Pete - my take with online check-in

[Minnie Lor]

I used online check-in for the first time last December for Disapalooza. I have a some positives and some negatives about it.

It did go fast and seamlessly but I had some preferences listed on my ressie by my Dreams agent. None of those were met. The room turned out to be fine just not my favorite location.

Because my room number was selected before I checked in, my Owners Locker was delivered to the room before I checked in. That's very impressive service. It was a wonderful surprise to find my locker waiting in the room for me. Usually I haul it myself from baggage services. But what if after receiving my paperwork from the online check-in counter, I asked to be switched to another room. My OL would have sat in the original room and who knows when or if it would've gotten moved. Someone else could've checked into that room with the locker still sitting there. It might have gotten lost in the baggage handling system for a day or longer. That makes me nervous. I also really want the option to request a certain area or floor.

So I won't be using the online check-in for future trips.

 

[soupy11]

Online check in is great if you just want hassle free reduced wait times at check-in but don't necessarily care which room you get. We requested a king size bed but were not assigned one with online check-in. Other than that, the process was very efficient and we bypassed a line of 15 - 20 people.....

 

[jimmiej]

Last trip, I decided not to use on-line check-in because I had multiple forms of payment. I used my Disney Visa rewards card, a Disney gift card, & my credit card.

The time before that, I used it with no problems at all. Very quick & efficient.

 

[fall08CP]

I'm surprised that it was already in the room. Owner's Locker usually leaves the bins at Bell Services for that specific reasons. That may be something resort-specific, but I'm not positive.

I have only done online c/i once and didn't have any requests, but I assume one can still room change if they don't like the location and there is another room available?

 

[aspen37]

I used online check-in for Dap. I was at WDW for 45 when I tore my Achillies Tendon and was in a wheelchair and used an ECV. At the GF I was on the ground floor and they have elevators in the buildings, but at POR they had me on the second floor. I asked to be switched with a room on the first floor, it was a Breeze. In fact they moved me next to one of the bus stops.
I agree with Lori that If I have a special request I would use online check-in.

 

[tlcoke]

They have limited special requests on the Online Check-in. You can request a ground floor room and to be close to the bus stop. My room for my May trip at POFQ, they honored the Ground Floor room request. I was near the main building, so it was a short walk to the bus stop from my room as the POFQ bus stop is outside the main building - so in that respect they did honor that request also from my requests on the online check-in form.

 

[BriarRosie]

My experience at DAP was like I was visiting royalty. Seriously. I know it had to do with coordinating the expected arrival time with the online check in and Magical Express.

I was staying at BCV. When I got off the bus, a cast member was waiting near the entrance with a clipboard or something, and she approached me, knowing exactly who I was. She personally escorted me inside to the check in area, and nobody was at the Online Check in area. She went behind the counter and handed me my packet and resort ID. My room was ready, which was unusual for arrivals around noon.

So I was personally greeted and handed my room keys instantaneously. That made me feel like the VIP to end all VIPs. And the room I was given? I lucked out and got a room close to the main elevator. I never get that. If I ask to be close to an elevator (with normal check in), I'm thrilled if they can get me close to the pool elevator. This room assignment was beyond a bonus.

I'm definitely doing online check in for my October and December stays. I don't expect the Royal Treatment each time, but I do hope the efficiency continues!