Just did online check in

[zulaya]

Well, we arrive on June 5 and I decided, what the heck, I'll test out the online check in.

Everything was as expected, except when I got to the Room Request section.

Now, just FYI, I wasn't going to make a room request because I had read that they only were asking for ground floor or close to transportation or something like that.

However, I did want to see if that was still the case.

In clicking on the Room Request button, it popped up a window that said something like, "You can only make 2 requests below."

But there was nothing below that text. No check boxes with pre-selected options and no box to type anything in. There was nothing.

I thought maybe it was because I was using Firefox and not Internet Exploder. So I opened IE and tried again. Said exactly the same thing and had no text after it.

So I'm wondering if the system is hinky or if they were in the middle of altering that section and never got back to it. Or maybe something else completely different.

 

[oakmanner]

I just returned and did online check in as well. I too found nowhere to type in my two requests. The raging debate on the boards is that if you made requests when you made your ressie through MS do those requests transfer when you use online check in?

Although I got my request last week, the cast member that checked me in did not give me the impression that I got my request because he could see it via the online check in process on the computer...

 

[Chuck S]

I did online check-in yesterday. There were two check-box options. One was ground floor (which I checked) I don't remember what the other option was. I'm not worried about any location request being erased, as anywhere at OKW is really OK. We'll see what happens next week.

 

[Ksp]

We head down to OKW June 4 - will have to remember to try the online checkin

 

[decarop]

Used the online check in very successfully in May.
Had requested Grandstand when I made the reservation at SSR by phone.
A week before we left I used the online checkin.
There is no place to request a specific section or room that I could find only the ones suggested above.
When we arrived I went to the section for online checkin and without a word from me was placed in the Grandstand section.
The whole process took no more than 5 minutes and we were on our way to lunch and waited for the call that the room was ready. About 30 minutes later.
I can see no reason not to use the online checkin.

 

[Chuck S]

Just back. I did use online check-in for OKW. However, the key printer wasn't working properly on our arrival date, and our assigned room wasn't ready. They re-assigned us to a ready room that happened to be HA (which was fine, I'd rather not have to wait) and we still had to wait about 15 minutes for the keys, so all the online check-in really saved us was for them having to scan the credit card into the system.

I'll try it again next time to see if the results are better, but I really don't see a big advantage of online check-in at the Condo style resorts of SSR and OKW.

 

[zulaya]

Was at Kidani June 5-9. I used online check in and did not make any online requests.

Said we'd arrive at 1pm. Actual arrival was 1:15pm. Keys were ready and room was ready. We had a Standard View 1BR.

I know Kidani isn't finished, but I seem to think that online check in seems to get you a room right away more often than not. And when I've been up for 8 hours already, getting into my room and settling in for vacation is important to me.

My next test will be in Nov. for BCV. Busier time and smaller resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Was at Kidani June 5-9. I used online check in and did not make any online requests.

Said we'd arrive at 1pm. Actual arrival was 1:15pm. Keys were ready and room was ready. We had a Standard View 1BR.

I know Kidani isn't finished, but I seem to think that online check in seems to get you a room right away more often than not. And when I've been up for 8 hours already, getting into my room and settling in for vacation is important to me.

My next test will be in Nov. for BCV. Busier time and smaller resort.

That's an interesting observation. I'll be trying it for our December OKW trip, since I've booked HH, and don't really have anything more specific to request anyway.

 

[zulaya]

Here's my thoughts on why I think online check-in gets you a room right away more often than not:

When you do online check-in, it asks you when you expect to arrive.

Why do that if they won't try to have a room ready for you when you arrive? They could just go by the whole 4pm thing. But if they are asking, they probably are aiming to have a room ready for you when you arrive.

If the information that I'm in a 1BR Std. View and checking in at 1pm is shared with housekeeping, perhaps housekeeping will clean that room sooner so that it is ready for occupancy when I arrive.

Also, online check in asks you when you think you'll be departing the room.

If more people start using online check in, then those who choose to leave earlier in the day or those who happen to have the early morning flights, can log that they are leaving the room at 8am. Perhaps again that information can then be shared with housekeeping who can clean rooms that become vacant over others versus just going down the hall, knocking on doors, wondering if people have left yet.

Perhaps, if a significant number of guests use online check-in, and list accurate departure times, this may result in housekeeping being able to better manage its time and resources and have rooms ready when guests are arriving, rather than having several studios clean when 2BR guests are waiting in the lobby.

Does that make sense?

I hope it ends up working close to how I outline. I can see it resulting in a better use of the housekeeping staff's time, much happier guests who can get into a room immediately AND save a ton of calls from people (like me) who call every so often to see if the room is ready. (and yes, I do know that they have that new system that calls or texts you now when your room is ready, but why use it if you don't have to)

 

[NHmouse]

I am wondering where the online checkin is located on the member website. I Have looked and cannot seem to locate it.

 

[Chuck S]

I am wondering where the online checkin is located on the member website. I Have looked and cannot seem to locate it.

The link to the online check-in is located in the area that shows your reservations, but I think you have to be within 10 days of your arrival date for the link to show up.