Check in via app or in person?

[RD-SOX]

Every trip I have taken I have always checked-in in person. What benefits are there to check in before via app as vs in person? Also is it better to check in BEFORE your check in day? For example I have a reservation starting on Nov 29th, the MDE app says I can "start check in" now, why would I want to do that? Is it better to do this? Would it help if for my room to be ready sooner rather then later?

 

[Sandisw]

I check in online just to make sure that my card is all set.

I them check at the front desk when I arrive to let them know I am there and to put me on a list for a first available room.

But, checking in online ahead of time seems to just save me the few minutes at the desk. Don’t think it matters in room ready time.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I rarely check-in at the front desk because my arrivals are late at night but I do enjoy the interaction with the CMs. They're usually so great and sometimes they do add a little magic to the experience.

Last time I arrived earlier in the day around noon, I went to check in at Contemporary and while she was working on it, I got the "Your Resort Room is Ready!" text. And I was like "Omg.. what a coincidence! Look what I just g- wait.. you did that, didn't you?"

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm like Sandi - I check in online just to get everything set up with credit card and PINs and in hopes of getting the text or push notification with our room number before we actually arrive. But if we haven't gotten it, we'll go to the front desk and politely inquire. We're not usually very picky about room location, but if for some reason we were (for instance, we need a single-story GV at BWV due to bringing a toddler next trip), I'd check at the front desk before going up to the room so that if we don't get what we need, we can hope they can change our room assignment. I've read of owners being charged a cleaning fee because they entered the room and then asked to be moved!

 

[LadybugsMum]

I check in on the app so I can skip the front desk. If we fly, we arrive early in the day and go to the pool or a park. It's nice to not have to go to the desk and just go straight to wherever we want to go while waiting for the room ready text.

 

[Rsmcfa]

Every trip I have taken I have always checked-in in person. What benefits are there to check in before via app as vs in person? Also is it better to check in BEFORE your check in day? For example I have a reservation starting on Nov 29th, the MDE app says I can "start check in" now, why would I want to do that? Is it better to do this? Would it help if for my room to be ready sooner rather then later?

The app check-in works just fine, but don’t sit around waiting for the app to let you know your room is ready. You’ll spend too much time and energy waiting for a response and this is vacation. Check in on-line, drop your bags at concierge and head to a park. No second thoughts - no rush to the room, When you finish at the park your room will be ready!

 

[zackiedawg]

I always check in in-person at the desk when I arrive - mostly because I almost always have specific room requests and want to maximize my chance to get them - and if I didn't get my request, I can work with the desk agent to pick an alternate room that is most favorable. With online checkin, the room is set wherever they put me and I don't like heading up to a room only to head back to the desk to complain and move - so checking in at the desk just makes it the smoothest.

 

[CarolynFH]

I always check in in-person at the desk when I arrive - mostly because I almost always have specific room requests and want to maximize my chance to get them - and if I didn't get my request, I can work with the desk agent to pick an alternate room that is most favorable. With online checkin, the room is set wherever they put me and I don't like heading up to a room only to head back to the desk to complain and move - so checking in at the desk just makes it the smoothest.

Completing online checkin doesn't mean you can't go to the front desk. You can check in online and then go directly to the front desk when you arrive, even if your room is already assigned. As long as you don't enter the room, it can be changed without penalty, if something more to your liking is available.