What make a check in magical?

[drew64]

I don't look for magic at check-in, just a quick, painless process. In fact it drives me nuts when waitng in line behind guests who want to play 20 questions with the CM asking detailed questions about park hours, dining, etc. Go ask at the concierge or do some homework ahead of time, but lets keep the line moving.

 

[CharlieTuna]

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?

Nah. Just 1 person.

 

[disneydreamin247]

I have yet to check in at a WDW resort but I am just hoping to get a patient and friendly CM who will answer my questions and instruct me how on how to navigate around the resort. What could be more magical then preventing me from wandering around the resort aimlessly for hours?

 

[nikki'smom]

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

So true. Too many people worry about the small stuff that is not in there control. As soon as I'm on property, I'm in heaven.

 

[Allison]

polite, efficient, speedy, mistake free = magical

I agree. I have no expectations beyond that. Being in the lobby of a WDW resort is enough magic for me.

 

[magicmouse2]

Customer understanding, polite, friendly, good listening skills, buiding a rapport with you and puting your mind at rest.

 

[snowmouse]

It really makes my trip when they wish me 'a magical stay'. Oh, and I love the lobby activities for tired kids to stay occupied while we check in.

 

[robinc71]

Not really magical for me but as a Mom. I slipped a note to our CM as she Lunch on her birthday at CRT, My DD never expected to get anything and was really surprised that they not only wished her a happy birthday but Cindy sent her an invite for Lunch. SO as a Mom, that was magical for me.

 

[Family24]

This past January it was just magical walking into the Polynesian with our family. We then proceeded to the desk where a nice gentleman greeted us and proceeded to tell us he had a good deal. When he told us we were staying in the Hawaii building our 10 year old son was so excited, my husband did not know what Hawaii was and our 6 year old daughter as well. It was a wonderful stay and we are now spoiled by staying at Concierge. But that was truly magical for our whole family.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

The CM's attitude makes all the difference to me. I love when you get a CM that seems genuinely excited for you. Getting a grumpy CM sure can suck the magic out of your check-in!

 

[Karlzmom]

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

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

WARNING...THIS POST IS A BIT OF A VENT AND CONTANS SARCASM...**the man with the little white pill is coming & I should be back to normal shortly
1)....actually hand out the leis that are in the big box behind the check-in counter for all the world to see and wonder who they are for.
2)....ask if you need any help with the luggage that you are hauling for 7 people, as clearly the 2 strollers with babies are not designed to be used a luggage carts all the way to the farthest long houses.
3)...make certain that at the designated check-in time, you only checking people into rooms that are clean and in good repair. Of course, this magical touch would require that CMs/mousekeeping/anyone else issued a bag of pixie-dust communicate, but they should have known it was a dangerous job when they took it!

Not meaning to sound like a total crab,as we are clearly returning to the same hotel, there were several less than magical aspects to the trip, but on the whole its an awesome place and I've just learned to keep my expectations in check....

[not to be greedy, but can I add one more "Make it more magical"? When a large party has an ADR for the only character meal of the trip, and members of the party decide that they are not going -its ok to take the smaller group! We would have used up the larger table, so its booked for us anyway. If we were previously using two smaller tables squashed together, then separate them and voila a walk up just got lucky! Leaves quite an yucky taste in the mouth of guests when they are refused for their checkout day treat (which by the way they adjusted the credits on the dining plan they paid for to be able to do) because someone decides they can't do it.

 

[ReneeDisney]

The most magical moment is the whole check-in process. I agree that some CM's are more talkative than others, but in the over 20 times I've been to WDW I've always enjoyed my check-in process and found it to be very magical.
Just walking through your resorts front door is magic in itself!

 

[talyon]

This is a great question.

For us what makes a magical check or experience in the hotel. Is the whole package; its the Immersion, when you walk in its like all of the sudden in in hawaii, key west, a swamp near New Orleans, etc. The next is how the cast members interact with you. Do they go out of their way to greet you, offer tips or help if you need any. Even if its not something out of their normal job scope. Do they make you feel special while you there. And sometimes its just that moment you could be sitting relaxing on property and you see a giraffe feeding and its magical moment only you got to share with your loved ones.

