On-line Check-in Benefits?

[gismo1554]

Is it worth checking in online or not? I don't really understand why I need to do it so far in advance so wanted to find out what people think and whether its worth doing?

Thanks in advance

 

[momofboyz3]

I've only gone to disney once (this past may) so I am not one of the dis vets or a pro here. I'm sure someone will get into more specifics. But, I will share my experience. I was NOT going to do it. 2 days prior to our trip I was on my morning commute (train) and forgot my book, so figured hey let me do online check-in. Fast fwd to POR 2 days later at about 11:00am. About a dozen ppl in line. CMs w/ iPad walk down the line asking if anyone did online check-in (I was last in line). Nobody in front of me said anything. So when I said i did the CM pulled me out of line and sat me on the couch it was a fast process! She was so nice! Was our 1st visit so she made us some pins. Our room was ready! We were pixie dusted with an upgrade (Royal Room, pool view).
So yes, my experience was wonderful.

 

[DWillowBay]

IMHO, the best benefit is that it is psychologically uplifting!! It just makes it seem as though it is "just around the corner". But, in more practical terms, it gives the room planners ample time to fit all the pieces of the puzzle of room assignment together. We have always gotten at least one of our requests granted, but if nothing else, I concur with the PP, it sure is faster when checking in. If you stand in the check-in line, you'll hear a bunch of people asking for the same requests they could have asked for on-line 60 days prior. At that point, the chances of getting those request seems like it would be less merely because of the on-line check in. Did I mention, it feels TERRIFIC to do!! Just did it this morning and life is good.

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks both. After your advise I've gone in and done it.

 

[momofboyz3]

Thanks both. After your advise I've gone in and done it.

have a magical trip

 

[DWillowBay]

See...the magic has already begun for you. Blessings on your trip!!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks both! And I agree it did make me feel happy knowing I had checked in!

 

[FigmentChick]

Hi, Sarah

I actually use online check-in because we arrive early, usually around 9am. So, when I do online check-in, I am basically saying: please have my room ready. We have done it twice and the room has been ready both times.

I will admit, I'm a little more nervous this time around because we're staying at OKW which is DVC rather than a "regular" Disney resort, but I'm sure it will all work out.

Also, I can attest to the much shorter lines for online check-in versus the regular check-in lines.

 

[momofboyz3]

your welcome! Plus, I dunno but being the only one that did online check in in our line and being pulled out made me feel "special"

 

[momofboyz3]

Hi, Sarah

I actually use online check-in because we arrive early, usually around 9am. So, when I do online check-in, I am basically saying: please have my room ready. We have done it twice and the room has been ready both times.

I will admit, I'm a little more nervous this time around because we're staying at OKW which is DVC rather than a "regular" Disney resort, but I'm sure it will all work out.

Also, I can attest to the much shorter lines for online check-in versus the regular check-in lines.

Did you rent points? Sorry to hijack the thread. Was thinking about that too for a bit.

 

[jnsma]

I will admit, I'm a little more nervous this time around because we're staying at OKW which is DVC rather than a "regular" Disney resort, but I'm sure it will all work out.

I've done on line checkin the last 3 times and rented points each time.
One time my room wasn't ready but we were checking in ~10am, so I wasn't expecting it to be ready. They've always had a packet ready for us with our key to the world cards, maps and park times. We dropped our bags with baggages services and went to the parks. They texted us when our room was ready. When we were done at the parks, we went directly to the rooms and called for our bags to be delivered.

The other times we got our packet and went straight to the room, it is very fast and efficient.

 

[gismo1554]

I've done on line checkin the last 3 times and rented points each time.
One time my room wasn't ready but we were checking in ~10am, so I wasn't expecting it to be ready. They've always had a packet ready for us with our key to the world cards, maps and park times. We dropped our bags with baggages services and went to the parks. They texted us when our room was ready. When we were done at the parks, we went directly to the rooms and called for our bags to be delivered.

The other times we got our packet and went straight to the room, it is very fast and efficient.

Sounds like it definately makes things quicker!

Hi, Sarah

I actually use online check-in because we arrive early, usually around 9am. So, when I do online check-in, I am basically saying: please have my room ready. We have done it twice and the room has been ready both times.

I will admit, I'm a little more nervous this time around because we're staying at OKW which is DVC rather than a "regular" Disney resort, but I'm sure it will all work out.

Also, I can attest to the much shorter lines for online check-in versus the regular check-in lines.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not arriving until about 7pm so not gonna be an issue needing it ready early but I think it might at least mean my room gets assigned before and I don't get left with what ever is left.

I'm sure OKW will work out great. I've only stayed there once using a timeshare exchange and that was a few years ago so not sure what the check-in lines are like.

 

[mmouse50]

Is online checkin only for reservations made thru Disney? I have a reservation for the first time thru Travelocity for an AoA LM room - can I do online check in for it? I have the reservation linked on MDE.

 

[2 Little Mermaids]

I have never done online checking but have always gone with two other parties. I'm always afraid if I online checking we won't be close to each other and have to stand in the line anyway to try and fix it. Has anyone had any issues with multiple parties checking in online.

 

[gismo1554]

Is online checkin only for reservations made thru Disney? I have a reservation for the first time thru Travelocity for an AoA LM room - can I do online check in for it? I have the reservation linked on MDE.

Mines booked through Pixie Travel and I could do it. It comes up on the MDE screen

 

[Malibustyle23]

Will it mess anything up if you sign in to do online check in and then decide not to do it? Is there anywhere you can just look at all the options it gives you when doing the online check in?

 

[sazzifrazz]

I have a wierd scenario. We have 2 rooms booked through DVC point rental. They are each under a different name and have their own resi #'s. However, both rooms, and all 6 people, and on MDE. I would like to checkin ahead of time because I really would like our rooms to be close together. I also need two separate charging accounts though. How will this all work? oh...and when can i checkin online? We arrive Nov. 9th.

 

[gismo1554]

Will it mess anything up if you sign in to do online check in and then decide not to do it? Is there anywhere you can just look at all the options it gives you when doing the online check in?

All it gives you the options to do are:

• Add a credit card to the account
• Add a billing address
• Add any special requests like building number or location
• Add the arrival time you expect to get to resort
• Add the time you plan to leave the resort

There was nothing else I can remember that came up. It did give you the option to allocate a credit card to an individual (which I think would allow 2 credit cards on the account going to certain people sazzifrazz). This option appears at the 60 day mark. I'm on 56 days (arrive on the 29th Oct) so sazzifrazz I'm assuming that means that you should be able to do it next week

 

[sazzifrazz]

Thanks Gismo!

 

[BwoZoo22]

Plus, when we arrived at WL at the time I had indicated, a CM was outside and greeted us by name! It was funny thinking, "How does she know my name!" Makes it that much more special.