online check in?

[sarahk0204]

when they designed online check-in. I am picturing this as more of a time saver if you are staying at a Value and using ME, where a whole busload (or 2 ) of people check in at once. Since FW guests are more likely to be driving *something*, they probably tend not to arrive in bunches. We're going to the cabins in June (driving), and I may try the online check-in. I don't expect it to save me lots of time, though, as I've never waited long to check in before.

 

[SewBzzzy]

When we checked in last year, someone advised us to pull into the over flow lot near the pet kennel, park, then walk in to check-in. Is it better and quicker to pull in line and check-in at the drive through check-in lanes? How many lanes are there, I can't remember??? I know we checked in that way years ago - but I'm having a hard time recalling?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

When we checked in last year, someone advised us to pull into the over flow lot near the pet kennel, park, then walk in to check-in. Is it better and quicker to pull in line and check-in at the drive through check-in lanes? How many lanes are there, I can't remember??? I know we checked in that way years ago - but I'm having a hard time recalling?

I don't think going inside to check in is faster than the check in lanes.

I believe that there are six check in lanes, but I have never seen all of them open at the same time. Typically, there is one open during the morning, and maybe three or four in the afternoon. Sometimes (early in the morning or later in the evening), none of the lanes are open, and you will be directed inside to check-in.

Here are some photos:

This one shows all of the lanes. The orange cones are in front of closed lanes.

This photo shows the lanes closest to the Reception Outpost building (there are three lanes on this side, and three on the other):

TCD

 

[mikmouse]

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

We did on line check-in last weekend at OKW. It was wonderful. All our room cards were already prepared with our names on them (3 people), paperwork done, room assigned as I requested on line AND we were able to check in early at 9:30 am. You provide your credit card on line so they attach it to your room key before you arrive. We just picked up our package when we arrived and went to our room. And, yes, they did have a separate line for on-line check in and it was fabulous. Hopefully it will work the same at the Fort.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

I think thats where they will eventually save check in time. As more prople use it they will have a lot of the paperwork and cards already done so each check in will take a little less time. Hopefully that will make the line move faster overall. Who knows - they may even make a fast lane at some point for those who checked in on line. Knowing Disney though they will probably see it as an opportunity to save money by having less lanes open.

 

[clkelley]

I would think they would have to use a dedicated lane for online checkin as only one little building would be holding the preprinted packets with resort ID cards.

Imagine if they didn't, then the hosts would be be contstantly running across the lanes grabbing the preprinted packets from wherever they were sitting.

 

[UMADDBG]

Did you make your reservations online? Did you get an email saying you could check in?

 

[Disbuf]

Our reservations were made through member services at DVC. I noticed in our DVC online account that it had a link for the online checkin listed by our reservation so I went ahead and tried it.

My wife and I agree with you Carol that they are going to have to dedicate a line or it will defeat the purpose and be interesting if they have to run back and forth to get your keys and packet.

 

[BradyBz12]

I would think they would have to use a dedicated lane for online checkin as only one little building would be holding the preprinted packets with resort ID cards.

Unfortunately no real info posted with this, but I came across this photo ON WDW News Today...

 

[Mary2e]

Checked in last Saturday at around 2:30pm after using online checkin.

For us, it was pretty much worthless. There was no separate line and a DME bus must have just come in. I was on line for about 20 minutes.

When I finally got up to the desk I indicated I did online checkin and they got my packet with everything already done. It was just handed to me. The cabin we requested was assigned and ready for us. They had to get the $200 gift card out of the safe, but that was about it. My time at the desk was shortened, but getting there was on the annoying side I would swear there was 1 couple hogging a window for the entire time

Unless they have a dedicated window, and from the looks of the picture above, they may have one at times, I don't see very much of a time savings.

Oh, and I went to the front desk on Friday night and did not see the sign in the picture above.

Maybe they just have it during busy times.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Checked in last Saturday at around 2:30pm after using online checkin.

For us, it was pretty much worthless. There was no separate line and a DME bus must have just come in. I was on line for about 20 minutes.

When I finally got up to the desk I indicated I did online checkin and they got my packet with everything already done. It was just handed to me. The cabin we requested was assigned and ready for us. They had to get the $200 gift card out of the safe, but that was about it. My time at the desk was shortened, but getting there was on the annoying side I would swear there was 1 couple hogging a window for the entire time

Unless they have a dedicated window, and from the looks of the picture above, they may have one at times, I don't see very much of a time savings.

Oh, and I went to the front desk on Friday night and did not see the sign in the picture above.

Maybe they just have it during busy times.

Thank you for reporting back on this. Your experience is what I expected. Without a dedicated check-in lane or window for those who did the on-line check in, I fail to see how this "service" will be of any benefit at Ft. Wilderness. Once you get to the Castmember checking you in, it doesn't take much time to be checked in. It is the time waiting to get to the Castmember that is frustrating.

And, that photo of "Fort Wilderness" that BradyBz12 found is not of the front desk of Fort Wilderness. I know that the site where it was originally posted said it was taken at FW, but the lobby at the Reception Outpost does not have walls or counters like this- that photo is from the Wilderness Lodge!

TCD

 

[Jennifer16]

Just returned ... we did the online check in. Like others have mentioned there were very limited choice with special requests (I had to make a special phone call to make sure that the cabin did not have any feather pillows due to allergies). There acutally is a dedicated window for on-line check in ... it is the one at the very end on the left side. This did save some time as there was no one at this counter, while there was a line for regular service. Our package was ready - spent very little time doing the actual check-in! I would use this service again.

 

[BradyBz12]

that photo of "Fort Wilderness" that BradyBz12 found is not of the front desk of Fort Wilderness. I know that the site where it was originally posted said it was taken at FW, but the lobby at the Reception Outpost does not have walls or counters like this- that photo is from the Wilderness Lodge!

Ooh - good catch!

 

[clkelley]

We did the online checkin for our most recent trip. I asked at the guard shack which drive-through lane was for online checkin and he told me the center. I pulled to that lane and there were two campers in front of me. Another lane opened up and there was room for me to move over, so I did. They got my name, asked if I wanted to use my credit card on file for the balance, which I did, and I told them I did online checkin. They walked over to the center lane, grabbed my packed, told my my site number and that was it. So it did help the actual time I was at the window, but I don't think it will help if all the lanes are backed up, except for the people behind you.