Heading straight to the park...

[Nhebron]

My tickets are on a package. Do I need to check ino the resort before hitting up the park? Any advantages of doing so?

 

[BrittyRo]

You do not need to check in to use your tickets at the park.

 

[SplashMo]

I sometimes leave my carry on at the Bell Hop but seldom check in... Of course a locker at the park would work as well...

 

[dprincessmom]

We always do online check in and actually check in at the resort. We are batting about 75% of getting our room at arrival (usually around 8 am). To us it is well worth the 30 minutes or so to check in, unpack and "settle in" to the room before we hit the parks. To us, the benefit of checking in before parks is that after a long day of travel and at the park it is great to come grab a shower and get ready for a new day without having to deal with the front desk area.

 

[POOHsie]

There's every advantage to checking-in first. If driving, you can give Bell Services your luggage (if your room isn't ready). The CM at check-in will activate your dining credits (if any). You'll get your free parking pass for the parks (if needed). If arriving by DME, you'll stop at your resort first anyway. Without checking in, you don't get to access your dining credits or get a parking pass.

 

[Nhebron]

Thanks everyone.

 

[disnut8]

There's every advantage to checking-in first. If driving, you can give Bell Services your luggage (if your room isn't ready). The CM at check-in will activate your dining credits (if any). You'll get your free parking pass for the parks (if needed). If arriving by DME, you'll stop at your resort first anyway. Without checking in, you don't get to access your dining credits or get a parking pass.

Agree with this - checking in first just makes it one less thing you need to do after a day in the parks. You can get everything taken care of and get texted your room number when it's ready so once back at the resort, you just go to your room.

Also, you can look at the new option of not even going to the front desk for check in.

 

[Hootch]

Disney is testing a new check in policy that allows guests to bypass the front desk completely. Once you have completed several items, your MBs are activated and can be used. The resort we are booked in is participating. We are planning to head to the parks quickly after we arrive. I'm not sold on the process yet. Maybe we will get some feedback from participants.

http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/06/18/walt-disney-world-resorts-testing-new-check-process/