If you have a stay planned at Walt Disney World, you’ll notice the option to check into your resort right from the My Disney Experience app. It’s quick, easy, and can be really convenient. But plenty of frequent visitors (like me) will tell you it’s not always the best move.
The Disadvantages of App Check-In
One of the biggest trade-offs is room assignment. When you check in through the app, your room is typically auto-assigned by Disney’s system. That means fewer chances to ask for adjustments like a better view, a quieter corner, or a spot closer to transportation. At the larger Value and Moderate resorts with more room buildings, location makes a big difference in your day. Being near the bus stop, Skyliner station, or main building with dining options can save a lot of walking.
— Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Checking in at the front desk gives you a chance to talk things through with a Cast Member. If you’re traveling with kids, celebrating something, or need a ground-floor room or stroller-friendly access, it’s easier to explain those details in person. While requests can be added in the app, they’re not guaranteed and can sometimes be overlooked. Face-to-face conversations are more effective.
Your room may be assigned earlier. App check-in ties you to the system’s room assignment process, which doesn’t always prioritize early availability. If you check in at the desk, you’re more likely to be placed in a room that was already clean and ready earlier in the day.
— Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Benefits of App Check-In
That said, the app does have its perks. You can go straight to your room once it’s ready, skipping the front desk entirely. You can input your arrival time ahead of your trip, and your phone or MagicBand can unlock the door. For late arrivals or shorter stays, this is a more convenient option, especially when lobby check-in lines get long.
If you don’t mind the chance of a later room arrival or don’t have any important special requests, you can check in on the app to get things moving. If it turns out your room assignment isn’t quite working, stopping by the front desk is an option, but it does take up more time to move your luggage in, inquire at the desk, and (possibly) move.
While the app is fast, the front desk gives you more control and often an earlier room assignment. If room location or special requests are important to you, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to check in the old-fashioned way!
— Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
