What make a check in magical?

[magicalguy]

First trip to Disney and we checked into All Star and it wasn't all that Magical. I'm not sure what we expected....but, it wasn't that great. What makes a check in at Disney different? What have been some great check ins for you all? What makes a check in magical? Being new here, i'm wondering what a typical check in is like.

Other than that - had a great trip. All Star is great for the price.

I'm glad to be a new Diss'er....

 

[CharlieTuna]

It's all about the managers. When you see managers on the floor the employees seem to be more energetic and ready to make magic. I've never had a bad check in, but when a manager is around they are always better.

PS - I stayed at All Star a few months ago (Music) and Greg and DJ were the managers. They had a kazoo band going. It was hysterical. That's the kind of thing I mean.

Have fun. Welcome magicalguy.

 

[girt25]

polite, efficient, speedy, mistake free = magical

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Just arriving through the resort gates makes it magical for me!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

When we were checking into POFQ last April, the CM was very nice and took the time to show us a map of the resort and gave us a few options as to what building we could've stayed in. Also, the concierge in the lobby was very welcoming towards all the guest as well. I didn't really think anything of it then but since you brought it up, I guess it was a great start to our magical Disney vacation.

 

[kldmom2000]

Well.....as children, my brother and I stayed at Ft. Wilderness w/ my parents A LOT growing up but I didn't see the check-in there as we were usually off outside w/ Dad

Then on our wedding night in Oct. 1994 DH and I checked into Dixie Landings (now POR) for 1 night since they didn't have that night avail. @ our honeymoon resort (the BC)...we checked in after midnight and I was not impressed at all Being a CM myself at the time (Disney Store management), I was expecting what was expected of CM's... (exceeding guest expectations) Instead, we had a rather cranky CM check us in and then we had a reluctant CM drive his golf cart to our room w/ our bags.... ???? Not very magical but we were in Disney so I wouldn't let it ruin my happiness

The next day we checked in at the BC and it was absolutely wonderful since it was our honeymoon The ambience of the lobby.... the friendliness then of the cast members @ the check-in desk, etc....

Each stay after that (8 more) at either the YC or BC has been magical once we walk through those doors and we're "home" again

Of course, last year was the most magical year EVER as we were notified upon check in that we were given a complimentary upgrade to the Regatta Club at the YC (concierge)!!!! Our FIRST ever upgrade after 9 trips to the YC/BC!!!

So, the YC/BC is magical for us no matter what We have yet to stay anywhere else now on property because we consider those resorts to be our 2nd home

 

[LilGMom]

Getting my 'welcome packet' (resort map, dining info, park hours, etc.), being told my room is ready and getting our keys. That is magical!

 

[DisneyGirlie]

Maybe since it was your first trip to WDW you didn't really know what to expect and how magical the entire trip was going to be so check-in didn't seem that great. After being to WDW multiple times, I know for a fact that for an entire week I'm going to have a permanent smile on my face and the most wonderful time ever, so that's what makes check-in great for me; just knowing what's to come. We've never had a bad encounter with a CM at a check in desk. However, the most magical check-in for me probably happened in February when we were staying at the Polynesian. It was already great because it was our first time staying at a Deluxe resort, but the CM who was checking us in was great. He asked us if we were celebrating anything special and we were like nope and he kind of kept pushing and said are you sure? And my mother says "Well it's our first stay at the Polynesian." And so he handed us 1st time to WDW pins and said we had to wear them all the time or he was going to hunt us down. He had a wonderful personality. And we just so happened to get upgraded from regular garden view to concierge level garden view. Totally magical check-in!

 

[CharlieTuna]

Agree with DisneyGirlie! It's all about the CMs....

Lets have fun with this - what could Disney employees do to make it more magical?

 

[magicalguy]

OK. It wasn't bad. I guess as a first timer, we were expecting to be greeted by Mickey and a singing tea kettle. Maybe we overestimated it. We were met by a manager that's name was Chris from New York. He was very energetic. He made it more fun. I just saw the employee next to me being very friendly (Vilma i think it was. She gave her customer a rose) and ours wasn't so we were disapointed.

CharlieTuna - I think smiles and a room that is where i want it is the best thing we could get.

Thanks to everyone to responding.

I like this place.

It's cold in Indiana! Hope Mickeye is warm.

 

[Sysyphus]

My first ever on-site stay was at ASMo two years ago... was a Monday late afternoon, so not busy, but there were a couple of people in line... we were just staying two nights, doing one day at MK with DD, then 3, as a side trip to a visit with family in Fla. Within a minute or two a CM spotted us, bought DD a balloon and coloring book, told DW to give me her drivers license, and took them both off to watch cartoons while i did the paperwork.

