Online CheckIn & Charging Privileges

[MdmMim]

I have a 2bed reserved at OKW for next week, and today went through the online checkin process.

The problem I have is: I do not want everyone staying with me to have the opportunity to charge to my card. I did not see anywhere online to denote who would/would not have charging privileges, so it seems once the credit card info is entered--that's it. Everyone can charge.

I called MS who told me I'd need to get new cards when I got there because there is nothing they can do.

Did this part of registering fall through the cracks? Or did I miss something on the website?

 

[kmaach]

I had a similar thing happen to me. You will need to go to the front desk to get new cards.

 

[dvcdisney]

When I arrived on my last trip, they didn't even have my keys ready yet (and I arrived at the desk at 5pm), so if that's the case for you, you can just let them know the only ones you want to have charging privileges before they print it.

Otherwise, if it's ready, I'm sure you can ask them to reprint. You can explain to them that it was not an option during online check in.

 

[wildernessDad]

I have a 2bed reserved at OKW for next week, and today went through the online checkin process.

The problem I have is: I do not want everyone staying with me to have the opportunity to charge to my card. I did not see anywhere online to denote who would/would not have charging privileges, so it seems once the credit card info is entered--that's it. Everyone can charge.

I called MS who told me I'd need to get new cards when I got there because there is nothing they can do.

Did this part of registering fall through the cracks? Or did I miss something on the website?

After doing online check in, I called the OKW resort front desk directly, told them that I did not want my son to have room charging privileges. They made a note of it and it was that way when I checked in.

 

[MdmMim]

After doing online check in, I called the OKW resort front desk directly, told them that I did not want my son to have room charging privileges. They made a note of it and it was that way when I checked in.

I will give that a try. Thank you! I will be arriving first, so I can get this straightened out. It seems they could have made this part of the checkin process though.

(If this is the biggest problem I have, then I guess I'm pretty lucky.)


Thanks for all comments.

 

[JennyE]

This is a bit unrelated to the original post, but I'm looking for advice... I just hit the 10-day mark and I am contemplating the online check-in.

My DH loves to "negotiate" room preferences during the check-in process. When you used the online check-in feature does it ask a series of questions about your preference for a room location (e.g close to elevator, which floor you prefer, etc)? Thank you!

 

[disneynutz]

This is a bit unrelated to the original post, but I'm looking for advice... I just hit the 10-day mark and I am contemplating the online check-in.

My DH loves to "negotiate" room preferences during the check-in process. When you used the online check-in feature does it ask a series of questions about your preference for a room location (e.g close to elevator, which floor you prefer, etc)? Thank you!

No it doesn't and on-line check-in is a waist of time. Do yourself a favor and check in the old fashion way.

 

[Dean]

This is a bit unrelated to the original post, but I'm looking for advice... I just hit the 10-day mark and I am contemplating the online check-in.

My DH loves to "negotiate" room preferences during the check-in process. When you used the online check-in feature does it ask a series of questions about your preference for a room location (e.g close to elevator, which floor you prefer, etc)? Thank you!

It seems online check in would be good for all members for your situation by keeping your DH from tying up the line pushing for requests that aren't guaranteed. It's one thing to be sure you've gotten what you need, quite another to try to get the "best room possible" in this situation. It's exactly that type of approach by members that made them take away any real effort in room assignments.

 

[gamomof2]

Ouch

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

I did not find the on-line checkin to be a waste of time. In March we had a split stay using three different configurations and multiple rooms almost each time. Our packages were always waiting for us. As fas as charging privileges, the only cards that didn't have them were the kids cards. I assumed that they noted their ages and didn't provide charging privileges. I wanted my two kids to have charging privileges so we just asked that they change it and it was done in a matter of minutes.

In one of the switches the two rooms assigned were far apart. We had requested close together. They looked and there was another availability. I was switched quickly and efficiently. As well, in making this change, our kids took the dreaded 'dumpster' view at VWL ! As they didn't mind, it likely made some other guest happy.

 

[Mirthrindr2]

...and on-line check-in is a waist of time.

I respectfully have to disagree to. Admittedly experiences can vary depending on circumstances, but I accompanied friends checking into their WDW hotel back in Feb. who had used Online Check-in 10 days prior to arriving.

