Direct to Room Check-in

[eandrsmom]

I was wondering if anyone has used the new direct to room check-in, and how it went. If your room was ready early, did they text you to let you know? Exactly when do you get your room number?

[SBETigg]

I'm just back from an AKL Kidani stay and used this. It was great! They text you your room number and yes, you can skip the front desk and go straight to your room. Our room was ready before our estimated check in time of 9 a.m. but we did go to the desk because it wasn't in our desired location. But once again, they texted us two hours later when our new room was ready and we went straight up once we got back from Epcot.

[Goofy4TheWorld]

Do they provide a print at home parking pass, or are drivers out of luch in truly skipping the check in desk?

[SBETigg]

I'm not sure about parking. We didn't have a car. I think drivers might have to stop at desk.

[eandrsmom]

I read that they were giving the parking passes out at the security gates.

[magicofdisney]

I read that they were giving the parking passes out at the security gates.

That would make this ideal!

[mydisneygirls]

Is this something they're doing for everyone now or do you request it? How far in advance do they let you know your room number?

[SBETigg]

I didn't specifically request it as far as I know, but it came as part of the advance on-line check-in. I didn't get the text with my room number until the day of check-in. I listed my arrival time as 9 a.m., and I got the text with a room number just after 8 a.m. So I think they send the room number on the day of check-in as soon as the assigned room is ready.

[mydisneygirls]

Thank you Sherri. I actually think this is a good idea!

[MNDisney Dad]

How do you gain access to the room? Is it linked to your band?

[SBETigg]

How do you gain access to the room? Is it linked to your band?

Linked to the Magic Band, yes.

[MNNHFLTX]

I am looking forward to seeing how this works when we check in on Sunday. If the bands don't open the door to our room we will have to trek back to the check-in desk.

[DisneyFan1979]

On all my last few trips the security guard has always given us our parking pass.

I did the direct-to-room thing during my Christmas trip. I had a split DVC stay--moved from a 1-BR to studio for our last 2 days to save points. When we checked out of our first room at 11am our room wasn't ready. We received a text message at 2pm with our room number and we went straight there.

[baldburke]

So if your tickets and room is right on your Magic Band then you can theoretically get right off the DME, go right to a park and, after a text, return to head straight to your room without ever checking in at the front desk? That's awesome!

[Melanie]

So if your tickets and room is right on your Magic Band then you can theoretically get right off the DME, go right to a park and, after a text, return to head straight to your room without ever checking in at the front desk? That's awesome!

Spend that money!

[pixiesmimi]

We got our parking passes last year at the security gate at BC. I think we did the year before also. I like this. Are you able to request a room or area when you check in online? We have already put our request in with our reservations but do they heed this?

[Fangorn]

Are you able to request a room or area when you check in online? We have already put our request in with our reservations but do they heed this?

The options that you can request when you do the on-line check-in are severely limited. Things like "ground floor", & "close to elevator" are about the only options. Anything else needs to be included on your actual reservation - and yes, they do try to meet those requests.

Steve

[SBETigg]

The options that you can request when you do the on-line check-in are severely limited. Things like "ground floor", & "close to elevator" are about the only options. Anything else needs to be included on your actual reservation - and yes, they do try to meet those requests.

Steve

Actually, I think they might have improved upon this, Steve. They had a checklist with all kinds of options available such as view options listed for Kidani (Sunset Savanna or Pembe Savanna). Upper floor, lower floor. I could have even listed a specific room number if I had one in mind. They won't guarantee that they can meet your requests, but they were pretty accommodating to changes at check in, too.

For instance, I checked off that I wanted a Sunset Savanna view, but I also listed my expected arrival time and checked off a preference that my room be ready at check in. Turns out, I had a conflict with preferences because the room that was ready was with Pembe Savanna view. At the desk, I noted that I would really prefer a Sunset view and that I would be okay to wait for the room, and they made the switch. But I think they have made an effort to offer more options for online check-in, and that they do try to accommodate.

[baldburke]

I am looking forward to seeing how this works when we check in on Sunday. If the bands don't open the door to our room we will have to trek back to the check-in desk.

How'd it go Beth? I'd be interested to hear your hands on experience.

[MNNHFLTX]

I did the online check-in for this past Sunday (March 15) for Pop Century; I requested 60's section, lake view, with a check-in time of 3 p.m. At 10 a.m. I received a text that our room was ready. We had lunch with relatives and when they dropped my son and I off at Pop, security at the gate just scanned one of our Magic Bands and asked if we needed a parking pass (we didn't). We went right to our room (60's section, lake view, 3rd floor) and the bands worked perfectly in unlocking the door. It was great!