Online vs In-Person check-in when making a room request

[Bucketfoot]

Our next stay is still aways off (Jan). This is only our second stay as DVC members and the first time we have made any sort of a room request.

With having a room location request is the any benefit to waiting and checking in in-person versus doing so ahead of time online?

 

[Sandisw]

Just don't choose anything during online check in for requests. That can override the ones you added via MS,

 

[Stargazer65]

For my stay last month, I put in a room request via email, and also checked in online ahead of time with no specific requests. It worked fine for me, and they fulfilled my request. I got texted when my room was ready before I arrived at WDW. When we arrived on site, we went straight to our room. I had no reason to go to the front desk since everything was good. Of course, no reason why you couldn't check in online, and go to the front desk also, especially if you wanted to double check on your room preference.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Absolutely no benefit to waiting to check in. Rooms are assigned 3-5 days in advance of your arrival and the front desk have to work with backoffice to change someone's unit if they request it at the desk either way.

 

[fla4fun]

Do online check in. If you have your request listed on your reservation, the room assigner will do their best, and if they can fulfill your request, you are all set to just go to the room.

Also, when you find out which room you are in via text or through the app, if it’s not what you requested, you can go to the front desk when you arrive and see if they can move you to a more agreeable location. You aren’t locked into that room just because you did online check in.

If they can’t fulfill your request for whatever reason, it won’t matter when you check in, as that room/area/building simply isn’t available.

I have done online check in for dozens of trips, and only one time have I gone to the front desk to request a move to a room other than the one assigned. They were able to assign a different room to meet my needs.

 

[MsChristy12]

When we did online check-in at SSR, I messed up the building #s in my request so we didn't get the building I wanted. However, I just called SSR front desk and they were able to reassign our villa without any issues, we didn't need to stop by the front desk at all.
One of the benefits for online check-in is that, if your room is available way before standard check-in time, you will know right away. We got our notification in the morning that our villa was ready. I don't expect that to happen every time, but it's nice when it does!