online check in?

[kristytru]

Is the new online check in service available for Fort reservations?

 

[Mary2e]

Yes it is. I don't know how much it buys you though. You can't see your requests and there's nowhere to type in a request.

All they did was take my credit card.

 

[loveDmouse]

That doesn't even seem worth the effort.

I thought it was suppose to be more detailed then that. Bummer.

 

[TheFlame]

I don't think the OP is talking about making a new online ressie.

Are you talking about using the online check in to skip check in at the gate on your arrival day?

If so, I would also like to know if this is up and going at the Fort!

 

[TheFlame]

Yes it is. I don't know how much it buys you though. You can't see your requests and there's nowhere to type in a request.

All they did was take my credit card.

After you make your ressie online, wait a day or so and call the reservation line and add your requests to your ressie. Ask them to email you a new updated copy of your reservation.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

So we are all on the same page, I believe the OP is referring to a new service offered at WDW resorts. The information about this is here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/online-checkin.htm

I visited the Fort in December and February, and have heard nothing about on-line check in at the Fort.

I am not really sure that it would save much time- as it looks like you would still have to stop at the check-in lanes for your site assignment, or go into the reception outpost for your cabin.

TCD

 

[devores]

I do know that when viewing my ressie online, there is a link to the online check in but states it is not available until 10 days prior to arrival date. So we will have to wait to see if it works. I am going in June.

 

[Mary2e]

I don't think the OP is talking about making a new online ressie.

Are you talking about using the online check in to skip check in at the gate on your arrival day?

If so, I would also like to know if this is up and going at the Fort!

And that's what I was talking about.

Online check-in, which is available 10 days in advance, and is basically worthless

 

[Mary2e]

After you make your ressie online, wait a day or so and call the reservation line and add your requests to your ressie. Ask them to email you a new updated copy of your reservation.

I know all that.

I was taling about online check in - the new service. Yes, it's working for FW, and yes, I think it's worthless. Thank you, but I know how to make requests

You can't see any requests you made when you made the reservation, and there's no place to make any additional requests, even though there's a box on the online check in form stating "we will take up to 2 requests." There was a check box for a portaable crib and nothing else.

 

[Mary2e]

So we will have to wait to see if it works. I am going in June.

It works. I used it yesterday.

They even sent a confirmation email that I had checked in.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

It works. I used it yesterday.

They even sent a confirmation email that I had checked in.

So you used the new check in system? Could you give some more details please? Does it give you your site number? Where do you pick up your resort ID and Welcome packet?

Very interesting.......

 

[TheFlame]

So you used the new check in system? Could you give some more details please? Does it give you your site number? Where do you pick up your resort ID and Welcome packet?

Very interesting.......

 

[TheFlame]

I know all that.

I was taling about online check in - the new service. Yes, it's working for FW, and yes, I think it's worthless. Thank you, but I know how to make requests

You can't see any requests you made when you made the reservation, and there's no place to make any additional requests, even though there's a box on the online check in form stating "we will take up to 2 requests." There was a check box for a portaable crib and nothing else.

You are so welcome, so glad to help!

 

[Mary2e]

So you used the new check in system? Could you give some more details please? Does it give you your site number? Where do you pick up your resort ID and Welcome packet?

Very interesting.......

Yes, I did.

It gives you virutally nothing - no information, nothing. It does give you the ability to make up to 2 requests - but for the cabin, the only check box was for a portable playpen. There wasn't even a second box nor a space to input any information.

They took my credit card for incidentals, which was optional, and our arrival and departure information. That's it.

The email received doesn't look a whole lot different than a confirmation email.

No cabin number, nor would I think site number is provided, since they are usually assigned within a week of your arrival.

The only time I can see it having any value at all is if they have your check in packet ready for your arrival and can just hand it to you. Or, perhaps if they have a separate line for people who have already checked in.

