Why Are People So Scared of Online Check-In?

[ronfin]

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.

What part of the process doesn't work? I'm curious. Extenuating circumstances aside, how is waiting in a line better/not better than having someone greet you as you step off of the bus holding your folder(s) already completed, and ready to answer any/all your questions or issues immediately without waiting in a line? Having experiences with both I haven't found one reason yet to go back to waiting in line.

 

[angierae]

What part of the process doesn't work? I'm curious. Extenuating circumstances aside, how is waiting in a line better/not better than having someone greet you as you step off of the bus holding your folder(s) already completed, and ready to answer any/all your questions or issues immediately without waiting in a line? Having experiences with both I haven't found one reason yet to go back to waiting in line.

Did you stay club level? I've never heard of someone being met off the bus unless they were staying club level.

 

[TDC Nala]

Did you stay club level? I've never heard of someone being met off the bus unless they were staying club level.

I've been met off the bus at Boardwalk and Beach Club. DVC, not club level. But when they met me they did not know I was DVC. Boardwalk, on a trip with the online check-in, even did the thing where the gal said to have a seat in the lobby, and she brought me my resort package and key.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Based on the responses to this thread (so far), online check-in is the preferred method for most Guests. It would seem that, extenuating circumstances aside, it just makes more sense to check-in online. Clearly, there is more risk to foregoing this convenience than skipping it entirely. But like others said, "diffferent strokes..."

I like the idea of a CM greeting you as you off-board the DME bus. That's a nice perk of OCI. Maybe with the whole RFID thing, Disney will introduce a kiosk system at the resorts so that those of us who live "in the now" will be able to press our Magic Bands to a mouse-head and get our room assignment from a screen, and be on our way.

 

[maxiesmom]

The last time I used on line check in I ended up downgraded from a preferred to a standard view. And the CM at check in wasn't even going to tell me! The two trips before that when I used OLCI in ended up in rooms as far from the main buildings as possible.

I haven't used it on my last 3 trips, but I am going to give it another shot for my trip this December. I have a standard room at POR booked, and don't really care a whole lot where I am placed, so whatever will be fine. If I had a need of a certain location I wouldn't be using it.

I has nothing to do with being afraid and everything to do with knowing the system has flaws and limits. I can't believe we have yet another topic where posters feel as if they have the right to judge each other on the choices they make. Just because it is not the choice you would make, that doesn't make it somehow wrong.

 

[Princess Katherine]

I'm so scared of Online Check In that's what I'm going as in MNSSHP.

Katie

 

[ronfin]

Did you stay club level? I've never heard of someone being met off the bus unless they were staying club level.

No, we stayed at All Star Music. There were two people, a guy and a girl waiting for people as everyone stepped off the Magic Express bus from the airport holding folders. They said "Are you the [LAST NAME] family?" to which we replied "yes", and they handed our folders to us and answered any questions we had. My parents had to add a pin number, so the girl that handed them their folder walked them over to the counter and took care of it immediately ahead of the line. Something new they're doing with the meet and greet right off the buses.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but in terms of room assignments, they assign rooms based on arrival time for those who did online check-in and look at room requests secondary. They will try to accommodate requests when they can, but they will put you in a room that's ready first. This has been my experience and it came up when I was discussing with a CM about this. So, for some of us, the room request is more important than having a room that is ready so we forego online check-in.

When doing online checkin I have seen a bit you can check off to let them know if having A room ready when you get there vs having THE room you want. You can actually let them know which is more important.

They literally meet you at the bus from the airport now with your folder(s) in hand. It's that fast and convenient now. There is really NO reason to NOT do an online check-in and save the time to get right to your vacation. If you prefer lines, and "traditional" waiting, then by all means, skip the online check-in. If however you'd like to step off the Magic Express and have someone say "Hi, are you the [YOUR LAST NAME] family?" the second you walk off the bus with everything already waiting for you, then use the online check-in. It should be a no-brainer just for that.

