Is It Worth Doing Online Check-In?

[rfc0001]

Just a quick follow up regarding my previous post about online check-in room preference vs. room preferences via calling MS -- I talked to MS about this and asked how room assignment worked. They said if they enter the same code as the online check-in preference, and don't put any notes on the account, then either one will be applied automatically *after* they process reservations with notes on them. So, if you have a special request that isn't a standard request, then by calling MS and having them put notes on your account will cause your reservation to be manually processed the day of checkin prior to automatically assigning any other rooms. However, if you are requesting a standard request (e.g. near busses, near lobby, near pool, high floor, low floor, etc.) then it doesn't matter if you request this via online check-in or in advance with MS, as they'll all be processed the day of checkin. The one thing I didn't check is whether the date of your request or online check-in gives you priority in securing your request. I would assume at least with online check-in the earlier you check in the higher your request is in the queue. Hopefully MS requests are treated the same as 60 day checkins. So, applying this back to the OP's question, I would say absolutely check-in online at 60 days if you haven't made room requests with MS and/or if you want to be make sure your MS request was entered (keeping in mind you run the risk of "resetting" your order in the priority queue). Otherwise, no real need to check in online as others have mentioned here, although I don't think it hurts.

 

[ppony]

LOVE online check in. It's always been a time saver for us.

 

[DebbieB]

I never have before but just did it for November 21 AKV. From what I understand, you have to do online checkin to do fastpass+ and magic bands. They haven't opened November up yet for fastpass+ so it was not an option. I also e-mailed my requests to MS last week.

 

[marsh0013]

I never have before but just did it for November 21 AKV. From what I understand, you have to do online checkin to do fastpass+ and magic bands. They haven't opened November up yet for fastpass+ so it was not an option. I also e-mailed my requests to MS last week.

I didn't do online checkin for either of my reservations and we got fp+ and magic bands for both. Not sure if I got lucky or if it's not necessary. I know some people who had already done online checkin had to modify it in order to get magicbands and fp+ to show up.

 

[lucyem]

We have found that on occasion it takes longer to physically check in after using online check in than just walking up to the front desk and checking in.

Several times the line for online check in was longer than the other line.

Bill

This has always been our experience as well.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I do it for most resorts. Won't ever risk it again for BCV. They 'assigned' me to an occupied unit and just kept telling me that it was waiting on cleaning until I asked for a manager at. 6 pm. After he screwed up and confirmed they assign first come I asked if anyone else had gotten a studio in the 8 hours since I checked in. That I'd when they finally realized cleaning was not the issue. Room was occupied until the next day. (I think the front desk would have stuck to 'cleaning' until then LOL

Manager admitted they assigned me the room early in the day and did not change it after current guest extended their stay

 

[disneynutz]

I do it for most resorts. Won't ever risk it again for BCV. They 'assigned' me to an occupied unit and just kept telling me that it was waiting on cleaning until I asked for a manager at. 6 pm. After he screwed up and confirmed they assign first come I asked if anyone else had gotten a studio in the 8 hours since I checked in. That I'd when they finally realized cleaning was not the issue. Room was occupied until the next day. (I think the front desk would have stuck to 'cleaning' until then LOL

Manager admitted they assigned me the room early in the day and did not change it after current guest extended their stay

It's not just a BCV issue, we have had similar issues at other resorts as well.

Bill