I use online check in for other hotels often, and this one is pretty much useless. But again, other hotels don't let you check in 10 days in advance. At most, it's within 24 hours and they do give a room number. Hilton even lets you pick the room from a chart.

I'll report back with what happens when I get to the front desk.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

It appears the optimum word here is WORTHLESS. So you check in early, arrive at the Fort AND go through the check in lanes or Reception Desk to get your info???? HELLO.

Since I am right now, am I missing something????

WE ALREADY DO THAT...

Oh wait I know, there will be an automated line like at Mickey D's which gives you a unique Fort ID number, then you take a bus to the bike barn and pick up your info packet then you catch a bus back to pickup your golf cart which you drive back to the auto line to pick up your site number then drive cart to site, walk back to Outpost area to retrive vehicle and camping gear and THEN you go to your site. Now if you are not renting a golf cart, don't even ask where you have to go. Now, while you are doing all this, those who didn't use early checkin will breeze right through because it's taking the early checkiners so long to check in.

Ah, whoever came up with this time saving, customer friendly idea, if you are offered an early retirement package. TAKE IT!

 

[Mary2e]

It's going to be interesting. I'll make sure I report back if no one else does it sooner.

 

[Disbuf]

I just used the online check in for our arrival on the 21st of March. It had me verify my address and phone, input an email address, input a credit card for incidentals and it allowed me to put in two predetermined special requests. There were three categories of requests: equipment, trailer parking near comfort station and room requests.

Equipment allowed you to pick your camping type: Popup, Motorhome, Truck/Van Camper, Travel Trailer/5th Wheel.

Trailer Parking Near Comfort Station had just that one option.

Room Requests had the following options: Full Hook Up Not Required, Full Hook Up Required, Pet Loop, Near Transportation.

I was allowed to only choose two so I had to do Pet Loop and 5th Wheel. Not sure why they limit you to two especially when one of them is to let them know what type of camping unit you have.

I received an immediate email restating the information that I had put in.

Now it will be interesting to see if this actually gets us to our site any quicker.

 

[magicforever]

I know everyone's check in experience is different, but I have never spent more than 15min checking in at the fort. We have a camper and always pull right in to the check in lanes. I have never had to wait behind someone. We usually check in on Monday during the late afternoon. There is never a wait. I don't know if I would use this online service knowing I have never had to wait or it take forever to check in. Anyone else ever have to wait for a long time to check in?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I know everyone's check in experience is different, but I have never spent more than 15min checking in at the fort. We have a camper and always pull right in to the check in lanes. I have never had to wait behind someone. We usually check in on Monday during the late afternoon. There is never a wait. I don't know if I would use this online service knowing I have never had to wait or it take forever to check in. Anyone else ever have to wait for a long time to check in?

In the past 12 months, I have had about 7 check-in experiences at the Fort. These were all for campsites, using the check-in lanes. I don't think that I have ever had more than a 15 minute wait, and most of the time, I had no wait.

I am having a hard time conceiving of how on-line check in will provide any benefit at the Fort. You will still need to stop somewhere for your site assignment, paperwork, and KTTW cards. Maybe if they had a designated lane at the check in for those who registered on-line? But, even then, if someone happens to arrive right before you, that lane could be occupied while regular lanes are empty. I doubt that the Fort would designate one of the lanes for those who checked in on-line. They would have to pay another employee to sit there, and if there did happen to be a line at the regular check-in lanes, folks would complain about not being able to use the open lane. I just don't see any benefit here. More like a gimmick to make people think that they can save a huge amount of time at check in, when in reality, the time saved will be negligible.

TCD

 

[Disbuf]

The past two times, we have had to not only wait in line but had a very lengthy check in however the check in time was more the result of the cast member who took care of us (yes, it was the same person both times). Last year, we got to the check in booth before my parents who were in the lane beside us....before we were done, I saw my father pulling away and heading to his site.

I am not sure this early check in will make a huge difference but even if it shaves 5-7 minutes off check in, it will give us more time to play at the Fort.