MyMagic+ brings 'Direct-to-Room' arrival for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests

Feb 18, 2015 in "MyMagic+"

Posted: Wednesday February 18, 2015 9:40am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney is now in the process of rolling out a new 'Direct-to-Room' capability for guests arriving at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Using MyMagic+ MagicBands, guests will be able to arrive at their hotel and then choose to go either directly to their room without visiting the front desk, or enter the lobby for a traditional check-in with a Cast Member. The room number will have been communicated via email or text message prior to arrival, and the MagicBand will function as the key to the room. If on arrival, the room is not available, the guest will be notified and will be updated later once the room number is ready.

To take part in the Direct-to-Room service, guests must have completed the online check-in process before their arrival, which includes paying in full for the stay, or adding a credit card and pin number to their account. A phone number to receive text messages or an email address is also required as part of the process.

The service is currently being rolled-put on stages, with some hotels already participating as of mid February 2015.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Pop Century Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter and Riverside

Expected to be available from February 25 2015

Disney's BoardWalk Inn
Disney's BoardWalk Villas
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Villas
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Wilderness Lodge Villas
Disney's Yacht and Beach Club
Disney's Beach Club Villas

Expected to be available from March 10 2015

Disney's All-Star Resorts
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

Discuss on the Forums

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Texas84Mar 23, 2015

So, I've done early check-in but they won't tell me about direct-to-room until I get the magic text?

Master YodaMar 23, 2015

While the automated system should be able to deal with that, I would speak the the front desk just to make sure the computer does not do something stupid.

CaptainAmericaMar 23, 2015

Can someone help me understand how this system works with a split reservation? I just got a promotional rate that kicks in on 4/12 but I'm arriving a day earlier so they had to split my reservation from a 7-night to a 1-night and a 6-night. All the details are the same (DAKL Standard View, king bed and crib requested) and the DRC agent told me that they'd do their best to keep me in the same room. Any hiccups to worry about or should this go fairly smoothly? Will they be able to tell me when I arrive on the first reservation whether I'll definitely be able to keep the room for the second reservation, or will I have to wait until the next day?

Master YodaMar 23, 2015

That sounds utterly horrible. I don't know how you will make it to the end of your vacation without therapy.;)

disney4life2008Mar 23, 2015

I just aarrived at sports. There are a ton of sports groups here. I did direct room checkin. As ssoon as i got offf my flight, i had a text message at 1030am saying my room was ready. I bypassed the online check in line which was easily quite a wait. I immediately went to my room, dropped off my bags and now im headed to the magic kingdom.

kdzgonMar 14, 2015

I wouldn't mind if it included the option to select a specific room. I think many will like it but I suspect that at least for now other than for really short trips we'll likely choose the desk option.

RN2003AZMar 14, 2015

We used this last Saturday for Kidani. Said we would be checking in around 3pm. Our flight landed at 2:20 and we were on the way to baggage claim when I got the text that our room was ready with the number. Got to the resort and went straight to our room. MagicBand worked without issue. Only time I went to the front desk was to retrieve a stroller from bell services. Worked great IMO.

ford91exploderMar 11, 2015

The majority of states do NOT regulate fees for service.

dvitaliMar 11, 2015

Just because your state do not have strict banking laws covering a fees for using a bank teller does not apply for the rest of the 49 States. There are state laws in some states that limit what banks can or cannot charge including tellers or ATM.

epcotWSCMar 11, 2015

You have to look at the rest of the industry. I can't see Disney, who's main business isn't hospitality to do something that the rest of the industry has not done. If we start to see major chains charging for use of the front desk, then I would start worrying. Until then, I just don't see it happening.

ford91exploderMar 07, 2015

You are the kind of Customer Disney wants

ford91exploderMar 07, 2015

You pay when you use a bank teller in many banks and Disney is all about money these days.

jaklgreenMar 07, 2015

Pay to check in at the front desk? Heck I would pay to AVOID the line and check in at the front desk. Just tell me what room to go to and I am happy.

Kman101Mar 06, 2015

LOL at charging for front desk check-in. Come on ... that's pushing the doom and gloom a bit too far at this point. I can't believe that people seriously believe this will ever happen. I don't care how down on Disney or "realistic" you are, that's not going to happen. And yes, I'm aware of the money grabs. This would not be one of them. That would be absolutely dumb. Can we not stir things up for the sake of stirring things up?