what happens if someone is not on your ressie?

[Kurby]

a thought just occurred to me while reading another post.

when we come down on our next trip there is a chance that we may have dh's cousins oldest stay with us for a night and come to the park with us.

what happens? do we have to put her on our reservations for the whole trip? do we have to separate our reservations to have her in for one night? if we do the ddp does that mean we have to pay for her as well for the one day or for the whole trip.

it's possible that her parents will meet us inside one of the parks and stay with us for a portion of the day then leave after dinner and will leave dd with us for the night. her parents will then pick her up after breakfast so she really isn't taking advantage of the ddp.

can we just not say anything since it's only one night out of 14?

[Deb & Bill]

If you intend to get her a room ID for EMH or pool usage, she will need to be added to the reservation. Once you add her to the reservation, you will have to purchase the DDP for her as well for the entire trip. It's all or none.

If you choose not to do the DDP for that one night, you will need a separate reservation for that night, not linked, and you might have to move.

[TiggerMan2007]

Don't say anything.

If you add her to your room reservation and you have DDP, they will charge you for her for the whole 14 days not 1 day.

[Dean]

Don't say anything.

If you add her to your room reservation and you have DDP, they will charge you for her for the whole 14 days not 1 day.Yes, if you're honest, you will have to pay for her for the entire DDP OR have a totally separate reservation as Deb & Bill suggested.

[DebbieB]

For one night that's not even definite, I would not worry about it.

You could go to the front desk that day or the day before and ask if it would be a problem, if it is then she would have to go home with her parents. My guess is it would not be. That way you would be "100% honest".

[wildernessDad]

Honesty is the best policy, they say. I would do what DebbieB suggests.

[JodyTG]

As others have said, honesty is the best policy. I always try to put out good karma so that good karma comes back at me...

[TriMom]

From experience - just go to the front desk and tell them that she is staying that night. My mother (who was invited, but she didn't think that she could make it) surprized us by calling from the cab from MCO. I simply went to the front desk and told them that she would be spending 2 nights with us. They handed me a room key, and did not add her to the DDP.

[TiggerMan2007]

Yes, if you're honest, you will have to pay for her for the entire DDP OR have a totally separate reservation as Deb & Bill suggested.

I was not promoting dishonesty in any way, please don't get me wrong. I agree that when the additional guest arrives you just tell the front desk that you have another person for 1 night. I was just trying to let her know that she would have to pay for her guest for the whole 14 days on the DDP if she added her at time of booking which is an extra $531.00 and a whole lot of food that she probably wouldn't use for someone who is visiting 1 day. By telling the front desk when the additional guest arrives they have another person, she saves a lot of money on the DDP. The extra guest can be separated for any dining they did together. Even if Kurby offered to pay for all food for her guest while they were there, it would be a lot less than the $531.00 for the whole 14 days that they would charge. It;s about saving money and not being dishonest. Disney should offer an add on for visiting friends for DDP for the time they come join you, instead of making you pay for the whole 14 days, or making you make separate reservations.

[Deb & Bill]

.... Disney should offer an add on for visiting friends for DDP for the time they come join you, instead of making you pay for the whole 14 days, or making you make separate reservations.

The purpose of the dining plan isn't to give the guests a less expensive meal. The purpose is to fill tables and sell lots of days of dining. I can't see Disney offering a way to sell less when they can require all guests pay for the entire length of stay.

[Dean]

I was not promoting dishonesty in any way, please don't get me wrong. I agree that when the additional guest arrives you just tell the front desk that you have another person for 1 night. I was just trying to let her know that she would have to pay for her guest for the whole 14 days on the DDP if she added her at time of booking which is an extra $531.00 and a whole lot of food that she probably wouldn't use for someone who is visiting 1 day. By telling the front desk when the additional guest arrives they have another person, she saves a lot of money on the DDP. The extra guest can be separated for any dining they did together. Even if Kurby offered to pay for all food for her guest while they were there, it would be a lot less than the $531.00 for the whole 14 days that they would charge. It;s about saving money and not being dishonest. Disney should offer an add on for visiting friends for DDP for the time they come join you, instead of making you pay for the whole 14 days, or making you make separate reservations.It seemed to me like you were and this explanation seems to also suggest it as well. IMO, if you know they're coming and don't tell them hoping when you do later you won't have to pay, is no different and is being dishonest. Obviously it's the intent that counts so if you did the same thing and truly didn't know, it would not be dishonest. I realize it doesn't seem fair in this situation with one night out of 14 but those are the rules Disney has set up.