When we arrived in the lobby during a busy mid-afternoon, there was one person waiting in line in the special Online Check-in line, while there had to be at least 20 different parties in the regular registration line. We waited maybe 2 minutes in line before we were called to the counter. I literally timed it... from the moment we stepped up to the check in counter to the moment we said thank you and walked away, it took 3 minutes 45 seconds and this was with 30 seconds or so of small talk with the Cast Member as my friends checked in!!! I have heard that the average check-in time for non-Online Check-in is about 7-8 minutes.

Considering there were about 20 parties in the regular line, and an average time of 8 minutes to check in per party for standard check-in... it sure wasn't a waste of time in our case using the Online Check-in. Even considering the standard line has multiple Cast Members checking people in (as did the Online Check-in counter), it would have taken a lot longer had we had to go to the end of the long line in the standard check-in line.

I agree if you arrive during a very quiet time, the Online Check-in may not save you significant time at the actual check-in, but I saw the value first hand the day I was there.

Just our experience.

 

[pickles]

It seems online check in would be good for all members for your situation by keeping your DH from tying up the line pushing for requests that aren't guaranteed. It's one thing to be sure you've gotten what you need, quite another to try to get the "best room possible" in this situation. It's exactly that type of approach by members that made them take away any real effort in room assignments.

I guess I am missing something here. What is wrong for getting exactly what you want/like when you check in?

Some check in stuff may be a need..like needing a handicapped room, but other stuff is "wants" and I see no problem asking to see if when you check in, it will be your lucky day and they have the exact room you are dreaming of.

While I have been lucky most my requests were filled and I didn;t have to negotiate, there have been a couple times where I did ask for something more and "negotiated"

Hopefully, i didnt make a CM mad, they certainly never acted that way, and I was happy they were willing to try and help me.

 

[Dean]

I guess I am missing something here. What is wrong for getting exactly what you want/like when you check in?

Some check in stuff may be a need..like needing a handicapped room, but other stuff is "wants" and I see no problem asking to see if when you check in, it will be your lucky day and they have the exact room you are dreaming of.

While I have been lucky most my requests were filled and I didn;t have to negotiate, there have been a couple times where I did ask for something more and "negotiated"

Hopefully, i didnt make a CM mad, they certainly never acted that way, and I was happy they were willing to try and help me.

There is nothing wrong with asking or having your request filled, IMO. The problem becomes when members go beyond asking as MANY do. Going through a list of rooms with the CM, esp pulling out the resort diagram, spending excessive time negotiating (usually demanding) things that are only a request, being argumentative is simply inappropriate. You ask ahead of time and again at check in for what you want. If they can satisfy your requests, fine, if not it's also fine and for preference type requests it SHOULD end there. I've seen many situation though where it was 20-30 minutes of "negotiation" and argument. 30 seconds and done is fine, extended period of time dedicated to the negotiation simply for requests is absolutely inappropriate, petty, rude, etc. The proof is in the pudding in that DVC has formally removed any concerted efforts as a system in satisfying requests. When people ask for specific rooms or similar VERY specific requests that are inherently difficult to impossible to fill then they complain if they don't get what they ask for, they should be given the worst room/view possible.

 

[disneynutz]

I respectfully have to disagree to. Admittedly experiences can vary depending on circumstances, but I accompanied friends checking into their WDW hotel back in Feb. who had used Online Check-in 10 days prior to arriving.

When we arrived in the lobby during a busy mid-afternoon, there was one person waiting in line in the special Online Check-in line, while there had to be at least 20 different parties in the regular registration line. We waited maybe 2 minutes in line before we were called to the counter. I literally timed it... from the moment we stepped up to the check in counter to the moment we said thank you and walked away, it took 3 minutes 45 seconds and this was with 30 seconds or so of small talk with the Cast Member as my friends checked in!!! I have heard that the average check-in time for non-Online Check-in is about 7-8 minutes.

Considering there were about 20 parties in the regular line, and an average time of 8 minutes to check in per party for standard check-in... it sure wasn't a waste of time in our case using the Online Check-in. Even considering the standard line has multiple Cast Members checking people in (as did the Online Check-in counter), it would have taken a lot longer had we had to go to the end of the long line in the standard check-in line.

