Riddle me this, Early Online Check-In

[simonsayz]

What's the point in early online check-in for a resort 60 days in advance?

 

[loves to dive]

Just piece of mind knowing you have one less thing to remember to do, otherwise there is no reason to check in that far in advance. I usually do it 3 or 4 days in advance and have waited until the day before.

 

[simonsayz]

I never understood that. There were times I checked in on the phone before my flight to MCO.
I feel like Disney do this so there's an advantage to something. I can't imagine it is only for the one less thing to remember.

 

[hllb]

Perhaps Disney uses that as a measure of people that are planning on coming, rather than those that may end up canceling? It really doesn't make a lot of sense, especially since people say you can't really do room requests via online check in. If you could, then I can see that doing a room request at 60 days may be more likely to get you your request.

 

[georgina]

I've done room requests via online checkin before, sometimes worked, sometimes didn't. I was not under the impression that when the requests were made had an effect though. Could all be random luck. Disney already has my credit card info and PIN all set up so there is not much to do when checking in.

 

[dansdad]

Perhaps Disney uses that as a measure of people that are planning on coming, rather than those that may end up canceling? It really doesn't make a lot of sense, especially since people say you can't really do room requests via online check in. If you could, then I can see that doing a room request at 60 days may be more likely to get you your request.

When your request is made makes no difference. Well, as long as they're in around 4-5 days out. Reservations get moved to the room assignors 2-3 days out. Nobody sees room requests until then. So as long as they're on the reservation when they get to the room assignors you're good.

 

[dansdad]

Originally when they rolled out FP+ you had to complete Online Check In to make FP+ reservations. So they opened up Online Check In at 60 days so you could make FP+ reservations at 60 days. Then pretty much right away they removed the Online Check In requirement for FP+.

 

[HockeyMickey2024]

The online check in helps expedite the process for using your magic bands connected to your credit cards as well, or if you are coming at a non peak time your room may already be ready for you when you arrive. When I went in May '17, I was upgraded at the Boardwalk after my online check in, upon my flight landing at 9 am, my room was ready and my bags were sent straight there, it was very convenient. Although it doesn't seem to have a lot of fantastic upsides, it has no downside and is not hard at all, I recommend doing it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Online checkin has been at 60 days since 2011. That was our second trip and I remember it, and I found an article dated that year stating the change.

I've always done it even when it was way closer to arrival. I've never regretted it.

 

[Imamom2]

I'm sure there are many reasons why - all I know is I've done it our last 3 visits and our room has been ready when we arrived between 11:00 and 11:30 am and we got the location requested every time.

 

[jods]

I do it at 60 days solely for the reason that I'm excited for our trip. It makes it seem that much closer to me.

 

[TIS Grandma]

I'm 88 days out and on line check in is available for me. Haven't done it yet.