Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Ashley! I love using
Online Check-In before our Walt Disney World Resort arrival. It helps us get to the magic so much faster! This service allows you to store your payment source for room charges, indicate any room requests, and provide contact information. Once it is complete, you should receive a magical email or text with your room number shortly before you arrive. It is my favorite text to receive; you can practically hear the pixie dust falling as you open it!
Ashley, the credit card that you designate for room charges during Online Check-In will be used to pay the balance of your room-only reservation. They usually complete this charge early the day you arrive. However, if you need to change this upon arrival, no worries! Simply head to your resort's lobby and chat with a Cast Member at the registration area. I actually had to do this last year, as I had my credit card stored on our account but my husband had wanted to use his debit card. The wonderful Cast Members were able to do a refund of what had already been charged and then redo the charge on my husband's card. They then stored his information for all charges during our vacation. Easy peasy!
If you do find that you need to cancel your resort reservation, you definitely do want to do this at least five days in advance of Check-In to avoid a cancellation fee. This fee is usually equal to the cost of the first night's room rate. Any Online Check-In information you previously provided will also be cancelled at that time, and you will not find any additional cancellation fees for having completed it.
Ashley, I hope this information helps you plan ahead for your resort arrival! Please let us know if you have any other questions. We would love to help you plan a pixie-dusted adventure!
Brandy