Early Online Check-in or Not????

[creeldisney]

Okay, when considering the early online check-in how does it impact your chances for any upgrades? Have any of you gone through the early check in process and still been upgraded? Would be interested to hear thoughts and feedback.

Basically, does going through the early check-in lessen your chances since you've already got your paperwork and such pulled and separated? Or, does going through the normal process help or hinder any potential selection?

 

[KateMW]

Okay, when considering the early online check-in how does it impact your chances for any upgrades? Have any of you gone through the early check in process and still been upgraded? Would be interested to hear thoughts and feedback.

Basically, does going through the early check-in lessen your chances since you've already got your paperwork and such pulled and separated? Or, does going through the normal process help or hinder any potential selection?

I believe that early check-in means you have a room assigned to you when you get there, so you probably won't get an upgrade. Though, since upgrades are few and far between anyway, it might be worth doing if you don't want to deal with all the hassle of checking in. I don't mind checking in and I have to talk to them about my mother's room being close, etc. because of helping her with her ECV, etc. so I am going to wait. I'm not sure just noting it on the account will help. Asking might not work anyway, but we'll see.

 

[cmrules]

I've never done this, curious to see what others think!

 

[Minniemama350]

I did online checkin in October. It was really fast! Usually,you wait in a long line, then you have to stand there and answer a handful of questions and wait some more(not that you hate it, I mean you just got to WDW!). With online I went to the counter after a short wait in line, told them who I was and was on my way in 2 minutes or so. I'll definitely do it again.

Funny, when I was checking in though another guest was complaining about having to wait for 60 seconds to get to the counter. I think perspective is a very important thing here.

 

[JennaWest]

we were just at pop century and we have done the online check in, we got to the hotel a little before noon and we went through an expedited check in and our hotel number was texted to us once it was ready, when we got there they knew what building we would be in but not a room number.

 

[ancestry]

I did the online check-in this past June and found it very helpful. When we arrived at our resort the check-in line was HUGE! Since we did online check-in we were handed our already prepared packet and were on our way in a few minutes.

I don't know about upgrades because I personally believe in booking the level that you want. I don't "hope" for or expect an upgrade. I did have several room requests though and all of them were met with my online check-in.

 

[2Tiggies]

If you do online check-in, are you compelled to provide a credit card number to complete the online booking process? I seem to recall last year it needed on (could be mistaken) so I opted to skip it as I didn't want charging on my room key. Thanks for any help.

 

[cglaura]

If you do online check-in, are you compelled to provide a credit card number to complete the online booking process? I seem to recall last year it needed on (could be mistaken) so I opted to skip it as I didn't want charging on my room key. Thanks for any help.

I just did online check-in yesterday, you do not need to register a cc. They offer it, then when finalizing a little box will pop up to verify your choice, just select no, then all done! Super easy. I always put cash from a traveler's check on my room (if anything, usually I opt out all together). Sometimes a disney gift card if I have any.

This is the first time I've used it, so will have to wait to see how the actual process goes at the resort.

 

[mom2girlsx3]

On our last trip we were chosen as "family of the day" upon our check-in and whisked away by a staff of CMs to the consierge level of AK Lodge. I really wonder if we'd done online check-in if we would have missed out on that??? Thoughts?

 

[mdsouth]

I did the online check-in this past June and found it very helpful. When we arrived at our resort the check-in line was HUGE! Since we did online check-in we were handed our already prepared packet and were on our way in a few minutes.

I don't know about upgrades because I personally believe in booking the level that you want. I don't "hope" for or expect an upgrade. I did have several room requests though and all of them were met with my online check-in.

We found the online check-in to be a great advantage for us. It really saved us lots of time. I had about a one minute wait as opposed to a 40 minutes wait with those that did not do online check-in.

I was able to talk to the CM and she made sure that my requests were met. She was able to tell me what building we would be in but not the room number but that was because we checked in very early in the day around 9:00 AM. The resort sent us a cell phone message later in the day to tell us the actual room number.

I didn't get an upgrade but I didn't expect one - especially during the time we went at the height of the summer crowds. The CM was extremely helpful and took her time helping me, so I think if there had been a chance to upgrade me she might have.