Online Check-In for AKL or not?

[Herdman]

We've always done online check-in since it became available. We've had mixed results as to our room being ready on arrival. In May we will be staying at the AKL for the first time. This is also our first stay at a deluxe resort. I'm thinking of skipping online check-in this time and just going to the front desk on arrival. We should be at the resort around 1:00 PM, and we don't have any plans to go to any parks until our ADR at the Rainforest Cafe at the AK at 6:00 PM. We plan to just relax and explore the resort for the afternoon. I'm thinking since it will be our first time at the AKL it would be good to get all the details of what the resort has to offer at the front desk. I'll use the Touring Plans room fax request to request a room in advance.

Anyone have any thoughts on this plan? Would the check-in lines be too crazy to be worth the wait? Is the info provided at the front desk worth hearing upon arrival? Is there some major benefit to online check-in that I'm forgetting in relation to what our plans are for the day? Thanks for any replies.

 

[mouse_luv]

We do online check-in but also always stop at the desk upon arrival.

 

[Oh bother!]

We checked in at the front desk a few weeks ago. We may have been lucky but only waited a few minutes. The cast member also looked at our assigned room and didn’t feel it was the best one for us so found and offered us two alternatives.

 

[DarthVader]

We always do online but yet still need to chat with a front desk person to finish up the process.

 

[wagner1225]

I would also do On-Line check - in first, we have good luck last two times, depending on arrival check-in can be busy, they cut back help do to the online process..

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

We did on line check in the last time. We also went to the front desk.

 

[DarthVader]

We did on line check in the last time. We also went to the front desk.

I think you still have too go to the front desk, its just the checking in process is quicker.

 

[nickys]

I think you still have too go to the front desk, its just the checking in process is quicker.

Not necessarily. If you already have magic bands, and receive a room text there's no real reason to go to the desk.

We always do. We collect our magic bands, set up charging privelleges for the boys, both of which we have to do. We also pick up the resort activities schedule and get our room number.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I did online check-in last year at AKL. Go figure, I didn't see the SMS that the room was ready until after hitting the front desk.

I'd say do it, provided you're not checking in early and need them to hold onto your bags, etc. Just keep an eye on your phone, make sure your MB(s) are set up in MDE.

 

[DarthVader]

Not necessarily. If you already have magic bands, and receive a room text there's no real reason to go to the desk.

I've never gotten a room text, even though I do online checkin. We still go to the front desk for a handful of reasons, for instance this trip, we'll be celebrating my kids birthdays, so we'll want the pins, so they can enjoy that facet.

 

[Monty]

It depends on whether you live in the US or not as well.

I'm Canadian. They don't send Magic Bands to foreigners, so we have to stop at the front desk to get them. They also don't sent SMS to foreigners and email notifications for your room being ready seem to be hit-and-miss. So we do online check-in and go to the desk anyway.

At AKL it has been hit-and-miss with lines at check-in as well, most times there is very little wait. We had one visit where we waited 20 minutes just to check in.

 

[Dave B]

Why does anyone go to the front desk IF you are doing online check in? It seems to defeat the purpose? Unless you need to go opt out of mousekeeping there really is no reason to go. We have done online check in the last three times as well as calling in our room request AND faxing in our room request and we have received the perfect room all three times, seems like a waste of time to go to the front desk unless you need something, you definitely do not have to go there if you do online check in

 

[Simba's Mom]

We've made the mistake of doing on-line check in twice at AKL, both a total waste of time. Both times we got off the DME bus to be met by a smiling CM. When we told her that we'd done on-line check in and asked if there was a separate line, she looked at us as if we might as well have been speaking a language she did not understand, and she said "There's just one line" and so on-line check in had been a total waste of time. And both times, our check in seemed to take a little longer than the times we didn't bother doing on-line check in (but I'll admit, it may have just seemed longer).

 

[Dave B]

I am confused about this conversation. With online check in, don't you just wait for the text or email that stated your room is ready with the room number, then show up, go to room ,swipe magic band and enter.

Am I missing something?

 

[correcaminos]

I am confused about this conversation. With online check in, don't you just wait for the text or email that stated your room is ready with the room number, then show up, go to room ,swipe magic band and enter.

Am I missing something?

Most of the time this is how it is supposed to happen. We've had issues with our magic bands and that caused us to go the last two times. Hoping it's fixed for this trip.

That said you can still go to the front desk at check in and get info. They don't care and are happy to help. Online check in doesn't mean you cannot talk to someone in the lobby. You can even go to the concierge window to get information too and the lines there usually aren't too long.

 

[Herdman]

I am confused about this conversation. With online check in, don't you just wait for the text or email that stated your room is ready with the room number, then show up, go to room ,swipe magic band and enter.

Am I missing something?

My original purpose of the thread was that we've never stayed at AKL before. I was thinking there might be some benefit to checking in at the resort to hear about what the resort has to offer - activities, tours, other resort events, etc. It had nothing to do with the choice of our room. Something that you might not hear about by checking in online.

 

[NelleBelle]

I've never gotten a room text, even though I do online checkin. We still go to the front desk for a handful of reasons, for instance this trip, we'll be celebrating my kids birthdays, so we'll want the pins, so they can enjoy that facet.

Us too! We've never received text/email despite doing online check-in (and we live in the US). Last visit we arrived at the resort after 6:30pm, long after the rooms should've been assigned. This year, I plan to just go to the front desk to check-in since we'll have to stow our luggage.

 

[PeterGriffin]

I'm in the same boat as you Dave. I always do online check-in and usually receive a text when I get off the plane. It has my room number and a map of the resort. I haven't gone to the front desk in my last 5 trips.

 

[Hcalvert]

I did online check-in for CS last year and we got the text while on the DME. None of my requests were honored (the room was located in the 7A Rachos section and was on the second floor). My dad had a bum knee that was bothering him and I requested the Cabanas and a 1st floor room. Therefore, I had to go to the front desk to request at least a 1st floor room after getting off the bus and ended up getting a Cabana as well because I told them that I was willing to wait.

 

[jaklgreen]

My original purpose of the thread was that we've never stayed at AKL before. I was thinking there might be some benefit to checking in at the resort to hear about what the resort has to offer - activities, tours, other resort events, etc. It had nothing to do with the choice of our room. Something that you might not hear about by checking in online.

You can skip the check in desk and get that information at the concierge desk. The line will probably be shorter and I have found that they are more knowledgeable about what is going on around WDW then the front desk cast members. In fact, that is what they are there for. I would leave the front desk people to check in resort guests. I have done on line check in for my last 6 trips and have had no issues. I have had my room request granted and my room number texted to me when ready. Easy.