Welcome to planDisney, Tracey! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today. It sounds like we have so much in common, because I am always thinking ahead about the details of my next trip to Walt Disney World. With that in mind, let's chat about room requests,
online check-in, and how to have the best chance of getting your wishes across when it comes to your
Resort Hotel stay.
The good news is that timing doesn't really change your odds. Room assignments are typically made very close to arrival, so whether you complete online check-in now, 60 days out, 30 days out, or the week before, your request carries the same weight. In other words, start check-in whenever it's convenient for you. Go early if it gives you peace of mind, or wait until you've finalized flight times and arrival details. Either approach is perfectly fine!
What can help is making sure your request is noted in more than one place. In addition to selecting preferences during online check-in, I recommend
calling Disney Resort Hotel Reservations and asking a Cast Member to add your building request to the reservation. That gives you a second spot on the booking where the room assigners can see it. Keep your wording short and specific, for example: "Alligator Bayou, lower floor, near transportation," or list the building first and a single backup like"Aruba section, Jamaica section if Aruba is unavailable." The clearer the priority, the easier it is to honor if inventory allows.
I have a few friendly tips for you as you prep! Choose a realistic arrival time in online check-in to help the team pace room readiness. Make sure that you have push notifications on in the
My Disney Experience app, and enable text updates so you'll get your room number as soon as it's assigned. If your request is mission-critical for you, like proximity to a
Skyliner station, you can mention it again at the front desk. As you mentioned, a request is not a guarantee, but everyone will do what they can to help get you what you want. If being in a precise building matters more than early access, you can also tell them you're willing to wait for a closer match.
I hope this answers your question, Tracey, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation!
Jessica