I agree if you arrive during a very quiet time, the Online Check-in may not save you significant time at the actual check-in, but I saw the value first hand the day I was there.

Just our experience.

Maybe things have improved. We weren't waited on before the other line. We still had to show our credit card and ID, and our requests were deleted by the on-line check-in system. We had two different Managers at two different resorts tell us that all requests placed on the reservation by MS are deleted by the system and they didn't think that they could fix it. They said that the on-line check-in was made for CRO and that the DVC and CRO computers don't play well together.

 

[Camping Cat]

What if you don't want charging privileges on your key? We plan on using our credit card to pay for the QSDP but not having charging privileges on our key cards. I've heard of people having problems with their cc being charged instead of a credit being deducted form their dining credits so we wanted to avoid that. Would we still be able to use online check-in? Are you given the option of not having charging privileges?

 

[dianeschlicht]

After all I have read on this on line check in stuff, I am more and more convinced I'm not going to do it. If you have to stop and get your keys printed yet anyway, what does it really save? I never find check in to be that bad anyway unless you happen to get there at the same time as a ME bus.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My DH loves to "negotiate" room preferences during the check-in process. When you used the online check-in feature does it ask a series of questions about your preference for a room location (e.g close to elevator, which floor you prefer, etc)? Thank you!

No, any special requests should be made at the time of the reservation, therefore, if you do have request that weren't specified during that time, you should forgo on-line and do regular check-in. You absolutely have the right to request what you would prefer at check in, irregardless of how many people are in line etc. This is your vacation and if a few questions to a CM can make your stay that much better, go for it!

 

[tink'smom2B]

The proof is in the pudding in that DVC has formally removed any concerted efforts as a system in satisfying requests. When people ask for specific rooms or similar VERY specific requests that are inherently difficult to impossible to fill then they complain if they don't get what they ask for, they should be given the worst room/view possible.

Is that why they put me as far away from my request as they could at SSR? I have a hip problem and asked to be close to the main pool/bldg to cut down on the walking. I had made that reservation 7 months prior. They put me across the lagoon two buildings away from the bus stop. We checked in at 2:00 and were told that was the only room available and I would have to switch rooms the next day. After 7 hours of planes and busses, I was near tears. Of course, the next day we packed everything up and moved to the room I wanted in the first place. It didn't make up for the disappointment of the first day. Are you telling me that they won't honor a request?

 

[Dean]

Is that why they put me as far away from my request as they could at SSR? I have a hip problem and asked to be close to the main pool/bldg to cut down on the walking. I had made that reservation 7 months prior. They put me across the lagoon two buildings away from the bus stop. We checked in at 2:00 and were told that was the only room available and I would have to switch rooms the next day. After 7 hours of planes and busses, I was near tears. Of course, the next day we packed everything up and moved to the room I wanted in the first place. It didn't make up for the disappointment of the first day. Are you telling me that they won't honor a request?

Actually they do pretty well with medical requests if they know that's the reasoning. They still seem to put some effort into those. What killed the system was people being too specific, too demanding and too difficult. DVC simply gave up. This is simply one of the reasons I think that SSR should have booking categories and that DVC should put a major effort into requests but require they be reasonable as many aren't/weren't. Truthfully I don't mind people making even very specific requests, it's what happens after they don't get it that defines the reasonableness for that member IMO. You ask, you don't get it, try next time is my opinion for requests, esp since smoking is no longer allowed.

However, you could have added some level of guarantee by booking a HC unit. You'll say you really didn't need a full HC unit and that's likely true, but given it is a way to guarantee some of the parameters and there are currently more HC units than are needed, it's likely the best for both parties at present for your situation.

 

[tink'smom2B]

Thanks Dean, I'd like to think that they still have some compassion for us. When I went in December last year, I managed to get the last room at the end of the hallway in VWL. That's when I really found out I had a hip problem! I'm sorry if I highjacked this thread, I didn't mean to. I am interested in online check-in and wish there were other options you could ask for when you do it. I haven't tried it because I read here that you couldn't request a room. I think most of us are still thrilled to be in WDW no matter what room we get