Online early check in?

[DJ7203]

Disney just sent me an email offering to check in at anytime so things go faster once we get to the hotel. If I were to do this. Does that mean if god forbid we can't go for some reason that I wouldn't be able to get a refund?

 

[Tuvalu]

Since you have not been to Disney in a while, I would recommend that you do not do online check in. That way you can take your time with the cast member who greets you and you can get your questions answered. (With online check in, you are handed your info packet and off you go.)

If you have to cancel your trip for some reason, you have until 5 days prior (on a room only reservation, not a package) to get your money back. If you cancel less than 5 days before arrival, you will forfeit your deposit.

 

[FrostyNaples]

If you needed to cancel, and already checked in, you would just call.

The refund/cancellation policy is relative to the time frame in which you canceled compared to your arrival date.

We did online check-in AND went to the counter when we arrived, as we had additional questions, requests.

I don't see the harm in online-check in with any scenario, ours went smoothly.

 

[got2lovedisney]

If you have to cancel your trip for some reason, you have until 5 days prior (on a room only reservation, not a package) to get your money back. If you cancel less than 5 days before arrival, you will forfeit your deposit.

If something DOES come up and you can't make your trip, you can call before your arrival date, reschedule your trip and you won't lose your deposit. It just gets transfered.

 

[SMS55]

One thing has nothing to do with the other. It's simply speeds things up when you arrive. You already have a credit card on file, your wristbands are ready and your room package is ready. They simply hand it to you and go. As long as you cancel before the cutoff period you don't lose your money. If you only booked a room it's 5 days out. If you booked a package I believe it's 45 days out. However, as someone above said, if you haven't been a in a while, don't do online check in. You'll probably have questions when you arrive. Online check in is for the veteran who wants his room package and head right to the parks.

 

[DJ7203]

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Christine in NJ]

If you log on early and do it online, there's also a chance that you may get to skip the packet pick-up. They were testing a process where you would be able to go directly to your room rather than stop at the desk. Some folks aren't fans. Personally, I totally hope that we get that!

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Please ignore the comment about not using Online Check-in if you have not been there for awhile...ALWAYS use Online Check-in if you can. It allows them to prepare everything, and you can STILL spend as much time as you want at checkin asking whatever questions you might have. Its a popular myth around here that somehow that is not available to you if you use Online Check-in. Unlike an airplane, for example, a check-in here means that you are permitting them to go ahead and prepare your arrival packet and assign your room, which they do overnight the night before your arrival. It also usually means you will have a room ready to go without having to wait if you arrive before check-in time...and it often also means they can shuffle you around (i.e. assign an "upgrade") particularly for people who travel alone, or couples without children in their party, and they can do this in advance overnight to free up other rooms. In short, always use online checkin.

 

[Belle92]

Were off in september and i can't decide whether to use online check in or not were staying at AOA in a standard little mermaid room for 2 weeks , my concern is are we less likely to get upgraded to one of the suites if we've pre checked in online. Last year we visited and when we arrived we'd been given a cars suite to our surprise ! which i know we were very lucky to get! but can't remember if i checked in online last year or not :S. My dilemma is if we don't check in online were unlikely to be able to get a be our guess fp reservation as i need the res number that you get once checked in online !? If anyone can advise that would be great !

 

[wannabeBelle]

Please ignore the comment about not using Online Check-in if you have not been there for awhile...ALWAYS use Online Check-in if you can. It allows them to prepare everything, and you can STILL spend as much time as you want at checkin asking whatever questions you might have. Its a popular myth around here that somehow that is not available to you if you use Online Check-in. Unlike an airplane, for example, a check-in here means that you are permitting them to go ahead and prepare your arrival packet and assign your room, which they do overnight the night before your arrival. It also usually means you will have a room ready to go without having to wait if you arrive before check-in time...and it often also means they can shuffle you around (i.e. assign an "upgrade") particularly for people who travel alone, or couples without children in their party, and they can do this in advance overnight to free up other rooms. In short, always use online checkin.

This!!!!! Marie

 

[FrostyNaples]

Were off in september and i can't decide whether to use online check in or not were staying at AOA in a standard little mermaid room for 2 weeks , my concern is are we less likely to get upgraded to one of the suites if we've pre checked in online. Last year we visited and when we arrived we'd been given a cars suite to our surprise ! which i know we were very lucky to get! but can't remember if i checked in online last year or not :S. My dilemma is if we don't check in online were unlikely to be able to get a be our guess fp reservation as i need the res number that you get once checked in online !? If anyone can advise that would be great !

Did you call and have a note with your request added to your reservation?

You do still get to go the counter, there is a separate line, but you can still try to schmooze them over for an upgrade.

Your online check in is not an anchor. But, requests still remain just requests.

 

[SMS55]

Please ignore the comment about not using Online Check-in if you have not been there for awhile...ALWAYS use Online Check-in if you can. It allows them to prepare everything, and you can STILL spend as much time as you want at checkin asking whatever questions you might have. Its a popular myth around here that somehow that is not available to you if you use Online Check-in. Unlike an airplane, for example, a check-in here means that you are permitting them to go ahead and prepare your arrival packet and assign your room, which they do overnight the night before your arrival. It also usually means you will have a room ready to go without having to wait if you arrive before check-in time...and it often also means they can shuffle you around (i.e. assign an "upgrade") particularly for people who travel alone, or couples without children in their party, and they can do this in advance overnight to free up other rooms. In short, always use online checkin.

Then use the regular check in line and not the "online check in" line when you arrive at your hotel. You're holding up the line for others.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Then use the regular check in line and not the "online check in" line when you arrive at your hotel. You're holding up the line for others.

Um not exactly. If either line is empty they can take people from the other. Ask any questions that you need to if you are unsure of anything. No need to rush off and be anxious because you are unsure of something. Marie

 

[LuvsDisney2006]

Were off in september and i can't decide whether to use online check in or not were staying at AOA in a standard little mermaid room for 2 weeks , my concern is are we less likely to get upgraded to one of the suites if we've pre checked in online. Last year we visited and when we arrived we'd been given a cars suite to our surprise ! which i know we were very lucky to get! but can't remember if i checked in online last year or not :S. My dilemma is if we don't check in online were unlikely to be able to get a be our guess fp reservation as i need the res number that you get once checked in online !? If anyone can advise that would be great !

You will be able to get your reservation number whether you do the online check in or not. To get the number just either hold your mouse over the online checkin button or click on it and in the url address the 12 digit number at the end is your reservation number. I have already checked in online and have my reservation number written down for the fastpass. Like the gentleman above stated, it just makes it easier for them to get your room prepared and for you to get the requests that you ask for when you checkin. Good Luck!!