DVCNews Debates: Online Check-in

[athenna]

I always use it! Only times I won't is if I'm staying CL like I did in Oct and like I am for 6 out of 7 nights in Feb....i've never had an issues w/it, it's always nice & quick.

[wdrl]

Beginning in 2009, we've used online check-in for almost all of our Disney trips, both cash stays and DVC stays. When we've made room requests, those requests have generally been met. Thus, I'm confused why the prior poster was told that room requests are not considered if a member does online check-in.

We've made four DVC trips since joining in 2009. Each time, we've checked into the DVC resort very early, usually before 8:00 AM. At that time of the morning, there is hardly anyone else checking in. We usually walk right up to the front desk and get checked in right away. The only time I remember bypassing a long line at the check-in desk was when we stayed at Pop Century. We arrived at Pop Century around noon and there were several guests in line waiting to check in. But when a CM discovered we had done online check-in, he directed us to another line that was specifically for guests who had done online check-in. We were helped immediately and were on our way to our room very quickly.

We will be at Walt Disney World next week, staying at Pop Century for two days before moving on to SSR. We've done online check-in for both segments. At Pop Century, we've asked to be placed in the '90s, and at SSR, we've asked for the Paddock area and high floor. We'll see if any of those requests are satisfied.

[idratherbeinwdw]

At Pop Century, we've asked to be placed in the '90s

I realize this is OT, but I am curious, why did you request the 90's area? I have found that to be the least convenient part of Pop. (Farthest from the main building, and consequently the food court, shopping and busstops).

[twoehr]

I've always used online check-in for DVC. Knowing how long it took to check-in to a resort as a paying customer I see it as a fantastic service. I certainly have arrived on a few occasions to not have my packet ready or cards not created, but I haven't see them as significant issues. In fact, I find when the cards are pre-made my kids, who are 2 & 5, have purchasing authority on their cards! I also have my room read only twice, so I don't expect it. I do arrive noonish, so room available is quite doubtful and I understand my packet my not be ready, as they are finalizing check-out and probably changing shifts. I haven't experienced a long line, but I also go off season, so it may be unique to me.

I am surprised that there is a belief that the use of online check-in impacts your room selection, especially to the negative. If anything I would expect online checkin to "reserve" you a better room. I would envision someone who checks in online is assigned one of the "best" rooms to become available that day, whereas someone who checks in at the desk gets either the "best" room available from either what is left after the online checkins, or ready to occupy. If you've ever checked in to a resort with say a reservation of two studios you may have seen something like this going on. One person's room is ready and the other's isn't, but it is not the first person to checkin who's room is ready. This has happened a few times to my family. (And I laugh all the time, because it is my dad who's room isn't ready, boy is he upset!)

What is interesting from this thread is that there are two different set of expectations with online checkin. Some people what to still have the Disney arrival and greeting experience, and others what their packet and keys so they can get going. Maybe Disney can learn from this and create an Express Checkin (I'll have to trademark that!), those people can do online checkin and then swipe a card at a kiosk which then prints out their room keys and necessary materials. Frequent travelers find this to be great at regular hotels and I can see where a frequent Disney traveler would too!

[winnie61]

We've used it twice. At OKW they had no record of our checkin. I wished I'd brought the print-out of our confirmation but we didn't. Note for next time! We reserved two studios, one was ready immediatly but the airconditioning wasn't working! The other was ready a short time later but there were dirty dishes left. I had to wonder, "did they change the beds?" This creeps me out (we did, however, get the building we requested though our studios were at opposite ends of the building) At AKL everything was ready for us and we were very happy with our room. I don't know what to think.

[wdrl]

I realize this is OT, but I am curious, why did you request the 90's area? I have found that to be the least convenient part of Pop. (Farthest from the main building, and consequently the food court, shopping and busstops).

While at Pop Century, we'll have a car, so we won't be totally dependent on walking to and from the main building. In addition, I think the '90s building is closer to a parking lot then some of the other decades. The last time we stayed at Pop, we were in the '60s. The building was close to the main building, which houses the shop and food court, but it wasn't that convenient to the nearest parking lot.

And besides, take at look at denlo's avatar and you might understand another reason why we picked the '90s. By being in the '90s, we are hoping that we get a good view of this very special icon from our room!!:

[idratherbeinwdw]

While at Pop Century, we'll have a car, so we won't be totally dependent on walking to and from the main building. In addition, I think the '90s building is closer to a parking lot then some of the other decades. The last time we stayed at Pop, we were in the '60s. The building was close to the main building, which houses the shop and food court, but it wasn't that convenient to the nearest parking lot.

And besides, take at look at denlo's avatar and you might understand another reason why we picked the '90s. By being in the '90s, we are hoping that we get a good view of this very special icon from our room!!:

Ahhh, I always forget some people drive to WDW. (although I don't think you'll be driving from your room to the food court!). I sure understand about Denise wanting to be close to Roger!

[sharonuk]

I've never used on-line check-in; always too afraid that it'll impact negatively on room request.

We request a high floor at BLT....

This upcoming trip in December however, I do plan on giving it a go - I'll let you all know how it goes when we get back. On the other hand, if anyone has experience of on-line check in at BLT (with room request); I'm keen to know your experiences.....

[denlo]

. . . . .
BTW the CM that told me about the "room ready" thing also said that BWV has the most success with it. Not "bragging" about my home resort, just saying that if others haven't had the same experience as me that might be why. Not sure if this is happening at other DVC resorts, but the last couple of trips I have actually been met out front of the resort, and a CM had all my info ready and walked with me to the check in desk to complete the process.

Just curious if this special treatment is standard for guests arriving via ME or have guests that drive to WDW been greeted in this manner?

[wdrl]

I've never used on-line check-in; always too afraid that it'll impact negatively on room request.

We request a high floor at BLT....

This upcoming trip in December however, I do plan on giving it a go - I'll let you all know how it goes when we get back. On the other hand, if anyone has experience of on-line check in at BLT (with room request); I'm keen to know your experiences.....

Forgive me for using an American baseball analogy, but we are batting 3-for-3 for our room requests at BLT, all with online check-in. In March 2010, we asked for a high floor and got villa #8028 on the 10th floor; in October 2010 we asked for high floor, even number (outside view), and north wing, and got villa #8142, which is on the 11th floor, outside view, but south wing; and in October 2011 we again asked for high floor, even number, north wing and got exactly what we wanted with villa #8108.

So, from our personal experience, I don't think online check-in hurts our chances of getting our room requests.

Good luck in getting what you want!