by best ...unless I've lost confidence in my fastball.

 

[LilyWDW]

Customer Service was always Disney's focus and I suppose that could be debated today. Given that, it certainly is a strange move in my mind. I've always seen check-in as an opportunity for Disney to get a vacation off to a great start, if Customer Service is your greatest strength -then lead with it ...no? It's like giving an intentional walk to a pitcher. I'm sure there are many people who would rather not spend 15 minutes in line, but I still wouldn't let them bypass by best ...unless I've lost confidence in my fastball.

Depends on who you ask you will get different answers to "What is good customer service?" I can assure you that there has been enough requests for something like this. It has been brought up on these boards before. So is it really bad customer service to give customers an option?

 

[JimmyV]

If someone DOES goes to a particular resort all the time, and already knows about all of the services, the layout of the resort, etc. etc. then check-in should only take 1 minute anyway. (Confirm identity, confirm reservation, provide keycard, have a magical day).

Well, it might take 1 minute after they wait 14 minutes in line to be called up to the desk for their 1 minute session. But in reality, it takes more than 1 minute. The CM has a certain speil to go over, like it or not.

Personally, none of this excites or bothers me. We always arrive at night with no intention of heading to a park after check-in. Doesn't matter to me if it takes me zero minutes or 15. Plus, all of my "magical" on the spot upgrades have come when I spoke with a CM. I'm willing to risk 15 minutes of time in order to interact with a human if it might result in a room with a better view, or Concierge Level privileges. If you head straight to the room that you were pre-assigned, then you are going to get what you get.

 

[GAN]

plus, all of my "magical" on the spot upgrades have come when i spoke with a cm. I'm willing to risk 15 minutes of time in order to interact with a human if it might result in a room with a better view, or concierge level privileges. If you head straight to the room that you were pre-assigned, then you are going to get what you get.

bingo!

 

[GAN]

Depends on who you ask you will get different answers to "What is good customer service?" I can assure you that there has been enough requests for something like this. It has been brought up on these boards before. So is it really bad customer service to give customers an option?

While bypassing check-in is a "service" it is not "customer service". I agree that there were probably quite a few(maybe low percentage wise though?) who prefer the luxury of skipping check-in, but they would probably do more people a service if they allowed guests to bypass gift shops after rides! Just my opinion, of course.

 

[DLM1980]

Perhaps Bypassing check-in is what "online check-in" is going to be for. When you checkin online they should display a resort map and/or email it to you so you can print it out.



One thing to question though....how will one receive their packet that contains thine bounce back offer? Will they go back to the the White Rabbit's PocketWatch in the rooms again, or will there be dedicated cast members who will be "Disney Mail Carriers" that deliver "Welcome Mail" to your room ? Or will the offers just be emailed/texted to you?

 

[steve76]

Well, it might take 1 minute after they wait 14 minutes in line to be called up to the desk for their 1 minute session. But in reality, it takes more than 1 minute. The CM has a certain speil to go over, like it or not.

That's exactly my point - if the problem is that people have to wait 15 minutes in line to check in, then the solution is to put more people on the front desk, additional 'roaming' staff that can check people in using tablets, and/or speeding up the process so that they don't have to wait 15 minutes.

And as for the spiel - again, if the check-in staff can see that the customer has come to the same resort several times in the recent past, or can 'read' the customer, then they should offer all of the details if they want it, or skip it if it's not necessary.

I just worry that they are throwing the baby out with the bathwater...

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I guess they must have all the bugs worked out then where they are sending people 6 magic bands when you book back-to-back stays. I consider myself to be a seasoned WDW vacationer however even I wasn't sure what to do with that one. I had one day at one resort and then bought points to stay DVC - it ended up having to be two different ressies but the same resort (not enough points from one person) so I ended up with 3 total reservations. The first person at check-in was able to put everything on one set of bands for the entire stay but I still had to check in (in person) to confirm I didn't have to change rooms for the 2nd half of our DVC stay. They couldn't manage that over the phone and now they want to do this without a CM???

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Personally I think this is a great option for families like myself that are dvc or have been a hundred times. I can always ask questions if I want to, but I normally spend 15 min at check in going over everything I already know.

I'm not DVC but I feel the same way. I've never gotten the magical feeling at check in and only once got a room upgrade from a standard room to a pool view room during the cold snap in Dec. 2010 so I never even opened the curtains to look at the pool since I wasn't going to be in it. LOL

If I'm staying at a resort I'm familiar with like POR, it'll be nice to have the option of bypassing the resort check in.

I'm sure I'll be seeing those folks at some point anyway like when the charging quits working on my magic band or my magic band quits letting me into my room (both happened on our Memorial Weekend 2014 trip).

 

[auroralark]

Personally I think this is a great option for families like myself that are dvc or have been a hundred times. I can always ask questions if I want to, but I normally spend 15 min at check in going over everything I already know.

I totally agree with this as well. I hate waiting in line at check-in...I want to just get my stuff and get on with my trip. Think about when the ME bus drops people off at a resort - the line for check in is huge. These are people who have been traveling for hours and the last thing anyone wants to do is stand in another long line just to check in. I think what you have to remember is that this service is optional...I'm sure they'll never get rid of the front desk CM. Plenty of people will still need to be checked in the regular way. I think the option is great. I'll be taking advantage of it as soon as I can.

 

[Lisann]

Not sure I'm a fan of this. Might be okay for some.

It will feel like I'm a guest in someone's home, but I haven't rung the front doorbell and announced I've arrived, or have been invited in.

 

[joannamet]

I'm all for speeding up check in but we're not regular visitors so I expect I'll still go in to get a resort map and figure out where my room is as well as picking up the Times Guide and just enjoying the arrival ambiance and excitement.

 

[monkistan]

I've recently been coming every couple of years. Not as frequent as some, not incredibly infrequent. There is something about the smell of the lobby and the ambiance that signals to me that I'm on a Disney vacation. I don't mind the wait, though i've never waited long. I like the process.

I hope that, as the move forward with this, that it's only an option. I don't want to go straight to my room. The process is part of the experience, to me, i guess.

 

[jeanigor]

I look forward to there being a box to check during online check-in that asks if I would like to 'skip the front desk' upon arrival at my resort. Only once out of eleven stays since they launched the MagicBands was my front desk experience less than 30 minutes, whether utilizing Magical Express or driving myself.

I find the packet of papers and whatnot that they give me at check-in to be a bother. There is nothing in there that I will need nor that I want. It hits the recycle bin as soon as I get in the room.

 

[pigletgirl]

Not sure I'm a fan of this. Might be okay for some.

It will feel like I'm a guest in someone's home, but I haven't rung the front doorbell and announced I've arrived, or have been invited in.

I agree. I really enjoy the "welcome" aspect of checking in. It's nice to know they are there if we need anything during our stay. The front desk staff can really make your vacation!