Direct to Room Check-In coming?

[Roakor]

I like the idea of skipping the front desk to check in. We drive down and typically have to plan a few extra hours so we can check in and get our park tickets (or magic bands activated) instead of going straight to the parks. so now we can just skip that and go straight to the parks the morning we arrive. I like that.

 

[gdrj]

I do prefer a welcome at the front desk. Even the online check has made the check-in process less personal. I liked how they would review information and details about the property and made you feel special. The right to the room option would be great for large groups and conventions.

 

[Rinx]

With the recent festivities at WDW with MB i'm strongly leaning towards the latter.

That's exactly what I was thinking. And sometimes we've gotten the texts about the room being ready, sometimes we did not receive them. I feel like its success will just depend on the day and how it feels like behaving at that time.

 

[ford91exploder]

It's interesting as the responses reflect two basic communities

1 - YEAH these people see WDW as parks with hotels that they sleep at, so anything that gets them to the parks faster is a good thing

2 - The ones who see WDW as a resort which includes parks and the Hotel is an integral part of the experience so they want the interaction with the front desk.

I'm in the second community.

 

[Jon81uk]

It's interesting as the responses reflect two basic communities

1 - YEAH these people see WDW as parks with hotels that they sleep at, so anything that gets them to the parks faster is a good thing

2 - The ones who see WDW as a resort which includes parks and the Hotel is an integral part of the experience so they want the interaction with the front desk.

I'm in the second community.

Can I be in both groups? The WDW hotels are nicer than just a place to sleep at. I like the discussion of what room I would like at the check-in desk. But I have been before so don't need the whole spiel.

I like the idea of direct to room check in. But I also want to ensure I get a room I really like, particularly as the WDW moderate hotels aren't like other hotels and a poor located room can make a big difference.

 

[ford91exploder]

Can I be in both groups? The WDW hotels are nicer than just a place to sleep at. I like the discussion of what room I would like at the check-in desk. But I have been before so don't need the whole spiel.

I like the idea of direct to room check in. But I also want to ensure I get a room I really like, particularly as the WDW moderate hotels aren't like other hotels and a poor located room can make a big difference.

Sure - Hilton has a similar system and at many properties you can choose your room from those available, Of course the desk gives you the possibility of upgrades.

 

[jakeman]

It's interesting as the responses reflect two basic communities

1 - YEAH these people see WDW as parks with hotels that they sleep at, so anything that gets them to the parks faster is a good thing

2 - The ones who see WDW as a resort which includes parks and the Hotel is an integral part of the experience so they want the interaction with the front desk.

I'm in the second community.

Not really. I have no need to rush to the parks, but at the same time I don't need to wait in line for 20 minutes to get a map to my room in a resort I've been at 5 times.

It's an unnecessary hassle of forced interaction that I have no need for routinely.

The front desk check in, to me is the equivalent of being forced to wait in line for a park map at Magic Kingdom.

 

[Jon81uk]

Of course the desk gives you the possibility of upgrades.

I've only been to WDW four times and three of those we had a discussion at check in on where we would like to be, never had to upgrade to get a different location but managed to find somewhere. For example at Saratoga Springs the check in person suggested that as adult males we might prefer a room in the section closer to Downtown Disney and we got a nice room that meant we could walk to Marketplace. At POR we had paid for a river view (that was all that was available when we booked) but was still offered the choice of which building we prefer.
If I were to stay in a deluxue hotel, I don't feel this would be as important as at a moderate as the biggest differences are paid for (theme park view, savannah view etc) and although some rooms are further from the lobby, its not the same as the different buildings of a moderate hotel.

 

[ford91exploder]

I've only been to WDW four times and three of those we had a discussion at check in on where we would like to be, never had to upgrade to get a different location but managed to find somewhere. For example at Saratoga Springs the check in person suggested that as adult males we might prefer a room in the section closer to Downtown Disney and we got a nice room that meant we could walk to Marketplace. At POR we had paid for a river view (that was all that was available when we booked) but was still offered the choice of which building we prefer.
If I were to stay in a deluxue hotel, I don't feel this would be as important as at a moderate as the biggest differences are paid for (theme park view, savannah view etc) and although some rooms are further from the lobby, its not the same as the different buildings of a moderate hotel.

