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

[DizneyFamof4]

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 ?

They do not except tips and the "Vegas tip" does not work at Disney resorts.

 

[Lawdawg]

Heading back to WDW this fall. BUT, the $64,000 question is in regard to check in at the resorts. What does everyone think is the best way to check in ? Is it better to use the convenience and speed of online check in? Or, do you have a chance of getting a better room location and/or some Disney Magic by checking in at the desk with a cast member ? I've done both, but would like to hear your experiences.

The last 3 visits we have used online check in, and all three have had issues. Once, we just never got the notice that the room was ready, so we had to end up going to the front desk upon arrival anyway. The room was ready, but we had just not been notified. The other 2 instances, our room was not ready until after 6:00pm on both occasions. The last time we skipped the online check in and went to the front desk, we got upgraded from a 1BR Villa to a 2 BR Villa at Beach Club. I'm not saying that it has anything to do with going to the front desk, and it was probably just a coincidence, but that's our experience for what it is worth.

 

[DJFan88]

I am in the online check-in group but I have a question for those that continue to use the desk check-in. Have you had success requesting a room closer to your preference at the desk. I know the online check-in does not care about your requests but maybe a CM was able to get you closer to where you wanted in the resort? I only ask because I would prefer a room (staying at Pop) on the top floor closer to the elevator and I doubt the online check-in system cares what I want.

I will check in online, but go to desk since we are usually early. Last time I got to All stars we wanted and requested a certain building. They put us in the farthest building from the one we requested ( neither were preferred just regular) but when she told me at the desk, I just asked her if she had anything in the building I requested and she said sure and showed me the location of 2 different rooms to choose from.
I was thinking since we were early it was sort of over-rided and she was just trying to get us into a room that was ready, although waiting for a room was never mentioned. This was about 10 am.

 

[Ela1972]

Has anyone successfully done online check in with 3 rooms - 2 as connecting and 1 close by.
We will only be arriving around 10pm and the idea of not having to stand at the check in desk after travelling for 19 hours (hopefully ) is very tempting.

Also is it easy to tell if your rooms are close and where they are?
Thank you
Ela

 

[MomOTwins]

Has anyone successfully done online check in with 3 rooms - 2 as connecting and 1 close by.
We will only be arriving around 10pm and the idea of not having to stand at the check in desk after travelling for 19 hours (hopefully ) is very tempting.

Also is it easy to tell if your rooms are close and where they are?
Thank you
Ela

It doesn't really matter whether you check in online or check in in person--either way, your rooms are assigned 5 days prior to check in--the front desk is just telling you where the pre-assigned rooms are. Connecting rooms is not a bookable category, just a request, so it's possible your rooms won't be connecting and you'll have to go to front desk to see if it is possible--though if you have the request on file (i.e., you or your travel agent has called in to request it) and it has not been honored, online check in vs regular check in is not going to increase or decrease your likelihood of having your request honored. If you get there and you didn't get what you want, you can always go to the front desk and ask even if you checked in online, but at 10pm, odds are most rooms are going to be occupied at least for the first night.

 

[Ela1972]

It doesn't really matter whether you check in online or check in in person--either way, your rooms are assigned 5 days prior to check in--the front desk is just telling you where the pre-assigned rooms are. Connecting rooms is not a bookable category, just a request, so it's possible your rooms won't be connecting and you'll have to go to front desk to see if it is possible--though if you have the request on file (i.e., you or your travel agent has called in to request it) and it has not been honored, online check in vs regular check in is not going to increase or decrease your likelihood of having your request honored. If you get there and you didn't get what you want, you can always go to the front desk and ask even if you checked in online, but at 10pm, odds are most rooms are going to be occupied at least for the first night.

Thank you, I’ll give them a call and put the connecting room and close room request on as most important and also request the area we would like most - I can but hope but we have never had an area request honoured but we have always enjoyed where we have stayed - it is Disney after all

 

[DJFan88]

If connecting rooms or close rooms is the most important thing,then I would only list that and no go trying to also ask for specific sections of the resort, esp since 3 rooms

 

[Ela1972]

If connecting rooms or close rooms is the most important thing,then I would only list that and no go trying to also ask for specific sections of the resort, esp since 3 rooms

Thank you for the advice

 

[fla4fun]

I have used online check in from the first time I could, and it’s gone very well. I am not too picky about room location though. I agree that if you have a specific room request that will make or break your trip, go to the front desk.