Worldlover71
Well-Known Member
Have the seen the new non-band wearable options? You might like one of them (though of course a card still works fine!)
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Anyone Not Want Online Check-In?
- Thread starter Tom P.
- Start date
allgiggles
Well-Known Member
I felt that way, too. I loved that interaction at the front desk -- had some great conversations there. Even when online check-in first started and I knew I could potentially have a much shorter line to wait in at check-in, I still didn't do it because I felt like standing in that line and the anticipation of finding out exactly where our room would be was how my vacation was supposed to start...every time! And then a few years ago -- after a hideously long wait for check-in the year before -- I decided to try online check-in. It was when the possibility of direct-to-room check-in became part of the equation. I still assumed I'd go to the front desk for check-in but have a shorter wait....but then I got the text that our room was ready. We were anxious to start our vacation, so rather than take the time to park in front of the main building; stand in the check-in line; come back out to the car; and then move the car to the appropriate parking lot, we decided to go straight to the room. And while it still felt like a little something was missing from our usual arrival routine, we liked that it saved us a good 15-20 minutes. I still had to go to the front desk during our stay to apply gift cards to our room balance, so I got my "check-in" interaction there. Now I'm hooked and will use it every trip. I wouldn't be upset if we didn't get direct-to-room check-in and I had to go to the front desk, but I love being able to go straight to our room. During our trip last year, I never went to the front desk at all. I did miss the interaction a little bit, but there's nothing preventing me from stopping there whenever I feel like it just to ask for a print out of our room charges...and to have a little chat with a smiling CM.
DisneyGigi
Well-Known Member
I go through online check in- but the one time we did complete online check-in our pins did not work, starving to death, and having paid for dining did not want to pay out of pocket. Can't be fixed by ap, by phone or at a park, so we had to go all the way back to resort to fix it. Might go through online check in, but will always also check in at front desk. I love the whole process of speaking to a person, checking in, anyway. We also, always, call to speak with an actual person when booking a trip tho too. I don't get the whole automated stuff. One of the things that makes Disney, Disney- is customer service. I would rather deal with people, cast members, than a computer.
Mickey5150
Well-Known Member
I love online check-in. After my 20th time at All-Star Sports I know enough about the place that I can head straight to my room. If it's my 1st time at a hotel I may go to the check-in desk but after so many trips to the desk at All-Stars I'm perfectly capable of walking to my room blindfolded, lol.
durangojim
Well-Known Member
I don't often do online check in just because I usually have specific room requests and it's easier for me to confirm that I was able to get them with a CM as check in than when doing the online thing.
Captain Barbossa
Well-Known Member
I'm sure that there will be pros and cons.
JusticeDisney
Well-Known Member
Yes, you are a weirdo. JK! Actually, I totally understand what you are saying. At the same time, I will take the convenience of walking into the resort and just heading straight to my room every time.
Tony the Tigger
Well-Known Member
That's one particular thing I was wondering about. We've used and enjoyed the online check-in (not the one mentioned by OP yet) and appreciated just going to our rooms when the text came.
But I wonder if that completely cuts you off from any kind of upgrade? We've never gotten one before, but going for a special occasion in a few weeks, kind of have fingers crossed.
How dare you be reasonable on these boards?
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
That is our meetings as well. So my immediate family is on our one MDE account but extended family who join have their own.
Last 2 trips we did online check in. In March we were told to stop at the front desk anyway. In June we had to as well. I'm about to give up on doing it honestly for that reason. Though last time we were not given anything even at check in. *Sigh*
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
I use them and love it. Hated the old bands.
I am with you on this. I prefer the interaction at the front desk and would go this route every time. If the online checkin means there are less people in front of me when i get there then great for me and great for them also.
Raineman
Well-Known Member
A bit confused here-we did online check in last year, and, because we are Canadian, we had to go to the front desk to get our Magic Bands, but I am positive we went to the Online Check In section at the front desk. Do people in the US that already have their Magic Bands not have to go to this area of the front desk now, or was that only for international visitors who needed to pick up their Magic Bands?
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
This is a new system. It is supposed to remove that 'have to stop there anyway' from the equation entirely.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
Correct. In most cases before, if you were doing online check in and you have your bands, you did not need to go to the desk. Now with this system, they are guaranteeing that you do not need to do so.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
I do online check-in but go to the front desk anyways. We usually fly in early so we've never gotten a room notification ahead of time. I've waited in some LONG lines at check-in, particularly at Caribbean Beach. It's nice to have the option to avoid that.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
Are you sure about that? I must have missed something. I thought the only change is that you could now do online check in with your app.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
'Full online check in' to me means you don't need to touch the desk, so yes, I'm pretty sure.
Jess G
Well-Known Member
Personally, I love online check in and use it every time. I only stop at the desk first if I didn't receive my text with the room number when I got there. Many people are under the impression that they have a better chance at getting the type of room they requested if they check in the old fashioned way. I have never found that to be the case 9x out of 10 I have gotten what I asked for using online check in
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
So if there is an issue what happens? There are times when stopping at a front desk might be required. They thought in March an issue was with our MagicBands. In June it was a glitch that didn't put it in the system right. We did not get an e-mial/text - we got nothing until I talked to someone at the front desk. Low and behold as soon as she did something on the computer we got a "room not ready" e-mail and text.
Honestly I have little faith in Disney IT. Less than half the time online check in has worked and not caused me to go to the front desk. This year we are 0 for 2. Last year was fine but the year before that was 50-50.
The only reason why I have said in person check in can get a better room is because the person checking in has asked if a certain location was good. We even were showed a location and the guy decided he could do better for us, so he did. Computers don't do that
Of course they can also screw you over sometimes too (BW still looking at you)