online check in

[cw1982]

The reason I recommend that a first timer or infrequent traveler not use online check in is two fold.

1: In spite of extensive research, you just might not know or remember everything. Is it really worth possibly missing something to save yourself a few minutes? I know no matter how well prepared I thought I was for a test, I liked to read over the material just once more before I took it. You have more than likely just dropped 4 figures on a vacation. A last minute review of what you have coming to you just might help you to get the most out of your trip.

2: Simply out of respect for the others in line. The online check line is designed for people to grab their packets and go and is staffed accordingly. When you run into a guest that has done online check in and has questions, the line comes to a screeching halt and can make the online check in line longer than the regular one. I would never want to be "that guy" and I suspect most other people would not either.

If online check in saved saved you a ton of time, got you an ADR at Be Our Guest, of a free fast pass I would tell everyone to use it. The reality is that online check in is not that gigantic of a perk. At absolute most your room might be ready a bit earlier, and that is a big might. I have noticed that it has increased the frequency that our room has been ready, but it is also worth noting that we rarely to never make special requests. That more than anything helps in getting a room early. If you are checking in around 3 your room will most likely be ready regardless of if you use online check in or not.

All it online check in really does is save someone from having to hear their vacation packet explained from them and, in theory, provides a shorter wait time because all the people in line should just be grabbing and going.

Since nearly 100% of resort guest use express check out, very few people will clog up lines checking out of the resort. Those that typically are there are disputing a charge on their bill. Check out time is also at 11:00, so you will be well past if it if you are getting in around 2-3.

As far as perks go for an anniversary, the only one there is are celebrating buttons. Those will typically be in your packet no matter which way you check in if it has been noted on the reservation.

Thanks. We are actually planning to get there before 2, definitely before 3... ideally I would like to be at the hotel by 12 or 12:30 and heading to MK soon after that. We are going down the day before and staying with friends in the area Saturday night, so if we eat lunch around 11 and then head to the hotel... that's where I'm getting my times from. That's why I was so interested in online check in.

Do you think we would have enough time at MK that day if we go a little later? Getting to the hotel at 2 would give us probably 11 hours in the park, so if it would be best to hang by the pool for a bit and then head over, we might do that... but I don't want to not have enough time at the park since my husband hates rushing for anything. I'd like to have this so that we get at least a full day at each park and then take advantage of our hoppers Thursday and Friday to revisit some of our favorites before we head home.

One more question: What if I go in and begin the online check-in process so that I can request an earlier check-in time, but then just go to the normal line when I get there? Does that throw any kind of wrench in the system? If not, maybe that would be the best of both worlds...

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks. We are actually planning to get there before 2, definitely before 3... ideally I would like to be at the hotel by 12 or 12:30 and heading to MK soon after that. We are going down the day before and staying with friends in the area Saturday night, so if we eat lunch around 11 and then head to the hotel... that's where I'm getting my times from. That's why I was so interested in online check in.

Do you think we would have enough time at MK that day if we go a little later? Getting to the hotel at 2 would give us probably 11 hours in the park, so if it would be best to hang by the pool for a bit and then head over, we might do that... but I don't want to not have enough time at the park since my husband hates rushing for anything. I'd like to have this so that we get at least a full day at each park and then take advantage of our hoppers Thursday and Friday to revisit some of our favorites before we head home.

One more question: What if I go in and begin the online check-in process so that I can request an earlier check-in time, but then just go to the normal line when I get there? Does that throw any kind of wrench in the system? If not, maybe that would be the best of both worlds...

If you are going to only have one day at MK, I would make it a full day where you can get there before rope drop. All of the parks start to get really crowded by mid-day and it can put a cramp in how much you can get done. Get there at rope drop and you can knock out almost all of Fantasyland before 11.

I have never tried doing online check in and going trough the regular line, but I don't see a problem with it. All they do at the front desk is print out your package before your arrival time and put it in a file. If you inform the CM that you did online check in they should know right were to go and get your folder no matter what line you go into.

 

[roj2323]

Even if you do Online check in Please call your resort to ensure your magic bands are activated. In most cases everything works fine but sometimes the bands are not activated before you get to the park which can lead to a delay getting into the park.