Online check-in requires that I pick a PIN for charging but don't want

[Scotch]

I thought I'd give online check-in a try for the first time on our upcoming trip. I just started the process and got stuck on the "select a PIN" page. We don't want to link a credit card to our Magic Bands so we don't want charging privileges; we plan to just pay separately. I tried to skip the selection but the system requires the step before moving forward. If I pick a PIN can we deactivate the charging to the room option when we arrive? But then I'd still have to wait in line to talk to a cast member at the front desk, right? So there won't be any benefit to online check-in?

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Choose a pin. You can easily deactivate your bands at check in. Even though you did online check in, you still have to get your packet from someone, so you just tell that person that you want to deactivate the bands. Having done online check in the entire process will be much faster, than if you haven't done online check in.

 

[wdrl]

Choose a pin. You can easily deactivate your bands at check in. Even though you did online check in, you still have to get your packet from someone, so you just tell that person that you want to deactivate the bands. Having done online check in the entire process will be much faster, than if you haven't done online check in.

I would not advise anyone to "deactivate their MagicBands." Keep in mind that the MagicBands serve as your room key and as your tickets for entry into the Parks. In addition, the MagicBands will serve as your access portal to the FastPass+ system. If you deactivate your MagicBands, then you won't be able to use them for any of those services.

Instead, what you need to do is make sure there is no charge card linked to your My Disney Experience. Or, that you tell the CMs at check in that you don't want charging privileges to your room account.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I would not advise anyone to "deactivate their MagicBands." Keep in mind that the MagicBands serve as your room key and as your tickets for entry into the Parks. In addition, the MagicBands will serve as your access portal to the FastPass+ system. If you deactivate your MagicBands, then you won't be able to use them for any of those services.

Instead, what you need to do is make sure there is no charge card linked to your My Disney Experience. Or, that you tell the CMs at check in that you don't want charging privileges to your room account.

Yes, my wording was definitely poor. I meant to just ask them to disable room charging priveledges.

 

[Scotch]

So the process will be faster even if I were to stop and ask to get the charging privileges removed? Thanks, then I will try the online checkin.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO online check in doesn't really do much for DVC. Sometimes they make the check in packets up ahead of time sometimes they don't. Sometimes it's faster, sometimes it's longer.

Online check in helps those checking into resorts where the line is 30 people long like at convention resorts or when several DME buses show up at the same time.

Bill

 

[Scotch]

Online check in helps those checking into resorts where the line is 30 people long like at convention resorts or when several DME buses show up at the same time.

Bill

This is my concern. We're arriving on Saturday over the weekend before Xmas. And since we're taking ME from the airport, I read that we should be checking in at the Contemporary instead of BLT -- is that correct? We've never visited WDW during this period before so I'm imagining super long check-in lines.

 

[erionm]

This is my concern. We're arriving on Saturday over the weekend before Xmas. And since we're taking ME from the airport, I read that we should be checking in at the Contemporary instead of BLT -- is that correct? We've never visited WDW during this period before so I'm imagining super long check-in lines.

If you arrive via DME for a BLT reservation, they will be expecting you at the Contemporary which is where the bus will drop you off.

 

[rcchello]

Why disable charging, just forget the pin and don't tell anyone what you picked and no one will be able to charge. Everytime you try to charge to your magic band, you have to enter the pin to enable charging. If you don't know the pin, no charging!

 

[Scotch]

Not sure if I should start another thread with this new but somewhat related question.

Our BLT stay consists of 3 separate back to back reservations; the one in the middle is via a rental of another member's points; I added reservations to the front and end with my points. MS has notations in each to cross-reference the other reservations.

I've been getting email invites to check in for each reservation online. Do we need to separately check-in via each reservation? Is it enough (or better) to just check in for the first reservation and then talk to a CM? I don't want to do something that'll negatively impact the request that we be permitted to stay in one unit (as all are the same size/view) throughout the trip.

 

[Scotch]

Why disable charging, just forget the pin and don't tell anyone what you picked and no one will be able to charge. Everytime you try to charge to your magic band, you have to enter the pin to enable charging. If you don't know the pin, no charging!

I recall reading one of the many MB problem threads on the Theme Park forum and someone mentioned finding another family's meal charged to his account even though he has MB with PIN. So we're trying to minimize potential problems.

 

[disneynutz]

I recall reading one of the many MB problem threads on the Theme Park forum and someone mentioned finding another family's meal charged to his account even though he has MB with PIN. So we're trying to minimize potential problems.

Disney processes millions of room charges and although a mistake can happen, we have found the process to be trouble free. We did have a incorrect charge a couple of years ago, the front desk removed the charge without question and credited our account with some Disney cash for our troubles.

I wouldn't worry about it plus if you do charge to the room you get a nice detailed printed receipt of all charges.

Bill

 

[bumbershoot]

If I pick a PIN can we deactivate the charging to the room option when we arrive? But then I'd still have to wait in line to talk to a cast member at the front desk, right? So there won't be any benefit to online check-in?

I've never not had to wait in a line and talk to a cm even when I did online checkin. I've heard stories of being met with the packet...never happened for me. And even if you are met with the packet, it's a cm giving it to you so talk with them.

Can you go back a step and NOT enter a cc? I have four reservations coming up and for two of them I was able to bypass that step. I didn't try for the other two so I don't know I it was a glitch or something everyone can do.

 

[Scotch]

Can you go back a step and NOT enter a cc? I have four reservations coming up and for two of them I was able to bypass that step. I didn't try for the other two so I don't know I it was a glitch or something everyone can do.

During the online check-in steps the My Disney Experience automatically showed
the credit card I have been using to hold my dining reservations. I was a bit startled as I don't recall authorizing Disney to "save" that cc (and if that option was ever available I always deselect it.) The only option there was to change the default cc card; I didn't see one for total removal. I'll check! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[bumbershoot]

During the online check-in steps the My Disney Experience automatically showed
the credit card I have been using to hold my dining reservations. I was a bit startled as I don't recall authorizing Disney to "save" that cc (and if that option was ever available I always deselect it.) The only option there was to change the default cc card; I didn't see one for total removal. I'll check! Thanks for the suggestion.

Last week I was reading through the new terms&conditions, and this was interesting enough to me that I took notes on it.

You have the ability to store a credit card in your Profile. You can use this credit card to make certain online purchases, including select Walt Disney World Resort hotel room and package reservations, tickets, and dining reservations (for those locations that require credit card guarantees or prepayments). This credit card may be, but is not necessarily, the same credit card you may provide during online check-in or at the front desk for room charges and incidentals. Your Site/App Profile stored credit card is not associated with our used for the touch to pay purchases you make with your RF Device unless you also provide that card during online check-in or at the front desk.

I am going through one of my online checkins, and it has a spot to Designate a Credit Card, but I can click Next without doing so.


Hmm, apparently online checkin lost all the info I gave it about CC, and none of my resorts had a CC. Hilarious. This has happened with my online checkins, sometimes, for the whole time they have had the ability to put CC in online. Out of curiousity, I put in CC info for one of my DVC stays. Then a bit later went in to see if I could change it to NO CC. I couldn't. Sad.