People have reported having that experience for over a year now. I have yet to have ANYONE greet me, let alone by name, and knowing I'm there for online checkin. In Feb we arrived on the bus around 1am, and there was absolutely no one around. No one else checking in, we pretty much had to wake up the Bell Services guy, and since it was all so glitchy then we spent more time with the checkin people than we've spent with normal checkin people.

Of course, the "hi are you the Whatever family" doesn't work for us and isn't something we need, because neither DH nor I changed our names, and DS is hyphenated. So it's not something we want, and it's also not something we've ever experienced.

We would have to wait at the desk anyway to have the credit card thing done.

So yes, there are reasons for not doing the online check-in.

FWIW, you might simply get to wait in a shorter line, if you did online checkin. Changing the CC stuff has taken very little time, as long as it's not glitchy.

Yes, this. Every time we've gone to WDW (and we're DVC), the online check inline was WAY longer than the regular one.

When we've gone, the online checkin might have looked long, but then they send you to the next available CM, so it doesn't take anywhere near as long as you think it will.

 

[Amanda999]

They literally meet you at the bus from the airport now with your folder(s) in hand. It's that fast and convenient now. There is really NO reason to NOT do an online check-in and save the time to get right to your vacation. If you prefer lines, and "traditional" waiting, then by all means, skip the online check-in. If however you'd like to step off the Magic Express and have someone say "Hi, are you the [YOUR LAST NAME] family?" the second you walk off the bus with everything already waiting for you, then use the online check-in. It should be a no-brainer just for that.

Maybe it varies by resort, or maybe I just arrive the wrong moment, but I've stayed at POR and POFQ several after checking in online, and never has anyone from registration met me disembarking from magical express, nor have I seen any such person outside (only behind the registration desk), nor has my folder been handy quickly.

FWIW, I did online check in for my current stay. Despite no line it took awhile to check in because the cm couldn't cut the kttw. My sole room request wasn't met, but they were able to move me to a room that I did like. She switched it to the wrong room, so then she had to move it to the correct (now third) room.

Because I had done online check in, the process took about an hour - they had to rebook my entire room only reservation for the "third" room. I had never heard of such a thing, and I've changed rooms at check in many times in the past. So, now my confirmation number is different, the Bounceback person couldn't find me, etc. Then, I learn that my room key opens the room door, but doesn't charge at food court. the kids keys charge but don't open the door. So, back to the front desk. Apparently the person who rebooked the room did it wrong; the cm had to re-rebook the room. A third confirmation number, and another 45 minutes... At all times there was no line at check in - its not crowded here. Oh- and she warns me to not link the new confirm number to mde because it could mess something up. Okaaaay.

Needless to say, I'm not going to do online check in again. I know I will want to change rooms, so it's not for me. But I'm glad it works for easier going people!

 

[nkereina]

When doing online checkin I have seen a bit you can check off to let them know if having A room ready when you get there vs having THE room you want. You can actually let them know which is more important.

That is a new feature that has been added within the last several months. I still wouldn't do it because if I happen to not get a room that meets my request, it is more of a hassle and a wait for them to change it if I had done online check-in. I'd rather avoid it and just check-in in person so I can reiterate my request at that point.

If room location was of no importance to me, I probably would do online check-in.

 

[tinkerbell2528]

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.

I personally don't get it either. We have always done online check-in since it was first introduced and we have never had any problems (thank god). We always arrive and our room is ready for us. I personally love the online check-in think its the best thing ever no matter what time we arrive at the resort.

 

[Oh So ONO]

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.

Thank you Fantaluninishes for this thread!! It's a great question. Personally, I'm thankful for the out of touch people, and those who stand in long lines at the hotels (and movie theaters LOL!). I say keep doing what you're doing. It makes breezing through the online check in window that much easier.

 

[elaine amj]

i normally love online whatever. we typically arrive abt 12/1am. The last 2 trips to Pop, the online check in line was much longer than the reg check in line. Only 1 person for online vs multiple ppl for regular. Our last trip onsite was a year ago so maybe things have changed.

After standing and waiting forever in online check in watching the regular line head to their rooms before me... I gave up on online check in.

