Online Check-in Question

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
So I've always been afraid to do online check-in because I didn't trust that my room request would get as much weight that way, and also I feared that I could not request to change rooms as easily from the online check-in line at the resort. Is that really true? I requested a room near the footbridge at CBR in 2 weeks (yay!). Should I risk onine check-in? If I get there and they have assigned me a room far away from the footbridge, will I still be able to inquire as to whether there might a closer room? I will be in a bit of a time crunch this visit to make an ADR shortly after our arrival, so I would prefer to do online check-in if I would not be disadvantaged by it in terms of a room request (understanding, of course, that there is never a guarantee that I would get my room request - I just want the greatest likelihood). What do you guys say?
 

Mukta

Well-Known Member
I have never made a room request, but I utilize online check in. The only thing I can tell you is that there is still someone there to talk to in case you are unhappy.
 
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lilclerk

Well-Known Member
I've always done the online check in since it started, but only ever made a room request once (for a balcony at the Beach Club) and I got it.
My only concern is if the room location is super important and you would ask them to try to change it, that slows down the speed of the online check in line for everyone else.
 
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fredtom

Active Member
In the beginning, I was also hesitatant to use online checkin for the same reason of not knowing if I could change our room location if we weren't happy... But you can. The Front Desk agents are very helpful and will show you where your location is on the resort map, and change it if you want to... provided there is availability.


"An Adventurer's life is best!" ;)
 
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soarin

Active Member
We always have used online check-in and this last trip I was very happy we did. When we got of the Magical Express almost everyone got in the regular check-in line and there was only one other family in front of us at online check-in. We have made requests o line and gotten them, but if you really want to make sure, call and talk to someone ahead of time.
 
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71dsp

Well-Known Member
Every request I have made online has been honored:)

How did you make the request online? I've always called in.

In the beginning, I was also hesitatant to use online checkin for the same reason of not knowing if I could change our room location if we weren't happy... But you can. The Front Desk agents are very helpful and will show you where your location is on the resort map, and change it if you want to... provided there is availability.

We were told the opposite, so we haven't utilized online check in for these past couple of trips. We may have to try it this time.
 
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princessmommy

Well-Known Member
There was a special request section where you could check up to two boxes (ie ground floor, near transportation) and for resorts like Caribbean beach or all star sports you can request location like Jamaica section or touchdown section. If I have a very specific request I will call it in after online check in (like to add a building number or something)
 
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SMS55

Well-Known Member
I've always done online check in. I would always call to make my room requests though. Now, I never requested a specific room. My requests were for things such as fridges when they were optional and a pack n play on my last few trips. Things like that and they only didn't fulfill it once. I called and by the time I returned from dinner everything was in the room.
 
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71dsp

Well-Known Member
We're just hoping for a single king room at AKL, Arusha view, but we're not holding our breath (called in the room request a few days ago and we arrive in 9 or so days)! :)
 
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luvtink

Active Member
This is an article I wrote on the subject a few months ago. All of your answers as well as a few others are there.

http://www.kingdomkonsultantblog.com/2012/06/online-check-in-survival-guide.html

Richard, this was a very good article. However, I do have a question. Having been Florida residents for 11 years, we would go up for week end trips at least eight times a year until we moved to Georgia. So I am very familiar with what we get a check-in, etc. However, this is the first time on the DP but I am pretty familiar with it just by watching people on the plan and reading up on it through Disney as well as this site. I had planned to do online check-in next week to speed the process up since we do have an ADR for dinner that night. Is there anyone there that might be able to do just a real quick run thru of the dp rules in case I would have a question or do they give you a basic explanation of how it works in your packet? Any advice on this would be appreciated.o_O
 
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luv

Well-Known Member
I've used both. Online check-in was faster more often than not, but there were plenty of times that the regular check-in had the faster line.

I don't make requests and have no idea how lucky you get with those.

I do think that if you're going to be taking extra time asking for special favors like rooms in certain places that you should get in the regular line. The online line is supposed to be faster...for people who don't want to go through all the cramp involved with the regular line. It's kind of rude to get in the online line and then sit there holding everyone up.

It isn't a big deal, but its annoying to those behind you. Kind of like getting in the "8 Items or Less" line with 34 items in your cart. Not the end of the world, lol, but kind of rude.
 
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Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Richard, this was a very good article. However, I do have a question. Having been Florida residents for 11 years, we would go up for week end trips at least eight times a year until we moved to Georgia. So I am very familiar with what we get a check-in, etc. However, this is the first time on the DP but I am pretty familiar with it just by watching people on the plan and reading up on it through Disney as well as this site. I had planned to do online check-in next week to speed the process up since we do have an ADR for dinner that night. Is there anyone there that might be able to do just a real quick run thru of the dp rules in case I would have a question or do they give you a basic explanation of how it works in your packet? Any advice on this would be appreciated.o_O
You can always ask questions, but online check in is really designed for the CM to hand you your packet and go. In essence you would be that person in the 10 items or less express line with 15 items, a stack of coupons and a misplaced check book.

The thing to do if you are pressed for time and want to use online check is to learn about the dining plan before you go. It is really quite simple and I, along with half of the forum, would be more than happy answer any questions you might have about it.
 
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JillC LI

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Every request I have made online has been honored:)

Good to know!

When u made the reservations over the phone or computer you should've asked. That's what we do. No problems with online check in.:p

I just confirmed with our travel agent (at KK) that she put in my room request when she made our reservation. So I should be good to go with online check-in.

In the beginning, I was also hesitatant to use online checkin for the same reason of not knowing if I could change our room location if we weren't happy... But you can. The Front Desk agents are very helpful and will show you where your location is on the resort map, and change it if you want to... provided there is availability.

Also good to know. Thanks everyone!
 
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