Hi Nosipho, and welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
Online Check-In is a convenient amenity when staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Guests can begin the check-in process using their My Disney Experience account, and then, when their room is ready, receive a text with their room number and bypass the front desk.
In order to use
Online Check-In, you'll need to link a credit card to your My Disney Experience account. When using Online Check-In, that credit card will be authorized in the amount of the remaining balance plus $100 on your arrival day. The Cast Member I spoke with said that you could still use Online Check-In, visit the front desk upon arrival to pay with your Gift Cards, and then the authorization on your credit card would be removed. However, if you want to avoid having a credit card authorized, you should not use Online Check-In, and instead visit the front desk to check in and pay your balance.
Nosipho, it looks like you are an international Guest, which means you will need to visit your resort's front desk to collect your MagicBands. To streamline your visit, I would just plan to visit the front desk upon arrival to check in and receive your Magic Bands. If you have room requests, you can always add them to your account by calling (407) 939-1936 and speaking with a Cast Member.
I really like checking in at the front desk. There's something exciting about arriving in my resort's lobby, finding out my room number and seeing my room location on a map. Disney Cast Members are so friendly and helpful, and they always answer my questions and provide fun tips for making my stay magical.
Have so much fun counting down to your visit, Nosipho, and please come back and see us if you have more questions as you plan and dream.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn