On Line Check In

[SandyinMonterey]

I did on line check in months ago for upcoming trip. However, the "earliest" choice to check in was before 4 pm. In the past, time choices such as 2pm, 2:30 pm, 3 pm, 3:30 pm, was given. We drive and always at resort by 2:30 pm. I've kept checking throughout the months and even called and was told it can't be changed and nothing they can do. Just wondering if anyone has encountered this. Thanks.

 

[Dave006]

We drive and always at resort by 2:30 pm.

Once you arrive stop by the Front desk and ask about a room that may be available "now" vs waiting for your assigned room later in the day.

Dave

 

[bluezy]

I did on line check in months ago for upcoming trip. However, the "earliest" choice to check in was before 4 pm. In the past, time choices such as 2pm, 2:30 pm, 3 pm, 3:30 pm, was given. We drive and always at resort by 2:30 pm. I've kept checking throughout the months and even called and was told it can't be changed and nothing they can do. Just wondering if anyone has encountered this. Thanks.

They took away the hourly check-in times a year or two ago. The best thing to do is call/chat with Disney Reservations and have them add a note to your reservation indicating your estimated arrival time. If you used a TA, they will have to do that. We usually arrive around 10:00 a.m. so I have our TA add that info to our reservation every time and our room is usually ready when we arrive.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

They took away the hourly check-in times a year or two ago. The best thing to do is call/chat with Disney Reservations and have them add a note to your reservation indicating your estimated arrival time. If you used a TA, they will have to do that. We usually arrive around 10:00 a.m. so I have our TA add that info to our reservation every time and our room is usually ready when we arrive.

Thanks. I'll try this. I also noticed that on MDE, it says after 4 pm check in. However when I go check where you can edit (which I cannot do), it show BEFORE 4 pm checkout.

 

[clh2]

How early can you do the room check-in process?

 

[sponica]

How early can you do the room check-in process?

You can check in online as soon as you book. The option is in my reservation that's not until April.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

That's what its said for I think at least the last couple of trips so since at least last August.
With housekeeping taking longer to clean rooms since Covid I think they don't want to get anyone's hopes up anymore by allowing them to pick a more specific time.

If you arrive earlier you can always walk up and ask if they have anything available sooner.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

How early can you do the room check-in process?

As soon as you book.

But if you arrive prior to official check in time at the resorts (3pm for regular rooms and 4pm for DVC) your room may not be ready.
Years ago they always had a room ready even if you showed up at 9am check in day but since Covid it seems much less likely to get anything in the morning. I was lucky a couple times but others had to wait hours.

 

[clh2]

As soon as you book.

But if you arrive prior to official check in time at the resorts (3pm for regular rooms and 4pm for DVC) your room may not be ready.
Years ago they always had a room ready even if you showed up at 9am check in day but since Covid it seems much less likely to get anything in the morning. I was lucky a couple times but others had to wait hours.

Thank you! I’ll get that done soon! I obviously wasn’t aware we could check in this far out.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you! I’ll get that done soon! I obviously wasn’t aware we could check in this far out.

Yes, you can check in as soon as you book the room. The only thing that online checkin accomplishes is establishing communications methods while you're there and getting a credit card linked and PINs assigned for any charges made to the room account. That makes you eligible to get the text/push notification that your room is ready so that you don't have to visit the front desk when you arrive (unless you want to, of course). You can also check off any location requests that fit your desires, but I usually leave that part blank because the options are rarely relevant to our resort.

 

[_19disnA]

You can do Disney's version of 'online check in' months in advance of your trip as mentioned above, not sure it really serves any purpose. They apparently use the feature differently from others places I have stayed where you can't do any sort of 'online check in' until the day of your reservation. Disney may have moved back the available check in times based on when check out takes place and availability of housekeeping to reset the rooms for the next party. Allowing you to request a check in time just adds an additional variable to the person doing room assignments which apparently are done several days prior to your expected arrival. No idea if what time you select has any bearing on being assigned your room.

A non-Disney place I stayed recently had 3pm check in times while the check out time was 11am which likely was to give time for housekeeping to prepare the room for the next guests. Those timeframes seem typical at most places. They charged an additional fee if you wanted to check in 'earlier' than 3 pm.

 

[Dave006]

Allowing you to request a check in time just adds an additional variable to the person doing room assignments which apparently are done several days prior to your expected arrival. No idea if what time you select has any bearing on being assigned your room.

It does not add anything to the Disney version of musical chairs room assignments. WDW added the arrival time request / option originally back in the Magical Express days. This allowed Disney to attempt to streamline your arrival, and allow you to go directly to your resort room. It was never part of the room assignment process then or now.

They are also beginning to integrate AI into the room assignment management process. A large number of guests don't make any "Requests".

Today there is still no way to assign a guest room based on the daily room turnover processing (cleaning for check-in / check-out).

A non-Disney place I stayed recently had 3pm check in times while the check out time was 11am which likely was to give time for housekeeping to prepare the room for the next guests. Those timeframes seem typical at most places. They charged an additional fee if you wanted to check in 'earlier' than 3 pm.

WDW also still uses a common 11 AM Check-out time and a 3 PM Check-in for the resorts, and a 4 PM Check-in for the DVC. That however does not mean your actual room will be ready at 3 PM or 4 PM.

Hotels are now offering a paid option to allow Check-in times as early as 10 AM on select days of the week. Marriott offers this paid feature at the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin. Just another way to monetize the guest.

Dave

 

[_19disnA]

It would be interesting to hear from someone who currently works @ Disney doing room assignments to see if someone's choice of arrival time has any impact on what they do. Seems strange that Disney would ask for that information if they never intend to make any use of it. We can all speculate on what they do, but hearing from someone who actually works there now could help to clarify the process.

 

[Sakura1017]

I tried to call and speak to someone to put notes on my reservation but she was just like utilize the app. Then when I said I wanted to put notes like interested in upgrading she goes I can help you look at rates right now . Obviously if I do that I'm gonna be paying for whatever rate the have now. But not sure if I would find a better rate when checking in later. So I guess I will go to the front desk when I check in to see about room upgrades.

 

[Dave006]

Then when I said I wanted to put notes like interested in upgrading she goes I can help you look at rates right now

Sorry but that type of note will not help your room assignment. You will only be able to note thinks that match your booking category, and all are related to location or view.

But not sure if I would find a better rate when checking in later. So I guess I will go to the front desk when I check in to see about room upgrades.

Your room upgrades options at the front desk will be at the rack rate for a Disney resort. There are no discounted upgrades. Pixie dust is a misnomer, sorry but this only happens when it resolves an issue for the resort.

Dave

 

[DebbieB]

I think they changed it to “before 4:00” because people would say “I put 1:00, why isn’t my room ready?”. Another reason they used it was for Magical Express, to gauge demand.