In a Deluxe is where your best opportunity for an upgrade happens due to cancellations moves etc, More than once I've gotten 'free' upgrades to better classes of room and I'm DVC, So while standing in line for check in can be a pain since I'm generally at a deluxe there is generally only a short wait and the interaction with the desk is useful in finding out what to do including what are the specials at the resort restaurants.

 

[wdisney9000]

It's interesting as the responses reflect two basic communities

1 - YEAH these people see WDW as parks with hotels that they sleep at, so anything that gets them to the parks faster is a good thing

2 - The ones who see WDW as a resort which includes parks and the Hotel is an integral part of the experience so they want the interaction with the front desk.

I'm in the second community.

Im def in the second group but I can see how this will work great for those who want to get right to the parks. I prefer going to the desk for same reasons others have mentioned such as room location and possible upgrades if available. I just tell the CM we have stayed there many times and they dont have to give us the spiel. They usually appreciate it. On our December visit we were at BW and the CM was glad I saved her the time of not having to explain it all. I told her we enjoy the walk from BW to HS and she gave us a perfectly located room.

 

[wdisney9000]

In a Deluxe is where your best opportunity for an upgrade happens due to cancellations moves etc, More than once I've gotten 'free' upgrades to better classes of room and I'm DVC, So while standing in line for check in can be a pain since I'm generally at a deluxe there is generally only a short wait and the interaction with the desk is useful in finding out what to do including what are the specials at the resort restaurants.

Agreed that deluxe resorts never have a long wait for check in. The last few trips they have even greeted us a the front when we pull up and escorted us right to a CM at the desk. That used to only be for Club Level guests I believe. its a nice personal touch that starts the trip off right. You cant get that with direct check in.

 

[ford91exploder]

Im def in the second group but I can see how this will work great for those who want to get right to the parks. I prefer going to the desk for same reasons others have mentioned such as room location and possible upgrades if available. I just tell the CM we have stayed there many times and they dont have to give us the spiel. They usually appreciate it. On our December visit we were at BW and the CM was glad I saved her the time of not having to explain it all. I told her we enjoy the walk from BW to HS and she gave us a perfectly located room.

Atlanta to Orlando is not too long of a drive (appx 7 hours) but we still like to take a shower after checking in and watch Stacey while we unpack.

Agree - The CM usually appreciates not having to recite 'The Spiel' and I usually ask about special activities and amenities at the resort as these change over time, Last time at AKL I found that the store now has breakfast sandwiches it's not advertised or in the folders this is the kind of 'Local Information' that only a short chat at the desk will give you.

 

[ford91exploder]

Agreed that deluxe resorts never have a long wait for check in. The last few trips they have even greeted us a the front when we pull up and escorted us right to a CM at the desk. That used to only be for Club Level guests I believe. its a nice personal touch that starts the trip off right. You cant get that with direct check in.

Same here and that was at BLT in December

 

[wdisney9000]

Agree - The CM usually appreciates not having to recite 'The Spiel' and I usually ask about special activities and amenities at the resort as these change over time, Last time at AKL I found that the store now has breakfast sandwiches it's not advertised or in the folders this is the kind of 'Local Information' that only a short chat at the desk will give you.

Thats a good point. As technology helps streamline everyday life there is also a slight loss in the interaction you get with an actual person. I always go into our bank instead of online or the drive thru. Ive gotten to know the staff very well and there have been times when they have bent over backwards to help out with any issues I have or if I forget my card or I.D. its not a problem. Ill take the benefit of getting to know a person over the time saving of using tech.

 

[pobutre]

I checked in online a few days ago and I got a bit frustrated. We are DVC and staying on points at BW, but we also booked a room for family at BC on points. I managed everything through my mydisneyexperience account since the family members have never been to disney. The website only allows for 1 credit card number to be stored so when I completed the online check-in for the BC room, I couldn't add a credit card or a pin because I had already checked us in at BW using our credit card and pin. So, even though I was asked if I wanted to skip the front desk and receive a text message when the rooms were ready for both reservations, our family staying at BC will need to go to the front desk and ask to have a credit card linked and a pin created. Not a huge deal, but still frustrating. I have a feeling our family will decide not to link a card to their magicbands to avoid the front desk hassle, if possible.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

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I'd suspect the line up from cars while everyone in the car has to scan in? Like how they "doubled" the number of entrance turnstiles by switching to the podiums instead of the actual turnstile.