For us and we go allot its yes and it just adds to the magical experience.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Put a smile on your face when you walk in the lobby. If you look happy it is bound to put the CM in a better mood. That being said I have never had a bad experience checking in though some were better then others. Two of the more memorable ones were at the Poly. My first trip to WDW was in 78, right after the big blizzard up in Mass. that crippled the state for almost 3 weeks. We were just so glad to be out of the snow. We had a curb side checkin. My brother was just sitting on his suitcase kicking the stones on the curb when Pluto came up behind him and put his paws over his eyes. He was so startled he fell over. Pluto laughed and then helped him up. When my brother went to sit down again Pluto grabbed him by the ear, as well as he could and semi dragged him off. When they reached the lobby door he pointed for him to go in. My DB shook his head no and Pluto waved and went skipping off. The second one was again at the Poly in 2001, bringing my own kids. When we entered the lobby to check in we were greeted by a CM with a lei. Minnie was there and when she spotted my DD who was 6 at the time she came over. While DH and I were checking in Minnie was teaching all three of my children to do the hula. I think that this is more of what you were hoping for. In the 16 times that I have been this has only happend twice at check in. When it does happen though it is a truely magical way to start a vacation. That is part of the Magic though, You never know where or when something special is going to happen.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We've always enjoyed checking in. Just walking into the lobby puts a smile on our faces. Our CMs have always been happy and pleasant. Nothing special has ever happened, we are just elated to be there.

 

[ElizabethB]

An unexpected complimentary upgrade to Club Level!

 

[Phedre]

I have gotten a few unexpected upgrades to the concierge floor, which is always magical and wonderful, but I think my favorite check in so far has been at the CBR. I was there checking in with my parents and sister and I was so happy to be there I was bouncing around grinning. The CM noticed how excited I was and asked if I would like to be the one to check in my family! He let me come behind the desk and he instructed me how to go through all the screens and what keys to push and I was the one who got to make our room keys, and assign the room next door to my aunt and uncle who were coming in later. What fun! Totally unexpected too, and really cost Disney nothing, except some time. I was a slow checking-in person. Thankfully no one was behind us in line

My least favorite was probably checking in to the Poly and having some (possibly newish) CM who just had this totally blank fakey-grin on his face but like... no life in his eyes - very odd to try to explain... and he seemed so confused. Just a fake smile plastered on and an inability to do much else. Creepy smiling robo-CM was no fun.

 

[jess20k]

Of all the times that I have stayed onsite, which has been about 7 times...I have always had a magical experience checking in, except at the WL. I loved the WL, but the check in was nothing out of the ordinary. Like any hotel around the world. Every other resort that I have checked into, it seemed like the CM was so pleasant and acted like they were really interested in checking us in. Even though I was never given any upgrade so far (to me, that would be the most magical ) I always appreciated the time and attitude that the CM has given us when we have checked in. This last time though at the WL, the CM, was very short with us, and was rushing...even though there was not any type of line at all for check in. I guess it just depends on how pleasant and friendly the CM wants to be.

I do think this is very important, since it is the beginning of a magical vacation for all of us! It is a part of what should set offsite apart from onsite!

 

[wdwhereicome]

Coming up on 50 trips to wdw and we've had our share of magical and ordinary check-ins. But we have had a few nightmares. When you have a nightmare one, from that point on you just hope for a normal one!

I have found that when we're face to face with a not too friendly cm - smiling, be patient and complimenting them always works! I've had cm's who just didn't care we were standing there - I'd start asking them a question about a pin or their name badge and presto, they are at least civil and the process painless.

It really is attitude. Be positive. Smile and talk friendly. Don't let their mood get you down because 99% of the time - your mood will lift them up.

My favorite thing at check-in is having a cm finally smile even though they started off poorly. That is magical!

But I have to agree with others - having a free upgrade sure does make check-in the most magical. We were too in the cheapest room at the Polynesian - regular, garden view and were upgraded to Hawaii Concierge, castle view! I was in heaven from the moment I found out!

 

[j_lehr]

polite, efficient, speedy, mistake free = magical

I agree! We have been lucky...all of our check in's have been easy. We are not the type of people looking for an upgrade...just a clean room in the category that we already paid for. (Not saying it wouldn't be nice...however, I think experience is related to expectation!) I don't make a lot of room requests and the few that I have made, while not always granted, usually are close enough.