Online check in

[Lolsmum]

Is there a reason to do this? Or not to do it?

I can do it tomorrow, so I'm just wondering if there's a benefit to doing it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

There are many threads about this 'debate'. Its suppose to minimize your wait time in line....but sometimes online checkin lineup is longer than the standard checkin line! I've only done online checkin once....all other times i've used the standard checkin line because i like to beg the CM for a good room (i know nothing is guaranteed, but still worth a shot).

Essentially, the online checkin process has all your paper work prepared for you. So all you do is literally show them your ID, pick up your papers and room key, and off you go.

 

[Lolsmum]

Thank you.

We're arriving at MCO at 8 pm, which will feel like 1 am to us. We've also linked our room
reservation to my parents' reservations and they are arriving the next day. There's a request for adjoining rooms. I'm guessing I won't be able to successfully beg for 2 better rooms in any case so maybe the supposedly fastest option would be best with two very tired children.

 

[Heidi Lou]

In my opinion, i take full advantage of online check-in for every trip. You never know just how long the check-in line will be when you get to your resort, and there is a seperate line at some resorts for online checkin that usually isnt as long. We have always ended up with what we wanted and have never had any type of problem at all with it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've done it twice and both times the lines for the people using it were longer than the normal check in line.

So I've stopped doing it and just go to the normal check in line. I've been in and out doing it faster this way.

One thing to know though is that I seldom make requests for where I want my room located. I think that speeds up the process either way.

 

[mkoerner]

Skip it and save yourself. In my experience, on line check in saved no time because so many people are using the service, that line is longer than regular check in.

 

[mamamary]

I did online check in for the first time for our trip in June. From what I gathered here on the dis it is useful to use if you don't have any requests. Well for our trip to POFQ I did not put in any requests. When we arrived in the early morning the lobby was quite empty. I think there was one family on the regular check in line and I was the only person on the online check in line. i was in and out in minutes but prob. would have been also on the other line. One good thing though is that our room was ready. I was very happy. Not sure if it would have been or not for regular check in but we were quite pleased.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

If you do online checkin, can you not make any request when you actually show up?

 

[*Fantasia*]

Knowing myself.. I wouldn't do it. What if I am not happy with where they put me and I have to make a room change or make another request? I don't want to take up other people's time in line. I wouldn't want to be rude to others. The line is suppose to go fast and smooth, keys and packets ready to go and that's the whole point of doing things online.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

That makes sense. We have never made a special request, nor do I plan on doing it now. I just was wondering how it worked based on some threads I've read on the boards. The last time we went to WDW was in 08 and online wasn't an option back then.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Knowing myself.. I wouldn't do it. What if I am not happy with where they put me and I have to make a room change or make another request? I don't want to take up other people's time in line. I wouldn't want to be rude to others. The line is suppose to go fast and smooth, keys and packets ready to go and that's the whole point of doing things online.

They can change it if it's a problem. We did online check-in last year and we needed a first floor room as my mom needs to use a wheelchair. The room they had originally given us was on the 2nd floor. I explained the situation to the castmember and she easily changed it to a first floor room.

 

[MYD714]

We did online check in last week for AKL, and had we didn't even have to go the front desk. We were greeted at the door and the woman asked us to have a seat on the couches. We did, and she immediately brought us our packet. The entire process took mere seconds. It was the fastest I've ever checked in, and our room requests were met. It was wonderful.

 

[flagrandma]

We are checking in on Sunday at WL. This is our first time using online check in. I'm hoping the process is faster than the regular check in. Sounds like it would be. Worth trying it imo.

 

[jackie101]

Just about to do on-line check in. My flight numbers are right, but the times both say 12am?? I will call, just figured you guys were quicker

 

[dawnhaze]

Just about to do on-line check in. My flight numbers are right, but the times both say 12am?? I will call, just figured you guys were quicker

It really only matters for your return trip on DME. If you call them, they'll fix it for you.

 

[jackie101]

It really only matters for your return trip on DME. If you call them, they'll fix it for you.

Thanks!

 

[MickeysMommy]

I forgot, but can you plug in a credit card to use for key charging priviledges at online checkin?

 

[flagrandma]

I forgot, but can you plug in a credit card to use for key charging priviledges at online checkin?

Yes...I checked in online recently for the first time and I was able to add my cc info. We are checking in on Sunday at WL.

 

[jenrose66]

Is there a reason to do this? Or not to do it?

I can do it tomorrow, so I'm just wondering if there's a benefit to doing it.

I think it was two years ago that I tried to do online check in and their system would not let me do it. I'd fill in all the info and I'd get an error message. I tried several times and it was super annoying. To add insult I kept getting emails from Disney reminding me to do my online check in

Last year I did online check in and it worked just fine. I was staying at Movies. I had asked for a room in the Lovebug section and they had me in Mighty Ducks, but the room wasn't ready. She said she'd check if there was a different room ready and I told her since she was checking could she see if there was a room in the Lovebug section. There was and we had our room

Long story short, I don't think it matters much to me or you if we do online check in or not. It must offer some type of benefit to Disney which is why they created it and push it so much.

If it makes Disney's job easier, I don't mind doing it. I like them to know I'm still coming.

 

[Nohal]

Two years ago I did on line check in. I had to wait in line and there was no line at the regular check in. I did not get any of my requests and asked if there was a room that met my requests and it was changed. (If there was a room meeting my requests open why didn't I get it in the first place?). So last year I decided against on line check in. We got to ASMo around 10:30am the check in line was sooooo long as many people were checking out. I was in line for over 1/2hr because it seems that the people the 3CM's were working with had issues. Over in the on line check in they also has 3 CM's and there was no line. I haven't decided yet which I am going to do this year as the last two years have been a mess checking in.
As long as your flight numbers are correct you will be ok with ME. I asked the same question over on the transportation board and someone told me that they don't use any flight times because they always change.