OnLine Checkin?

[BcIcemen]

How soon does everyone check in online before arrival date? Any benefit checking in early?

 

[cellomom]

I honesty don't know if there is a benefit to early check-in. I have checked-in weeks to months early.

 

[PalmettoPath]

I have never checked in early. I am particular about room requests so I always go in person to check-in. But that's just me. I find it better to speak with the individual at the check-in desk in case I need to ask about alternative options than what they had assigned.

 

[drusba]

We typically do it about 60 days out. The benefit, when you have magic bands, is that it allows you to avoid checking in at the front desk when you arrive -- MS sends a message to your phone telling you when the room is ready and you go directly to the room. Other than that, there probably is no real benefit, i.e., it does not mean you will get your room earlier than those who do physical check-in

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I used to check in right away, bc why not?! It says my vacation is starting soon!! & I would often (not always) get the “your room is ready” text & email as I was riding on the DME… it was magical

However, one time I had to change my plans and cancel my reservation. I was unable to do so online bc I’d already checked in. So, instead of pressing 2 buttons, I had to call in to DVC GS. I don’t remember it being a horrendous wait, but I always try to avoid calling… especially now!!

So, now I checkin either the night before leaving, or from my home airport. I have still received notification while on the DME, and I have also waited quite awhile (but any longer waits I’ve had, I attribute to covid hotel operations -not my date of checkin).

 

[CarolynFH]

We check in about a month out, when our travel plans are firmed up (sometimes we drive, sometimes we fly) and I can estimate arrival time. We've been pretty fortunate to get our room assignment texts about an hour before or 30 minutes after our ETA.

 

[MissSha]

Online check in doesn't give you many options for "requests" though. I think you just get to choose if you want to be near an elevator or the main floor. We usually call the resort directly when we're within 7 days of arrival for more specific requests (specific room types, room numbers, floor, etc....)

 

[drusba]

Online check in doesn't give you many options for "requests" though. I think you just get to choose if you want to be near an elevator or the main floor. We usually call the resort directly when we're within 7 days of arrival for more specific requests (specific room types, room numbers, floor, etc....)

One should make any requests through MS, (call, email, or chat) and then not use at all that page provided for online check-in to do a request (doing so could wipe out any requests made to MS).

The requests provided with online check-in are not only limited but many are also ridiculous, e.g., at Jambo, you can request higher or lower floor when all DVC rooms are on the 5th floor, except club level which are on the sixth; at Kidani you can request near the elevator, but there are three elevators spread out along each of the two wings and a near elevator request, without being able to name which elevator, can be met by putting you in any room in the building.

Back several years ago, the online check-in system actually had a much more detailed list of requests. For no explainable reason, when an update of the system occurred several years ago, they "improved" the system by changing it to have only the de minimis and pointless requests you can make now.

 

[Meriweather]

I've been trying to add a room request (first floor at OKW) but the request boxes don't open the space to pick one.

 

[CarolynFH]

I've been trying to add a room request (first floor at OKW) but the request boxes don't open the space to pick one.

The DVC owner (sorry, can’t tell whether that’s you or not) needs to contact DVC Member Services via chat/email/phone to make that request. Leave the request area of online checkin blank - it will cancel other requests.

 

[Meriweather]

The DVC owner (sorry, can’t tell whether that’s you or not) needs to contact DVC Member Services via chat/email/phone to make that request. Leave the request area of online checkin blank - it will cancel other requests.

I have no other requests. I thought I had already done it, but it isn't showing,I am a DVC owner.
It does for my January trip.
I did send an email, but so far I have never received a reply for any questions or other things over the late several weeks. Chat was not available last time I looked. I will check again.
Thank you

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have no other requests. I thought I had already done it, but it isn't showing,I am a DVC owner.
It does for my January trip.
I did send an email, but so far I have never received a reply for any questions or other things over the late several weeks. Chat was not available last time I looked. I will check again.
Thank you

Chat usually shows up as available if I stay on line about 5 minutes or so. Yesterday I had a great experience, my reservation was combined because of the chat!

 

[CarolynFH]

I have no other requests. I thought I had already done it, but it isn't showing,I am a DVC owner.
It does for my January trip.
I did send an email, but so far I have never received a reply for any questions or other things over the late several weeks. Chat was not available last time I looked. I will check again.
Thank you

AFAIK, requests made via MS don’t show in MDE or on the DVC site. I agree it’s disappointing - I usually get response after emailing requests but haven’t gotten them the last couple of times.

 

[Meriweather]

Chat not available on member site and waited 15 minutes on MDE and it never appeared.
I will keep trying and hope I get an email answer sometime.
TY all

 

[cccory]

I don't think there's any benefits for checking in early. I find checking in that day is better, then I can ask if they have a different room, if I don't like the location they gave me.