Any Advantage To Starting Check-In Waaay In Advance?

[Dizzytime]

We're arriving Jan 21 for a AKL/BC split stay so starting to pay attention to MDE for dining reservations and all. Noticed they had an option for starting check-in at both resorts and thought, 'boy that's early'! I could see a few days before, but..
Then I checked our second trip we just booked for December, more than a year from now, and it's already offering the start-check in too! Seems wild to me, but maybe I'm missing something and don't want to not do something now that may help later.
Any opinions and thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance and hope you're all having a magical day!

 

[CarolynFH]

Checking in online now vs. closer to your trip won't make any difference. I like to check in fairly early - months before checkin date - just to get it all done so that we're eligible to get the room-ready text message and/or push notice from MDE. But it really doesn't make any difference in room assignment or anything else - you can still visit the front desk when you arrive to let them know you're there and to check on your assigned room (if not ready yet, they won't tell you room number, but can say whether it meets your requests or not).

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

IDK for me its part of the fun to put in my check in info and any requests.
I have a trip in August 2025 that I've been "check in" for since August 2024.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

It really does not matter when you check-in online, but I will say that I always skip the online room request because the options are to basic for us. I always call in and put in our requests over the phone so they can add it to our reservation. One time I did the room request over the phone and then later did it online and when I checked in the CM said that she only saw the Online room request, so that was the last time I did the online room request.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We're arriving Jan 21 for a AKL/BC split stay so starting to pay attention to MDE for dining reservations and all. Noticed they had an option for starting check-in at both resorts and thought, 'boy that's early'! I could see a few days before, but..
Then I checked our second trip we just booked for December, more than a year from now, and it's already offering the start-check in too! Seems wild to me, but maybe I'm missing something and don't want to not do something now that may help later.
Any opinions and thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance and hope you're all having a magical day!

Once you do online check in you will be able to see your account charges/balance due for your resort rooms when using the MDE app. It will list the resort charges and payments. That info won't show up in the app until you have done the check in.

 

[CarolynFH]

Once you do online check in you will be able to see your account charges/balance due for your resort rooms when using the MDE app. It will list the resort charges and payments. That info won't show up in the app until you have done the check in.

Thank you for this information! Since we stay DVC on points, I’ve never tapped on the View Charges tab until we arrived and started charging to the room. It’s good to know for the next time we book a cash stay!

 

[Mazz519]

We never do early check in, its all part of planning and building excitement for your trip, typically we book in the day before we leave for our trip

 

[gottalovepluto]

So you don’t forget if you intend to charge to your room before you get to your hotel room. I forgot to do early check in this month and was so confused when my charging wouldn’t work on day 1, checked the app and I’d forgotten to check in.

 

[Dizzytime]

Lots of good thoughts, thanks for that! I was really in the dark about the purpose it being so far ahead of arrival. Wish advance on-line check in would go ahead and activate that nice bounceback offer that was just extended to Dec 2025, but from what I understand that ain't going to happen.
Can't wait to get back, our first trip since pre-covid!
Hope you're having a great weekend!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Lots of good thoughts, thanks for that! I was really in the dark about the purpose it being so far ahead of arrival. Wish advance on-line check in would go ahead and activate that nice bounceback offer that was just extended to Dec 2025, but from what I understand that ain't going to happen.
Can't wait to get back, our first trip since pre-covid!
Hope you're having a great weekend!

Disney did extend the bounceback offer through Dec 24, 2025. They are even letting you reserve a room online now if you are with 7 days of your check out day.

Here is the link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/resort-return-offer/

 

[thanxfornoticin]

As many have said, checking in early or closer to your date really doesn't seem to matter. But something I would recommend, if you have a particular room type to request (first floor, top floor, near lobby, near elevator, for example), make that request through Member Services - either chat, call, or email. Then ignore that part of your online check-in.