Online Check-In Question

[dcbrown]

Is it worth it to use the new on-line check in if you want to negotiate your location....heading to OKW with 4 16yo's for a Sweet 16 Soir'e and the girls have definite opinions about the location of our 2br unit.
Thanks for the help!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Reports here so far with online check in has been that you pretty much lose your requests when you do the online check in. That might change in the future as they get the kinks worked out, but I'm not even sure it's a needed "enhancement feature".

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I heard you lose your requests with the online check in too. I don't see what the perk of doing that is. It only takes 5 minutes at the counter to set everything up when you check in anyway. Personally, if your room location/request is important to you, I'd skip the online registration.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Keep in mind at OKW that "near Hospitality House" is a booking category now, and you cannot request it unless you actually book that particular category when you make your reservation..

 

[vandy]

I tried it once and never again. Yes you lose all prior requests. I'll just do it the old fashioned way and stand in line (if there is one).

 

[NEMO93]

Boy that doesn't make sense to me. I was going to do the on line booking for my trip in a couple of weeks. I guess I will wait and see what people have to say about the process. JP

 

[dcbrown]

That's exactly what I was thinking!

 

[BCV23]

Reports here so far with online check in has been that you pretty much lose your requests when you do the online check in. That might change in the future as they get the kinks worked out, but I'm not even sure it's a needed "enhancement feature".

That wasn't my experience.

One of two requests were met, the CM could definitely see them so they weren't lost. The request that wasn't met was a floor that we prefer. Instead we were placed on the one floor that we don't like and they switched us then and there....I wouldn't have even asked for that change if there was anyone else in online check. We were not placed on the floor originally requested as there was no availability.

Best of all, the original villa was ready and the one we were switched to was also.

This was BCV. I was very pleased and will use it again. Even with the change, I had to be finished in less than two minutes. Without it, I bet it would have been 30 seconds...seriously. Just show id and sign the paper. folder and keys were ready. It was great.

I hope the other resorts do it as well as BCV.

 

[David Raguso]

I had an issue with the online check in but its not that the request gets lost, i think whats going on is the person at the resort who handles room assignments isnt doing their job.

i had requests for room assignments at saratoga but at first they werent granted, i spoke to them and i got a , "hmm thats weird i see your requests right here in the computer" response so that tells me it was in the system the whole time but the person who assigned me to my room didnt see it.

 

[vandy]

My experience was when I asked the CM what requests were showing, she said only near bus transportation. I asked about my original request about a room in Congress Park or in Grandstand. She said those were not there, only near bus transportation. I made my request at the time of booking, and verified my requests around four weeks prior to our trip. If others have had their prior requests still appear, but just not granted, that is great. Maybe there is still hope for the system. However, my previous requests were not there for the CM or manager to see. (She even had the manager on duty come over and that is when they stated that the online check-in is a problem). Hopefully it is just a problem for some and not the entire system and things can get corrected. I still will not use it.

 

[BCV23]

So far it appears the problems have been at SSR.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I wonder if original request are lost when people choose one of the two available when you check-in online (near bus transportation and whatever the other one is). I could see where that could potentially wipe out previous info.

Did anyone who was told their previous request were not there NOT choose one of the other request possibilities?

Otherwise - it seems BCV can somehow see things that other resorts can't 'cuz most reports I've read have been positive from there.

 

[BCV23]

I wonder if original request are lost when people choose one of the two available when you check-in online (near bus transportation and whatever the other one is). I could see where that could potentially wipe out previous info.

Did anyone who was told their previous request were not there NOT choose one of the other request possibilities?

Otherwise - it seems BCV can somehow see things that other resorts can't 'cuz most reports I've read have been positive from there.

That's an interesting hypothesis.

I don't think I checked either request on my "form." They were pack n play and refrigerator. Pretty funny requests to have for a DVC resort and even BC has refrigerators in all rooms.

And as I said, they could see my requests and honored what they could. Interesting to see the responses to this, Kathy.

 

[huey578]

For those who have used online check-In, have you notified the guest satisfaction team about your experiences and/or feedback as to what request need to be added or deleted???

 

[momoflizandains]

Has anyone tried it at VWL?

 

[Inkmahm]

Has anyone tried it at VWL?

Yes. On 3/21. I got there at 7 am and there was no separate line for check in, only one person working behind the desk. I waited in line behind a couple that took forever. The people ahead of me were trying to check out and finally gave up trying to get a copy of their bill and just left so they wouldn't miss their bus.

Our villa was ready but it didn't meet my requests so I asked for a different one, even if it wasn't ready yet. I got 3561, a studio WAY at the end of the hallway. I think I was one shy of getting the dumpster view at the end of the hallway. It was nice though as it was lake side view so for once I didn't have a view of the bus stop or walkway to the lodge.

Online check in saved me no time at all.

 

[CarolAnnC]

At this time, I think Online checkin is accomplishing what it set out to do. And that is to shorten the wait time at check in. DVC will tell you no matter how you choose to check in, requests are just that - only requests. Nothing is ever promised and always subject to availability. That being said, I have said from the start that I will stick with the traditional check in. At least until I find a really good reason to switch over!

 

[BCV23]

Yes. On 3/21. I got there at 7 am and there was no separate line for check in, only one person working behind the desk. I waited in line behind a couple that took forever. The people ahead of me were trying to check out and finally gave up trying to get a copy of their bill and just left so they wouldn't miss their bus.

Our villa was ready but it didn't meet my requests so I asked for a different one, even if it wasn't ready yet. I got 3561, a studio WAY at the end of the hallway. I think I was one shy of getting the dumpster view at the end of the hallway. It was nice though as it was lake side view so for once I didn't have a view of the bus stop or walkway to the lodge.

Online check in saved me no time at all.

Now that's just wrong!

Has anyone reported on experiences at AKV or OKW?

I also appreciated the greeting at BCV. My DH dropped me off to checkin and drove over to the parking lot. As I neared the front door, a CM approached me and asked me if I was Mrs. xxx. It felt great to be greeted so personally. He walked me in and over to the dedicated line which was empty and introduced me to the CM there. Very nice.

Even with my change, I was able to call my DH and give him our room number just as he and our younger son were getting out of the car.

I guess I was very lucky to be at BCV.

 

[Brenle]

That wasn't my experience.

One of two requests were met, the CM could definitely see them so they weren't lost. The request that wasn't met was a floor that we prefer. Instead we were placed on the one floor that we don't like and they switched us then and there....I wouldn't have even asked for that change if there was anyone else in online check. We were not placed on the floor originally requested as there was no availability.

Best of all, the original villa was ready and the one we were switched to was also.

This was BCV. I was very pleased and will use it again. Even with the change, I had to be finished in less than two minutes. Without it, I bet it would have been 30 seconds...seriously. Just show id and sign the paper. folder and keys were ready. It was great.

I hope the other resorts do it as well as BCV.

Glad to hear of the positive online checkin exp. at BCV. We're heading there this May and are debating whether or not to try it. Only request was an upper floor. But may I ask which floor you don't like and why? This is our first stay at BCV - we own at SSR - so we are completely unfamiliar with the resort. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[BCV23]

Glad to hear of the positive online checkin exp. at BCV. We're heading there this May and are debating whether or not to try it. Only request was an upper floor. But may I ask which floor you don't like and why? This is our first stay at BCV - we own at SSR - so we are completely unfamiliar with the resort. Thanks in advance for the help.

We don't care for first floor. We enjoy having a balcony instead of a patio. We've only had first floor once and I will say it was convenient to not have to head to an elevator.

Just a personal preference. We had requested second floor so I think they came as close as they could without knowing more.