Online Early Check-In

[cosmicmommy]

Just making sure I have read everything correctly. I can check-in online and thus, can use the pool at the resort if we get there early, right? I just have to pick up my packet of stuff to complete the check-in? We obviously won't be able to get into our room until 3 PM, but we can use the resort once we get there? We are planning to drive semi-overnight, so we should get there late morning. Also, can we start using Disney transportation as soon as we get there? I.e buses and monorail?

 

[Willow1213]

Yes, you have access to all the amenities, including transportation, pools, and even your park tickets, on the day of your arrival. You should also get an email that lets you know that you do not need to visit the check in desk at all. A text will be sent to you when your room is ready, which may be before the 3pm "official" check in time, but no guarantees there.

 

[cosmicmommy]

Yes, you have access to all the amenities, including transportation, pools, and even your park tickets, on the day of your arrival. You should also get an email that lets you know that you do not need to visit the check in desk at all. A text will be sent to you when your room is ready, which may be before the 3pm "official" check in time, but no guarantees there.

Thank you. Not worried so much about when we can actually get into the room as I haven't made concrete plans for that day until 5 PM. Another question - does this include the mugs included with dining plan? We can go and pick them up and activate them before we get in the room?

 

[Willow1213]

Yes, absolutely. Your Dining Plan credits begin early on the morning of check-in and last until midnight of your check-out day.

 

[loves to dive]

Yes, you have access to all the amenities, including transportation, pools, and even your park tickets, on the day of your arrival. You should also get an email that lets you know that you do not need to visit the check in desk at all. A text will be sent to you when your room is ready, which may be before the 3pm "official" check in time, but no guarantees there.

Just to clarify, you may or may not get an email to by pass the front desk. Not everyone gets one, I never have and go twice a year. Never hurts to go ahead and do on-line check in and put early check in as a preference. Then go ahead and check in when you get there, there is a slight possibility your room will be ready but even if not, they will at least know you are on property.

 

[cosmicmommy]

Yes, absolutely. Your Dining Plan credits begin early on the morning of check-in and last until midnight of your check-out day.

Thanks! That will help tremendously... I can go get some coffee when we get there because I'm gonna be tired after the long drive.

 

[wdw penny girl]

Just returned from a solo trip...did online check in.....there is a separate line for those who did online check in... at 11 am I walk right up (compared to the very long line for regular check in)....Cast member gave me a room that was ready, even though the computer had me in a different one....I don't know why anyone would not do online check in for the convenience of not having to stand in line.

 

[Jennasis]

We did online check in and the only email/text we got was one at Noon saying "Your room isn't ready yet". When we arrived at the resort, nobody was manning the online check in desk at BWV so we had to go to the regular line. There were room issues, but we were also never given any kind of "welcome packet" and I had to ask for a parking pass.

 

[buzznina]

Just returned from a solo trip...did online check in.....there is a separate line for those who did online check in... at 11 am I walk right up (compared to the very long line for regular check in)....Cast member gave me a room that was ready, even though the computer had me in a different one....I don't know why anyone would not do online check in for the convenience of not having to stand in line.

For us there is no benefit to do online check-in. We arrive late so no lines either way. We do RO reservations and if you do online check-in and have not paid the balance off before check-in day, the balance will automatically be charged to our CC before we arrive. I do not want that to happen because I pay for my trip using discounted GCs and will use them to pay the balance off. Now once they finally get the by-pass check-in fully working I may make sure I pay off our balance and use online check-in

 

[buzznina]

We did online check in and the only email/text we got was one at Noon saying "Your room isn't ready yet". When we arrived at the resort, nobody was manning the online check in desk at BWV so we had to go to the regular line. There were room issues, but we were also never given any kind of "welcome packet" and I had to ask for a parking pass.

We have read many posts where the lines were actually combined etc.
I thought they had done away with parking passes? We did not receive one on any of our last 3 trips.

 

[DebbieB]

My last 2 trips I got the room ready text while I was on the DME bus. Went straight to the room, never went to the front desk.

 

[MsThumper]

...
I thought they had done away with parking passes? We did not receive one on any of our last 3 trips.

There doesn't seem to any consistency. When we checked into BWI in April, they gave us a pass, at the guard shack, to put on our dashboard with our name and days were were staying. Last time we stayed at AKL, they just greeted us, no parking pass.

 

[Jennasis]

We have read many posts where the lines were actually combined etc.
I thought they had done away with parking passes? We did not receive one on any of our last 3 trips.

Well the guard at the shack couldn't find our reservation, and was concerned since he didn't have a parking pass for us and told us we'd have to go get one.

 

[Gwade4]

Well the guard at the shack couldn't find our reservation, and was concerned since he didn't have a parking pass for us and told us we'd have to go get one.

On our last trip we did online check-in and skipped the desk altogether. Found out once we got to the park that we needed a parking pass. Ended up getting one later from the resort front desk. Now wondering if we will need one next time or not???

 

[Jennasis]

On our last trip we did online check-in and skipped the desk altogether. Found out once we got to the park that we needed a parking pass. Ended up getting one later from the resort front desk. Now wondering if we will need one next time or not???

We couldn't skip the desk anyway. Didn't get a room text. And since the guard had no record of our reservation I was worried something had gone wrong and they lost our reservation altogether, so I went to the desk.

 

[Gwade4]

We couldn't skip the desk anyway. Didn't get a room text. And since the guard had no record of our reservation I was worried something had gone wrong and they lost our reservation altogether, so I went to the desk.

So strange. Seems like they need to clarify how folks are supposed to go about this.

In my mind online check-in is most convenient if it allows you to go straight to your room.

 

[Jennasis]

So strange. Seems like they need to clarify how folks are supposed to go about this.

In my mind online check-in is most convenient if it allows you to go straight to your room.

Yeah. It was very awkward. The whole process was lackluster. Including when they finally gave us a room, with the soaking wet carpet that had just been shampooed that morning, and the construction workers on the balcony.

 

[buzznina]

No consistency whats so ever Our last trip in November, when we arrived at the guard booth all he did was scan my MB and told me to go ahead. We checked in at the desk and again no mention of a pass. The last trip we got a pass was a couple of years ago.

 

[E-ticket Princess]

My last 2 trips I got the room ready text while I was on the DME bus. Went straight to the room, never went to the front desk.

What time of the year was that?

 

[DebbieB]

What time of the year was that?

December 5, May 8