Online Resort Check-In for DVC members?

[huey578]

Reading the info ,it appears we will get some type of online resort check-in capability.

DISNEY TO INTRODUCE ONLINE RESORT CHECK-IN

Starting in January 2009, guests staying at select Disney resorts will be able to check-in online up to 10 days prior to arrival:

* The online check-in will include providing the credit card to be used for room charges, your arrival and departure times, your address, on-site (cellphone) number, names of all guests and your room requests (these are subject to availability and will not be guaranteed.) Part of the process will include reviewing and agreeing to the registration terms.
* Your time of arrival will not impact your ability to use the online check-in. If you arrive early, there is no guarantee that your room will be ready. While efforts will be made to have the room available, standard check-in times remain in effect.
* Upon arrival there will be signage in the resort lobby indicating where the online check-in area is located
* A valid photo ID, which includes a drivers license, govt. issued passport, govt. issued photo ID or active military ID, will need to be shown
* You'll be given a welcome folder containing your resort/Disney World information and your room keys
* This online service is for check-ins only. If you need to modify/change your reservation, you must use the same method you used when you booked your reservation.
* If you booked either through the Disney Reservations Center or with Disney Cruise Line, you will get online check-in information either via an email, online or with your confirmation documents. If you booked via the Disney Vacation Member Services, you will find online check-in information on the Member website, the Disney Files magazine and through member services. If you booked through a Travel Agent, you will be able to check-in at mydisneyreservation.com once the program is active.

 

[kristenrice]

Wow...this looks interesting. I like this idea if it actually works.

 

[Inkmahm]

I like it!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Cool. Sounds very interesting. I can't wait to see how exactly this works out come January.

 

[DebbieB]

The question is when will rooms be assigned? It sounds like this is just a way to pre-register your information.

 

[huey578]

The question is when will rooms be assigned? It sounds like this is just a way to pre-register your information.

It appears the rooms will be assigned early in the morning or maybe assigned to you when you walk up to the online check in desk to pick up your room keys, etc ?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Disney Cruise Line has actually been doing this for quite some time. The only difference is that the majority of the time, when you book the ressie you are reserving a particular stateroom. Those in "guarantee" status are assigned a room about a month prior to sailing.

I believe it will be a time saver for the resorts and guests, hopefully shortening the lines at check in on some of the busier days. It won't get anyone into a room quicker, and doesn't sound like it will make it any easier to obtain "requests" for guests either. But anything to make a line move quicker sounds good in my book!

 

[anonymousegirl]

How will this change affect point renters? I have rented points from a member for a late january visit. Will I be able to utilize this service?

 

[5forDiz]

How will this change affect point renters? I have rented points from a member for a late january visit. Will I be able to utilize this service?

DVC reservations are booked with MS and prior to check-in that reservation is accessible only to the DVC member so it seem that a renter would perhaps not be able to directly utilize this service. Speak to the member who arranged your reservation to find out for sure how this works ( or not ) for your upcoming trip.

 

[CarolAnnC]

How will this change affect point renters? I have rented points from a member for a late january visit. Will I be able to utilize this service?

Since you are not renting from Disney nor DVC directly, I would think no. You probably will have to stick with the traditional check in.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Would there be any advantage other than perhaps not to wait in a long check-in line? The advantage as I see it is for Disney. If you check in, you can't cancel and have your points go into holding, maybe.

Are DH and I missing something?

Bobbi

 

[Camping Cat]

Would there be any advantage other than perhaps not to wait in a long check-in line? The advantage as I see it is for Disney. If you check in, you can't cancel and have your points go into holding, maybe.

Are DH and I missing something?

Bobbi

I must be missing it too. The info the OP gave says:

* Upon arrival there will be signage in the resort lobby indicating where the online check-in area is located
* A valid photo ID, which includes a drivers license, govt. issued passport, govt. issued photo ID or active military ID, will need to be shown
* You'll be given a welcome folder containing your resort/Disney World information and your room keys


This sounds an awful lot like regular check-in, doesn't it? What steps are they bypassing? Maybe I'm just not thinking straight today. It won't be the first time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Is this service definitely going to be available to DVC members? We weren't members in the early 1990s,but from what I've heard, isn't this similar to how it was then?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Is this service definitely going to be available to DVC members? We weren't members in the early 1990s,but from what I've heard, isn't this similar to how it was then?

The OP reported that DVC members are directed to view the Member Website for further details.

We have not had online checkin for DVC nor resorts prior to now. Only Disney Cruise Line has this. It appers that it allows you to basically preregister your credit card which will be used to secure purchases on your KTTW card. It does not appear the Resorts plan will have any other advantage other than saving some time in line.

 

[DebbieB]

Would there be any advantage other than perhaps not to wait in a long check-in line? The advantage as I see it is for Disney. If you check in, you can't cancel and have your points go into holding, maybe.

Are DH and I missing something?

Bobbi

I've never had to wait in a long line for check-in at a DVC resort, it's usually walk right up. I don't see the big benefit either. Usually takes less than 5 minutes. I'd rather do it in person.

 

[zulaya]

Some hotels already do this. I just did this with a Radisson in October.

In that case, they did have a folder and welcome booklet with my room keys, ready and waiting, when I checked in. I was told my room was ready and that they were able to meet my requests.

Now, room being ready will most likely NOT happen with DVC early in the morning, even with online check in.

BUT, I am wondering if this will make it easier to achieve a room meeting your requests AND be able to keep that room.

IF in doing online check-in, your room keys are programmed with your room number (even though you may not be given the number when you are given the keys), "your" room can't be given away to someone who happens to check in hours before you and wants a room that meets your same requests.

IF operated in this manner, you could arrive later in the day, even ahead of an ME bus or two, and not worry about a room that had been set aside for your reservation being given to someone else who wants that room with those views, etc...and that that person happened to have checked in 4 people in front of you.

I don't normally make requests myself, but I know that many do. And this could be a nice feature...IF DVC/Disney operate it in that fashion.

I look forward to all the details and see if this is a member benefit...or just a way for Disney to save some money.

 

[photobob]

One of the things that the introduction says is that part of the information you give is your arrival time and departure time. I wonder if they have a time for your arrival if it might help you get a room assigned that will be available at that time? If you have people giving arrival and departure times they may can match up early departers rooms with early arrivers. This may not be a part of the equation, but it just seems to me the more information they have available ahead of time the better.

 

[cindymouse6]

The biggest advantage????? well, we usually travel with 7-8 people and the NEVER NEVER NEVER have the people or ages correct. and when you are doing DD, it is a nightmare! Check-in has taken us up to 35 minutes one time just to erase all the erroneous info (which I gave correctly to MS upon making ressies) and start all over. This is great! I have stopped using DD for this very reason... too much hassle and the 3 little kids tear up the lobby or get lost while I try to check in...

so, if you admit you are going to arrive late, will they give your good room away even if you checkin online early? or does this help them with housekeeping schedules... knowing they have extra time with some rooms to be cleaned...

 

[SpanishForker]

I am wondering if this will let you go ahead and pay for the dining plan up front before arrival.