Pros/Cons of doing the online check-in?

[sandy0904]

We will be leaving for OKW in 5 days and I am wondering what the pros and cons are to doing the online checkin except for the obvious - quicker check in. For example, are chances of getting our requested room assignments the same if we do online check in or not? Thanks!

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

We will be leaving for OKW in 5 days and I am wondering what the pros and cons are to doing the online checkin except for the obvious - quicker check in. For example, are chances of getting our requested room assignments the same if we do online check in or not? Thanks!

All resorts have a dedicated check-in line for online check-in that usually moves a little bit faster than the on-site check-in line. Requested rooms assignments are shots in the dark. We always do online check-in and have been 50-50 on what we get as far as room assignments vs requested room assignments.

One trip we requested a higher floor on the north-side of the outer curve at BLT and we were offered a villa on the 2nd floor on the south side of the inner curve. We asked if they had anything else on a higher floor and they moved us to a middle floor, but we did get the north side outer curve. It's all just luck of the draw when it comes to room requests.

 

[disneynutz]

We have had 25 or so online check ins and to be honest, we don't see much of a difference. I was told that online check in was implemented to reduce guest requests when checking in.

Bill

 

[Simba's Mom]

We will be leaving for OKW in 5 days and I am wondering what the pros and cons are to doing the online checkin except for the obvious - quicker check in. For example, are chances of getting our requested room assignments the same if we do online check in or not? Thanks!

We just came back from OKW, and from our experience, I see no reason to do on-line check in. We were fortunate in that there were no lines when we checked in (around 3:30). Also, the building originally assigned to us was right next to a pool, so I asked if there was something not near a pool available (DH is a light sleeper, and besides-we don't swim). I was very nice, knowing that it may or may not be possible. Oh,well! But she moved us to a villa with a gorgeous view and the Miller Road location that we love best. If we had done on-line check-in, we probably would have ended up with our originally assigned villa, which was probably OK, but the villa we ended up with was so perfect.

 

[wipedaler]

what the pros and cons are to doing the online checkin except for the obvious - quicker check in.

We just returned from Aulani. Pre-check-in seemed convenient, but the check in person FLEW through the introduction, greeting, mini-tour, and then handed us our room packet with keys.

We had booked and expected ocean view villa (6th floor or above), but got partial ocean view on Marriott side. Great view of the street and Marriott property; had to look past or around it all to see the water. The only option was to check out the next day, store our luggage, and check in after 4PM. Hardly a "welcome home" for a DVC member.

This was one case where the online checkin did not gain us anything, and may have hurt our location. I wish we had taken the time to visit the front desk and understand our location before going up. We arrived late in the day anyway, and there was no backup at the desk. If we had had time to see, on a map, where our room was and what it overlooked, we would have demanded a different room immediately. Much wiser for the experience.

Have safe travels, and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Hunnypaw]

We just returned from Aulani. Pre-check-in seemed convenient, but the check in person FLEW through the introduction, greeting, mini-tour, and then handed us our room packet with keys.

We had booked and expected ocean view villa (6th floor or above), but got partial ocean view on Marriott side. Great view of the street and Marriott property; had to look past or around it all to see the water. The only option was to check out the next day, store our luggage, and check in after 4PM. Hardly a "welcome home" for a DVC member.

This was one case where the online checkin did not gain us anything, and may have hurt our location. I wish we had taken the time to visit the front desk and understand our location before going up. We arrived late in the day anyway, and there was no backup at the desk. If we had had time to see, on a map, where our room was and what it overlooked, we would have demanded a different room immediately. Much wiser for the experience.

Have safe travels, and enjoy your vacation!

interesting.... we are going to Aulani in July... good to know.

 

[Snurk71]

We've found online check-in to make the check-in process faster. We've had some late arrival times the past few trips and it's been nice to already have the packet prepared, keys printed, and CC on file. We're off to the room in about 2 minutes.

 

[wildernessDad]

I hate not being able to designate who has room charging privileges, so we don't use online check in.

 

[amypetecar]

conventional wisdom is that online check in does not increase nor decrease your chances of getting a room request

you can always request to change your room assignment if you are unhappy with what you are assigned.

to me, there was nothing quite so cool as pulling into the contemporary check in parking for BLT, and having a cast member greet me, "good morning Mr. Smith, welcome to disney world" before i ever stepped foot in the door (made possible b/c I checked in online, and they radio for someone to greet you once you pass through security) super cool.

 

[disneynutz]

conventional wisdom is that online check in does not increase nor decrease your chances of getting a room request

you can always request to change your room assignment if you are unhappy with what you are assigned.

to me, there was nothing quite so cool as pulling into the contemporary check in parking for BLT, and having a cast member greet me, "good morning Mr. Smith, welcome to disney world" before i ever stepped foot in the door (made possible b/c I checked in online, and they radio for someone to greet you once you pass through security) super cool.

The list that security has is scheduled check ins not from online check in. We actually did a study between checking in online and not checking in. We have 20+ online check ins and many more without using online and there really isn't much of a difference.

According to the many conversations that I have had with CM's, online check in is a Disney cost savings program. Having night CM's put together the check in packet and pre-printing the KTTW cards, saves them time and money during the day. The biggest savings is in deterring guests from making assigned room changes at check in. Doing so creates a waterfall of room changes that takes time and money and pretty much guarantees that late arrival guests won't get their request(s).

Bill

 

[BrerNashville]

According to the many conversations that I have had with CM's, online check in is a Disney cost savings program. Having night CM's put together the check in packet and pre-printing the KTTW cards, saves them time and money during the day. The biggest savings is in deterring guests from making assigned room changes at check in. Doing so creates a waterfall of room changes that takes time and money and pretty much guarantees that late arrival guests won't get their request(s).

Bill

So, would this indicate that if you know you are going to arrive late, you should do online check in because if they are able to fill it, your room won't get "bumped" for someone arriving earlier in the day who tries to "change" into a room meeting your criteria? Or is it that even if you've done online check-in, and they have pre-made your keys and everything for a room type you requested, if someone gets there before you on check-in day, your room could be reassigned to that person if they want to change their own room assignment to one that matches your own critieria?

 

[disneynutz]

So, would this indicate that if you know you are going to arrive late, you should do online check in because if they are able to fill it, your room won't get "bumped" for someone arriving earlier in the day who tries to "change" into a room meeting your criteria? Or is it that even if you've done online check-in, and they have pre-made your keys and everything for a room type you requested, if someone gets there before you on check-in day, your room could be reassigned to that person if they want to change their own room assignment to one that matches your own critieria?

Hard to say, our last 4 check in were online but the resorts did not pre build our packets. At BCV we had not even been assigned a room and the CM had to call the back room to get us one. At check in they gave us keys but no room number because the room wasn't ready yet. When we got the text telling us that the room was ready, the Mousekeepers were still in the room and our keys didn't work. We had to go down to the front desk and get new ones.

Bill