What do I need to have prepared for online check-in?

[dwg]

Just screenshot the selfie and use the screenshot, it’ll be jpeg

Thank you, that was a very easy way to get the jpeg. Much smaller file.

 

[tee11]

We will be completing the online checkin next week and we used an iPhone for the selfie. We did not change any settings in the iPhone so the photo format is HEIC instead of jpeg. Has anyone had any issues with the selfie uploading or being accepted in the HEIC format?

Oops I just used photos from iPhone, they look good quality and there were no error messages or complaint during the upload or after. I used the app on the iPhone for that part of the check in so I didn't see the format and didn't think about the type of file of the photo. Completed check in... but will the pics be rejected?! Will see.

 

[tee11]

I do have an update/clarification for everyone on the passports from a cast member: They would like the double page, not only the photo page. Minors do not have to sign ("signature of bearer"), only adults.

Other than that; my alarm woke me up 30 minutes too late. I didn't realize I had made an error with the format when scanning passports the day before, and so I had to rescan them, then I got the blue circle on the credit card page, no matter what I tried to do (even trying to change to cash)... all in all; 45 minutes later check in complete... but PAT is not what I had hoped (12:15) and boarding group 13. Thank goodness I didn't wait until the next morning.

 

[dwg]

I did call DCL the other day and the cast member did not think it mattered regarding the format of the photos. She thought the iPhone format of HEIC is ok. But since it is a higher resolution than JPEG I don't want to chance it. She also mention that the photo of the passport should include both the signature page and the photo/passport information page in one photo. Since I scanned the passport to get the photo it was already JPEG.

I also complained that there is nowhere on the DCL website to prepare for the online checkin in advance by being able to see what documents/photos/information, etc are required to complete the online checkin and that I needed to go to the disboards to get information. I told her that I wanted that issue elevated and she said she was filling out the form to elevate as we were speaking. This issue is important because of the way DCL changed the online checkin process and the way PAT times are assigned.

The CM was well aware of the fact that everyone is trying to get on at 12:01 am to complete the online checkin and that the process could be slow due to the volume of guests trying to complete the checkin. She suggest using the phone app to complete the online checkin instead of the computer. That would be ok with me except with having to upload photos and overall ease of use the computer is better for me.

When I go into the app it does tell me the start date that I am eligible to complete the online checkin while the website only mentions that online checkin is available 30 days prior to setting sail. Does the link automatically appear on the website and app at 12:01 am under the online checkin section? Right now there is no link available.

 

[csmith1004]

I did call DCL the other day and the cast member did not think it mattered regarding the format of the photos. She thought the iPhone format of HEIC is ok. But since it is a higher resolution than JPEG I don't want to chance it. She also mention that the photo of the passport should include both the signature page and the photo/passport information page in one photo. Since I scanned the passport to get the photo it was already JPEG.

I also complained that there is nowhere on the DCL website to prepare for the online checkin in advance by being able to see what documents/photos/information, etc are required to complete the online checkin and that I needed to go to the disboards to get information. I told her that I wanted that issue elevated and she said she was filling out the form to elevate as we were speaking. This issue is important because of the way DCL changed the online checkin process and the way PAT times are assigned.

The CM was well aware of the fact that everyone is trying to get on at 12:01 am to complete the online checkin and that the process could be slow due to the volume of guests trying to complete the checkin. She suggest using the phone app to complete the online checkin instead of the computer. That would be ok with me except with having to upload photos and overall ease of use the computer is better for me.

When I go into the app it does tell me the start date that I am eligible to complete the online checkin while the website only mentions that online checkin is available 30 days prior to setting sail. Does the link automatically appear on the website and app at 12:01 am under the online checkin section? Right now there is no link available.

The check in button on the app showed up for me at exactly 12:00 ET. I’m not sure why they say it matters about ‘using the app’ though because hitting the button in the app prompts ‘open browser’ so it seems you must checkin there either way.

 

[dwg]

The check in button on the app showed up for me at exactly 12:00 ET. I’m not sure why they say it matters about ‘using the app’ though because hitting the button in the app prompts ‘open browser’ so it seems you must checkin there either way.

I think they are just pushing the app to make it appear that the process is so convenient you can use the app. I think a lot of companies push their app for how convenient they want you to believe it is. Personally I disagree and prefer using the computer. Obviously if you are out on the road the app is the way to go but for this I would use the computer.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Thanks so much to everyone on this thread! Our check in was last night and your tips were absolutely perfect. I still battled the blue circle a few times, but that's Disney IT for you.

 

[Normangirls]

If you have multiple staterooms, you have to do them one at a time. You can do it from one log in, just switch reservations.

