Early check in

[xkwisit]

I noticed when signing on to the dvcmember.com site that you can do an early check in 10 days prior to arrival. Is there a benefit to checking in online as opposed to checking in when we get there? This is our first trip as DVC members.

 

[CMOORE185]

Thats the million dollar question. The only real for sure benefit is that it is faster when you get there. Another words you spend less time at the check in counter than someone who did not do online check in. There is some mixed feelings on how it effects things like Bldg. or room requests. We did online check in last week at HHI and got the room we requested and our room was ready when we got there,about 2:00 pm. Would we have got that without online check in? Who knows.

 

[disneynutz]

We did on line check in on Sun at OKW. We had to wait for the Cast Member to wait on the other Guests before we were waited on. I don't see that it is any faster.

 

[dvcmomdeh]

the checkin on line made it really easy when we arrived at the resort. since it was 6 hours before actual check in time. we just got our stuff and went straight to the pool.

The worst part is they do not keep your credit card information in the system so if you make a change once you get there you have to go through the entire process again.

 

[xkwisit]

Thanks for the heads up. I was going to try & check in online but we can't. I'm not sure if its because its our 1st DVC trip. There is no option in our vacation details. We're going next Thursday so its within the 10 day window. Oh well.

 

[Chuck S]

We did online check-in in June at OKW. The room key printer was temporarily down, but came back online while we were waiting at the counter...some problem in the back office took the key encoder offline, so our keys were not in our packet, yet.

Our assigned room also wasn't ready, so they switched up to another room...so in our experience it didn't save any time. However, one advantage, for those that are concerned about the posts that occasionally appear about Credit Card info security at the front desk...the online system places your credit card number into the system, so the desk personnel do not need to swipe your card. And the desk personnel do not see our full CC number on the screen.

From that stand point, online check-in may be a good thing, and I'll try it again for our December trip.

 

[n2mm]

I just returned and did online checkin. ARe you ready for this??? Our room was ready at 8:00AM in a 2 bedroom at BCV!! THis was the first time this has ever happened to us. We got all of our request and had a perfect room. When we checked in the CM wrote our room number down and I could not believe it was ready. We checked in on Sunday 8/16. I'm sure this will never happen again because we have always gotten our room by 4-5:00 on a regular basis. I have no way of knowing if it was related to the online checkin, but whatever, I'll give it a shot for my next trip. I had very specific requests and did get both. (pool view, second floor) My requests were made through MS as the online checkin has no real place for requests.

 

[queenie82]

Do you think online checkin would be a good idea if you are arriving late...really late?
We are arriving about midnight at OKW and so would checking in mean we are more likely to get a room request than if we just do it on arrival?
I mean with the BLT people checking in people who checked in early in the morning and were unhappy were able to ask for an often get a change to a better room such that the later arrivals would get the worse room.

Our only request with OKW I think would be one of the close to parking and close to pool rearish sections....but because as we have never been there we are working off the millions of pieces of advice on here.
So assuming we give a specific request and check in online would that be better than gambling at midnight?
Thanks!!!

 

[Chuck S]

Do you think online checkin would be a good idea if you are arriving late...really late?
We are arriving about midnight at OKW and so would checking in mean we are more likely to get a room request than if we just do it on arrival?
I mean with the BLT people checking in people who checked in early in the morning and were unhappy were able to ask for an often get a change to a better room such that the later arrivals would get the worse room.

Our only request with OKW I think would be one of the close to parking and close to pool rearish sections....but because as we have never been there we are working off the millions of pieces of advice on here.
So assuming we give a specific request and check in online would that be better than gambling at midnight?
Thanks!!!

In your case, I would have Member Services note your very late arrival and your requests on the reservation. You can check-in online if you wish, but at a resort as large as OKW, I'm not sure it is a great advantage just to secure a location.

 

[wdw1972]

From my 3 experiences so far, online checkin has meant my room is ready when I arrive since they know what time I'm coming (12:30, 1pm and 3pm) and there's no waiting in line (big issue one time - line was long but not for me). Personally, I dont' understand why anybody would NOT do it, but hey - what the heck. I'll always do it because it makes the most sense for me. If someone enjoys lines and getting a room from what's left over, more power to them ;-)

 

[Sandisw]

We did online check in for all 3 resorts we stayed it. BWV was ready at 12:00 pm when we arrived, BLT was ready at 8:00 am, and VWL was ready by 1:30 pm (we checked in at 8:30 am so they sent us a text that it was done).

I don't know if this was from online check in or not, but I was so happy that the rooms were ready early. Since you do have to enter the time you will be there, it may play a role in what room you are assigned.

We had no requests so that may have also played a role. But I did like just walking up and having everything all set for me.