Disney Expedites Online Check-In

PHOTO: Disney’s Grand Floridian. (photo via Flickr/Jason Pratt)

Walt Disney World Resorts are adding an all new version of online check-in to its My Disney Experience app.

Announced Thursday, via the Disney Parks blog, the new service is available to anyone staying at one of Disney’s Orlando resorts.

If you love interacting with cast members at the front desk, never fret, that’s not going anywhere.

“As always, world-class guest service is part of the magic of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, and front desk and concierge cast members are available at all of our resort hotels to assist guests at their leisure for the duration of their stay,” wrote Thomas Smith, Disney Parks Editorial Content Director in the blog.

Because flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to online check-in.

People who love planning ahead can start the check-in process up to 60 days before they arrive at the resort, but procrastinators can even wait until they’re on the Disney’s Magical Express shuttle to enjoy the same benefits.

With the app, guests can add their credit card info, authorize charges, submit their expected arrival time to help coordinate room availability and even make room requests, although those requests are not guaranteed. Travelers who opt into notifications will even receive a text when their room is ready so they can head to the park first and still have peace of mind knowing their room is available when they’re ready.

Disney’s Magic Bands serve as the room key, so guests don’t even need to stop at the desk to pick up that little piece of plastic.  A nice bonus for parents who would rather cut down on the number of times they hear “when are we going to get there?”

To activate online check-in, Disney recommends users download the latest version of the app from the App Store for iOS devices and from Google Play for Android devices.