You are suggesting that it takes more time to stick your arm in front of a scanner than it does to find a piece of paper, hand it to someone, have them look at it and let you through? I can't imagine how it would take that much more time.

What would you do if you are not staying at a resort but driving there for dinner or drinks?

Talk to the person in the booth? Again, I don't know what you mean? They aren't completely getting rid of all the employees. They are adding more automated options with MB.

It's interesting as the responses reflect two basic communities

1 - YEAH these people see WDW as parks with hotels that they sleep at, so anything that gets them to the parks faster is a good thing

2 - The ones who see WDW as a resort which includes parks and the Hotel is an integral part of the experience so they want the interaction with the front desk.

I'm in the second community.

Yes...that would be true if you can't see color because you only see black and white.

One can see the WDW as a resort and an experience in and of itself and still not want to waste time on check in. These are not opposing thoughts.

 

[Pax]

So, we decided to go along with the straight to room concept this weekend. I requested close to lobby & early room availability at Kidani, knowing we would arrive very close to 11 am. We arrived at 11 and left the luggage with bell services then stopped by the front desk to find out where to park the car. We were told we would be in the Rafiki area (ended up in 7830, not close to the lobby IMO) and because they were busy not to expect a room assignment until close to 4. Ok, not what I wanted to hear, but hey we're headed to the Magic Kingdom so an earlier room assignment won't help us out at this point.

Fast forward to 3:43--text from DisneyRoomAlts! Great! This text should give our room assignment. Nope, "Please see the front desk about your room assignment when you arrive at your Resort." Ugh.

 

[dreamfinder]

You are suggesting that it takes more time to stick your arm in front of a scanner than it does to find a piece of paper, hand it to someone, have them look at it and let you through? I can't imagine how it would take that much more time.

Ever get in line behind someone who simply cannot grasp the concept of scanning their band? Always seem to happen to me, they don't understand how it works. So yeah, the guy who has to scan his band 10 times to get it to read definitely takes alot longer than point at the paper in the dash that is clearly readable from within the booth.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm kind of surprised at the criticism of this. (I know I shouldn't be by now. Lol) I think this is brilliant and am surprised it took so long for them to do.

Do most of you still go into the bank and deal with the tellers? I had just assumed that most people in this day and age use the ATMs and online banking? It's good that the tellers are there in case something goes wrong or you have an unusual request but most people seem to appreciate the new more convienent technology. I don't see how this is any different.

I find the check in process mind numbing, not exciting. I have to stand there as someone insists on telling me a ton of information I already know and a lot of time it's incomplete or incorrect. And the I have to watch as they move in slow motion getting me what I need. And this is true even using online check in, which hasn't seemed to knock off much time.

ON this topic...a strange thing happened the other day. I went to a new branch of my local credit union, and went to the drive-thru ATM. I put my card in and nothing happened...there was another one there that was broken, so I went inside, and the perky welcome person said that the only ATM's they have are at the drive-thru and I actually have to touch the screen, then talk to a live person via video-chat to do the same process the ATM does...so I went through this whole thing I normally do with an ATM except with a "live" teller from the office 100 miles away helping me along. I didn't like it. I work at a job where I have to talk to 40-50 (usually mad) people a day on a helpdesk, so the less human interaction I have outside of that, the better.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

Ever get in line behind someone who simply cannot grasp the concept of scanning their band? Always seem to happen to me, they don't understand how it works. So yeah, the guy who has to scan his band 10 times to get it to read definitely takes alot longer than point at the paper in the dash that is clearly readable from within the booth.

I can honestly say this has not ever been an issue for me, personally. I have never seen anyone take longer than 20 seconds max to use a MB.

ETA: Do you never pay at the pump or use a pass for tolls either?