online check in - DVC member services and room assignment

[Mlissa88]

Hello,

I just called DVC to make sure my room location request was noted on file because the website doesn't show you if it is/or isn't listed. The rep on the phone said that it was noted. Here's how the conversation went after that:

Me: Oh good...I just wanted to confirm it was there before I did my online check in this week because I know room requests don't show up online"

Her: That won't matter. All the online check in does is guarantee that you get a clean room as soon as it's available.

Me: So room assignments aren't considered with online checkin?

Her: No...it just gets you a clean room quickly upon arrival.

Me: Um...ok...thanks - *click*


Is this correct? If so, I guess I'll never use online check in because I usually have a location request and while I know that's not a guarantee for location, at least it's a consideration....

Anyone else hear the same thing? I never had an opportunity to use the online check in before due to combining points on contracts for stays etc so I was excited to try it out.... just wondering what experiences others may have had with location requests and if what MS said is correct.

 

[jdmn2010]

We did online check-in for our recent visit and we had some specific room requests we had put in. I don't think it mattered whether we did online check-in or not as to our requests. When we arrived at the resort, it just saved us from waiting in a longer line to check-in regularly. When we got up to the desk, the person looked up our check-in info and saw our room requests, which unfortunately he wasn't able to fill, but he did try his best and even made some phone calls to see if any rooms had opened like we wanted. So maybe the person you spoke with was just trying to say that it makes no difference whether you check in online or at the resort as to your room requests?

 

[vicki_c]

I agree. Online check-in just lets the resort know about when you arriving (so helping them arrange their schedule I suppose and maybe getting you into a room earlier than it would otherwise - maybe), and saves you a few minutes in line at check-in. It's not related to your requests in any direct way that I know of.

We don't use online check-in - I've never really found it necessary. I've never waited in a check-in line more than a few minutes anyway.

And I like to spend a few chatty minutes with the CM (not that you couldn't do that in the online check-in line, but ...) and make sure my requests were met if I had any. And if they weren't, it's a bit easier to talk to the CM about any changes that might be possible vs. in the online check-in line when their goal is to hand you your packet and get you on your way so they can deal with the person behind you.

 

[disneynutz]

Room requests are supposed to be passed to the room assigner at the resort several days before your arrival. We have noticed that it doesn't always happen.

Online check in allows the Front Desk to put your packet and keys together the night before when things are slow and the CMs have nothing to do. It reduces the contact time at the Front Desk which saves money.

Sometimes the online check in lines is short, sometimes it's longer than the regular line. Stand in the shorter line.

Bill

 

[Mlissa88]

Rats.

Thanks for confirming. I had hoped to try online check in but I"ll skip it if they aren't going to look at room requests.


Thanks again guys!

 

[disneynutz]

Rats.

Thanks for confirming. I had hoped to try online check in but I"ll skip it if they aren't going to look at room requests.


Thanks again guys!

They do look at requests if they receive them from DVC. Problem is that for some reason, person or software, the info isn't always passed on.

You need to make your request with MS and online check in shouldn't make a difference.

Out of 40 plus DVC stays, we get our request about 50% of the time.

Bill

 

[kendzee94]

We just got back from 10 nights at the THV's at Christmas. This is our experience: did online check in....took ME to SSR, a gentleman greeted us as we were getting off the bus, we told him our name and that we did the online check in (previously made THV request of room 7030 with MS)....went in, he got packet, said room not ready, but had me go to the deck (open) to give them my cell # for call....room was ready. We were in 7023. Easy peasy, no lines, no waiting, and as close as we could get to our request!

 

[Irishmom23]

Just returned from BWV. Did online check-in about four days before our trip. We were greeted at the ME bus when we arrived at 12:30pm, our room was ready, and my request for an upper floor was granted. We had room 5061 which was preferred view, but we saw a good part of the boardwalk and the Epcot fireworks. Fantastic trip.

 

[Mlissa88]

Well, now I'm starting to wonder if maybe I should give it a try.

 

[YankeePrincess]

Just returned from BWV. Did online check-in about four days before our trip. We were greeted at the ME bus when we arrived at 12:30pm, our room was ready, and my request for an upper floor was granted. We had room 5061 which was preferred view, but we saw a good part of the boardwalk and the Epcot fireworks. Fantastic trip.

That sounds great! I think I will try it out this time.

 

[Anal Annie]

I agree. Online check-in just lets the resort know about when you arriving (so helping them arrange their schedule I suppose and maybe getting you into a room earlier than it would otherwise - maybe), and saves you a few minutes in line at check-in. It's not related to your requests in any direct way that I know of.

We don't use online check-in - I've never really found it necessary. I've never waited in a check-in line more than a few minutes anyway.

And I like to spend a few chatty minutes with the CM (not that you couldn't do that in the online check-in line, but ...) and make sure my requests were met if I had any. And if they weren't, it's a bit easier to talk to the CM about any changes that might be possible vs. in the online check-in line when their goal is to hand you your packet and get you on your way so they can deal with the person behind you.

I agree. I've never been in THAT much of a hurry that I can't wait for a few minutes for a CM to check me in. I always have some sort of a room request & I'd rather just be able to talk to the CM at check-in to maybe improve our odds of getting the request. Sometimes it's worth storing the luggage for awhile & waiting for the room.

 

[DVC-Don]

I just spent a week at OKW and requested a first floor room (or an elevator) due to needing an ECV after achilles surgery via phone a month prior. I used online check in a couple of days before arrival and when we checked in the CM mentioned that I had a first floor room as per my request.

 

[CoffeeCup]

We did online check in at Jambo House in Nov., and no one greeted us at ME arrival. I assumed we should get into the line for people who had done online check in, and it took it much longer than the regular line would have. The CM had a serious speech problem, and it took everyone in line a very long time to understand what the man said to them. I don't mean to sound critical of the CM, but maybe he shouldn't have been working at the check-in desk since his speech problem prevented guests from communicating with him.... We didn't make any special requests, and our room was ready when we got there mid afternoon, so our only problem was the length of time we spent in line waiting to get checked in while the other line went much faster.

 

[matilda]

From my experience on line check in works best for us as we would rather get our room ASAP vs specific room. If I am at Disney then I don't care what room I have I am just happy to be there. We have always gotten our room early with on line check in (even before noon once it was ready as soon as we got there)

At OKW we were given a room immediately with on line check in and when we saw it was top floor we asked if we could wait for next available ground floor as DH just had knee surgery. It did take an extra hour of waiting but we just hang out by pool. If you do on line check in and don't like what they give you, you can always switch rooms. Best of both worlds

 

[w-family]

we always do on-line check in and have never had a problem. We still talk to the CM, because on line check in doesn't deal with the dining plan or other incidentals. It just cuts down on the amount of paperwork at check in time.

 

[Sandisw]

I think the big benefit of online check in is to have things ready to go when you arrive.

While it's not a guarantee, the fact that the resort does have an idea when you will be arriving could play a role in getting a room a bit earlier--never had a room with online check in be ready later than 1:30 pm.

However, if you have room requests and will want to try and get your preassigned room changed if they are not met, then I would skip online check in and do regular check in.

 

[Mlissa88]

thanks again everyone. I took the gamble and did online. We'll see how it goes in 9 days