Faxing a requested site and on-line check-in.

[SCCamper]

Has anybody ever used the online check in as well as sending a fax to request a certain site? I know there is no guarantee that you will get a site, or loop for that matter just because you sent a fax.
From what I read on other posts, it's usually a good idea to try to send a fax about 3 to 5 days prior to your arrival. Online check-in can be done 10 days prior to your arrival, per WDW website. I was just wondering if we should not even bother with the online check-in if it will make it even less of a chance to not get a site or loop request.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[clkelley]

There is no problem doing both. The fax can list your requests specifically. The online checkin only has about 3 check boxes which are pretty useless.

The online checkin goes ahead and gets your credit card in the system and allows them to prepare your folder ahead of time and print your resort ID cards. It saves you time at the checkin station. However, there will still be others in line ahead of you that have not done online checkin.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The concern that you have expressed is the reason I am leery of on-line check in. I looked at this once, and saw that there is no way in the process to request a specific loop. They ask you to choose something like whether you want to be close to transportation. Well, what does that mean? Will that put you near a bus stop? or the marina? or a sidewalk? or closer to the Outpost?

So, what if you do the on-line check in ten days before you arrive? When do they assign you to your site and prepare your room keys? What if that is already done before you send in your fax?

I have always been pretty lucky with loop requests. But, there have been times at check in where I have inquired to see if my assignment could be changed. Sometimes it has been possible, other times not. If I do on-line check in, and everything has been prepared before I arrive, I don't think it would be very likely to have a change made at check-in. And it certainly would be rude for me to request a change when others who did on-line check in may be waiting behind me.

The way things are currently done, I fail to see any real advantage to on-line check in, so I don't bother. The way I look at it, it is just something else that can get things needlessly screwed-up.

TCD

 

[clkelley]

TCD, the key is you can check-in online UP TO 10 days before arrival.

I usually fax my requests in at 5 days out, then do my online checkin at 2 or 3 days out.

 

[SCCamper]

Thank you for the replies. I think I will just pass on the online check-in to be on the safe side. I have never really had to wait too long checking in to begin with. I have never faxed a request before, so I hope that works out.

 

[team bradfield]

Thank you for the replies. I think I will just pass on the online check-in to be on the safe side. I have never really had to wait too long checking in to begin with. I have never faxed a request before, so I hope that works out.

we online checked in the day before our arrival, we faxed our site request in 5 days out.

We pulled up to check in, CM handed us our packet and room keys (5). Waited maybe 10 minutes tops, headed to our requested site. could not have been any smoother. After a 3 day drive with 3 kids, it was worth the effort.....

 

[Tri-circle-D]

TCD, the key is you can check-in online UP TO 10 days before arrival.

I usually fax my requests in at 5 days out, then do my online checkin at 2 or 3 days out.

Ah, I see. That seems like it would work. But, when I visited the week before last, there was a sign at the guard shack that said on-line check in should use lane 3, or something to that effect. I believe when this started earlier this year, the packets for on-line check in were kept in a central area, and you could use any lane to check in. So, when I checked in, there was a person checking in at the on-line check in lane. I had one person ahead of me in an adjacent lane. Sure enough, the person ahead of me completed his check in, and I was done and on my way into the Fort before the person in the on-line check in lane was done! Also, if you are renting a golf cart, and picking it up at check in, I am not sure how that would work with the on-line check in lane.

we online checked in the day before our arrival, we faxed our site request in 5 days out.

We pulled up to check in, CM handed us our packet and room keys (5). Waited maybe 10 minutes tops, headed to our requested site. could not have been any smoother. After a 3 day drive with 3 kids, it was worth the effort.....

Glad it worked out for you. But, I still think, depending on your timing, that the on-line check in could cause more problems than it is worth.

TCD