On line check in vs waiting

[OHIOVACATIONER]

Is there a thread that tells all about the on line check In process? Just wondered the pros and cons of it. I know it is only a request but I have requested a specific room. Am I more likely to get it if I do the on line or just wait? I just know by the time we get there we will have 3 cranky little kids so thinking being able just to go to the room would be better than waiting at the reservation counter. Thoughts from anyone? Thank You

 

[dansdad]

Whether you do Online Check In or not had zero affect on whether you get your requests granted or not. And if you do Online Check In you might still have to stop by the Online Check In Desk.

There are zero cons I can think of. And the pros are that if you have to stop by the Online Check In Desk it will most likely be quicker than if you have to go to the regular Check In Desk. And you will have the possibility of Bypassing The Front Desk.

 

[BabyFu18]

I have a question if you do online checkin can you still go by the front desk to get things like the activities guide, hotel map, etc.? Or are these items awaiting you in your room?

We normally don't do online check-in but I was thinking about doing it for our upcoming trip because last year when we went it took a long time at check-in since we had multiple rooms and we hit it at a time when there was a big line of people checking in.

 

[Lynne M]

I have a question if you do online checkin can you still go by the front desk to get things like the activities guide, hotel map, etc.? Or are these items awaiting you in your room?

We normally don't do online check-in but I was thinking about doing it for our upcoming trip because last year when we went it took a long time at check-in since we had multiple rooms and we hit it at a time when there was a big line of people checking in.

All resorts have a check-in desk, and a separate (but nearby) guest services desk. You can go to guest services to get maps, guides, buy tickets, ask questions, etc.

 

[Sue M]

For awhile I resisted online check in.. But when MDE rolled out I started to use it. I've found no difference, and online check in has a spot to put in your ETA, I think this is handy, as we arrive late morning. I have my room requests on my reservation.

I still have to stop in at the desk to pick up MBs, and we are Canadian, so no room ready text either.

Babyful you can stop at desk to get resort map, and activity guide if it's not in the room. They also have Park Tines guides.

 

[Nancyg56]

I also resisted for a while, but I see no downside since I started using this feature. I have never gotten to bypass the front desk, but that is fine with me, I like that first stop to my room!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Rooms are assigned in advance of your arrival, and not by desk staff. So there is no lift to waiting in that regard.

 

[AngiTN]

I have a question if you do online checkin can you still go by the front desk to get things like the activities guide, hotel map, etc.? Or are these items awaiting you in your room?

Of course you can. I honestly don't really understand why people think you can't go to the desk even if you get a straight to the room text.
But yes, the map and info guides are in the room for those that opt to skip the front desk but also available at the front desk for those that want to go there.

 

[Mousetopia]

Whether you do Online Check In or not had zero affect on whether you get your requests granted or not. And if you do Online Check In you might still have to stop by the Online Check In Desk.

There are zero cons I can think of. And the pros are that if you have to stop by the Online Check In Desk it will most likely be quicker than if you have to go to the regular Check In Desk. And you will have the possibility of Bypassing The Front Desk.

I read a post not too long ago that was from a CM - room assigner for GF who said they do assignments in an order based on requests received, online advance check-in and then the rest, so you can get a lesser room by not doing it. Also do to so many doing online check in they have less wiggle room at the desk if you are unhappy because all the room numbers have been given out.

 

[AngiTN]

I read a post not too long ago that was from a CM - room assigner for GF who said they do assignments in an order based on requests received, online advance check-in and then the rest, so you can get a lesser room by not doing it. Also do to so many doing online check in they have less wiggle room at the desk if you are unhappy because all the room numbers have been given out.

That's pretty much the only logical way they can do room assignments.
Obviously, if you don't do online check in and you don't otherwise notify them of your requests they don't have any requests to fill for you. They are always going to stick those guests just wherever they fit. What else would they do?
But I wouldn't say it's decreased your chance of getting your request because in those cases, no request was given. Gotta give them a request to have any chance of getting it.

