Online Check in vs. Front Desk Check in....

[Moliphino]

If we don't like our room assignment then we're just stuck with it I guess because we have a first timer going with us and I am going to have a gift basket waiting in the room for her.

You can still ask for a room change after you've been in the room. I think only DVC charges you a fee if you have entered the room (I'm not DVC, this is just what I've heard here).

 

[Spazz2k]

We always do online check-in...and when we get the text if we do not like the location, I will go to the front desk and ask for a different location. I would say that 9 out of 10 times they have no problems moving us as long as we have not gone in the room yet. I don't think online vs front desk has that much an effect on pixie dust tho...I think that just happens for various reasons. I will usually goto the front desk to check-in tho if I have not received my text by the time we get there. It is our experience that the people who walk up to you in line to ask you if you are checking in are the least helpful. They don't want to hear room requests, they don't want to see if they can get you in a room now...lol they just tell you that your all set and you will receive a text when your room is ready. I will avoid them when I can lol ;P

 

[cobright]

I always check in in person. This is likely your first serious CM interaction of the trip and you're going to experience pixie dust, this is a common place to find it. And even leaving those thoughts for the more mercantile, front desk staff are second only to guest relations in fixing problems. It just makes sense to put a human being in front of them.

Be gracious. Tell them about yourself and how awesome your trip is going to be. If there's a room upgrade that you didn't go for but now hope it may still be available, let them know it would be worth its price to you if they could find it. You're basically gift wrapping an opportunity for the cm to provide exceptional customer service.

Throwing ones and zeros back and forth with the algorithm will never compare.

 

[Dug720]

Just restating - there is absolutely no reason you cannot do both. They are not going to say "Oh, you checked in online, I cannot talk to you."

 

[Eastern]

I always do online checkin. I have been upgraded with no special requests other than 'balcony'.

 

[MickeyMouse3!]

We like the convenience of online check-in but prefer the desk check-in simply to meet and interact with cast members. A friendly face is much better to deal with than a digital screen.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We also love the convenience of online check-in, which we have found to work perfectly about 50% of the time! Other times we'll have anything from not being notified about our room at all, to getting to our room with luggage, and the door won't unlock. But we still try it and prefer it most trips. We often stay at OKW, as well - so not having to stop at the main desk there is a big advantage - we can go right to our building, park, and to the room.

 

[raddisneyfan]

Call and make special requests so that they are added to your reservation and then do the online check in. Once you get to WDW and get the text with your room number and you do not like the assignment for whatever reason, head over to the front desk and begin negotiations for another room!

 

[Mr Organizer]

OK....now I am going to throw a curveball into this discussion. Assuming I check in at the front desk, should I TIP the CM ? FYI - for years now I have been throwing some cash at the person who checks me in at a hotel. I cant tell you how many perks have come my way doing this....upgraded views, bigger rooms, drink coupons, move to concierge floors, free breakfasts, etc. etc. I mean it. Try it sometime. BUT - Can Disney front desk CM's accept tips ? Has anyone ever tried to tip them ? Would that make them more likely to spread some pie dust ? Would it offend them if they were not able to accept tips ?

 

[Dug720]

OK....now I am going to throw a curveball into this discussion. Assuming I check in at the front desk, should I TIP the CM ? FYI - for years now I have been throwing some cash at the person who checks me in at a hotel. I cant tell you how many perks have come my way doing this....upgraded views, bigger rooms, drink coupons, move to concierge floors, free breakfasts, etc. etc. I mean it. Try it sometime. BUT - Can Disney front desk CM's accept tips ? Has anyone ever tried to tip them ? Would that make them more likely to spread some pie dust ? Would it offend them if they were not able to accept tips ?

As has been said in your other thread, front desk CMs are not allowed to accept bribes...um, "tips".

 

[Steve678]

How early can you see your room assignment if you do online check-in, when you get your room-ready text or does it show up when it's assigned, a couple days before or whenever? We are doing online check in because our flight got moved and we will arrive at the resort at 4:00 now vs the noon we originally booked.

 

[erionm]

How early can you see your room assignment if you do online check-in, when you get your room-ready text or does it show up when it's assigned, a couple days before or whenever? We are doing online check in because our flight got moved and we will arrive at the resort at 4:00 now vs the noon we originally booked.

Not until the room is ready to be occupied.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I do online check in and take what we get. I don’t make very precise room requests. I might request a building or an area but I know it’s just a request. It never even crossed my mind to go to the front desk to be moved if I didn’t get a request.

 

[diskids2]

I'm an online check in fan. Usually I reserve the category I want and am not overly picky about that location. There was one time when I got my room is ready text and I knew where that room was an I really didn't want that location.....so I made my way to the front desk and they moved me with no issues. I was preferred and just wanted a different preferred building. It was as easy as pie. HOWEVER, I was there early not around 5 pm too.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

How early can you see your room assignment if you do online check-in, when you get your room-ready text or does it show up when it's assigned, a couple days before or whenever? We are doing online check in because our flight got moved and we will arrive at the resort at 4:00 now vs the noon we originally booked.

If the process works correctly, you'll get a notification (sometimes more than one) the day your are scheduled to check in, letting you know they're working on your reservation. You will get a final notification, with the room number assigned, when it's ready for you to enter. And since 4:00 is the 'normal' check in time anyway, your change of flight is not likely to change your room availability. Have a great trip!

 

[kmrobins03]

When we went a few weeks ago (Riviera), we used the app to check in and it was very easy. We aren’t picky about room requests and we’re happy with the room location

 

[slyster]

If the process works correctly, you'll get a notification (sometimes more than one) the day your are scheduled to check in, letting you know they're working on your reservation. You will get a final notification, with the room number assigned, when it's ready for you to enter. And since 4:00 is the 'normal' check in time anyway, your change of flight is not likely to change your room availability. Have a great trip!

Glad to see this. So we get a heads up notification....is that by text message or through the MDE app?

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I love getting my room assignment text, I have received them before my flight and I'm still at home. The lobby is a hit and miss the last time I needed something they were really quick, but I have walked through there and seen people waiting in line. I personally try to avoid lines as much as possible.

 

[Eastern]

Glad to see this. So we get a heads up notification....is that by text message or through the MDE app?

I think we have gotten all types: email, text, and you can check MDE.

 

[cheshiregoofy22]

7:00 pm….still no room notification….not worried I guess since we’re still at the airport. Guess it’s going to be in person check in at midnight!