Adding RV company to online check in

[Lildancer]

Hi!

I have my RV rented with Kissimee Orlando RV Rental, and campsite secured. We have done online check in, but the RV company says to list Kissimee RV on our reservation so they can set it up before we get there. I can't for the life of me figure out where/how to do this. Do I have to call? Thanks for the help!

 

[dizneygirl55]

We are using Meachman's RV rental and they said to add our FW booking/reservation number in our request for the rental. It is my understanding that we have a lot number. to let them know as soon as we can, We are going Oct 2022. I'm interested to see how it works out!

 

[bama_ed]

This is one of the key differences between using one of the official RV vendors (like Meachams) versus an un-official one. Official RV vendors are listed on the Fort "Amenities" website tab (scroll down to "RV Rentals":

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/services-amenities/

Meachams (approved) only needs your reservation number and they work directly with the Fort/Disney to find out your site number, Disney gives them access to the campsite to set up before you arrive, so @dizneygirl55 can get her notification text and drive in and it's all there ready for them.

Nothing against Kissimmee Orlando RV Rental but as an unofficial vendor they need you the guest to do more work to allow them entrance to the Fort (via your call to the Reservation line to add their name to your reservation it sounds like) to get in and set up for you. So yes you would have to call.

It's sort of like renting a golf cart from Disney (their approved golf cart vendor is themselves) or renting one from an off-site vendor. I've no doubt that Meachams pays Disney for the privilege of being an approved vendor and that cost gets passed on to the guest who can decide if it's worth it or not. Off-site vendors are cheaper in the golf cart rental world but require more work on the part of the guest to pick up and return. That's a simple example and campers are more complex with features and add-ons but the principle still applies.

So for the OP, yes you would have to call and add them to your reservation (as you would if an extra person all-of-a-sudden wanted to stay at FW with you after you'd already made the reservation). Being on the reservation grants them legal access to your campsite. If you are not legal or on a reservation (an Uber driver for example), you're restricted to the Outpost/Checkin area and they can't go back to the campsite. Supposedly.

Bama Ed

 

[CouponGirl]

This is one of the key differences between using one of the official RV vendors (like Meachams) versus an un-official one. Official RV vendors are listed on the Fort "Amenities" website tab (scroll down to "RV Rentals":

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/services-amenities/

Meachams (approved) only needs your reservation number and they work directly with the Fort/Disney to find out your site number, Disney gives them access to the campsite to set up before you arrive, so @dizneygirl55 can get her notification text and drive in and it's all there ready for them.

Nothing against Kissimmee Orlando RV Rental but as an unofficial vendor they need you the guest to do more work to allow them entrance to the Fort (via your call to the Reservation line to add their name to your reservation it sounds like) to get in and set up for you. So yes you would have to call.

It's sort of like renting a golf cart from Disney (their approved golf cart vendor is themselves) or renting one from an off-site vendor. I've no doubt that Meachams pays Disney for the privilege of being an approved vendor and that cost gets passed on to the guest who can decide if it's worth it or not. Off-site vendors are cheaper in the golf cart rental world but require more work on the part of the guest to pick up and return. That's a simple example and campers are more complex with features and add-ons but the principle still applies.

So for the OP, yes you would have to call and add them to your reservation (as you would if an extra person all-of-a-sudden wanted to stay at FW with you after you'd already made the reservation). Being on the reservation grants them legal access to your campsite. If you are not legal or on a reservation (an Uber driver for example), you're restricted to the Outpost/Checkin area and they can't go back to the campsite. Supposedly.

Bama Ed

Assuming your have a site only reservation, is there any reason you would not want to add them?

 

[bama_ed]

Assuming your have a site only reservation, is there any reason you would not want to add them?

I can think of two reasons that are both very minor:

1. You can put 10 names on a reservation and if the vendor is one name and you have 10 in your party, little Bobby doesn't make it on. That's technical and minor (not to mention rare) in my book.

2. The lead name on the reservation is, indirectly, somewhat responsible for his party/group. Theoretically, I wouldn't want to put a stranger on my reservation. But since this is a business, we assume they're responsible and accountable so that should not be an issue - thus minor again.

Oh and I would not relish sitting on hold with the Reservation line to add the vendor (or anyone else) to my stay but that's part of the work required with an unofficial vendor.

Bama Ed

 

[CouponGirl]

I can think of two reasons that are both very minor:

1. You can put 10 names on a reservation and if the vendor is one name and you have 10 in your party, little Bobby doesn't make it on. That's technical and minor (not to mention rare) in my book.

2. The lead name on the reservation is, indirectly, somewhat responsible for his party/group. Theoretically, I wouldn't want to put a stranger on my reservation. But since this is a business, we assume they're responsible and accountable so that should not be an issue - thus minor again.

Oh and I would not relish sitting on hold with the Reservation line to add the vendor (or anyone else) to my stay but that's part of the work required with an unofficial vendor.

Bama Ed

Thank you

 

[Lildancer]

Thanks everyone!
Turns out I don't have to add them! I am not sure if they are an "unofficial' official vendor, but I managed to get in touch with the company and Disney and they said as long as they have the site number and the company has my reservation, they let them in to set it up! Woohoo!