Online check in disaster!

[Sheribo]

By the way the computer system crashed at 10:30 am yesterday morning and the afternoon was chaos at 4 because people who had already checked in were trying to get their keys.

We checked in around 11 and got a temporary key but didn't go back till this morning for our permanent ones.

We have never stayed in the Grandstand section before and it's wonderful.

 

[mjlass11]

They have a lot of problems with their computer systems. I just returned from BWV and all of our problems were from their computers "not communicating" with each other. Until they do a major overhaul and get the bugs worked out, I will do as little online as possible.

 

[sznk]

I can't speak for SSR and online check-in, but last week at BCV worked like a charm.
I had done online check-in a week prior to our arrival. Since the only options were 'first floor' and 'close to transportation', I phoned MS regarding the requests I made when booking the reservation. I was assured that my requests were still noted, but not online.
When I walked into the BC Lobby and looked around, I was greeted immediately by a gentleman who asked if I was "Mrs ..... " I said "Yes," and he escorted me over to the far end where a delightful CM handed me my package after I showed her my driver's license.
This was ~ 12:30 pm, and our room was ready. I checked to see if my requests had been met, and much to my delighted surprise - they were!
We got the floor, wing, and view we requested. It was wonderful.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I will probably use online check in anyway.

I like to try new things. I may have to live and learn but WTH.
At worst I'll get a rant here and have to walk a longer way from the elevator.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

Originally Posted by BostonDisneyKid
I am more of a handshake ($ in palm) while looking them in the eye while introducing myself type of guy, but in the end the result is the same...

Originally Posted by gkrykewy
Bill in palm while making eye contact? Seriously? That sounds like an awkward Will Ferrell character.

gkrykewy - When rephrased as you have termed it, I'd have to agree...

 

[snowbunny]

Oh and sorry to whomever got a room in building 35 last summer with a view of 10 air conditioning units I believe I took your room.

lolz
Cash does work wonders, I always tip the valet guys pretty well but haven't yet had to use this tactic at the front desk although outside Disney it is a fact of life.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I can't believe they are allowed to take money from guests.

I actually am quite appalled to hear a check-in guest services member took a bribe to get someone a better room.

When we were on our DCL we were concierge level and the concierge told us that they are paid to help and therefore not allowed to take tips for their extra special service. Others are not, therefore tipping is in place. It may be the same type of thing if concierge was helping you?

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We are currently staying at SSR and did the online check in but when we arrived we found that we were in the Paddock. We booked at the 11 month window and requested the Grandstand or Congress park since we haven't stayed in either before. When I said that I would like to be moved, I was told that I hadn't made any requests when I did online check in and that my previous request was wiped out at that point. After that, the room is randomly assigned. The only requests that you can make when you do the online check in is 'ground floor' or 'close to transportation'.

They did not have a separate desk or person to hand out check in packages. We all waited in the same line up and the CM just walked to a trolley and pulled the premade package from a bin. We did everything the same way as before.

And yes, they did move us but I will not do online check in again. OK, down to the bar!

I KNEW it was too good to be true. Thank you very much for this thread!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I hate to disappoint, but making your requests 11 months out doesn't give them any priority over a more recent reservation. I mean, I wish it did ... then maybe I would actually get a room at VWL (my home resort) that doesn't face the road/bus stop area.

Our best room location (in terms of requests granted) was the OKW stay we booked 6 weeks out ... a hop, skip and a jump away from the hospitality house.

I'm doubting that requests made and "wiped out" by online check in actually carried that much weight in the first place. Maybe I'm just a big pessimist.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

The online check-in didn't save us much time. They couldn't find our folder and had to print us another one. Hadn't made any requests that it cancelled but I can see that as a problem.

 

[plutomastif]

I will try a Mr. Jackson to get what I want in June!!!

 

[princessesrule4]

Thanks for letting us know your experience!

 

[CarolA]

For those of you planning the "Tip the CM" deal.

A resort CM has posted on the resort board in the past that this is grounds for firing. So I expect that at least SOME CMs would not really want to lose thier job over your $20 So don't be surprised if in spite of the few "success" stories you read on here you get politely turned down (and if the CM finds you insulting you get that horrid view as a point of honor!)