Preparation:
1. have downloaded to your device 1) a clean headshot of each person (straight on, no eyeglasses, hats or hair accessories, shoulders included, cannot be the same as passport photo), low resolution and 2) passport photo. Must be JPEG file!
2. a document with each passenger's birthdate, address, cell phone, email address, passport number, passport expiration, safe word for kids club, emergency contact name, emergency contact phone number, credit card information
3. Flight information for all legs -- date, airline, airport from, airport to, confirmation number/record locator number, flight number, time departure, time arrival

For speed:
1. Upload photo and if it says it doesn't meet the criteria, click SAVE and move on. Deal with it after you get your PAT.
2. For Onboard account, select Cash to get through it quickly
3. For Travel Plans, select Driving to get through it quickly. I just used home address for the return.
4. Finish each stateroom then go back and fix photo, add credit card, add flight information.

You can change PAT times, so keep checking to see if any better ones become available closer to the cruise.

You can edit the Online Checkin information as much as you want (at least I have so far), until that piece of it goes under review and can't be modified.

Doingitagain, you are more helpful than you can imagine, and my hero. I came in to post just to tell you that.

Online check in a few days ago, never got the app to work at all that night, but I had everything ready per this thread, had a spinning wheel a couple of times but not for long, got an 11:15 PAT and boarding group 4. We sail 11/3. SO EXCITED!

 

[Doingitagain]

Doingitagain, you are more helpful than you can imagine, and my hero. I came in to post just to tell you that.

Online check in a few days ago, never got the app to work at all that night, but I had everything ready per this thread, had a spinning wheel a couple of times but not for long, got an 11:15 PAT and boarding group 4. We sail 11/3. SO EXCITED!

Glad it helped! It was my way of paying it forward, what I wrote is an accumulation of all the wonderful tips I gleaned from these boards and some organization I put to them.

 

[tee11]

I do have an update/clarification for everyone on the passports from a cast member: They would like the double page, not only the photo page. Minors do not have to sign ("signature of bearer"), only adults.

Other than that; my alarm woke me up 30 minutes too late. I didn't realize I had made an error with the format when scanning passports the day before, and so I had to rescan them, then I got the blue circle on the credit card page, no matter what I tried to do (even trying to change to cash)... all in all; 45 minutes later check in complete... but PAT is not what I had hoped (12:15) and boarding group 13. Thank goodness I didn't wait until the next morning.

I want to add to my own post in case it helps someone: So, I checked back in the morning, and contrary to what I had thought, it looks like I *could* have waited until the morning - the same PAT was still offered at 7 am and 8am as around 1:15 am. It wasn't until two days later that the PAT availability changed to significantly (~30 minutes) later. So, if the early PAT is very important to you, then yes, you need to be there at midnight, prepped like described, and better double check everything. I ran into three issues: alarm 30 minutes late, rescanned passports, and website technical issue with the "blue circle" on the credit card page. Conclusion: 1:15 am versus the next morning, or even a day later did not make a difference apparently in this instance. If I had known I could have gotten the same PAT, I would not have set my alarm at all (I have to get up very early and it messed up my sleep completely). I'm still a bit shocked about how it went. If anyone has any encouragement to offer how they were able to change their PAT to an earlier one, I would love to hear it. Also I would love to hear if anyone has any insight into how the PAT corresponds to the boarding groups, since on our cruise earlier this year we had a much earlier PAT (11:15), but were still boarding group 11.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I want to add to my own post in case it helps someone: So, I checked back in the morning, and contrary to what I had thought, it looks like I *could* have waited until the morning - the same PAT was still offered at 7 am and 8am as around 1:15 am. It wasn't until two days later that the PAT availability changed to significantly (~30 minutes) later. So, if the early PAT is very important to you, then yes, you need to be there at midnight, prepped like described, and better double check everything. I ran into three issues: alarm 30 minutes late, rescanned passports, and website technical issue with the "blue circle" on the credit card page. Conclusion: 1:15 am versus the next morning, or even a day later did not make a difference apparently in this instance. If I had known I could have gotten the same PAT, I would not have set my alarm at all (I have to get up very early and it messed up my sleep completely). I'm still a bit shocked about how it went. If anyone has any encouragement to offer how they were able to change their PAT to an earlier one, I would love to hear it. Also I would love to hear if anyone has any insight into how the PAT corresponds to the boarding groups, since on our cruise earlier this year we had a much earlier PAT (11:15), but were still boarding group 11.

Unfortunately, you're probably right about the difference between starting at 12:30 versus the next morning. Everyone who was really "on it" was ahead of you and everyone who was happy to wake up the next morning was sleeping. You were the last one in line for the virtual rope drop because of the issue with your alarm, which stinks.

I will say, if Royal Gathering is a priority, then middle of the night is a must. For our 11/7 sailing, they were fully booked by 1:30am. People who didn't do the middle of the night, or forgot that royal gathering dropped at the same time as check in, were SOL.