[TCPluto]

The purpose of the dining plan isn't to give the guests a less expensive meal. The purpose is to fill tables and sell lots of days of dining. I can't see Disney offering a way to sell less when they can require all guests pay for the entire length of stay.

I disagree completely.

The dining plan, for the guest, is to provide an economical way to eat on property. Certainly to the benefit of WDW, but to the benefit of the guest as well.

I don't think Disney in general, or DVC specifically, would be so rigid as to not allow someone to stay for a night who doesn't happen to be on the original reservation and thus, not on the length of stay dining plan.

To think that this fact scenario doesn't happen would be naive.

[TCPluto]

It seemed to me like you were and this explanation seems to also suggest it as well. IMO, if you know they're coming and don't tell them hoping when you do later you won't have to pay, is no different and is being dishonest. Obviously it's the intent that counts so if you did the same thing and truly didn't know, it would not be dishonest. I realize it doesn't seem fair in this situation with one night out of 14 but those are the rules Disney has set up.

I think the only dishonest act would be trying to feed the overnite guest on the DDP, not the overnight stay.

[TiggerMan2007]

It seemed to me like you were and this explanation seems to also suggest it as well. IMO, if you know they're coming and don't tell them hoping when you do later you won't have to pay, is no different and is being dishonest. Obviously it's the intent that counts so if you did the same thing and truly didn't know, it would not be dishonest. I realize it doesn't seem fair in this situation with one night out of 14 but those are the rules Disney has set up.

Then I guess it's just one more issue with DDP on top of the things they took away this year. Sorry for trying to help someone save some money.

FYI, my family stayed in July 2007 using DDP for 7 nights I was only there 3 nights and we paid for all 7 nights for them as well as me. They used the extra meals I did not on Character meals and things. If I was so dishonest I would have not added myself on the reservation and only said they were there, But I didn't. We liked the DDP last year but we probably won't use it again with the new changes.

[snyderla]

WOW!
This is what I do when my brother or niece decide to stop and spend the night...I go to the desk and let them know we have an extra guest in the room for the night (or however long they will be staying). As long as we aren't over the limit for the room it doesn't matter. Then I can get a room key for them and a parking permit for my brother's car. The situation is similar in that sometimes my brother doesn't know if he can come up and sometimes he doesn't know if his ex will allow my niece to join us. It does not make sense to have her put on the entire reservation when she won't be there the whole time. And doing it this way isn't dishonest. Once you know for sure she is coming and spending the night, go to the desk and tell them. That is the only honest way to do it! Otherwise, if you add her to the ressie and she doesn't stay, you lied! :) (please---no flames...this is tongue in cheek!)

[princessvacg]

Just tell the front desk. That happened to us 1 night. My niece, who was not on the meal plan, stayed at our resort with us 1 night. We were on the meal plan. It is really not a big deal. We told the front desk and she said that was perfectly fine. We ate dinner and just paid cash for her meal.

[Dean]

I think the only dishonest act would be trying to feed the overnite guest on the DDP, not the overnight stay.As I said, waiting until later to notify the resort with the purpose of avoiding paying for the DDP for that purpose is dishonest. There are many other honest reasons to do the same thing.

Then I guess it's just one more issue with DDP on top of the things they took away this year. Sorry for trying to help someone save some money.

FYI, my family stayed in July 2007 using DDP for 7 nights I was only there 3 nights and we paid for all 7 nights for them as well as me. They used the extra meals I did not on Character meals and things. If I was so dishonest I would have not added myself on the reservation and only said they were there, But I didn't. We liked the DDP last year but we probably won't use it again with the new changes.Honesty sometimes costs money. Telling someone to be dishonest to help them save money is not what I would do.

