Why Are People So Scared of Online Check-In?

[Fantaluminishes]

I don't get it. I'm reading through many threads on these boards, and I am seeing the same thing over and over. People are talking about why they don't or won't do online check-in. What gives? Why do people NOT want to take advantage of this free and very convenient service??

I actually read where somebody said that they wanted the experience of standing in a line at the resort so they could have the face-to-face interaction with a Disney CM. Somebody else said that they feel they get better service from a "regular" front desk person, than an "online check-in" front desk person.

Perhaps I should equate this to the people who stand in a long line at a movie theater to purchase tickets, instead of one of the ten empty self-service ticket kiosks that are either next to the box office, or inside the theater lobby.

So people want to stand in long lines for hotel check-in, and to purchase movie tickets. But they don't have any problem taking a cart-full of groceries to the "self-checkout" at the supermarket, even though they have no clue how to use the machine. I guess some human behavior is just not menat to make any sense.

 

[aaarcher86]

I don't get it. I'm reading through many threads on these boards, and I am seeing the same thing over and over. People are talking about why they don't or won't do online check-in. What gives? Why do people NOT want to take advantage of this free and very convenient service??

I actually read where somebody said that they wanted the experience of standing in a line at the resort so they could have the face-to-face interaction with a Disney CM. Somebody else said that they feel they get better service from a "regular" front desk person, than an "online check-in" front desk person.

Perhaps I should equate this to the people who stand in a long line at a movie theater to purchase tickets, instead of one of the ten empty self-service ticket kiosks that are either next to the box office, or inside the theater lobby.

So people want to stand in long lines for hotel check-in, and to purchase movie tickets. But they don't have any problem taking a cart-full of groceries to the "self-checkout" at the supermarket, even though they have no clue how to use the machine. I guess some human behavior is just not menat to make any sense.

Some people just prefer face to face interaction - old school style. Lots of people think their requests may not be met if they do online check in or want to just speak to a live person and go over it again. And for some people the hour that they get into the lobby really doesn't make online check in any faster so they don't care.

I've done both - I really don't care either way. If we're getting in before check in at 3p then I'll do online check in hoping my room will be available early. If it's late at night I'll just go the traditional route.

Different strokes and all that.

 

[spiceycat]

for me - when it first started you got the room that was assigned to you period.

no changing.

the room was generally the first ready room - now sometimes these are great - other times they can be the worst views.

now that I am older views mean alot to me - so if I can pick (and generally you can) in the check in line and not in the online system - definitely going to go for the check in line.

now when and if the online system allows you to change your room or even pick the view for your room - then will use it

 

[dixiegirl]

For myself personally I love online check-in. I have used it since they started offering it and have never had an issue. That being said - I make no room requests (have no special needs and could care less about location or view). I like having a nice, clean room but that's about it - use it to bathe and sleep.

Love the convenience of walking up to the online check-in window and quickly being given my info - I'm not new to this - I do not need the hoopla - and let me be off on my way to the parks! Room not ready - that's fine - now they send me a text and let me know when it is!

But - to each his own - some people don't trust it or have had issues, then by all means, go the traditional route.

 

[scard192]

I would love to check in on line but have 2 linked reservations for myself and my sister but can only access on line check in for myself. I am going to try and use the "old" website and see if I can do it there. Would love to skip the check in line when we arrive.

 

[sanapunk]

The last time i checked in at coronado i had no wait at check in by doing the regular. About 5 families were in the online check in line. Works for me!

 

[Skywise]

for me - when it first started you got the room that was assigned to you period.

no changing.

the room was generally the first ready room - now sometimes these are great - other times they can be the worst views.

now that I am older views mean alot to me - so if I can pick (and generally you can) in the check in line and not in the online system - definitely going to go for the check in line.

now when and if the online system allows you to change your room or even pick the view for your room - then will use it

I was under the impression that you could still pick the room view you wanted if you go through the regular check-in lines even if you have checked in online?

 

[Happyjen27]

For me, I hope for that ever elusive upgrade. I feel like the chances at a free upgrade are greater at the desk. This may be completely wrong though, which makes me want to start a new thread about free upgrades.

 

[Skywise]

Dang...

Okay, now you guys are making me paranoid... anyway to cancel an online checkin?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The last 2 times I've done online check in. I ended up with rooms in the back 40 of the resort.

I'm tired of that - sometimes I think it's because I go solo so they just give me the crappiest furthest away rooms in the category I've booked.

By waiting and checking in when I get there - I can easily ask them to change my room if I don't like where it is.
It's not so easy to do if you've done online check in - the last time I was sent to the normal check in line to get it taken care of so I waited in double lines.

So no more online check in for me.........

 

[Fantaluminishes]

OK. Aside from the "different strokes..." reply, nobody has really answered my question. It's not as if you can check-in online, and then magically show up at your room (presumably with a Magic Band), and walk right in. You still need to go to the front desk to "complete" the check-in process. I would think the "benefits" of online check-in would outweigh the decision to opt-out.

I used online check-in when I stayed at POR last summer. I arrived to the resort at 8am, and was in my room by 8:15. I believe having this helped me to get into my room early. I was very happy with my room and the location.