 

[dansdad]

They will try to accommodate requests when they can, but they will put you in a room that's ready first.

That is how it used to work. Now you have the option of choosing your preference of having your room ready upon arrival or having your requests met.

So, for some of us, the room request is more important than having a room that is ready so we forego online check-in.

I would say this is true for most of us who make room requests. The new system takes that into consideration.

 

[shyjade]

I like that it now asks what time you will be arriving at the resort. Last year when I did online check-in it didn't ask me, but this year it did. I would think that helps them plan better?

 

[dansdad]

I still wouldn't do it because if I happen to not get a room that meets my request, it is more of a hassle and a wait for them to change it if I had done online check-in.

I can't see how it's more of a hassle. Even if you don't do online check in your room is assigned 2-3 days before your arrival. So if you don't do online check in and want to, and are able to, change the room you were assigned the CM will have to make that change in the system. Then put together your packet and cut your KTTW.

If you do online check in and want to, and are able to, change the room you were assigned the CM will have to make that change in the system. Then put together your packet and cut a new KTTW. There's no difference in the process that has to be done if you want to change the room you were assigned.

I'm not trying to convince someone who doesn't want to do online check in that they should. I'm posting this for those who are trying to decide whether to do it or not.

 

[luvmy3]

I held off doing OLCI because one of the amenities I wanted was not listed as a choice, and it was one that is important to me. My TA had already put in the request but I wasn't sure if putting in a different request via OLCI would cancel the other ( I believe I read that on the DIS somewhere). Anyway, its a moot point now since we have decided to forgo our requests to have our room ready early. Now watch, my room won't be ready when we arrive and I won't get either request

 

[dansdad]

I held off doing OLCI because one of the amenities I wanted was not listed as a choice, and it was one that is important to me. My TA had already put in the request but I wasn't sure if putting in a different request via OLCI would cancel the other ( I believe I read that on the DIS somewhere).

Requests made during online check in will overwrite any requests made via phone. However, you CAN do online check in and not make any requests. Problem solved.

 

[luvmy3]

Requests made during online check in will overwrite any requests made via phone. However, you CAN do online check in and not make any requests. Problem solved.

That was the problem, I had 2 requests but only one was available with OLCI. At the time I wasn't sure what to do- if I did it without putting in any requests, would that override the 2 my TA called in and they just give me any room. That is how I interpreted what I read here.
We decided as much as we want X and Y it would be better to get into a room when we arrive. Hopefully we'll get the one room I requested online, not getting the other (or either) wouldn't be the end of the world though.

 

[nkereina]

I can't see how it's more of a hassle. Even if you don't do online check in your room is assigned 2-3 days before your arrival. So if you don't do online check in and want to, and are able to, change the room you were assigned the CM will have to make that change in the system. Then put together your packet and cut your KTTW.

If you do online check in and want to, and are able to, change the room you were assigned the CM will have to make that change in the system. Then put together your packet and cut a new KTTW. There's no difference in the process that has to be done if you want to change the room you were assigned.

I'm not trying to convince someone who doesn't want to do online check in that they should. I'm posting this for those who are trying to decide whether to do it or not.

I used to work in the hospitality industry so I am familiar with room assignments.

When you do online check-in, they put those people into rooms that are ready based on arrival times. They are in one "bucket" (depending on the system) while everyone else is assigned to other rooms. If I don't like my room at online check-in and request something else, they have to spend the time searching other available rooms, if that person has checked in online and their arrival time, until they find something that meets my request. They then have to reprint your key and folio. In the mean time, you're holding up the online check-in line, most likely occupying a supervisor, and defeating the purpose of speedy check-in all together.

Without online check-in, they can move your room amongst other rooms that are available without online check-ins attached. It's easier for them to switch it around in the system (less to consider) and they likely don't need to call anyone over to help. Plus, in our experience, more CMs are at "regular" check-in desk than online check-in desk (we stay at mods), so I don't feel quite as guilty holding up the line.

Not trying to be a jerk with the rooms I request and I hate to be a hassle with it, but it never hurts to ask!