Online check or @ resort?

[disneybliss2]

What do most of you do? Check in to hotel in advance online or wait till you get to the resort? What are the pros/cons of each? How much time do you save by checking in online in advance?

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've been using online check-in every since it became available. We've found that it saves us time since our packet is ready when we get there. I've been pretty lucky in that my requests have always been granted so I haven't had to ask them to make changes.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've done OLCI for probably 15+ stays and will happily do it for our next trip tomorrow. I don't see any downside of OLCI at all.

 

[maryj11]

We have done both and both fine. Online check in may be a tad faster but I never had any long waits checking in at the resort either. With Online everything is ready when you walk up to the desk and they just hand you your room key ect. With checking in at the resort you wait until they get your room key and papers ready which has never taken over 10 minutes for us.

 

[Jacksonev1]

We always use on line check in--and have never had a problem! We have always gotten what we requested!

 

[couchpotato]

I we want to go to the parks on our first day, will we have access to our Key to the Kingdom card in the morning or will we have to wait until afternoon check in to access our park tickets and meal plan etc?

 

[disney_girl125]

You get all that stuff when you check in. Your room might not be ready, but you can still eat if you have the dining plan or go to the parks. They will text or call you when your room is ready. Sometimes i've been lucky and my room was ready at early check in.

 

[raven69david]

I we want to go to the parks on our first day, will we have access to our Key to the Kingdom card in the morning or will we have to wait until afternoon check in to access our park tickets and meal plan etc?

I use online check-in 100% of the time. If you want to stop at the hotel and pick up your room keys when you arrive on your first day, you can so that you can charge to the room and/or use your dining plan.

 

[jimjenkids]

On line check in is the best thing next to the fast pass! I remember getting to disney before the service was available and sitting and waiting for my parents to check in and I seeming like it was hours(I know it wasnt, but as a kid-time moved slowly) we used on line check in last trip for the first time and everything was ready to go! our room wasnt ready and they sent us a text when it was ready.......already planning on using it again this year!

 

[JennyDrake]

I have also ued online check in since it became available. It saves time and usually the line is shorter--if there even is a line.

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you're particular about your room location and will request to move if your requests aren't honored - that's definitely a time to check in face to face, with a cast member.

If you don't care if your requests are honored, or if you don't care at all where your room is - then online check in is wonderful.

Have a great trip!

 

[maxiesmom]

I've done both, and I prefer to check in at the resort. The few times I have done on-line check in, only once was I happy with my room location. The other times I was either out in the far reaches of the resort, or downgraded from a paid for room type.

 

[trekker93]

doesn't mean you can't change your room if you do not like it! I've done it - just make the change while you are at the desk or come back and do it. Cast members will help you out if a room that you like is available.

 

[sydneysmom]

We've done online check-in and we'll probably continue to do so. One of the advantages (I think) is that it just moves faster because most of the work is done. You give them your credit card (for charging to the room) so that's done ...all you do is step up, give them your name, they grab your packet and you go.

Now, if you have specific needs, you might not want to do that. For us, we loved it. Within about 5 minutes of getting to the GF, we gave our carry on bags to bell services and got our park tix and headed to the MK. If you've never been to your resort and really want to learn more about it, then the face time is probably good. We did enough research about the GF in advance that I probably knew more than the CM's!

The first time I went to POR (when it was the wonderful Dixie Landings) I spent alot of time talking to the CM that checked us in. Becuase I didn't have a clue. But it helped alot.