Disney World hotels offer unique amenities that are harder to get outside the Disney bubble, like free Disney transportation, close access to the parks, and lots more.
Wilderness Lodge
But there are also some mistakes you don’t want to make — and they can happen at that crucial check-in and checkout time! You don’t want to miss out on perks and you also don’t want to miss out on other things — so find out everything you need to know here.
Not Using Mobile Check-In/Check-Out
If you hate having to stop by the front desk, you can check in and out via the My Disney Experience app. This option lets you go straight to your room (once it’s assigned), and you can get in your room via the app or your MagicBand. You simply scan the sensor on your hotel room door with your device or MagicBand and boom! You can enter. No need to interact with any humans.
Mobile Check-In
Auto checkout is also an option, as long as you have a credit card on file in the My Disney Experience app. As long as your card is linked in the app, you don’t need to do anything except leave your room by 11AM — unless you request a late checkout (which you might not get even if you ask).
Check-out Info
You can download the My Disney Experience app prior to your Disney World visit, and you can also link your Disney account, your tickets or Annual Pass, your credit card, and more. Trust us — it will make your life WAY easier!
Read more the My Disney Experience app here!
Not Making a Room Request
In the My Disney Experience app, you can make room requests for certain buildings or locations at your resort when you check in. Do you want the first floor? A room close to the parking lot? Like asking for an upgrade, there’s no guarantee your request will be granted, but it’s worth a try.
All-Star Movies Front Desk
For example, if you’re booking a room at Pop Century and you prefer the 50s buildings over the 70s buildings, you can request the 50s area. If you’ve stayed there, you know the 50s area is a bit closer to the lobby AND the Skyliner, which can be a nice benefit during your stay. Why not ask?
Click here for the BEST rooms in Disney World hotels — and how to get them.
Assuming Your Room Will Be Ready
If you check into your room via the My Disney Experience app, you can sign up for a text to notify you when your room is ready, or you can check your reservation within the app for your room number. If you don’t check in through the app, you’d have to visit your hotel’s front desk to check in and get your room assignment.
Hotel Room Door
Whether you request early check-in or not, sometimes your room may not be ready until 3PM or later. Check-in time is generally 3PM, but there’s no guarantee your room will be ready at the exact time you need it, so it’s a good idea to have a contingency plan in case your room isn’t ready. Leave your luggage at the front desk and check back later after you visit a park!
Here’s what Disney World’s online check-in looks like for hotel guests!
Not Leaving Your Luggage on Checkout Day
This mistake specifically applies to people who need to check out by 11AM on your last day but your flight isn’t until the late evening, and you feel like taking a quick trip to a park or Disney Springs. Do you really want to sit around the airport until your flight, or do you want to take one last trip to Disney Springs?
Disney Springs
Disney Springs can’t hold your luggage but you can ask guest services at your hotel to hold your luggage at your hotel, even after checking out. That way you can take a quick bus ride over to Disney Springs (or drive yourself) and enjoy your remaining Disney World time before returning to your hotel to get your luggage and head to the airport!
How you should spend your money in Disney Springs!
Not Double-Checking Your Room
And finally, before you check out, DOUBLE CHECK your room approximately a million times before leaving. Disney does have a lost and found program that allows you to submit reports online, but there’s no guarantee that your item will be found, and trust us — it’s just better to check every nook and cranny.
Disney World hotel room
Check the sheets, under the bed, every drawer, and even the shower! Do NOT leave your room before you’re absolutely sure you’ve gotten all your things. Also, if you’re leaving your room right at 11AM and you’re hoping to get back in at 11:01AM — you can’t. Your MagicBand (or device) will no longer work after official checkout time, so keep that in mind as you leave your room!
The most stressful situations in Disney World — and how to fix them!
So before you check in (or check out) of your Disney World hotel, make sure you don’t make any of these mistakes! Keep following DFB for more Disney World news, tips, and more!
The 4 BEST Disney World hotels for first-time visitors.
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Unfortunately, when I checked in online, I was give just 3 basic ‘request’ options for Coronado Springs, such as ‘ground floor’. What I REALLY wanted to be able to request was the area of the resort – I really want to stay in Casitas or Cabanas, but I can guarantee you I will be put in Ranchos…which I hate the look of!!
Not sure if these limited request options only apply to international guests.
I guess I am the exception to the new generation, but it always liked the check in and check out process. You get to interact with a front desk cast member, catch up on anything new, changed or happening on your visit, and you get a close out folio to review for errors at your departure. You get out of the experience what you put in and if you are seeking the total Disney treatment it starts at the resort entrance gate keeper, to the greeters at the front door to the front desk experience….it is all good and if you go from your car in the parking lot directly to your room, you are missing out.
I agree ken I like going to the front desk to check in. So with no ME we have to go to the lobby to drop off our cases so say hi and also do room location requests in person
Hi!
What about Club Level Access? How do you handle that? We are planning on getting to CR around 0730 am. Obviously our room will NOT be ready. However we do want to head to the lounge to grab the breakfast offerings that are included in our stay. Do we now have to go to the front desk, or are we allowed up with our magic bands or MDE on our phones?
Hi Patricia! You will be allowed in with your MagicBands or MagicMobile. If for whatever reason it doesn’t work, then I would check with the front desk, but you should be fine.
@Martin The auto-generated room requests you can choose from during online check in are usually the most common requests. If you have a more specific request, you should call your hotel about a week before your arrival date. I usually put in an online request for an upper floor, but I sometimes also call the hotel to ask for a corner room (not usually available as an online request) if I’m looking for a bit more quiet.
These are all to familiar to those that have general common sense, as for going Humanless that just sucks , a big part of your experience is the Interaction with Cast Members , when you treat them with respect , interact with them and let them know they are just as special as you are to them , they have all the current perks and knowledge of the parks and surrounding areas and have the ability to give them as Magical moments , I’ve received upgrades in rooms and food vouchers along with reservations just by making there day a little bit better.
As far as lost & found not only do they have one but they will send it back to you via parcel, once again it all about your Attitude .
Remember you paid a lot to have a Complete Experience from Start to Finnish so Experience all that you can weather it’s Checking in , just saying good morning and asking what’s going on today and Checking out there are always opportunities to Experience so why deprive yourself of the possibilities.
When our life’s are so busy it’s impossible to enjoy and reflect on all the great experiences and memories that were lost by a cold electronic interaction.
The best WDW vacations used to start with the Disney Magical Express and entertainment by Gus and the shows on the bus TV on the way in. Then interact with the polite, helpful and knowledgeable Cast Members working the check in desk. Maybe even receive a warm, Welcome Home greeting!
I agree with what everyone else is saying. Sometimes we use online check-in but we usually swing by the check in counter at some point to ask a question or something. On my last visit I had some great conversations with cast members. I would not ever want to miss out on that! That’s as magical as seeing the characters.
In the article it talks about storing you luggage with guest services while you drive yourself to a park or Disney Springs after check out. If you drive yourself, why would guest services need to store your luggage? Wouldn’t you just put it in your vehicle?