 

[lordnamis]

Let me be clear that I did the 20 dollars as a joke and didn't expect it to work(I was smiling and laughing as I did it). Never had I done this before and have not done it again and will not plan too. I would feel bad if someone losses there job over a view on my vacation. I was just saying how it happened once to me because someone asked. Like someone else said though you might insult the person and get a bad room because of it. I wish I did have the pic of the room at OKW I did get at the beginning though it has to be the worst view ever, 10-15 air conditioning units and vegetation around it so thats all you can see and HEAR by the way. Someone out there must know of this view. LOL

 

[Chuck S]

I wish I did have the pic of the room at OKW I did get at the beginning though it has to be the worst view ever, 10-15 air conditioning units and vegetation around it so thats all you can see and HEAR by the way. Someone out there must know of this view. LOL

Most units along the fairways are pretty heavily wooded at OKW for protection from errant golf balls. Most of the A/C units are on the ends of the buildings, and that is the normal "view" for studios. However, some of the larger buildings, most notably the "u" shaped buildings also have A/C visibility from 1 and 2 bedroom balconies.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We did online check-in for OKW last weekend. We wanted a higher room than ground which we had requested when we made our reservation. We were assigned a ground room. Also, because our kids are over age 10, their keys had charging privileges on them, so when we arrived (there was no line, the online check-in area was clearly marked and a CM was standing by ready to get our folder), we needed to get new keys for them (non-charging). Since we were having to get new keys anyway, I asked if an upper floor room was available - there was, in a different building, but they easily moved us - and it was to the Millers Rd area which is the only area in OKW we had not yet stayed (building 18 - loved it!).

Anyway, if they were to ask what "requests" I would like to be able to make online, I would like a "higher floor" option as well as the ground floor; also an opportunity to mark "no charging privileges" for specific guests. We also had to request and wait for a parking permit -- it would've been nice to have been able to check a box that said we would need one.

But even so, it was a bit faster than regular check-in because we didn't have to produce ID / credit card, etc. Just picked up our packet, made those few changes, and off we went.

 

[Sammie]

CarolA is correct, accepting tips at the Front Desk can cost a CM their job and now that this has been brought to the attention of Disney, due to this thread, you can be certain they will be watched.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We did online check-in for OKW last weekend. We wanted a higher room than ground which we had requested when we made our reservation. We were assigned a ground room. Also, because our kids are over age 10, their keys had charging privileges on them, so when we arrived (there was no line, the online check-in area was clearly marked and a CM was standing by ready to get our folder), we needed to get new keys for them (non-charging). Since we were having to get new keys anyway, I asked if an upper floor room was available - there was, in a different building, but they easily moved us - and it was to the Millers Rd area which is the only area in OKW we had not yet stayed (building 18 - loved it!).

Anyway, if they were to ask what "requests" I would like to be able to make online, I would like a "higher floor" option as well as the ground floor; also an opportunity to mark "no charging privileges" for specific guests. We also had to request and wait for a parking permit -- it would've been nice to have been able to check a box that said we would need one.

But even so, it was a bit faster than regular check-in because we didn't have to produce ID / credit card, etc. Just picked up our packet, made those few changes, and off we went.

I didn't know that online check in did not allow for who can charge on their keys. The online disney cruise does allow you to uncheck someone who has no priviledges. That will take off online for us as we have other adults going with us and I don't really want to share my credit card with them.

CarolA is correct, accepting tips at the Front Desk can cost a CM their job and now that this has been brought to the attention of Disney, due to this thread, you can be certain they will be watched.

Well they know they are not supposed to and I have had CM's in non-tipping positions just say, "We are not allowed to accept tips, but thank you." I was not at a check in and trying to get a better room, but still, I think most value their jobs more than $20 bucks extra.

 

[bonrea]

We check into OKW tomorrow and did the Online check in on the 12th. We will let you know how it goes.

 

[bonrea]

Monday March, 23rd. Rain all night and expected all day today.

Anyways. We arrived yesterday at 11am-ish. We did the online check in thingy on March 12th and thought this should be quick and easy. NOPE. We walk into the lobby and the line is to the door. Never seen it this busy. At least not me… We are told the online check in CM is in the booth on the far left. We start to go over there but are then told we must stand in line everyone else. hmmm...
We wait until no one is at the online check in counter then ask if we can go to that counter. People still in front of us. hmmm... No one else is or has done online check in in front of us. A "floor walker" asked if anyone in line has done online check in. No except us. He sends us to the counter.

Fun begins here: We had the Online check in papers I printed to bring with us, Our Photo IDs, and reservation information. There was no package prepared, information in the computer was wrong. No evidence of the online check in having occurred, nothing. The CM had to do the standard stuff. Bummer....

Also: We had a reservation for a two bedroom because we had friends coming with us. Their DH got laid off and they couldn't come. I call two weeks ago and had the CM at the DVC reservation office take their names and information off the reservation. NOPE. All still there. The CM at the counter started handing us First Time buttons and all kinds of stuff which was for our now not coming friends. We politely mentioned the change that was requested and the CM seemed put out.

My DH works with computers and computer software systems all the time so he was calm about the whole thing because he knows these things happen with new systems. But good grief.