[Kurby]

oh my - i didn't intend this question to cause some kind of argument. I don't even know if they'll meet us let alone have her stay.

i don't think we'd even find out until we got there and called them to work things out.

the last time they met us there they only met us for dinner (even though the daughter wanted to stay) then left so it's not like we'd even know until that day (or at least after we had arrived)

the other thing is that i wanted to know my options - if it was a matter of separating our reservations or paying over $500 just to have our niece/cousin stay 1 night i'd separate the reservations.

though from what people have said it doesn't seem like Disney is that money hungry they'd make people pay for an entire stay if someone is just visiting for one night. if they did i think it would just promote people to omit someone from the reservations so they wouldn't have to pay the extra money.

well on the same vain - i guess the entire reservation is based on honesty isn't it. i mean what's stopping someone from having 2 families in 1 room but only having the reservations in 1 family name? the whole thing is based on trust.

thanks for all the replies - i might just call tomorrow (long before booking) just to hear it from the horses mouth.

[Dean]

oh my - i didn't intend this question to cause some kind of argument. I don't even know if they'll meet us let alone have her stay.

i don't think we'd even find out until we got there and called them to work things out.

the last time they met us there they only met us for dinner (even though the daughter wanted to stay) then left so it's not like we'd even know until that day (or at least after we had arrived)

the other thing is that i wanted to know my options - if it was a matter of separating our reservations or paying over $500 just to have our niece/cousin stay 1 night i'd separate the reservations.

though from what people have said it doesn't seem like Disney is that money hungry they'd make people pay for an entire stay if someone is just visiting for one night. if they did i think it would just promote people to omit someone from the reservations so they wouldn't have to pay the extra money.

well on the same vain - i guess the entire reservation is based on honesty isn't it. i mean what's stopping someone from having 2 families in 1 room but only having the reservations in 1 family name? the whole thing is based on trust.

thanks for all the replies - i might just call tomorrow (long before booking) just to hear it from the horses mouth.Don't worry, you simply asked a legitimate question. The answer will be for everyone in the room for the entire LOS.

[jodifla]

oh my - i didn't intend this question to cause some kind of argument. I don't even know if they'll meet us let alone have her stay.

i don't think we'd even find out until we got there and called them to work things out.

the last time they met us there they only met us for dinner (even though the daughter wanted to stay) then left so it's not like we'd even know until that day (or at least after we had arrived)

the other thing is that i wanted to know my options - if it was a matter of separating our reservations or paying over $500 just to have our niece/cousin stay 1 night i'd separate the reservations.

though from what people have said it doesn't seem like Disney is that money hungry they'd make people pay for an entire stay if someone is just visiting for one night. if they did i think it would just promote people to omit someone from the reservations so they wouldn't have to pay the extra money.

well on the same vain - i guess the entire reservation is based on honesty isn't it. i mean what's stopping someone from having 2 families in 1 room but only having the reservations in 1 family name? the whole thing is based on trust.

thanks for all the replies - i might just call tomorrow (long before booking) just to hear it from the horses mouth.

Really, the ONLY issue here is the DDP. If you aren't doing the DDP, then it's really no big deal.

We routinely have different people coming and going when we stay at WDW. I normally only tell them about the first guests... then when first guests leave, I just give the second set of guests their keys and parking pass.

[keishashadow]

Transportation is another issue

Adult DS just started a new job as a policeman & vacation time is limited for him. i was going to treat him to a mini-getaway & have him join us (DH, youngest DS & me) late-afternoon the last day of our planned stay next October (not even visit the parks, just to get settled in before we move to RPR/Universal HHN early the next morning). Guess i'd have to feed him;) when we dine out that evening though.

i had planned to have him take the bus from the airport to save car fare.

Questioned MS when i made the ressie, they indicated that they would have to charge us for the entire stay on DP if i made a ressie on the bus.

guess i'll have to pay OOP for transportation & smuggle him in guess he could always flash his badge if questioned:rolleyes1

[LSchrow]

from my personal experience:
DH & i stayed at BW (studio, DDP). DH went home on friday (using ME), & my DP's, DB & his family arrived the same day (2-bdrm with DDP). i stayed with them for 3 nights (their ressie being for 7 nights).
i asked MS (2x) if i could stay in their room for the 3 nights, not have the DDP, but still get ME on that sunday.
no problem (also told them at front desk ~ they issued me a room key for EMH).
so absolutely yes, it can (& has) been done. i agree with PP's: ask MS in advance, & also let the front desk know your intent (as well as that MS said it was ok, assuming they do, of course :) ).
hth

[extremesoccermom]

We actually did something like this a few years ago (not at DVC though). DH had a package booked for himself for 5 days at Disney. At the last minute the kids and I who had annual passes were ALL free to go with him. When we arrived they gave me a key only and they kids didn't need them of course that was before EE hours. But they had no problem as long as we did not exceed the # of people in the room which was 4.

