Adding another person semi-last minute

[JVig]

hi!
We will be arriving at WDW on April 20. Originally trip was to be me, husband and daughter 6. Stepdaughter (18) just this weekend expressed interest in coming along and we would love to have her! She's just checking into some questions about having to miss a couple days of school but it will likely be fine.

SO! Of course we will need another plane ticket (currently there are still several seats in both flights, so that should be ok) and we will have to add her to our package.

We, of course, already have ADRs and Fastpasses.

I am assuming (I hope correctly) adding a 4th to most ADRs will not be a problem?

What about Fastpasses? Obviously it will be impossible to get a 4th for A&E or 7D, but for other rides....how difficult will it be to get a fp for 1 to overlap with our already existing times?

Also-we are 23 days out now. How far out to the send the magic bands? If I notify DISNEY tomorrow and get her paid for, will they be able to ship hers with the others?

Are there any oher complications of doing this I'm not thinking of?

This will be SD's first trip to Disney and I'm so excited for her!

Sorry for the lengthy post!

 

[Robo]

What about Fastpasses? Obviously it will be impossible to get a 4th for A&E or 7D, but for other rides....

1. how difficult will it be to get a fp for 1 to overlap with our already existing times?
Also-we are 23 days out now.
2. How far out to the send the magic bands?
3. If I notify DISNEY tomorrow and get her paid for, will they be able to ship hers with the others?
4.Are there any other complications of doing this I'm not thinking of?

1. Some will be easy. Some will be difficult.
2. About now, actually. Sometimes later.
3. I'll say a good chance. If not, she'll get one when you get to the resort.
4. There always are.
Have a great trip!

 

[JVig]

Thanks

 

[LaurenT]

I doubt you'll have any problem with the ADRs. They put parties of three at four tops, so having four should be fine (Teppan Edo might be the exception to this). You probably won't be able to get your same time slot if you actually switch the ADR, so I would just show up and explain. 4/20 is a relatively low crowd period anyway..... Which is why I don't think you'll have trouble overlapping FPs for everything except those two. Once you have her ticket purchased and linked, just copy her to your FPs and the system will find matching times.
You may not get a band shipped depending on when you can confirm and buy her ticket ... But I bet she'll be ok with the gray one they'll give her at the resort.... She can dress it up with some bling if she wants.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would start watching the dining site and change over ADRs to an actual 4 person reservation when openings come up. If not, I would just show up and hope for the best. As the PP said, most 3 person parties are seated at tables for 4 anyway. It would be a bigger deal if you were going from 2 to 3 or 4 to 5.

 

[JVig]

Thanks for all the input!

So there is a way to copy her into my already existing Fast passes? Or copy my fast passes over to her?

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for all the input!

So there is a way to copy her into my already existing Fast passes? Or copy my fast passes over to her?

Only if those attractions have FP capacity left.

 

[JVig]

Only if those attractions have FP capacity left.

Ok, is there a function where I can select "copy all" for a day, and then it will tell me which are available and which are not?
Sorry, sort of new to the mde/fast pass system

 

[Traveliz]

And don't give up on A&E or 7D....I have gotten Fps for those several times anywhere from day of to two weeks out.

Liz

 

[ConnieB]

We have had similiar happen...it's usually just me and my two daughters....Hubby's not a big fan, but occasionally he will surprise us days before our trip to ask if he can come along for a few days. Ummm, yes, but......

For FP+, it's often difficult to get him a FP for something we booked a month ago.....especially for the popular ones. The not-as-popular ones it's often easy to get one that overlaps and we just have a smaller window to go in, but it works. In your case, you have an 18 year old and a 6 year old....for any that you can't add the 18yo, I'd just let her choose something else. One would imagine that many that might appeal to a 6 year aren't going to all appeal to the 18yo. If it's a matter of 18yo doesn't want to go on a ride alone (though most teens would love that alone time, I know some just like having company).....maybe you or your husband could switch their FP to match with the 18yo. Then one parent goes with each kid....maybe switch off so you both have some "alone" time with each of the kids. Since it can be complicated to decide NOW which parent wants to go on which ride with which kid....just book them all with one parent...and switch wrist bands at the park when deciding. I gave hubby my wristband for several rides that he had more interest in than I did.

For ADRs.....I know I'll get some people blasting me for it, but so be it, I have on flame proof undies......but we just brought hubby along to all of the ADRs. We're booked for 3 and always get a 4 top table anyway, so not taking someone's else table even occurs. Doesn't work as well if you booked 4 and want to add #5, but that is a completely different table and could cause a delay/backup for those after you......but since ADRs don't guarantee you a particular table it's not really evil, in my opinion. Now...if you have any prepaid meals, that CAN be a problem, because you probably can't just show up.....first I would call and try to add the 4th person, probably need to talk to a supervisor or two and explain about the 3 people would be at a 4 person table anyway.......if that didn't work (the online CMs don't always have a lot of room for change) what I would do is probably head over to the restaurant a few days BEFORE my reservation date and ask them if there is a way to pay now for that 4th seat at the table. The restaurant manager may be able to do something more for you than the online folks can. Remember the manager is going to look at it as "if I can't fit their whole family in, they're likely to cancel" and while Disney often can fill last minute cancellations, sometimes that doesn't happen, and the manager wants high turnover not high cancellations, lol. It's worth a shot. Since it sounds like this is not your last trip to Disney, you may just have to cancel any prepaids (beware of their cancellation policies!!) for this trip and find something that all 4 of you can do.

Adding her to your room will cause an added expense.....Disney charges for a 3rd adult (18 and over) in the room (I think it's like $25 per night per extra over 2 adults). You'll also need to consider, since most rooms only have 2 beds, if the 18 and 6 year old can sleep in the same bed together without fighting too much, lol. Some off site also charge, but most don't so long as the room is meant for 4 people (i.e. it's not a King with a Sofa which is only meant for 3).

Since the additonal person is over 18....if the plane tickets are too much for your flight, check other flights since she is capable of travelling on her own....not always as much fun, but if your current plane isn't Southwest, you've already picked your seats and she won't be sitting with you on the flight anyway. Obviously this all depends on whether she is willing to take another flight, depending on her personality/responsibility.

Whatever happens, have a great time with ALL the family now!

 

[momimouse27]

I agree about the ADR's, I don't see there would be any issues, since they'll be giving you a table for four with three people anyway. Don't give up on 7DMT! We are leaving on the 26th, and I still pulled up some FP's during our week, so try and then try try again!

Have fun and enjoy your wonderful family!

 

[JVig]

Woohoo all the fast passes have worked out except A&E, and my husband says he'll just give stepdaughter his Magicband for that one. I even got 7D to overlap with our existing time slots!!