"streamlined check-in" - skip the lobby question

[lmbcdb]

So our package starts on Monday. Today, I got this email:

Dear Lisa,

You've completed your Disney Resort hotel online check-in service.

And now, for a limited time, you may be able to skip the online check-in area at the front desk when you arrive.

Since your all-in-one MagicBand has been shipped to your home and is also your Disney Resort room key, you may head straight to your room or even the Parks (if you linked Theme Park admission to your MagicBands). It's a quick and easy way to start the magic the moment you arrive!

Simply complete your online check-in with:
• Your estimated Resort arrival and departure times
• A credit card you want to use for incidentals and other charges
• Your mobile phone number and/or email address

Don't forget to opt in for message alerts so we can text or email you on the day of your arrival with your room number. Our Bell Services team will be ready to assist you with your luggage upon arrival.

My Check-in

We'll contact you when your room is ready and you can go directly to your room. If your room is not ready when you arrive, simply enjoy the Parks or the Resort and we will let you know as soon as your room is available.

So I logged in to MDE, checked everything they asked for, (phone, CC, times) and saved it. (I had already done it last week)


Has anyone tried this before? It would actually work better for us, since we are staying at La Quinta the night before and want to hit rope drop at EPCOT. We could park the van at AKL and just get straight on a bus.

I'm just afraid we would get to EPCOT and they won't let us in.

 

[minnie mum]

This procedure is SO new that you are the first poster that I have seen who has posted about receiving this invitation. Since this is a very limited test (for now), we will all be anxious to hear how this went for you. PLEASE come back and tell us all about it after your trip!

 

[derekw]

Wow hope I get this for our checkin on Sunday! Only thing was I need a parking pass but I hear they will reimburse you?

 

[minnie mum]

Wow hope I get this for our checkin on Sunday! Only thing was I need a parking pass but I hear they will reimburse you?

This is a very small test (for the present) that currently only involves guests who meet specific criteria staying at POR and POFQ (and maybe one or two other resorts, not sure about which ones).

 

[POOHsie]

I understand, reading posts lately, that the Security Guard gives you the parking pass now. It's been awhile since our last visit, but we'll see if this is true come our trip in September (visiting 3 resorts).

One thing the non-lobby check-in info does not mention is dining plan credits. I haven't read a word about them in all the postings about the POR test. Am eager to hear about this, or if the test is limited to room-only visitors.

 

[lmbcdb]

One thing the non-lobby check-in info does not mention is dining plan credits. I haven't read a word about them in all the postings about the POR test. Am eager to hear about this, or if the test is limited to room-only visitors.

OP here. We have the dining plan and are staying at AKL.

 

[POOHsie]

OP here. We have the dining plan and are staying at AKL.

Good to know. The email you posted from Disney doesn't mention your dining credits. It says to go to the parks, or hang around the hotel as you see fit, but the obvious question (to me) is, would your dining credits work at the parks? Why isn't that info in the email...

 

[tuckerkeys]

I got the email too yesterday - arriving at the AKL next Wed June 18-25th….I think I'm going to try it out!

 

[patty57]

Looks like the test is expanding to AKL.

 

[DisneyDiana]

We got the email for AKL also. We check in tomorrow and have the DP will update when I get the chance. We plan on going right to Epcot off DME.

 

[lustergirl]

What a great idea. Good Luck OP. Come back and tell us how it went.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Coming aboard - very interested in how this goes!

 

[shyjade]

There was a post a few days ago where someone questioned if skipping the lobby check-in would be coming down the road with the current technology and so many people were against it. I have to say, I'm excited to see this thread! As a frequent visitor who already utilizes online check-in, the idea of not having to stand in line to check-in is exciting!

I really hope this option becomes available to all guests before we arrive in November. I can't wait to hear how it works for the testers!

 

[Disfan1968]

I had a thread up a few days back on this. Most people seemed to like this idea, but some thought it took away some of the human aspect of a visit to Disney... that "personal welcome" that a real CM gives you when you walk in.

I think I like this overall, but can understand some people's hesitancy. I imagine if you are a front desk working CM, you don't like this very much.

 

[katt95]

I got this email today. We are staying at POP beginning next Thursday. We are driving down so it depends on what time we get there if we will try this.

 

[robinb]

I had a thread up a few days back on this. Most people seemed to like this idea, but some thought it took away some of the human aspect of a visit to Disney... that "personal welcome" that a real CM gives you when you walk in.

I think I like this overall, but can understand some people's hesitancy. I imagine if you are a front desk working CM, you don't like this very much.

This does sound like a nice option for seasoned WDW vets. I don't think I would miss the interaction with the front desk. I think back at my last few check-in experiences and they have been very routine. Plus, I end up with a pile of garbage I really don't need. I think I like the idea of just being able to go to my room with my MB when the room is ready.

 

[grimley1968]

While this finally gives more meaning to the term "online check-in", there would be some catches.

One catch will be a parking pass. Since OP has a vehicle, that will have to be worked out. There are times I've been in the past (though not recently) where the parking lot guard shack had our parking pass ready before we even checked in. We showed the guards our ID and they handed us the pass. More recently, though, we've always had to get one when we checked in. If that process could take place at the parking lot guard shack again, that would help with this catch. However, OP could drive straight to EPCOT from La Quinta, pay the parking fee, and then get reimbursed at the front desk later (just keep the parking receipt). That would get you there faster than parking at the resort and waiting for a bus.

Another catch is if you want to do something different with charging than what you indicated in the online check-in (different card, different allocation of charging privileges, etc.).

 

[teentoddlermom]

I had a thread up a few days back on this. Most people seemed to like this idea, but some thought it took away some of the human aspect of a visit to Disney... that "personal welcome" that a real CM gives you when you walk in.

I think I like this overall, but can understand some people's hesitancy. I imagine if you are a front desk working CM, you don't like this very much.

But my last few visits I have had the most disinterested and dull CMs, sad to say, so I am interested in the trying out the new procedure

 

[Daze77619]

I also got this email but Im having issues with the website. Anybody else having trouble checking in online?

 

[Ava]

This sounds like a great option, especially for guests who arrive earlier in the day, before check in time. If chances are your room won't be ready yet anyway, why waste time going to the desk to check in? Especially with young kids, that can be a tortuous wait.