what are your thoughts on the online resort check-in option for 2009?

[miss missy]

So reading this, I get sad first, because this is job cuts, service cuts and doesn't go with my "Disney style." I am all about being in one less line, but it seems so impersonal to me. I don't think I will use it. I bet there will be a lot of bugs to iron out too.


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/resortmain1.htm#onlinecheck

DISNEY TO INTRODUCE ONLINE RESORT CHECK-IN

Starting in January 2009, guests staying at select Disney resorts will be able to check-in online up to 10 days prior to arrival:

The online check-in will include providing the credit card to be used for room charges, your arrival and departure times, your address, on-site (cellphone) number, names of all guests and your room requests (these are subject to availability and will not be guaranteed.) Part of the process will include reviewing and agreeing to the registration terms.
Your time of arrival will not impact your ability to use the online check-in. If you arrive early, there is no guarantee that your room will be ready. While efforts will be made to have the room available, standard check-in times remain in effect.
Upon arrival there will be signage in the resort lobby indicating where the online check-in area is located
A valid photo ID, which includes a drivers license, govt. issued passport, govt. issued photo ID or active military ID, will need to be shown
You'll be given a welcome folder containing your resort/Disney World information and your room keys
This online service is for check-ins only. If you need to modify/change your reservation, you must use the same method you used when you booked your reservation.
If you booked either through the Disney Reservations Center or with Disney Cruise Line, you will get online check-in information either via an email, online or with your confirmation documents. If you booked via the Disney Vacation Member Services, you will find online check-in information on the Member website, the Disney Files magazine and through member services. If you booked through a Travel Agent, you will be able to check-in at mydisneyreservation.com once the program is active.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I agree, it seems like its so impersonal. It's a Pete rant waiting to happen.

 

[Kimberle]

What if you don't like the room you're given? You're stuck with it? If you don't use "it", will you have little ability to choose a room cause most of them have been pre-checked in? Are they going to tell you the room number when you've checked in, or at least it's location? Room location is very important when staying at WDW.

 

[klam_chowder]

What if you don't like the room you're given? You're stuck with it? If you don't use "it", will you have little ability to choose a room cause most of them have been pre-checked in? Are they going to tell you the room number when you've checked in, or at least it's location? Room location is very important when staying at WDW.

I anticipate it to be the same as if you checked in in-person. If you don't like the room you are given, you go back to the front desk.

I hope they don't tell you the room number or locale when you check in online. If it did it would mean that any special requests were ignored. I'm guessing some castmember(s) will go thru the rezzies "by hand" and take into acct the special requests with the inventory available. I don't know anything for sure (in this case and beyond! ) but that's my guess

If the system works, I'd be happy to use it. When I get to WDW, after transit and flights, I just want to get going to the parks or relax in the room . It's not so magical to me to be stuck in a long queue behind screaming/whiney kids/adults. I will still get my Welcome to WDW by the CM who gives me the room key.

cheers,

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Uuuummm no thanks. One more thing that can get messed up IMO. That is all I am gonna say about that.

 

[ArielRae]

You still check in at the front desk just at a different spot. They then give you your key to the world card and the typical resort info. You are just making the check in process quicker with giving your Credit card info and making any room request ahead of time.

 

[Jessfrogger88]

I don't trust this system... for bug reasons I much rather would deal with a human... and I don't like the idea of people loosing their jobs for this... Same reason I'll wait in a five deep line at the grocery store, before I use the self check out...

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Somehow I don't think people will be losing jobs over this...I think it's just going to make the lines move more quickly. Sounds like you still have contact with a person when receiving your room assignment packet.

It sort of sounds like a FastPass system for check-in. It might be very useful.

I see no grounds for rants and rebellion here...yet. Let's see it implemented first.

 

[exwdwcm]

Yeah, i want to see how it works first and give it a shot before i say no way. I know i hate waiting in the long line- on a trip a few years ago we were in a HUGE line at POR behind tons of POP warner folks checking with screaming kids everywhere. It was a mad house. The online check in would have been very welcomed by me then!

I am curious how they handle the special requests etc. But again, if you don't like your location, you can always pick up the phone and call the front desk and deal with it then. I am interested to see how it goes.

 

[burberryplaid]

I don't want to use it if I don't have to.

We've been fortunate enough to have our room upgraded each time we stayed at WL during our vacations. Somehow I think that might become a thing of the past if we use the online check in.

 

[FireDancer]

I am 100% for this. As an I.T. Director I have been wanted Disney to put more access to reservations online anyway. I want to be able to everything I can to my reservation myself. Things like ADR’s, booking a wishes cruise, signing up for one of the tours. I hope this is a first step in Disney designing a system that integrates all parts of your stay into a single system. Slap front end web access (hopefully SSL) to that system and you can manage your own reservation. If you have a web-enabled phone you would even be able to check for restaurant availability while waiting in line and set up ADR’s.

Of course there will be people who don't want to use this kind of service and they can chose not to, but it should be offered. There is a lot of stuff that can be done with emerging technology that I would like to see Disney implement. Walt was on the cutting edge of the technology of his day, I hope that part of Walt stays alive in the company. (I'll start holding my breath now).

 

[BriarRosie]

People used to get all distrustful about FastPass, too. But I embraced it 10 years ago, and now it's become an essential part of touring.

I agree with the person who viewed the online check in as a resort FastPass. Nothing seems to change other than the speed of which you get your KTTW resort ID. I think being able to make requests ahead of time online is better than the old way of faxing the request a few days ahead.

As for upgrades, who knows? They might upgrade those who use the new system just as easily as those who don't.

 

[aspen37]

I am very lucky because I have never waited in line to check-in. I don't know if I will use it or not. I have pre check-in for flights before and they do they same thing where you have to go in a different line to check your bags. Most of the time the wait is longer in the line for the people that pre checked-in. I will have to wait and see what people think of it.