should I do an online check-in??

[chimommy]

just curious what the benefit is…

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

just curious what the benefit is…

We just did this for our trip from 10/18 - 10/28. Our room keys & package info were ready when we arrived, very easy. You bypass regular check in.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

We have done it twice now. It makes your check in process quick and easy. I love the new online check in process and will do it every time going forward.

 

[bookgirl]

I've done it a few times now and liked it.

They have pre done all the assignments and tickets etc. I'd say the majority of the time you take whatever the first room they give you anyway, and it cuts way down on your front desk time. And it's not like you can't change but chances are you won't need to and you can just check in and go.


Out of 5 online check ins I've only had to have them change my room once, and that was all me as I ended up there earlier than I planned and I really just wanted to get in a room, whether it met my requests or not so they dumped my assigned room which wasn't ready and just handed me an open one. The other three times I had a room assigned (wasn't always ready but twice it was) and all I had to do was give my name, get my package and walk away. Took less than 5 minutes.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

If you have specific room requests that you really want, I would NOT do online check in.

I had requested high floor and closer to main lobby and food court due to injury and the room assigner put me in the back 40 of the resort which wasn't going to work for me that trip (knee injury) and I ask to have my room moved closer to the main area if possible.

According to the CM that was handing me the check in packet, it was hard to move me since I did online check in. I nicely insisted and it was a pain to get everything changed. It would have been faster to use regular check in.

I no longer use online check in. My last 2 trips (May 2013, Sept. 2013) the lines for online check in were longer than regular so I was glad I hadn't used it.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

If you have specific room requests that you really want, I would NOT do online check in.

I had requested high floor and closer to main lobby and food court due to injury and the room assigner put me in the back 40 of the resort which wasn't going to work for me that trip (knee injury) and I ask to have my room moved closer to the main area if possible.

According to the CM that was handing me the check in packet, it was hard to move me since I did online check in. I nicely insisted and it was a pain to get everything changed. It would have been faster to use regular check in.

I no longer use online check in. My last 2 trips (May 2013, Sept. 2013) the lines for online check in were longer than regular so I was glad I hadn't used it.

If you don't do online check in does that mean your room is not assigned until you arrive?

 

[dansdad]

If you don't do online check in does that mean your room is not assigned until you arrive?

No, all rooms are assigned prior to your arrival.

And the CM that told GaSleepingBeautyFan that it was more difficult to switch rooms because they did online check in was mistaken. The process is exactly the same to get your room switched whether you do online check in or not. Now the CM probably just didn't feel like reprinting the paperwork and KTTWs for the new room. But those would still have to be printed if you didn't do online check in.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I mean, does it really take THAT long to do the regular check in?
At every other resort i've stayed in it really never takes very long..

 

[LisaCM614]

At Disney - yes it is longer than check in at any other regular hotel.
And if you take Magical Express you will then get in line with all of the other folks who are just checking in off of that same bus. Online check in is a shorter line and much quicker.
When we stay at Deluxe resorts I don't see that much difference in the lines. At AoA the regular check in line was huge - maybe 20 people in line when we walked into the lobby and the online check in I only had 4 people in front of me.

This past trip - My dad did not do online check in, I did. I got my keys brought my carry on into the room before he was finished checking in. We were ready to leave the room and head to Epcot and he was just coming down the hall to get to his room. Maybe he had bad luck with the CM checking him in - but that was a 15 minute difference! His room was ready as it was connecting with mine - it was on our reservations that we were travelling together. Just thought I'd share.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

No, all rooms are assigned prior to your arrival.

And the CM that told GaSleepingBeautyFan that it was more difficult to switch rooms because they did online check in was mistaken. The process is exactly the same to get your room switched whether you do online check in or not. Now the CM probably just didn't feel like reprinting the paperwork and KTTWs for the new room. But those would still have to be printed if you didn't do online check in.

This is what I thought I have done online check in 3 times, with room requests on 2. I was upgraded the first 2 times (standard to wood view at WL, standard garden view to deluxe at GF) & received exactly what I requested the 3rd time at WL.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

hmm... well i mean, I don't have super specific room requests I guess..
We're doing a split stay and at CSR I just want the Cabana section, I don't reallly care what building or floor
Then at WL lodge I was going to ask for a certain section where I could 'maybe' see Magic Kingdom..

 

[heretolearn]

This will be our first trip to Disney and staying on property. I would assume it would be more benficial to not check in online and have a CM go over everything with us at check in?

