The room request drop down menus for online check in were not working for my Oct trip, they were working for my Nov trip.
Currently you cannot pay with gift cards using online check-in, both trips I went to front desk later in my trip, had them reverse charges made to CC & paid with GC. ( so, still had to go to front desk & wait in line).
Currently, cannot choose to opt out of housekeeping & get gift card for doing so using online check in (they hope to correct this).
You may be able to opt out by calling from room & they email you a bar coded GC. Not sure, we just discussed when I was at front desk a few weeks ago.
Also, if your magic band is at your resort for pick up, it will only be held for your check-in day, if you don't pick up, it gets shipped back.
So, you decide based on your needs & wants.
Both my trips I opted for online check in. I already had a MB (my second trip mine got sent back). I called on first trip with room request since I too had 2 ressies. They linked them by phone & took my room requests since drop down wasn't working. I used drop down menu on 2nd trip & got both section & floor I requested. Both trips I had to wait in front desk line anyway to pay with GC. Since I was there & my room hadn't been cleaned for 2 days, they set me up to opt out & gave me a GC.