Direct Check In - No front desk required - Test, Thoughts?

[Dwarful]

cw1982...that isn't good. This trip we arrived at Pop around 7:30 AM after an 18 hour drive from Illinois. I worked that Friday until 1 PM they picked me up and we drove straight through. At check in we were in a long line with people checking out. The line was long, but it moved quickly. While I was in line my husband and girls were unloading the luggage to have it stored. Our room wasn't ready, but, they did text me our room number when it was ready.

Did you complain? I'd say 30 minutes is too long for any resort to stand in line.

 

[Dwarful]

Haha, I have 26 in my 2nd grade class. I also have 4 'push ins' from the self contained autism classroom. So at the beginning of the year I am usually sending out about 30 and at Christmas too. If my 'former' students send me notes through the schools 'Wee Deliver" program I will send to them as well. Usually one roll of stamps will last me a school year. It's not that expensive. I spend more buying the Times For Kids and National Geographic for Kids classroom subscriptions. lol...none of which my husband 'gets' but I do before school cafeteria duty and after school bus duty to pay for these extras.

 

[cw1982]

cw1982...that isn't good. This trip we arrived at Pop around 7:30 AM after an 18 hour drive from Illinois. I worked that Friday until 1 PM they picked me up and we drove straight through. At check in we were in a long line with people checking out. The line was long, but it moved quickly. While I was in line my husband and girls were unloading the luggage to have it stored. Our room wasn't ready, but, they did text me our room number when it was ready.

Did you complain? I'd say 30 minutes is too long for any resort to stand in line.

Your line moved quickly because there were (probably) far more people working the front desk. There were only two CM's working both times this happened, and both times it was in the middle of the night and things moved at a snail's pace. There's another piece of this story that I did end up complaining about in an email, but I don't want to share it here because I don't think it should impact someone else's decision to stay at the Pop, and I think it was an isolated incident.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Everyone has their own opinion on this, but if a few minutes of my time helps someone pay their rent or feed their family by bagging my groceries or shining my shoes or other jobs that are going self service, I have no problem with that. I can fully appreciate any parent wanting to get their children to the park 30 minutes faster. It will be interesting to see the results of this test

Take him. He must be for you!

 

[rob0519]

I

There is also no value add for me to goto the desk. I goto the desk is there is a request or need... neither of those apply if the hotel simply gives me what I reserved up front.

So instead the system gives people the option to goto the counter if they need it.. and lets those who don't.. go right to their room.

I could care less if they simply gave you the room number when you walked in the door.. that's all I need. Then let me goto the desk if I have an issue with my assignment or need something.

How about a simple greeter to satisfy those who want a human touch? They meet you at the door, scan your tag, you see it on a map, and they ask if you need any assistance, and if not, you go.

Personally I think a majority of people will goto the desk anyway because people try to micro-manage their visit (what building, what room, upgrades, crazy charging setups, etc). I see this as a nice out for those of us who just want to keep it simple and no longer have to stand behind those people trying to reinvent the wheel.

I get it. You and probably a lot of other people couldn't care less about room location. For you, and those people, hopefully this system will eventually provide you with the check in experience you would like. It's interesting that you make a comment about people micro-managing their hotel reservation when the whole Magic Band transition is just that. Micro-managing which attractions you ride and when. ADRs micro-manage where you eat and when. Additionally, right now, the hotel industry practice is to go to the check-in desk, take care of the paperwork, get your room assigned and give you a key. Getting your room assigned to you via a Magic Band which also is then programmed to perform as your room key, ticket and charge card is re-inventing the wheel.

 

[rob0519]

Take him. He must be for you!

Somewhat amusing. A ten second clip taken out of context can be manipulated and used to make any point.

 

[LucyK]

Since I have to wait until check in to get my MBs this isn't aimed at me. And I'm glad about it. I like to talk with the CM checking us in, ask a few question and deal with any unmet requests right as we arrive. Room location is important to me, so much so I'll ask to be moved ASAP if my requests couldn't be met upon arrival.