Direct to Room Check in

[Tuvalu]

Should I have gotten my text message by now? I don't land in MCO until 8:00 but I figured I'd get the text by 3:00 with that being official check in time.

Are you staying at a value resort or DVC villa? If so, official "room ready" check in is at 4 p.m.

We used direct-to-room this week. I had checked off our arrival time (which was before "official room ready" time) and when that time arrived I received both a text and an email apologizing that "your room is not quite ready" and I would receive another text when it was. At 1 p.m., I received another text and email with our room number.

It was strange having no parking pass or resort literature (or any information at all, like a times guide) in the room. If you want that, I recommend not doing direct-to-room. We used our MB to get through the resort parking gate. As for the theme parks, I had my car window open with my MB ready to scan; at DHS the attendant just said, "which resort?" and waved us through. No scan. At Epcot, the attendant saw my MB on my wrist before I even had a chance to open the window and simply waved us through. I guess there is no official policy now that the paper parking passes are no more?

 

[BigRedDad]

I would do this if I was sure to get into a building/floor I wanted. We are staying at SSR this trip and want to be in one of 2 places. If they could guarantee that, I would do it.

 

[stevehousse]

That is what I don't like about the system. If you are doing direct to room check in all the paper info you get at the desk should be waiting for you in your room.

Also, what happens if I don't like where they place me. I have to make a trip to the front desk anyway to try and change it if need be. No thanks!

 

[Stpdfw]

Does anyone know about linking a CC to my magic band to use in park when doing straight to room check-in? I put a CC on my account online, but it says you have to go to the resort desk to get a CC linked for in park purchases. Is this true? Just checking. I did add a PIN code online for my band.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Stupid storm in Orlando so there are at least five planes full of angry people getting fueled up in Tampa.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I used this process in mid-March and I really liked it. Normally I too like the experience of check-in at the lobby but the direct to room check in worked out great and I will do it again. Especially since the Magical Express took about 1 1/2 hours to get me to the resort! I was on the bus when I got my text with room number, and in my email was a link to a map of the resort so that helped me see where my room was. So when I got to the resort I was able to by pass the lobby (which I could see through the window had a decent line at the check in) and walk directly to my room, drop off my bags and hop on a bus to one of the parks. Had I checked in at the lobby it probably would have added another 20-30minutes.

 

[bethymouse]

I have never done on line check in. I guess I'm not in a hurry to get to the parks, and since we drive, we like to settle into a room ( used to get upgrades and such if you ask) and then hit the pools with some quick service for our dinner. That's just the way we do it.

 

[bee]

Does anyone know about linking a CC to my magic band to use in park when doing straight to room check-in? I put a CC on my account online, but it says you have to go to the resort desk to get a CC linked for in park purchases. Is this true? Just checking. I did add a PIN code online for my band.

On our last trip we put our credit card on the room online and set up PINs but still got the message that we had to go to the resort desk. We went to the desk to verify the card and it was on there. In fact they were kind of confused as to why we were there since we had already checked in.

 

[Stpdfw]

Okay, thanks. I'll give it a whirl at the park but have my card for backup.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

On our last trip we put our credit card on the room online and set up PINs but still got the message that we had to go to the resort desk. We went to the desk to verify the card and it was on there. In fact they were kind of confused as to why we were there since we had already checked in.

That happened to me in June (when it way my first time using Magic Bands) but just a couple weeks ago in March it worked out fine no front desk. Maybe because I had already set up my pin in June.

 

[Bcakd]

Just want to say, I enjoy the amount of maturity in this thread. I am usually so disappointed with way the threads of this board start going after about the 5th post. Thank You!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Animal Kingdom Lodge still offering paper parking passes as of my 4/11 check-in. We didn't drive so I didn't take it but they're still being distributed.

 

[Hope15]

Does this only work for packages? I got a room only. I know right now they expect us to pay the day we get there, just wanted to check!

 

[Tuvalu]

Does this only work for packages? I got a room only. I know right now they expect us to pay the day we get there, just wanted to check!

I had room only and did direct-to-room.

 

[Hope15]

I had room only and did direct-to-room.

Did you still have to make the final payment afterwards?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Did you still have to make the final payment afterwards?

Wha...? Yes, you still have to pay for your room.

 

[Tuvalu]

Did you still have to make the final payment afterwards?

Credit card was charged.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Not to take this too far off topic, but is it common not to pay for your resort until you actually GET to your resort? I never realized that was even an option. But I personally abhor loose ends and just pay for the resort when I book it in the first place.

 

[Tuvalu]

Not to take this too far off topic, but is it common not to pay for your resort until you actually GET to your resort? I never realized that was even an option. But I personally abhor loose ends and just pay for the resort when I book it in the first place.

With a room only reservation, you pay one night's rate as the deposit instead of the $200 required when you book a package. So if you are staying at a value or moderate, your deposit would be less than $200; but at a deluxe your deposit would be higher. The balance for your stay is not due until you check in; if paying by credit card, the remaining room balance is charged to the card on check in day.

Of course you are free to pay the entire cost when you book.

 

[bee]

Not to take this too far off topic, but is it common not to pay for your resort until you actually GET to your resort? I never realized that was even an option. But I personally abhor loose ends and just pay for the resort when I book it in the first place.

On our last trip we made an unexpected reservation and didn't have time to make the final payment until we got to the resort. I don't know how common it is as we had an unusual situation.