Online check-in: did you bypass the front desk? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Yes, you certainly can go straight to the room. We’ve started doing this, unless we want to drop off our bags at bell services and head to the park before the room is ready. I find this a really nice little benefit for those of us who have been to WDW many times, especially for resorts that we’ve previously used and where we know our way around. Now, if I don’t know where I’m going, I’ll stop at the front and get them to direct me,
I’ve done the online check-in. Given them my credit card number for my purchases. The room is paid in full, and I have my magic band.
Can I bypass the front desk and go straight to my room, assuming I’ve gotten the text saying my room is ready?
I love that feature -- bypassing the desk and going straight to our room!! I never saw the front desk during 2 of our last 3 trips. We drive to Disney so it's nice to know where our room is before we arrive so we can park nearby and not have to move the car after check-in. Unfortunately, we didn't get the direct-to-room check-in for our trip this past June. When I got to the front desk, they said it was because our credit card information wasn't entered correctly. Interestingly, nothing had changed with my credit card since our last trip (when we *did* get direct-to-room check-in) and then the front desk CM entered the information incorrectly anyway (which we found out our last night there when our charges were denied when using our magic bands. Fortunately, we always have a little cash and a credit card with us just in case that happens).
We have done on-line check in many times, but we always stop by the front desk. We want to see if our room is ready yet and to confirm our 1st floor preference at BWV.
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Our last visit, we went straight to our room. However, even though I had a cc linked on like, I could not charge to my room that first day. I went to Guest Services to upgrade my tickets, and they fixed that issue for me. Just have some cash with you that first time, in case you have a hiccup. It is really convenient to drop your stuff off in your room and keep moving along with your plans.
We bypassed front desk on both check in and check out of our last two stays. Since this is possible, I am wondering how Disney plans to charge the parking fee for people who bring their own cars. There was no place for me to say whether I had my own car or not when I checked in or out. One stay was booked before the change for parking fees. But my one night stay was booked after the change. I had my car both times and was not charged either time. I almost think you would have to go out of your way to go to the front desk and ask them to charge you for parking. Otherwise, with online checkin the way it is now, I don't see a way for them to charge.
We bypassed front desk on both check in and check out of our last two stays. Since this is possible, I am wondering how Disney plans to charge the parking fee for people who bring their own cars. There was no place for me to say whether I had my own car or not when I checked in or out. One stay was booked before the change for parking fees. But my one night stay was booked after the change. I had my car both times and was not charged either time. I almost think you would have to go out of your way to go to the front desk and ask them to charge you for parking. Otherwise, with online checkin the way it is now, I don't see a way for them to charge.
I've read posts (on other boards) where people who have done online direct-to-room check-in and didn't go to the front desk to check-out still had the charge (appropriately) appear on their final room portfolio. It probably happens when you stop at the guard shack on the way in...maybe through license plate readers? I'm guessing that most families that arrive by car are keeping a car in the parking lot for the entire stay. All Disney has to do is record the plates of the cars that come and go through those gates and they know who has a car there. They can link your license plate to your reservation as you're checking in with the guard and they're good to go. Just a theory...I have no idea if this is what they do or not.
I have definitely also heard of some people not being charged when they should have been -- and it always seems like it's a short stay (1 or 2 nights). So maybe whatever Disney does to track it actually takes a day or so to put in motion???
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When I got to the front desk, they said it was because our credit card information wasn't entered correctly. Interestingly, nothing had changed with my credit card since our last trip (when we *did* get direct-to-room check-in) and then the front desk CM entered the information incorrectly anyway (which we found out our last night there when our charges were denied when using our magic bands. Fortunately, we always have a little cash and a credit card with us just in case that happens).
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