 

[bumbershoot]

And the CM that told GaSleepingBeautyFan that it was more difficult to switch rooms because they did online check in was mistaken. The process is exactly the same to get your room switched whether you do online check in or not. Now the CM probably just didn't feel like reprinting the paperwork and KTTWs for the new room. But those would still have to be printed if you didn't do online check in.

I completely agree.

We have done online checkin for almost all of our reservations (we have only been 4 times but we have split stays most of the time, with upwards of 3 different checkins on properties) and sometimes the CM themselves are unhappy with the room assigned and will re-do it for us.

Of course in the last year they have to redo it multiple times because they can't get the KTTWs to work or the PINs to set or whatever, so really, it's not saving ANY time whatsoever.

This will be our first trip to Disney and staying on property. I would assume it would be more benficial to not check in online and have a CM go over everything with us at check in?

They can still go over it with you. It's not only meant for the experienced people; if it were they wouldn't offer it to the first-timer. No worries. If you want to do it, do it. They can still answer questions for you.

 

[MsThumper]

No, all rooms are assigned prior to your arrival.

And the CM that told GaSleepingBeautyFan that it was more difficult to switch rooms because they did online check in was mistaken. The process is exactly the same to get your room switched whether you do online check in or not. Now the CM probably just didn't feel like reprinting the paperwork and KTTWs for the new room. But those would still have to be printed if you didn't do online check in.

Also totally agree with this. I always do online checkin. We just checked into the YC this past Sunday. We arrived at 11:00 am and our room was ready. The only thing I requested was upper floor, which we got. When the CM told us where our room was, he asked if we would like him to check for another location or bed configuration, but what we had been assigned was fine with us. So for someone to suggest that if you do online checkin, you won't be able to make a change in a room that you are assigned is totally false, in my experience.

I'm sure room requests are based on the hotel occupancy and first come first serve. The logic that "I won't get my room request if I do online checkin" is totally lost on me. The fuller the hotel is and the more complicated your room request is, the less chance you have of getting your request, simple as. It would seem to me, that if I had a complicated room request, I would want to give the hotel as much notice as possible so that hopefully something can be worked out.

While it is not guaranteed that you will get your request by doing online checkin, by not doing so and then making some complicated request, would certainly lengthen your checkin process.

 

[Bethpremier]

Can someone tell me why you have to put a card on file for online check in? Do they place a hold on this? I dont understand why they do this. If you dont do online check in a card isnt mandatory.

 

[dansdad]

Can someone tell me why you have to put a card on file for online check in? Do they place a hold on this? I dont understand why they do this. If you dont do online check in a card isnt mandatory.

I have no idea why they require it. In the past, before they "improved" the website, a credit card was not required to do online check in. They do not place a hold on your credit card when you put it in during online check in. And if you don't want room charging privileges, you can have them remove the credit card when you physically check in.

 

[Candl]

We have done online check in our last 3 trips (all at BLT). This last trip a CM with an iPad pulled up my reservation as we walked from the magical express to the front desk. She handed me off to the CM behind the counter, 5 minutes later, we were ordering lunch. It probably would have been faster except I enjoy chatting with the CMs.

As far as giving a CC#, I can't remember the last hotel I stayed at that didn't require a card#. Providing it ahead of time allowed me to not have to fish it out at check in. High marks to WDW for not making me give it again when I got there, unlike every other hotel I've stayed at in the last 10 years.

 

[dansdad]

As far as giving a CC#, I can't remember the last hotel I stayed at that didn't require a card#. Providing it ahead of time allowed me to not have to fish it out at check in. High marks to WDW for not making me give it again when I got there, unlike every other hotel I've stayed at in the last 10 years.

But WDW is different. You don't need a credit card on file. It is the ONLY place I have stayed that doesn't. People get used to that and wonder why they require it for online check in when you otherwise don't need it.

 

[jaz0308]

As FP+ gets put into place, I am considering doing online check in so that I can make my reservations as early as possible. I am very particular about room location, so I am really hoping they will be accommodating if I need to make a switch upon arrival! We are staying at CR for the first time so still researching which area will be best for my family!

 

[dansdad]

As FP+ gets put into place, I am considering doing online check in so that I can make my reservations as early as possible. I am very particular about room location, so I am really hoping they will be accommodating if I need to make a switch upon arrival! We are staying at CR for the first time so still researching which area will be best for my family!

If you do online check in or not, if you don't like your room location they will work with you to find something that is more to your liking. I would suggest that you call and have any room requests added to your reservation. And if you have more than 1 request, list them in order of preference.