The CM's who work the desk for "online check-in" are no different than those who work the standard check-in desk. I'm quite sure they are trained exactly the same as any other front desk agents.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm not afraid of online check in, I don't have good experiences with it. We've tried it three times, at various periods since it started and had nothing but trouble.

First time, we waited at the online check in line for 30 minutes. Regular line almost unused, with 3 CMs who avoided looking at the growing line of online check in guests. We were behind the first couple, and thought, along with the rest, that we were waiting for a CM to get back to them about a question. Turns out, they had walked up and waited just like the rest of us. When we all finally realized, we asked the "regular" line CMs, who finally went in the back for the guy who was supposed to be working the online check in. By the time he got out there, and we were finally checked in, it had been a 45 minute wait - meanwhile, a dribble of regular check in guests had come and gone.

Second time, we went to the online check in line - waited a few minutes for a CM, then walked over to the regular line. This time, a regular CM walked over to wait on us at the online check in, but couldn't find our packet. Looked high and lo, finally had to get a manager. Took 20 minutes total, regular check in line moved much faster.

Third time, we walked up to online check in, good news - a CM was actually there! Sorry to say, the packet contained our name, but every other piece of info was wrong. Completely, not a thing relating to us. Took about 30 minutes to get it all straightened out. Again, regular line guests walked up, were waited on, moved on.~sigh~

We've decided online check in is not for us.

 

[policycobb]

For me, I hope for that ever elusive upgrade. I feel like the chances at a free upgrade are greater at the desk. This may be completely wrong though, which makes me want to start a new thread about free upgrades.

I did on-line check and was upgraded to a water view at CSR in October.

 

[Elise79]

Used online check in twice - never time did we get our requests and asked when there and they could met them and moved us.

Last time they didn't even have the card on file that I entered online and had to re swipe it

I officially give up and am going back to regular check in (we arrive usually around 6pm as we fly in from the UK and have never had a line at check in)

 

[Fire14]

I personally had more issues with regular checkin than I did online check in. WE were in same room and had a message in room saying such so not sure what issue was. only 1 room key worked, none had charging priv. even though card said we did.

I also had no stinking idea how to get into room first time since no one had said word one about rfid keys, I had no idea pin number was needed to do DDP.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We make sure to have any room location requests noted in our reservation, so we don't rely on OCI for location requests. We have done it twice and ended up with an upgraded room both times that met all of our requests.

I think people get scared off thinking they can do better interacting with a person at the desk, but our belief is that the rooms are already assigned before you get there, whether you did OCI or not. If we have a real problem with a room, we will wait in line and get it changed. We do appreciate having the credit card stuff already entered before we arrive.

 

[minnie mum]

OK. Aside from the "different strokes..." reply, nobody has really answered my question. It's not as if you can check-in online, and then magically show up at your room (presumably with a Magic Band), and walk right in. You still need to go to the front desk to "complete" the check-in process. I would think the "benefits" of online check-in would outweigh the decision to opt-out.

I used online check-in when I stayed at POR last summer. I arrived to the resort at 8am, and was in my room by 8:15. I believe having this helped me to get into my room early. I was very happy with my room and the location.

The CM's who work the desk for "online check-in" are no different than those who work the standard check-in desk. I'm quite sure they are trained exactly the same as any other front desk agents.

What benefits exactly do you find outweigh the decision not to pre-register? You still have to go to the front desk to complete the check in process. They will still ask if your credit card info is correct. If none of your requests have been met and you need to ask if they can find a different room for you, or if your documents are in any way incorrect, they still have to completely re-do all of the paper work.

The two times that we did online registration (and our dates were during very slow times of the year), we did not get any of our requests, our rooms were not ready, and it took close to an hour to complete the process, after being shuffled over to the regular check in counter. The fact that our KTTW card didn't work when we finally got to our room is a whole different thread.

The last two times (when we did not do online registration) we arrived before 8 am, walked straight up to the counter (no line at all), completed the registration, in one case had our room changed to accommodate my request for a ground floor room, and received our KTTW for the room that was ready for us to occupy. And it took far less time than when we pre-registered.

Being scared of the process has nothing to do with it, and frankly I find the use of the term insulting and condescending. Having experience with the process and having determined what works and what doesn't work is the reason why we don't use this so called perk.

 

[trishadono]

I always do online check in. If I don't like the room given or change my mind I just ask.

For example when I checked in last week (used online check in)at CBR I asked if preferred rooms available. They quoted me price and I agreed. I had gotten the room with passholder discount and no preferred were available when I booked.

I was also upgraded from GV to atrium club at CR with online check in. So pixie dust can still happen.

If online check in lines full, they have always asked me to come to another lane. I have checked-in in less than 15 mins for last 20 trips

Once at POP I said this is my 6th visit and happy to be back and cm handed me a map and let me choose any room in my category. I had used online then too.

Sometimes just "those" needy people get ahead of you and muck things up

 

[TinkPirateMom]

We did online check-in for our WL stay. Our rooms was ready at 11:30am and we were given a complimentary upgrade. Based on that experience, we will continue to do online check-in

 

[dansdad]

now when and if the online system allows you to change your room or even pick the view for your room - then will use it

You can definitely do that now. All rooms are assigned prior to a guests arrival whether you do online check in or not. All check in CMs, online and regular, are able to move you to a different room if one is available.