Online check in?????

[WEDway2002]

Hi guys ...

We've never opted for online check in because we had heard you have a better chance of requesting a certain location if you check in in person.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

Don't get me wrong ... we're not THAT family! We're happy just to be there ... but ... if we might be able to stay in a favorite spot, it makes it even better.

Thanks for your input!

 

[com_op_2000]

I have found my requests met more often when doing online checkin.

 

[CarolMN]

Hi guys ...

We've never opted for online check in because we had heard you have a better chance of requesting a certain location if you check in in person.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

Don't get me wrong ... we're not THAT family! We're happy just to be there ... but ... if we might be able to stay in a favorite spot, it makes it even better.

Thanks for your input!

I do online check in for most trips and have had good luck with requests. Here's what I do:

1. Make all requests through MS.
2. When you get to the request section of the online check-in process, just skip it. Do NOT enter any requests on that page. (Most people do not know that you can skip this section without entering anything, but you can). If you do enter anything, you will erase all the requests from MS. In almost every case, the online choices are not relevant to DVC resorts, anyway, so the room assigner won't really know what you want.

Sit back, relax & enjoy!

 

[Judique]

I've never done online checkin.

Strangely, I've been met at the door during normal check in times and called by name.

I also never do requests, but always seem to get a room that is satisfactory.

Only one time was I displeased and that was checking in late after 9pm and being assigned a garden view room that was also handicapped accessible and smoky smelling at BWV. I did not accept the room and was put elsewhere in a few minutes. I had actually booked a standard view room, so I guess this was supposed to be an upgrade.

Mostly I book standard view and I love the rooms at the end of the building on the ground floor down close to parking and the path to DHS. These rooms may not be as desirable to someone else <g>, but after 40 or more BWV stays, they are my hot choice! Maybe I have a permanent note in my file that says this! My other choice would be village green but since I almost never have a garden view, I don't get there often.

 

[dhelin]

Hi guys ... We've never opted for online check in because we had heard you have a better chance of requesting a certain location if you check in in person. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? Don't get me wrong ... we're not THAT family! We're happy just to be there ... but ... if we might be able to stay in a favorite spot, it makes it even better. Thanks for your input!

I always speak to Member Services on the phone a month or more before arrival to make any room location requests. Then check in online with NO COMMENTS in the requests section. It has always worked out well---for example, with this plan in action we checked in at Vero Beach at midnight XMas eve (airlines ....don't even get me started) and awoke the next AM to top floor, ocean -facing -50 yards -to the pounding surf view....just as I'd requested!

 

[carlbarry]

2. When you get to the request section of the online check-in process, just skip it. Do NOT enter any requests on that page. (Most people do not know that you can skip this section without entering anything, but you can). If you do enter anything, you will erase all the requests from MS. In almost every case, the online choices are not relevant to DVC resorts, anyway, so the room assigner won't really know what you want.

Sit back, relax & enjoy!

When booking my Jambo House stay, I did it by phone (switched from OKW at 11 months to AKL at 7 months) and requested staying near the lobby.
When I went on line to check in at 30 days, when it came to the requests page, the "near lobby" was already checked, and it was gray, and could not be changed!
I've never seen that before.

 

[WDW_Diane]

When booking my Jambo House stay, I did it by phone (switched from OKW at 11 months to AKL at 7 months) and requested staying near the lobby. When I went on line to check in at 30 days, when it came to the requests page, the "near lobby" was already checked, and it was gray, and could not be changed! I've never seen that before.

I am going to AKL Jambo house in about three weeks. Reserved value studio, but regret not getting Savannah view. Am renting points through David's. How can I best request an upgraded view during this historically non-busy week? I am checking in on my birthday.

 

[erionm]

I am going to AKL Jambo house in about three weeks. Reserved value studio, but regret not getting Savannah view. Am renting points through David's. How can I best request an upgraded view during this historically non-busy week? I am checking in on my birthday.

Unlike with hotel rooms, upgrades are not available when using points. You also can't pay cash to upgrade a points reservation. On the rare occasion, you could be relocated due to a maintenance issue with your assigned room.

 

[WDW_Diane]

Unlike with hotel rooms, upgrades are not available when using points. You also can't pay cash to upgrade a points reservation. On the rare occasion, you could be relocated due to a maintenance issue with your assigned room.

Thanks for your quick response. I sure hope we don't get a parking lot view. I was afraid to select "close to transportation" on the online check-in for that reason, so I didn't choose anything. Considered selecting 5th floor, would there be any value in that?

 

[CarolMN]

I am going to AKL Jambo house in about three weeks. Reserved value studio, but regret not getting Savannah view. Am renting points through David's. How can I best request an upgraded view during this historically non-busy week? I am checking in on my birthday.

If you are renting points, you cannot request an upgraded view. Sorry. DVC members get what they booked.

You may or may not have some luck contacting David's to see if the person who made your value reservation would be willing to book a savanna view for you. It will cost you more, of course and may not even be available at this point in time. David may have a policy that does not allow changes. You'll have to check.

FWIW, there are lots of places to view the animals - including some nooks and crannies that seem very private. You may not even miss having the view from your room. Happy birthday a few weeks early.

 

[erionm]

Thanks for your quick response. I sure hope we don't get a parking lot view. I was afraid to select "close to transportation" on the online check-in for that reason, so I didn't choose anything. Considered selecting 5th floor, would there be any value in that?

All of the Jambo House DVC rooms (except for Concierge Level) are on the 5th floor, so no point in selecting 5th floor.

Only two of the 2-bedroom lock-offs (1-bedroom & studio w/interior connecting door) face the parking lot. Most either overlook an alcove of the Sunset Savanna or the Uzima Pool. The map contained in the link below is the 5th floor of Jambo House. The Values are along the Giraffe & Ostrich Trails.

http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php

 

[rlduvall]

Thanks for your quick response. I sure hope we don't get a parking lot view. I was afraid to select "close to transportation" on the online check-in for that reason, so I didn't choose anything. Considered selecting 5th floor, would there be any value in that?

Finally, after many, many years of staying in a value studio at AKV I was assigned the dreaded parking lot view for the first time this December. I was so disappointed and wanted to throw an irrational tantrum, but knew it was my turn.

Honestly, after the first day it wasn't even a big deal. The trees and landscaping are so lush that I barely even noticed the cars and I was far enough down from the front entrance that I didn't hear the luggage trucks backing up - which makes me want to lose my mind.

 

[WDW_Diane]

All of the Jambo House DVC rooms (except for Concierge Level) are on the 5th floor, so no point in selecting 5th floor. Only two of the 2-bedroom lock-offs (1-bedroom & studio w/interior connecting door) face the parking lot. Most either overlook an alcove of the Sunset Savanna or the Uzima Pool. The map contained in the link below is the 5th floor of Jambo House. The Values are along the Giraffe & Ostrich Trails. http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php

Thank you, this is helpful and promising.

 

[WDW_Diane]

If you are renting points, you cannot request an upgraded view. Sorry. DVC members get what they booked. You may or may not have some luck contacting David's to see if the person who made your value reservation would be willing to book a savanna view for you. It will cost you more, of course and may not even be available at this point in time. David may have a policy that does not allow changes. You'll have to check. FWIW, there are lots of places to view the animals - including some nooks and crannies that seem very private. You may not even miss having the view from your room. Happy birthday a few weeks early.

Thank you for the info. I contacted David's and asked about the member making my request. I'm mostly asking for the benefit of my friend who's meeting me at WDW for my birthday and has not stayed on property much. She's a Disneyland fan first.

This is all helpful for my next trip and booking with David's again. Last time I had a value standard room, so a bit different.