 

[dansdad]

I read a post not too long ago that was from a CM - room assigner for GF who said they do assignments in an order based on requests received, online advance check-in and then the rest, so you can get a lesser room by not doing it. Also do to so many doing online check in they have less wiggle room at the desk if you are unhappy because all the room numbers have been given out.

Interesting that they do it differently at GF than other resorts. Normally all reservations that have room requests tied to them, either via Online Check In or phoning them in, are assigned first. There is no differentiating between those who did Online Check In and those who didn't.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never found a downside to online checkin.

I just know by the time we get there we will have 3 cranky little kids so thinking being able just to go to the room would be better than waiting at the reservation counter.

All resort checkin lobbies I've seen have a TV with little chairs. Send one adult over there with the 3 kids and let them giggle at whatever's on the TV. (used to be classic Mickey cartoons which make little kids giggle like nothing else), but sometimes I've seen Disney shows (sad) (nowhere near as funny)

There is NO need to take the littles to the checkin desk WITH you.

And during online checkin you can click a box saying, basically, "it doesn't matter what kind of room you give me, I just want my room to be READY". Which might be good for you.

if you do online checkin can you still go by the front desk to get things like the activities guide, hotel map, etc.?

Of course.

 

[Mousetopia]

That's pretty much the only logical way they can do room assignments.
Obviously, if you don't do online check in and you don't otherwise notify them of your requests they don't have any requests to fill for you. They are always going to stick those guests just wherever they fit. What else would they do?
But I wouldn't say it's decreased your chance of getting your request because in those cases, no request was given. Gotta give them a request to have any chance of getting it.

That's pretty much the only logical way they can do room assignments.
Obviously, if you don't do online check in and you don't otherwise notify them of your requests they don't have any requests to fill for you. They are always going to stick those guests just wherever they fit. What else would they do?
But I wouldn't say it's decreased your chance of getting your request because in those cases, no request was given. Gotta give them a request to have any chance of getting it.

Right but someone posted there was no advantage to early check in as far as room assignment and there is. even if you dont have a request if you dont do advance checkin you are left in the last pool of rooms assigned..doesnt mean a bad room but puts many ahead of you.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would argue that IF you had a request with reservation, online check-in gives you a chance to reinforce it. If you didn't request with reservation, it's your chance to add preferences. If you've done none of the above, don't expect miracles if you wait until you get there because the desk doesn't assign rooms and has fairly limited swap capabilities, especially if there is heavy booking, refurb or anything out of service.

 

[Amy J.]

So if we did online check in and we receive a text with our room number, we do not need to stop by the desk to check in? This would be nice since we won't be getting into Orlando after midnight and going directly to our resort. (are package starts the 12th even though we get in late) we went last year and had a big fiasco with our rooms even though we did online check in it still was a mess but was resolved after 2 hrs.

 

[dansdad]

So if we did online check in and we receive a text with our room number, we do not need to stop by the desk to check in? This would be nice since we won't be getting into Orlando after midnight and going directly to our resort. (are package starts the 12th even though we get in late) we went last year and had a big fiasco with our rooms even though we did online check in it still was a mess but was resolved after 2 hrs.

Correct.

 

[Mousetopia]

I would argue that IF you had a request with reservation, online check-in gives you a chance to reinforce it. If you didn't request with reservation, it's your chance to add preferences. If you've done none of the above, don't expect miracles if you wait until you get there because the desk doesn't assign rooms and has fairly limited swap capabilities, especially if there is heavy booking, refurb or anything out of service.

Exactly! Bottom line is no negative in online registration.

 

[BabyFu18]

I'll be trying online check in this year then, I think the biggest time saver for our family will be putting our CC on file for charging (we will have two rooms, with different cards on each room) so doing that ahead of time will be a time saver and allow us to use our MB to charge immediately if we'd like to. Thanks for all the great info!