Adding guests at check-in

[meuseman]

We are traveling in December with my in-laws, staying in a 2 bedroom BWV (we are new owners). We are looking to get the dining plan for ourselves but not the in-laws. A few months ago, a MS rep suggested having the reservation just in our name and adding the DDP. Then, when we check-in, we can add my in-laws to the room, at which point, it would be too late to add them to DDP.

Has anyone ever done this? Or at least added people at check-in? What were your experiences like?

 

[Deb & Bill]

All guests on the reservation are required to have the dining plan for all nights of the stay.

 

[meuseman]

Deb - I understand that provision, but there are conflicts in the rules. You have to add the DDP 48 hours in advance of check-in, or else you cannot get DDP. AND you can add persons to your room at check-in, which then would be too late to add the DDP.

How does this work - especially since this idea was given to me by MS?

 

[aDVCguy]

Same thing happened to myself...ALL in your room must be
under the same Dining Plan. I suppose one way to avoid
this would to have any people who don't want the DDP
to be put into a Studio and you get a one bedroom.
Good Luck!

 

[Cajun28]

We are traveling in December with my in-laws, staying in a 2 bedroom BWV (we are new owners). We are looking to get the dining plan for ourselves but not the in-laws. A few months ago, a MS rep suggested having the reservation just in our name and adding the DDP. Then, when we check-in, we can add my in-laws to the room, at which point, it would be too late to add them to DDP.

Has anyone ever done this? Or at least added people at check-in? What were your experiences like?

I would guess, this is only a guess since I have no personal experience, is that when you add the DDP to your reservation, you are adding for all guests that are checking in, whether or not they are on the reservation at time of adding DDP. As far as the suggestion from MS. I'm not saying they're wrong but, if they are, it wouldn't be the first time someone has been steered wrong by them.

 

[Chuck S]

MS is wrong. People can not be added at check-in without also adding the DDP, as the DDP is linked to all room keys.

The DDP isn't really designed to work well with DVC-type stays, where extended families often share larger rooms. It is really designed for the cash reservation folks who typically stay a week or less, and have 4 or less people in a standard hotel room as a way to pre-pay meals.

You can pay more points and get your inlaws a studio (and yourselves a one bedroom) rather than a two bedroom unit. But really, it may simply be better to skip the DDP for your trip.

 

[meuseman]

Thanks for clearing this up - Looks like we will be paying our own way on the meal side.

 

[Tara]

Thanks for clearing this up - Looks like we will be paying our own way on the meal side.

Chuck is right - the DDP has to be added in advance, but the number of guests on the plan can be (and would be) increased at check in in your case.

That said, if you are an AP holder, you might want to look into getting a Tables in Wonderland card. It is $75 and offers 20% off meals (appetizers, entrees, anything, including alcohol) at most Disney restaurants. Many DTD restaurants aren't included, but most of them offer either an AP or DVC discount. With a group, you can save a lot of money using TIW, assuming you won't be splitting checks.