DD was already in heaven and had no idea what was gong to happen next day

 

[MagicalEars]

Even though it's very rare, you may run into a not so friendly CM at Disney. However, we have never had a bad check-in with a CM. For example we've always stayed at POR and unlike kldmom2000 (sorry to hear about the rude CM at POR on your honeymoon), we've always been treated exceptionally nice. In fact we were there for our honeymoon and they had two very nice Mickey and Minnie figurines dressed in wedding outfits and a nice card waiting for us in our room. In fact we still have them, and they're even intact 13 years and two kids later.

If I get time later today I'll take a pic of them and post it.

 

[simonkodousek]

What makes a check in magical?

Walking into the Great Ceremonial House (Polynesian) and having the fresh, tropical air hit you. Then, proceeding to the check-in desk where lei's are handed out and getting a Polynesian info packet.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Friendliness is the main thing that can make a check-in magical. When staying at a deluxe, a free upgrade also helps.

Magical: The first time we took the kids to AKL 3 years ago, we got a great upgrade and character photos for the kids.

Not Magical: Last summer when we checked into POR. Not only was the CM helping us brusque to the point of rudeness, he argued with us over the rate of our fully-paid room, saying we needed to pay the full rate for one we'd booked through the passholder site. It was very, very hot; and I had to dig through our very messy (after 20+ hours on the road due to a blow-out) to find the print out of of our reservation. He wasn't even appologetic, after I was able to confirm my rate. To top it off, the resort was nowhere near full, yet we got NONE of our simple requests -- ground floor due to young children in strollers (no elevators at POR, remember) and non-parking lot view.

 

[skipperkim]

Friendliness is the main thing that can make a check-in magical. When staying at a deluxe, a free upgrade also helps.

Magical: The first time we took the kids to AKL 3 years ago, we got a great upgrade and character photos for the kids.

Not Magical: Last summer when we checked into POR. Not only was the CM helping us brusque to the point of rudeness, he argued with us over the rate of our fully-paid room, saying we needed to pay the full rate for one we'd booked through the passholder site. It was very, very hot; and I had to dig through our very messy (after 20+ hours on the road due to a blow-out) to find the print out of of our reservation. He wasn't even appologetic, after I was able to confirm my rate. To top it off, the resort was nowhere near full, yet we got NONE of our simple requests -- ground floor due to young children in strollers (no elevators at POR, remember) and non-parking lot view.

There are elevators in POR, just not in the AB section.

I guess I'm lucky, I've never had a bad check in experience.

 

[wilda]

An upgrade to concierge level

 

[vettechick99]

I've checked in over 20 times and they were all about the same to me. Sometimes you get a more talkative CM, but I've never really experienced magic before (and I've stayed at all levels including the GF). Then again, I'm just happy to be on property so it doesn't matter much to me!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, my dh checked into YC in Jan and was upgraded to concierge...that was pretty magical. Would have been more magical if I had been staying with him but I was across the lake at BW...he was part of a conference, so had to be with everyone else!
Otherwise, my best checkins have been at POP and BW. I love checkin in at BW...they tend to be really pleasant and helpful. Out of 4 times at POP, I have only had one 'less then terrific' CM at checkin. But, man, she was a doozie.
At POR I had a CM check me in who was verging on rude. It was also there that I had to return to the front desk and get my dd a replacement room key (with park passes on it)..she had demagnatized hers. The CM at the desk practically yelled at me for asking for a replacement..told me he could do it one time but that was it and to be more careful in the future!!!
Otherwise....I just want to get a happy person checking me in, one who is chatty to a point and is interested in my meager needs. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Mamalisa58]

BC CM was not at all friendly, gave no explanation of how/where the elevators were. She also did not give any helpful info on the resort itself.She was more interested in chatting with her coworkers. Although we enjoyed SAB, our stay there was our least favorite. Broken dryer door in laundry room (had to keep my foot on it to keep it closed!), other dryer did not work at all. I went to the desk about the dryers and again was given a cold reception.
Ice machine outside our door and elevator noise made for a not so good stay.
We have enjoyed our stays at the value much more. We would love to give it another try, but going to visit the mouse every year, we are limited to the values or sometime moderates.

 

[divawife]

If DH is watching kids while I check in -do I need his drivers license to do so? Everyone who is staying has to show ID?