[OKW Mom]

and that EVERY guest had to have a plan. The amount of food our 19 year old daughter eats is less than a child.

When I was planning our May 2007 six night trip I asked formally if I could have 1 Florida family member spend 1 night without buying her a DDP. I was told very harshly through an email from MS that "It is necessary for every guest to have a plan in their name for the entire reservation".

I had recounted she was on SS and a special diet- and that we were eating in the 2BR at OKW while she was visiting. That only seemed to annoy them and make them more emphatic about buying the extra plan.

I was so inflamed by their greed......I wrote several carefully worded emails to MS to suggest a change of the policy-never even got a response that they understood my reasons.

I know there is no such thing as a FREE bus ride-If you use the ME you have to be registered....then you have to have a DDP. When they get $39 a day PP for the DDP it makes up for the free bus ride.

Disney needs to know finances are finite - not infinite

[Dean]

and that EVERY guest had to have a plan. The amount of food our 19 year old daughter eats is less than a child.

When I was planning our May 2007 six night trip I asked formally if I could have 1 Florida family member spend 1 night without buying her a DDP. I was told very harshly through an email from MS that "It is necessary for every guest to have a plan in their name for the entire reservation".

I had recounted she was on SS and a special diet- and that we were eating in the 2BR at OKW while she was visiting. That only seemed to annoy them and make them more emphatic about buying the extra plan.

I was so inflamed by their greed......I wrote several carefully worded emails to MS to suggest a change of the policy-never even got a response that they understood my reasons.

I know there is no such thing as a FREE bus ride-If you use the ME you have to be registered....then you have to have a DDP. When they get $39 a day PP for the DDP it makes up for the free bus ride.

Disney needs to know finances are finite - not infiniteThis is not DVC's program but other components of Disney. MS is not the proper group to complain to, they are just enforcing the rules given to them to even offer the program. I certainly would let them know but just realize they have no control or power in this situation. The reality is that DVC was only included later and that DVC members already get the benefits of not having to get tickets plus the DVC savings for the units while other guests are not getting those benefits. Even those with the free DDP are having to pay extra in other areas.

This program is in place to help Disney make money, it might be a win win for some but often is not. All inclusive destinations almost always have this rule. They find that after 3 days, most people eat (and drink) less than the first 3 plus if they don't require it for the entire party, it costs them more per person due to the fact that people are often going to try to find ways around these rules and share food.

[Kurby]

i may be wrong in thinking this but it seems like they are just setting themselves up to have people lie about who is actually in the room.

unless they are going to set up cameras in the halls and count how many adults and kids go in the room and compare it to who leaves by say 11pm and then guess that everyone else is sleeping in the room they are going to have people who register themselves and not others (especially if a family of 4 is staying in a room that holds 6, 8 or more people.

and although DDP is a perk and not something included in DVC you don't have to have it to eat a meal with someone who has it (though i can see them changing that rule too and make everyone at the table be on ddp if one wants to use it)

it just seems like it's lost it's mystique that it once had especially since they've removed things (tip and appies) and it's still the same price (-$1)

we're going to have to re think the whole thing and may even pay a few points more for concierge level and not have to go out for breakfast

[Dean]

i may be wrong in thinking this but it seems like they are just setting themselves up to have people lie about who is actually in the room.

unless they are going to set up cameras in the halls and count how many adults and kids go in the room and compare it to who leaves by say 11pm and then guess that everyone else is sleeping in the room they are going to have people who register themselves and not others (especially if a family of 4 is staying in a room that holds 6, 8 or more people.

and although DDP is a perk and not something included in DVC you don't have to have it to eat a meal with someone who has it (though i can see them changing that rule too and make everyone at the table be on ddp if one wants to use it)

it just seems like it's lost it's mystique that it once had especially since they've removed things (tip and appies) and it's still the same price (-$1)

we're going to have to re think the whole thing and may even pay a few points more for concierge level and not have to go out for breakfastdishonest people will always try to get around the rules whether it's over occupancy, the DDP, smoking, anything else you can name. Rules are more for honest type folks but fortunately most people are fairly honest.