To Check-in Online or Not To Check-in Online

[Nigel Channing]

Is there any major benefit to online check-in? We have a group of 12 going in September with 4 rooms, booked in 2 pairs. We have a travel with number but haven't called it in yet, though we plan on doing so soon. Are we best off waiting to check in until we arrive if we prefer the 4 rooms to be located near each other?

 

[catra121]

If having rooms close together is a priority then wait until you arrive to check in. The big benefit to online check in is that there's a high probability that your room will be ready when you arrive and you can quickly grab your packet and go. In your case...you may have to have them do some work to get you all closer together and then this defeats the big incentive for checking in online (not to mention holds up everyone else who checked in online and wants to be in and out quickly).

 

[Nigel Channing]

Thanks! That's what I thought but just wanted to check with those who may know better.

Good to see a fellow Chicagoan, although I'm no longer in the city I still visit for work twice a week.

 

[minnierocks]

Definitely check in upon arrival...we had 5 rooms booked and linked together for March. I did the online check in and my room reservation was separated. When we arrived, we were put in AB of POR and everyone else was in the Mansion section with their rooms all together. Of course, they had given us a complimentary upgrade to preferred and we had to tell them that we would rather stay with our party...Figures...lol! They moved us as close as they could but they could not get us grouped next to everyone else.

The CM did say that if rooms need to be together not to check-in online. I think since I was the only one who used it that it somehow separated my reservation from the rest because she told me that my room was not linked to the other reservations. I know that they were originally because I booked all five rooms myself and confirmed that they were all linked.

 

[karriealex]

I have opted not to do online check in as we are staying Club Level and I am praying for a pixie dust upgrade.

 

[Nigel Channing]

Definitely check in upon arrival...we had 5 rooms booked and linked together for March. I did the online check in and my room reservation was separated. When we arrived, we were put in AB of POR and everyone else was in the Mansion section with their rooms all together. Of course, they had given us a complimentary upgrade to preferred and we had to tell them that we would rather stay with our party...Figures...lol! They moved us as close as they could but they could not get us grouped next to everyone else.

The CM did say that if rooms need to be together not to check-in online. I think since I was the only one who used it that it somehow separated my reservation from the rest because she told me that my room was not linked to the other reservations. I know that they were originally because I booked all five rooms myself and confirmed that they were all linked.

Excellent information! Thanks!

 

[disnut8]

Is there any major benefit to online check-in? We have a group of 12 going in September with 4 rooms, booked in 2 pairs. We have a travel with number but haven't called it in yet, though we plan on doing so soon. Are we best off waiting to check in until we arrive if we prefer the 4 rooms to be located near each other?

I would suggest that you only send one representative of each room in line with you. So only four people in line. Leave the others with the luggage or whatever outside the queue. Then have all four of you go to the same check in agent who can check you all in. Goes a lot smoother.

 

[scard192]

Good to know. My sis and I have requested connecting or adjoining rooms (know that it's only a request) and wasn't sure I should do on line check in. Last time we were at Disney was 2009 and OLCI in was 10 days before not 60.

How/when you check in has no effect on FP+, correct? Not sure it will be rolled out for our October trip.

 

[Nigel Channing]

I would suggest that you only send one representative of each room in line with you. So only four people in line. Leave the others with the luggage or whatever outside the queue. Then have all four of you go to the same check in agent who can check you all in. Goes a lot smoother.

That's our plan as 4 of the 12 are kids, 3 of whom are 3 and under. Letting them run around a bit after a 2 hour flight and a ride on DME will be key to an enjoyable afternoon. My parents are taking the kids and grand kids to Disney for a week, saved a pretty ridiculous amount of money with free dining.

 

[wiigirl]

I have opted not to do online check in as we are staying Club Level and I am praying for a pixie dust upgrade.

 

[Skywise]

I have opted not to do online check in as we are staying Club Level and I am praying for a pixie dust upgrade.

What kind of upgrade can you get from club level?

 

[karriealex]

What kind of upgrade can you get from club level?

We are garden view and I was hoping for lagoon or theme park view.

 

[Skywise]

We are garden view and I was hoping for lagoon or theme park view.

Oh... duh...

For some reason I had gotten it into my head that all CL rooms were MK views!