Any drawbacks to online check-in?

[ZipADeeSarah]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but my search didn't turn up anything relevant.

We arrive at WL next Monday (woo hoo!) Are there any drawbacks to checking in online ahead of time? I know it saves time, but will it prevent any kind of surprise room upgrade? Or does that kind of thing even happen anymore?

Thanks!

 

[Master Yoda]

Great. Thanks for replying. I may try it next time. Although it will be just for the novelty of trying it because as I mentioned we usually have no wait anyway. Thanks again.

We usually arrive very early which typically makes waits for us short as well. However, one benefit I have noticed is our room has been ready before 3 much more frequently. Before on-line check in existed our room was ready maybe 5%-10% of the time tops. Since on-line check in we are at about 80%.

 

[G00fyDad]

We usually arrive very early which typically makes waits for us short as well. However, one benefit I have noticed is our room has been ready before 3 much more frequently. Before on-line check in existed our room was ready maybe 5%-10% of the time tops. Since on-line check in we are at about 80%.

Well that's all the more reason to use it then. I get tired of spending our first day checking to see if the room is ready.

 

[Master Yoda]

Well that's all the more reason to use it then. I get tired of spending our first day checking to see if the room is ready.

We also rarely to never do room requests. I think that might help a little as well.

 

[G00fyDad]

We also rarely to never do room requests. I think that might help a little as well.

Ah, I see. We do though. After a long day of walking through the parks we like to have our room right on the end, first floor, by the parking lot. LOL No dragging feet down three three or four hallways and then up a flight of steps (or elevator ride), then to the room. I even get so specific that I give them the actual room number we want and ask for that one or as close to it as possible. I know, it is an OCD thing.

 

[Master Yoda]

Ah, I see. We do though. After a long day of walking through the parks we like to have our room right on the end, first floor, by the parking lot. LOL No dragging feet down three three or four hallways and then up a flight of steps (or elevator ride), then to the room. I even get so specific that I give them the actual room number we want and ask for that one or as close to it as possible. I know, it is an OCD thing.

I have a real tendency to get stuck in ruts so deep I can hang posters. I find something that works and just beat it to death. The no room requests is one of the things I do to try and break that cycle. Sure there are rooms that are better than others, but I have never had my trip ruined by a bad room location. We figure that we are only here for 2 nights and can deal with pretty much anything. It also puts us in other areas of the resorts that we might never go into otherwise. It is kind of like a very safe, mini adventure.

 

[Poofiesdream]

I always use on line check in that way they know the time I am arriving and usually have a room ready when I get there. I am usually there in the morning. I have also never had a problem asking for a different location at the on line check in desk.

 

[durangojim]

There is one drawback. If your room is in a bad location, you are not supposed to use the line to try to find another room. So, you need to go through the regular check-in line to change it. This can get time consuming.

I've never heard of this and have had the online check in cm modify my rooms a number of times. I think that if a CM told you this they were incorrect, as it certainly seems like the antithesis of customer service.

 

[xdan0920]

Richard, quick question.

What about people who have tickets prior to arrival? If this group does online check-in, are they still able to have the resort combine everything onto a KTTW card? This is especially necessary now with FP+ being rolled out.

 

[Master Yoda]

Richard, quick question.

What about people who have tickets prior to arrival? If this group does online check-in, are they still able to have the resort combine everything onto a KTTW card? This is especially necessary now with FP+ being rolled out.

I am sure they would do this, but it is not what on-line check in is designed to do. On-line check in is made for those to grab and go. If you need to do more than that you should forgo on-line check in as it kind of like getting in the 10 items or less lane with 27 items, coupons and third party out of state check.

 

[xdan0920]

I am sure they would do this, but it is not what on-line check in is designed to do. On-line check in is made for those to grab and go. If you need to do more than that you should forgo on-line check in as it kind of like getting in the 10 items or less lane with 27 items, coupons and third party out of state check.

I figured as much. It would be nice if the new website allowed you to enter your ticket information in order to combine everything before hand. Maybe someday.

As far as the 10 items or less, as long as you pretend not to see the sign, you are good. At least that seems to be my experience while waiting in those lines.

 

[BigRedDad]

I've never heard of this and have had the online check in cm modify my rooms a number of times. I think that if a CM told you this they were incorrect, as it certainly seems like the antithesis of customer service.

It was supposed to be this way conceptually. However, it is no longer the case. It is basically no different than the regular check-in line because people do "demand" room changes in the online check-in line. It was supposed to be: Hello, who are you?, here's your package, here's your room, bye.

 

[durangojim]

It was supposed to be this way conceptually. However, it is no longer the case. It is basically no different than the regular check-in line because people do "demand" room changes in the online check-in line. It was supposed to be: Hello, who are you?, here's your package, here's your room, bye.

Perhaps, but according to Disney's own online check in faq,
"If you participate in Online Check-In and begin your check-in process in advance of your arrival, you may experience reduced registration time upon arrival at your Disney Resort hotel. Don’t worry—a Disney Cast Member will still be there to greet you and answer your questions."
I think online check in is there for those of us who go to WDW frequently and don't want to hear the spiel every time we go stay at a resort. We already know the drill, but the CMs are still there to address any concerns or issues we may have, regardless of what line you use to check in.