I'm assuming the correlation between PAT and BG has changed significantly with a) testing requirements and b) increased capacity. They have more people they need to get on but very, very few of those folks are going to be bottle necked at testing. Based on the FB group for our sailing, there are about 3 BGs per 15 minute slot (11:15s were getting 3, 4, or 5).

 

[tee11]

Unfortunately, you're probably right about the difference between starting at 12:30 versus the next morning. Everyone who was really "on it" was ahead of you and everyone who was happy to wake up the next morning was sleeping. You were the last one in line for the virtual rope drop because of the issue with your alarm, which stinks.

I will say, if Royal Gathering is a priority, then middle of the night is a must. For our 11/7 sailing, they were fully booked by 1:30am. People who didn't do the middle of the night, or forgot that royal gathering dropped at the same time as check in, were SOL.

I'm assuming the correlation between PAT and BG has changed significantly with a) testing requirements and b) increased capacity. They have more people they need to get on but very, very few of those folks are going to be bottle necked at testing. Based on the FB group for our sailing, there are about 3 BGs per 15 minute slot (11:15s were getting 3, 4, or 5).

Thanks so much for all your insight! That's super interesting with the correlation of PAT and BG - I had thought that was odd! Yes, I'm still feeling awful - and to make matters worse, you are of course correct as well with the Royal Gathering - I did remember and checked on that with my other device while I was in the "blue circle glitch" it must have been around 1 am at that point, and YES, it was ALL GONE already (two offered on our sailing). So accomplished nothing being up most of the night...

 

[Clarkson U]

I do have an update/clarification for everyone on the passports from a cast member: They would like the double page, not only the photo page. Minors do not have to sign ("signature of bearer"), only adults.

Other than that; my alarm woke me up 30 minutes too late. I didn't realize I had made an error with the format when scanning passports the day before, and so I had to rescan them, then I got the blue circle on the credit card page, no matter what I tried to do (even trying to change to cash)... all in all; 45 minutes later check in complete... but PAT is not what I had hoped (12:15) and boarding group 13. Thank goodness I didn't wait until the next morning.

I have not yet uploaded the double page in now 4 sailings since restart and never had any passport photo rejected! I only upload the half page with all the info on it.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I have not yet uploaded the double page in now 4 sailings since restart and never had any passport photo rejected! I only upload the half page with all the info on it.

My girls' passports were renewed this summer and the newest design has data on top and bottom pages. In addition to the signature line, a duplicate photo is on the top (I'm sure there's some security reason why they picture is on twice, one in color and one in b&w). So, I would expect that the newer passports at least, will require the photo showing both pages. Unless Disney isn't on the ball about the design change...

 

[Clarkson U]

My girls' passports were renewed this summer and the newest design has data on top and bottom pages. In addition to the signature line, a duplicate photo is on the top (I'm sure there's some security reason why they picture is on twice, one in color and one in b&w). So, I would expect that the newer passports at least, will require the photo showing both pages. Unless Disney isn't on the ball about the design change...

They are not! I have tgst new passport and have used it now in three sailings include one today without any issues on the half page

 

[pxefig]

Thank you for all the tips! Our check in was tonight. Refreshing on the computer the check in button never showed up so I used the app. Checked in both staterooms for 11:15 boarding time group 5. So grateful for this community to help make these trips the best they can be!

 

[MommyCMickey]

The number of ships checking in at the same time seems to be the key.

I checked in last week for our Dream cruise and I believe that we were the only ship checking in that night. Took about 30[ish minutes. Started on my laptop, got the spinning blue circle of doom, refreshed, but then got a message on the DCL site say that they could not access any reservations at that time. I switched to my phone (going through the app) and completed check-in that way. Felt very very fortunate and thrilled to get an 11:00am PAT and Boarding group 2.

Oh wow that’s awesome

 

[SLC913]

Thank you for all the tips! Our check in was tonight. Refreshing on the computer the check in button never showed up so I used the app. Checked in both staterooms for 11:15 boarding time group 5. So grateful for this community to help make these trips the best they can be!

We checked in on Friday evening (mountain time so it was 10pm) as well and our check in worked great on the app! My husband got it all in within 10 minutes and we are group 6.

I was the most stressed about this for some reason - this is our first cruise so it’s hard to know how it goes until you do it!

 

[bamdoo]

Thanks to all the helpful information in this thread I was able to check-in both of our rooms for the Dream on 11/17 by 12:15am and received a 11:00-11:15 boarding ,group 3 for both rooms. Did one cabin on my desktop and the other on my ipad. Thanks again to everyone that has contributed to this thread. Our first Disney cruise.

 

[disneycruisedreams]

OK so documents are loaded and pending review still and Safe Passage sent an email saying we were clear to sail. Now what??? Does it say somewhere in the app that we don’t need to test? How does Disney know we are vaccinated?