Online Check-In for Campsites

[FloridaDisneyFan]

We are arriving this Sat 10/24. Is the online check-in helpful for campsites or should we do it the old fashioned way?

 

[Memph1s]

Well, I don't see how it could hurt, but I sure would not count on it being a help either. They have a line designated for online check in but they allow everyone to use the line. So it's like regular check in ..it is luck of the draw if you have people checking in in front of you that need 10,000 questions answered or are arguing that don't like that loop or that site. I have had a single person in front of me that I had to wait 45 mins. on and I have had 3 campers in front of me that only took about 3 to 5 min each. As long as the online check in is fast and easy on the computer I would give it a try but not expect much. Kind of like everything else Disney these days.

 

[bama_ed]

TCD (a frequent poster on this board) has a thread going where he said the Fort is directing people to the On-line check in lane when arriving at the Fort whether or not they've done the on-line. So it sounds like while it can't hurt, it may not end up helping either.

Bama ED

 

[speaksfam]

We checked in this afternoon after I had completed the online check in. We were through the gate and on to our site in less than 5 minutes. They had our cards ready and parking permit printed, they checked our IDs and handed us the packet...off we went! I think it definitely helped. It also helped that there was no one in line when we arrived! Have a great time when you get here!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I have had about a half dozen check in experiences at the Fort since on-line check in began.

When it first began, there was no dedicated lane in the check in lanes. The on-line check in packets were kept in one of the booths, and the castmember in your lane would go get your packet.

Then, there were reports that the on-line check in packets were kept at the guard shack and handed out there.

On Thursday, October 15, 2009, I arrived at the Fort at about 5 pm to check in. I had not completed on-line check in, but the guard directed me to lane 4, which was the designated lane for on-line check-ins.

This is a photo of the scene. That is my front truck tire at the left of the photo:

Fortunately, after the line to the left of me moved, a castmember waved me over to another lane. The on-line check in lane did not move the entire time I waited. After I had completed my check in, the same person was still at the front of the on-line check in lane, having a detailed discussion with the cast member.

In my opinion, until there is a dedicated and exclusive on-line check in lane, you have no guarantee that your check in will be any faster with on-line check in. And, in my most recent experience, it might actually take you longer to check in. I am not sold on on-line check in. It seems like they are continuing to tweak it, and maybe at some point in the future it will be beneficial. But, I don't see it as being any benefit now.

TCD

 

[clkelley]

My experience with online check-in is the same as TCD's, it really doesn't help with the campground.

The only reason I think it would be beneficial is if the person actually checking in, isn't the one paying the bill. So let's say a large bunch of folks is renting a site, and Cousin Bob arrives first, but grandpa is paying for the site. Cousin Bob can go ahead and get situated and get everyone's stuff, then when the rest of the group shows up, it's smooth sailing.

I also think Donnie mentioned that one of his rental clients did online checkin and added Donnie to the reservation, so that he could arrive first, set up the popup and when the family arrived, they could go straight to the site.

 

[we3peas]

I thought I'd give the online checkin service a try even though I don't believe in it, especially since it hasn't been perfected. Imagine my surprise when it said 7 times (I don't give up easily) that I needed to be 18 to use the service. I went back and checked what I input for a birthdate and it was the right one (I'm more than 18 believe me!) and it still wouldn't let me checkin.

Guess we will be checking in the old fashioned way! I will not try it again unless Disney forces me to use this program.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

We used it when we checked in on 10/17 - there was one camper in front of us that took a little while but we were checked in in less than 5 mins as well.
Just my two cents...