FREE dining and different arrival days--HELP PLEASE

[DISNEYNUTS]

Sorry if this is a repeat, but I just got conflicting information about this.

We are coming Dec17-Dec28 and have FREE Dining (booked before days changed). But now not all of us are arriving on the 17th (Originally the end of FREE dining). My Husband, son and Daughter are not flying in until the next day due to commitments back home.

I was just told (on a different thread) that they would not release our free dining credits until everyone on the reservation was there and checked in? Which would mean we would no longer qualify for FREE dining.

I was told in the past the Disney does not care when everyone arrives. As long as the lead person checks in on the correct day we should be fine. We have been to disney over 20 plus times and never have we all walked up to the counter. Even when we have had FREE dining which has been our last 4 trips.

So is this true if we don't all check in on the 17th they won't release our FREE dining credits?

 

[partypa]

I don't think you will have a problem. We had some family members miss a flight, I checked in, they arrived a day and half later. Dining Credits and Park Tickets were not held back. I recieved everyone's KTTW Cards at check in. Life happens, Disney knows that

 

[MsPoppinsTX]

My experience with this isn't exactly like your situation but it might help. We went one year during free dining and my mom couldn't come the day the rest of us did (6 other people), she came 2 days later, and it wasn't an issue at all. I, as the lead person on the reservation, checked us all in and was never asked "is everyone in your party here yet?" I got all of the KTTK cards for everyone and we just held onto hers until she got there. I doubt they'll even ask if everyone is present and it's probably very normal for one person to do the checking in rather than have the whole family go through the line.

Someone else may have had a different experience or have a more concrete answer.

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

Thanks, I mean we have never been asked if everyone is present, but then again I have never been in a situation where they weren't. I am scared now though, knowing we won't all be present. I don't want to lose our free dining. If anyone out there knows for sure please let me know. I appreciate any help out there.

 

[catne]

You will not lose your free dining credits. Thousands upon thousands of Disney patrons arrive and depart every day and Disney Resorts are fully aware of how often travel arrangements go awry...people are traveling from all over the world!

We have rarely all been present when checking in...sometimes we're not even coming from the same cities on the same day! And we have been there for Free Dining when one in the party did not arrive until day after the rest of us (4 people in 2 rooms, linked reservations but two separate res. numbers. Hubby was the name on our reservation, son was the name on the 2nd room. Hubby & I arrived together to check into room 1, then son checked into the 2nd room. The second person in the 2nd room flew in the next day...and Disney was well aware she was not arriving at the same time since she was booked for Disney Magic Express. Made no difference at all on the 2nd room's credits. Our son was already in that room, and went to dinner with us. His receipt reflected the correct number for the total table service credits that should have been on his room for two people, so obviously Disney had applied all free dining credits to his room when he checked in, even though the girl friend was not there yet.)

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

You will be fine as long as you are lead person and check in on the 17th.

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

Thank you.

I think my concern is coming from that Disney has changed their FREE dining dates and I am arriving on the last day (so it is carried through my entire stay), and the rest of the people won't be arriving until the next day when technically the FD is over. We are all on one reservation and I am the lead person on the reservation. Will that make a difference. Sorry I am so confused.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

Thank you.

I think my concern is coming from that Disney has changed their FREE dining dates and I am arriving on the last day (so it is carried through my entire stay), and the rest of the people won't be arriving until the next day when technically the FD is over. We are all on one reservation and I am the lead person on the reservation. Will that make a difference. Sorry I am so confused.

You really should be fine. Don't worry. Just make sure you check in on the 17th.

 

[gigi1313]

i will echo all the others... you will be fine... as long as the room is check into on the correct date, i cannot foresee a problem...

if you are worried about being asked if your entire party is present, and don't want to have to lie, why not do online check-in... that way you are the only guest required to go to the kiosk and you will get everyone's KTTWs and all will be right in the world...

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

i will echo all the others... you will be fine... as long as the room is check into on the correct date, i cannot foresee a problem...

if you are worried about being asked if your entire party is present, and don't want to have to lie, why not do online check-in... that way you are the only guest required to go to the kiosk and you will get everyone's KTTWs and all will be right in the world...

I didn't even think about online check in. Honestly I have never done it, (type A personality, enough said). But that is a great idea!!!!!!