What is the "best way" to check in?

[CherylCT]

I know we can check in online but is there any advantage to doing that vs. checking in when we get there or on the plane, etc.? Are you more apt to be able to check in earlier one way or the other?

 

[The Jackal]

Online you can check in earlier. We almost always check in online. In April we went to OKW. Checked in on I-4, by the time we found a parking spot, our room was ready. This was before noon, so we were happy. We were going to park then head to DS. Rooms are not all ready early.

 

[CarolMN]

Checking in earlier doesn't mean your room will be ready.

 

[TheWitherington's]

I’ve read that there’s better chance of getting room upgrade if you check in in person. But last December we rented DVC points at SS for a studio and we were upgraded to 1bdrm when we checked in online. I think this had to do with construction.

 

[CarolynFH]

I prefer online checkin, several weeks ahead of arrival. We don’t always get our room early, but frequently we do get the text while we’re driving in or shortly after we arrive. We don’t usually have many room location or other requests, though, so that might help.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Checking in earlier doesn't mean your room will be ready.

But sometimes you do get the notification before you arrive! Theres zero chance for that if you wait for the front desk.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We arrived at BWV 3 days ago & I forgot to check in online so we checked in at the desk. Room became ready just after the CM explained we would get a text. This was at 10:30am. We had reserved a preferred view and ended up with a Boardwalk view.

 

[Marionnette]

We arrived at BWV 3 days ago & I forgot to check in online so we checked in at the desk. Room became ready just after the CM explained we would get a text. This was at 10:30am. We had reserved a preferred view and ended up with a Boardwalk view.

"Preferred View" is not a BWV booking category. Both pool/garden and boardwalk views are considered "preferred" by rental agencies because they cost the same number of points. But you either booked one or the other if you used your own DVC points.

I hope you're enjoying the view. I absolutely love sitting on the balcony in the morning and watching the boats glide across the lake.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

I know getting a Boardwalk view vs (non-Boardwalk) preferred view is not an upgrade in points but it was a nice surprise (especially for a 10:30am arrival when we woke at 3am to get our 6am flight)!
We enjoyed the Epcot fireworks our arrival night from our 1st floor room.
We are heading to Poly today and I'm going to see if checking in at the desk works any magic (fully prepared that it won't) & to see if they give out leis.

 

[ColonialMouse]

If you have a specific request, I think you're better checking in online so you're essentially ahead of anyone checking in at the desk for that request. But if your top priority is a room ready early, you can do that online (and then show up at the desk and ask nicely if it doesn't come through automatically).

Bruce

 

[Shellyred8]

We usually check in on-line a couple of weeks before we leave. If I haven't gotten a text that the room is ready by the time we arrive, I usually stop at the desk and ask. Sometimes it's ready, sometimes it's not. Sometimes they are able to move us to a different room that is ready. We've had too many situations where we are just hanging around waiting for the text that never comes and when we finally go to the desk to ask about it, they say, oh, your room was ready a couple of hours ago.

 

[Boopuff]

I always like to check in at the desk. Like to see where our room is - if it's in an undesirable location, ask if something better is available. I don't expect any upgrades by doing this, but I do like to know where I'll be.

 

[puffkin]

I always check in online months before our trip. I usually email Member Services a specific building or block of room (I usually list 2 choices) shortly after making my reservation. I almost ALWAYS get my room request or very close to it. Its hit or miss if my room is ready. I always put 1pm for arrival time.