Online check in for dummies

[Disneyteachers]

we are going on our first cruise in Aug. We are able to book things online next wk. I literally have only been on the web site once (booked cruise through TA.) Can someone talk me through what I need to do and when...like I'm an idiot. As far as I know the reservation is in there but other than that nothing is done! I want to:

Attempt to book palo

Order rainforest room passes

Check kids into clubs

Possibly book a spa service

Not booking Amy excursions.


Any advice/directions/much appreciated.

 

[MSPeeler]

Bump for you.

Since you booked through a TA, won't they need to book these things and do check in for you??

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Bump for you.

Since you booked through a TA, won't they need to book these things and do check in for you??

No, you can online check in and book adult dining reservations, spa appointments, and excursions yourself.

In addition to booking the Palo reservation and spa service, you'll want to pick your PAT. You will be prompted to do this towards the end of your online check in.

You do not book the Rainforest Room passes at online checkin. You purchase those through the "in room gifts and amenities" section of DCL's website.

You can pre-register your kids for the Oceaneers Club/Lab, but that is of less importance than your PAT and Palo reservation. There's no need to do that first thing. You can go back and do that any time up to 3 days before your cruise.

ETA Instructions: If you haven't created an account on a Disney website before, you will want to do that. You will likely have to link your reservation to your account using your DCL confirmation number and the lead party's birthdate. You can do that before your 75 day check in. At midnight on the 75th day before your cruise, log into your account on the DCL website and select "online checkin." There should be a link for that. From there, the site will lead you through what you need to do. To book Palo and spa, click on "explore activities".

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Bump for you.

Since you booked through a TA, won't they need to book these things and do check in for you??

No, even using a TA, you can do your own online check in and excursion bookings.

we are going on our first cruise in Aug. We are able to book things online next wk. I literally have only been on the web site once (booked cruise through TA.) Can someone talk me through what I need to do and when...like I'm an idiot. As far as I know the reservation is in there but other than that nothing is done! I want to:

Attempt to book palo

Order rainforest room passes

Check kids into clubs

Possibly book a spa service

Not booking Amy excursions.


Any advice/directions/much appreciated.

When you go to your reservation, you'll see "Online Checkin" as a link. Each step is very easy to follow.

I'd suggest you go to the "Activities" link first, though, in order to book Palo. Spa is there, too.

Then do the online check in.

One note, while the whole process opens at midnight, it's not unusual for the website to be having issues, and either the online check in link or the activities link may not be actually available for several hours. Sometimes you can't even get into your reservation.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I believe the kid's club registration is also under the "Activities" link.

The kids club registration is on its own, not under "activities". Select "view details" on your reservation. On the box that pops up, in the middle, it will say "child registration: not registered". Next to that will be a link to register.

 

[scgustafson]

No, even using a TA, you can do your own online check in and excursion bookings.



When you go to your reservation, you'll see "Online Checkin" as a link. Each step is very easy to follow.

I'd suggest you go to the "Activities" link first, though, in order to book Palo. I believe the kid's club registration is also under the "Activities" link. Spa is there, too.

Then do the online check in.

One note, while the whole process opens at midnight, it's not unusual for the website to be having issues, and either the online check in link or the activities link may not be actually available for several hours. Sometimes you can't even get into your reservation.

Great info as always PrincessShmoo, but one quick note the kid's club registration is actual on "View Details". The kid's club registration would be something I would delay over selecting Port Adventures and other onboard activities.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The kids club registration is on its own, not under "activities". Select "view details" on your reservation. On the box that pops up, in the middle, it will say "child registration: not registered". Next to that will be a link to register.

Thank you. I couldn't remember.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thank you. I couldn't remember.

I remembered it was under "view details" but I had to log in to remind myself what it said.

 

[scgustafson]

Looks like Maggie'sMom and I were typing at the same time, just she was quicker.

 

[donaldanddaisy]

Jumping in with a question on the same topic -- is it Midnight Eastern Time? I"m on the West Coast, so will I be able to do at 9 pm give or take?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Jumping in with a question on the same topic -- is it Midnight Eastern Time? I"m on the West Coast, so will I be able to do at 9 pm give or take?

Yes, midnight eastern time. So you'll be able to check in and still get a decent night's sleep.

 

[summerskye]

Yes, midnight eastern time. So you'll be able to check in and still get a decent night's sleep.

If and only if the website is running without issues. I gave up after 3 hrs. Tried again a few hours later and had no problems. Best of luck.

P.S. Even at 5:30 ET, I was still able to get registered, excursions, and a PAT of 10:45. Don't panic if you don't get right in.

 

[Mrs Green]

I do my online check in tomorrow but we don't have our passports yet. Will this hinder me in any way to completing the online check in?

 

[Quellman]

I do my online check in tomorrow but we don't have our passports yet. Will this hinder me in any way to completing the online check in?

It should not hinder you, you can always say you are cruising on a birth certificate. You can update this information later.
(My above comments assume a closed loop trip from the US).

 

[Mrs Green]

It should not hinder you, you can always say you are cruising on a birth certificate. You can update this information later.
(My above comments assume a closed loop trip from the US).

It's the Alaska cruise

 

[Geomom]

The kids club registration is on its own, not under "activities". Select "view details" on your reservation. On the box that pops up, in the middle, it will say "child registration: not registered". Next to that will be a link to register.

Great info as always PrincessShmoo, but one quick note the kid's club registration is actual on "View Details". The kid's club registration would be something I would delay over selecting Port Adventures and other onboard activities.

Thank you both! I just did my first online checkin and couldn't figure out where the kids' club registration was. Having just read this thread yesterday, I knew to come back and re-read it so I could find it. Thanks!

**Kids club question: for self-checkout priveleges--I assume I have to do that in person? I didn't see that online. DD is 12 and since she can go to/from Edge a she wants, I wanted her to be able to do the same with the Oceaneer Lab.