ONLINE CHECK IN...YAY OR NAY?

[SandyinMonterey]

Are their any benefits (upside) to doing online checking? I think I recall some people having more problems than just doing it the regular way. TIA!

 

[hakepb]

If it works, When an online checkin room is assigned to you, it’s yours.

Which is great if it’s a room you want.
It might also save you from a line at the front desk (but this is less of a concern at most DVC resorts)

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

There is no reason not to do online checkin. If you call Member Services to do a custom room request, just be sure not to open the room request section of online checkin. If you think you might have, you can call MS to make sure your room request is still there.

 

[disneynutz]

We don't see any benefit to it, it is designed to keep you away from the front desk and we enjoy talking to the CM's.

Bill

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Your room will be pre assigned whether you check in online or not. Desk has limited ability to switch you.

 

[DSLRuser]

Do it every time...... has worked for us a few times.

If you arrive later in the afternoon...it is great.....you get the text...go straight to your room.....

If you arrive early.....and you dont get the text....there is no harm in going to the front desk and seeing if they can get you in a room early

 

[ganban]

We always do on line check in now, but I miss hearing 'welcome home'.

 

[DenLo]

I like online check in but then DH and I realize a request for a certain room or view is just that, a request. I also understand that when you request, high floor and lake view you might not get both. Also it helps if you can find out what constitutes a high floor request. At CCV, high floor is the 5, 6, and 7th floors. So if you don't want a dormer balcony don't ask for a high floor.

 

[bumbershoot]

There’s no reason to not do it. I’ve done whatever form of online checkin Wdw has had since our first trip.

I think I recall some people having more problems than just doing it the regular way.

One wonders how those people can prove what experience they might have had if they hadn’t done online checkin? Kind of impossible.

We don't see any benefit to it, it is designed to keep you away from the front desk and we enjoy talking to the CM's.

Bill

Given that I always do online checkin and yet, since they started doing room-ready texts, have never gotten such a text, it does not appear to be designed to keep me from the front desk.

And even if it were there’s nothing stopping you from chatting with them.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

The online check in allows you to state an arrival time. We frequently arrive around noon, so I put this on the online checkin, although I know I may not get a room until 4PM or later. But by letting them know, they will give me an early room if it is possible. If they can create magic, they do! This works best for studios, because the larger units take much longer to clean. I have received early checkin at VGF and AK-Kidani. I am always delighted when it happens, but our default is to check our bags and go to a park until we get the room ready text.

 

[Boardwalkin]

One wonders how those people can prove what experience they might have had if they hadn’t done online checkin? Kind of impossible.

We have stayed at BWV 15+ times and the only trip when we did not get our room request filled was the one I tried online check in. This could all be coincidence, but I consider it proof.

 

[arminnie]

I always do online checkin. I have gotten my preferred location every single time.

Sometimes I never even set foot in the checkin area.

 

[Sleepy Sheep]

I like online check in. Usually works well for us. We get a text telling us our room isn’t ready yet an hour or so before our predicted arrival time and then another text telling us our room is ready and our assigned room number.

Especially nice at Poly (because we drive) and can park in the Pago Pago parking lot and go straight to our room. Also at Kidani since; 1. They’ve appropriated the short term parking near the lobby for valet parking and 2. If you stop at the Lobby you still have to get back in your car and travel back to the parking garage entrance and then drive to whatever section of Kidani you’re staying in.

Oh and when we’re all settled in, then we go to the lobby and talk to the CMs

 

[gracelrm]

My next trip is September. I haven't done on-line check-in because, well, it's still months away. But, on MDE, it shows that we have completed on-line check-in. I think that is very strange. We are staying in three different resorts over the course of our trip and it shows we have checked in to each one. Also, the last time I did on-line check in, I never got a text. I showed up at the resort at like 7:00 and asked if my room was ready. She looked puzzled and said, "Well, yes. Didn't you get a text or email?" I explained that no, I hadn't. She gave me my room information and as I walked to my room, I received the text. I guess that was an isolated incident.

 

[LAX]

Besides a trip to the front desk, is there any downside to NOT doing online check-in?

LAX

 

[Spartan86]

Besides a trip to the front desk, is there any downside to NOT doing online check-in?

LAX

Not that I can think of. Either way, once assigned the room number should show up in MDE if you have the Res linked and you can skip the desk anyway. The main thing afforded by online check in when it works, is text and/or email notification of room availability AFAIK.

 

[Shanti]

Are their any benefits (upside) to doing online checking? I think I recall some people having more problems than just doing it the regular way. TIA!

I like it. I don't know how it could cause any problems.

 

[Rosybella9]

I like online check-in. I've been able to access my rooms several hours before normal check-in time the last few trips.