Author: Disney Diva
On our February 2012 trip to Walt Disney World we stayed at Port Orleans- French Quarter and had the chance to use the Online Check in!
There are a few things you need to make sure you have with you when you sit down to complete your On-Line Check in. 
The first is your Confirmation Number. You can find this either in an email your Disney Travel Agent has sent to you or, if you made the reservation yourself, you will find it in your Disney Confirmation email. You will also need the name of of Primary Guest on the reservation, the resort name, and your check in date.
Online check-in is available about 10 days before your check in dates. If there’s not a link in an email from your Disney Travel agent (see photo) You’ll need to go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ and then click on the “My Disney Vacation” icon (looks like a suitcase) in the top left corner.
You’ll just follow the simple instructions to complete the online check in. Really, its NOT hard.
So when you arrive at your resort, (maybe even after you get off of the Magical Express), you will see a sign that says Online Check-In area. Its in the same area where everybody else checks in.
Once you arrive at a teller you will tell them your name and they’ll tell you if your room is ready yet or not. Because you’ve checked in online and told them what time you estimate to be there, you dramatically increase your chances that your room WILL be ready. Assuming your room is ready then they will ask you to leave a credit card number to be used for room charges, confirm your departure time, and then get your “key to the world” or just your room key if you’ve not bought tickets as a part of your package. If your room is not ready they will take your telephone number and you can head off to the park or explore the resort if you would like and they will call you when your room is ready. Then whenever you come back you can just pick up your room key at the desk.
It is my suggestion that you ALWAYS ask for a late check out. You never know what will happen with flights and so its better to have a space to stay and not need it than the other way around.
So, Online Check in can save you a lot of time. Its an easy process and can help you start your trip to Disney World off RIGHT! Give it a try! There’s no reason not to!
