DDP and Online Resort Check-in

[Tormania]

I've seen some threads from back in 2013 that said even if you did Online check-in for your room that you still needed to physically check-in at your hotel's front desk when you arrived to ensure that your DDP was active on your Magic Bands. It's now almost 2018 and I can't find any additional, updated information on this issue. Do you still need to physically see the front desk when you arrive or does your Online Check-in now truly activate your DDP on your Magic Bands?

 

[Hopefully]

I've seen some threads from back in 2013 that said even if you did Online check-in for your room that you still needed to physically check-in at your hotel's front desk when you arrived to ensure that your DDP was active on your Magic Bands. It's now almost 2018 and I can't find any additional, updated information on this issue. Do you still need to physically see the front desk when you arrive or does your Online Check-in now truly activate your DDP on your Magic Bands?

Really? There is much written on this.
If you do online checkin you may not have to stop at the front desk. You may get a text with you room number and your DDP will be active.

 

[Tormania]

Really? There is much written on this.
If you do online checkin you may not have to stop at the front desk. You may get a text with you room number and your DDP will be active.

I wouldn't have asked if I had found the info, but I do appreciated your response all the same.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

But worth mentioning: it frequently does not work. Have a backup payment method available if you try to use DDP or charge. Keep the receipts and work it out later.

 

[KenHutch]

After one incident where I got a text and when we got to the room the MB didn't work I always go to the front desk when checking in. Luckily for us the one time it didn't work we were at FQ where everyone knows all you have is a 5 minute walk (at worst) to get to the front desk.

 

[Tormania]

Guess better safe then sorry I suppose. We land at 11:35am and should be at AKL-Kidani via DME by 1:30pm or earlier, shouldn't be too busy there from what I recall last time we arrived back in 2013. Should still be able to be at AK by 2pm or so.

 

[Dug720]

After one incident where I got a text and when we got to the room the MB didn't work I always go to the front desk when checking in. Luckily for us the one time it didn't work we were at FQ where everyone knows all you have is a 5 minute walk (at worst) to get to the front desk.

I have never understood the “allergy” to the front desk. I like going and talking with the CM and making sure everything is all set.

 

[Lisa F]

I have never understood the “allergy” to the front desk. I like going and talking with the CM and making sure everything is all set.

it's not an "allergy." Some people like to hit the parks before taking the time to go to the resort and check in. You could kill at least an hour to 90 minutes with the travel time. We frequently land early and hit the parks running then check in later.

When I did that, my MB was not active until I received the text. I actually was in a meal at the time - the waiter checked when we first sat down then I got the text then checked again when it was time to pay and it worked.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you want to go straight to a park, just be sure to have a backup payment method along. That's all.

Arguably a best practice anyway with system downtime chaos that has happened.