Online Check In What a pain.

[princessallegra]

The reason why people "bother" with it is because it's not usually like what you experienced. If it was, then yes, people wouldn't do it. I'm a fan of it personally and I've been going to WDW since long before they had it. I much prefer it. I have 4, yes FOUR online check-ins to do for my trip next week and I have 2 done already. Fast and easy. Two more to go. The site was down when I first tried to do the check-in, but once it as back up, it was fast.

Same for us. We love it! We had our room requests met, and our rooms ready as early as 9:30 am.

 

[dansdad]

If we requested a corner room, upper level on our original reservation, is that considered a special request?

Yes.

If I do online check in, will they automatically link the corner room/upper level request, or would I need to call again to have that added?

Since you made your request when you originally booked, no need to call again. But, one thing I like to do is call about a week before we arrive and ask the CM to read back to me any requests on my reservation. We also make our requests when we book. They have always been there when I call to check, it just makes me feel better.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I've never done online check-in before. This Sunday is our 10 day mark and I'm thinking of doing online check-in this time around just because we arrive late (~8:30pm) and I don't need or want to spend alot of time at the front desk checking in.

My reservation has one request that appears on my confirmation - "Please Note: REQ 3RD FLOOR WITH BALCONY". So from what I've read it appears this request will carry through even if I do online check-in and don't enter anything for special requests at that time. Good to know!

 

[Tigger's ally]

One more question about online check in if I may. Once you have finished, do you get an email confirmation or anything? Have a surprise trip coming up and don't want any emails to ruin the surprise.

 

[fla4fun]

One more question about online check in if I may. Once you have finished, do you get an email confirmation or anything? Have a surprise trip coming up and don't want any emails to ruin the surprise.

You will get a confirmation email that you completed online check in.

 

[ms1031]

I did online check-in about 8 days prior to our recent trip (arrived 10/4 at 10:30 am).

The system gave me the same messages as the OP. One of my choices the website offered for special requests was "full balcony". I selected that, then it said it could not process any requests at this time.

I then proceeded to the section where you enter the things you are celebrating on this trip, which appeared to go as it should.

When we arrived at the Beach Club, we were greeted outside by a CM who was expecting us. He walked us to the check-in desk, where he attempted to get the attention of the next available CMs, but they proceeded to help 2 other families who came in behind us. He apologized.

It took the CM who checked us in over 15 minutes to process things that should have already been ready for us. After that, she was handing us our celebration buttons, only to discover that my oldest daughters name was spelled wrong on hers.

Our room was not ready until 2:45 pm. It did have a full balcony, but I don't know if it was because of the request or just pure luck.

Long story short, online check-in that is designed to be grab and go took us over 30 minutes. Then we had to check our luggage with bell services, who wouldn't automatically deliver it to our room when it became available. We had to call for it from the room when we made our way back from Epcot.

 

[Figaro972]

We have done OLCI for the past few trips, and I think so far it has worked out. the benefit IMHO is actually not having to stand around and wait for them to get all your stuff together at regular check in. the past few times we have used it, we go up to the OLCI counter, our stuff is ready to go and we are off.