AKL - $25 per person charge

[tinagirl]

Hey,
I'm planning a trip starting on December 14 (flying out on a redeye from SNA in California, and arriving in Florida at 7:40 am)
Usually there are just 2 of us...both age 22, so there has never been a problem with additional room charges, but this time my younger cousins will be coming as well. So our total ages at that time in December will be 23/22/18/16....the thing is that one of them is 17 now. She is a girl who looks very young, as she is only about 5'2 and is very petite. She will be turning 18 just prior to our trip (she will still be 17 when we make our reservation) and were just wondering how the resorts treated the "more than 2 adults in your room $25 per head extra" charge.

We wanted to stay at AKL, but if we will have to be spending $25 extra per night for her (even though we won't need an extra bed or anything) we simply won't be able to afford it. We were wondering if we could just "say" she is 17, or if they'll ask for her ID or anything. How do they ususally treat teens? I feel guilty about asking this, because I truly like to follow things to the best letter of the law, but these cousins have just moved to California from Paris, France, and have never been to WDW, in fact, they just recently visited Disneyland for the first time (and they loved it). I really wanted to make their trip the best humanly possible from check in to check out, so would love to be able to afford a standard w/bunk bed and queen at AKL.
Any tips?
Thanks for your time
~Tina
<table width="350" border="0" bgcolor="#000099"><tr bgcolor="#FF6B40"><td width="125" bgcolor="#1C1CFF"><div align="center"><img src="http://www.geraldfield.com/nadinesplace/muppetquiz/gonzo.jpg" width="125" height="108"></div></td><td width="177" bgcolor="#1C1CFF"><p align="center"><b><font size="3" color="#B0B0FF">You are Gonzo!</font></b><font color="#B0B0FF"><br><font size="2">You're a bit loopy, and many people have trouble figuring out exactly what you're supposed to be. You take pride in your eccentricity and originality.</font></font></p></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#000099"><td colspan="2"><div align="center"><font size="1"><b><a href="http://www.geraldfield.com/cgi-bin/unofficial/quizzes/sfesurvey.cgi?whatmuppetareyou" target="_blank"><font color="#7575FF">Take the <i>What Muppet Are You?</i> Quiz!</font></a></b></font></div></td></tr></table>

 

[renessa]

That there are 2 adults in the party - which is 100% truthful. I really think they only ask when you make reservations. Ren

 

[Trekker]

You have to decide what is more important to you, $25.00 a night or you honesty and integrity.

Yes you can say she is 17 and they will not ask for ID. What you do is up to you.

 

[tinagirl]

To help me know what to do, what would you guys do if you were in my position. If you could afford to make a 1st timer's trip that much better by staying in a deluxe AKL, but by saying that she is 17 when she would have turned 18 only 1 month earlier, OR stay at a Moderate. The thing is, AKL is her favorite from all the -hundreds- of resort photos I showed her, and nothing in the moderates is as cool to her. She figures she could one day spend time in New Orleans, or Mexico as the mods are themed as, but chances are she will NEVER go to Africa. Oh I don't know. I keep going back and forth. Also, we will be going as a combined birthday/Christmas present to both her and her brother, as her birthday is a month before December, and his is December 29 (after we go, but he'll only be 16 so that doesn't matter). It's taken me, their parents, and a few of their aunts, more than 2 years to scrounge up enough money for them to go. I don't know when or if they'll ever be back. Maybe I'm just trying to justify it. Oh well.

 

[4crusinransiers]

You need to decide if 25.00 is worth it to you...seems pretty important and 25.00 is not that much. If 25.00 would break the bank and I was in your shoes, I would chose a moderate over fibbing. Here in another suggestion....every time you go the the grocery stoe, buy gas, pay the paper boy, rent a movie, but a pizza whatever, pay with whole dollars, even if it is $5.01.
Then take the change and save it in a jar..EVERYTIME.
Everytime pay whole dollars. SAVE the Change. By December you will have enough to cover that 25.00 a night AND take your cousins out to BOMA or JIKO for dinner to boot!
We all did this on the buget board and I saved almost $180.00 in one month!

 

[Strawman]

Are you kidding me? What in the world does Disney need another $25 for? What's it costing them? As hard and fast as Disney sticks it to you at every turn, I have nooooo problem overlooking a technicality such as this. I think the vast majority, if honest, would agree.

 

[Gillian]

I wouldn't depend on us to make your decision. You'll get about 50-50. Both sides will flame the other side.

Book for 2 adults, save your change (it really does work!), and look for great deals. You should be able to find at least a small discount for that time of year. Disney club or AAA now, codes or annual passholder closer to dec.

Best of luck with your decision

 

[cottontail]

Getting off the subject a bit. I still don't understand why they do that to families. I don't understand that one time you can take your child at age 17, the next year they turn l8 and then they make you pay an extra fee, what extra services are they giving you for the $25.00 for the l8 year old, what is that child now l8 using now that they did not use when they were l7 to have to pay an extra fee.

Walt wanted this place for family bonding etc, and a fee like that on families who struggle to save for a wdw trip is ridiculous. Especially now that they have taken some things away like early entry.

Just my 2 cents.

Deb.

 

[margaritabnl]

This is how I see it. If she is turning 18 JUST before the trip, she is likely to be a senior in High School then. A high school student at 18 is still considered a dependant.

If it were me, I would go along with the ressie as a 17 year old and not feel one ounce of guilt. Disney will still be gaining plenty of your money through the course of your trip with her.

What doesn't make sense to me at all is paying the same ticket price for a 10 year old as an adult! Your cousins ticket price is an adults price. I wouldn't worry about this or stress yourself at all. Go and enjoy this trip!

 

[DawnCt]

There is no way that I would pay an extra adult charge for a dependent teenager. She isn't any bigger, taller or use more water than she previously did. It's just another way for Disney to balance the budget on theme park guests. Personally, I could not imagine that they would ever ask for an id. Every time I have ever checked in, the front desk never laid eyes on all of my kids. They were off to the arcade, etc. Go and enjoy yourself...guilt free.

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I ultimately agree that what you decide to do is for you and your conscience. Look for discounts and maybe you'll find something that will make it cheaper overall and offset an additional $25.00 charge. I would just like to point out that it is fairly common if not a standard within the hotel industry to charge extra for more than 2 adults in a room and some charge more than $25.00. I wouldn't look at this as Disney is trying to gouge anyone for extra money that "they really don't need" but just par for the course! I also disagree with strawman - we're going in Dec with three adults and will be paying the extra money - we just factored it into our budget and have no problem with it.

Good luck in your decision either way and I hope you all have a great time!

 

[tycase]

I know I am way too midwestern, but come on, people.... What kind of example are you setting if you lie? Yes, I know "everyone" does, etc.... Right is right, lying is wrong. Why can't your niece come up with the extra $25 per night? Doesn't she work, babysit or get an allowance? I don't feel that is asking too much of her as you are taking her on such a fab trip!

 

[gepetto]

I see a lot of justifications here...."I go to Disney a lot", "she's small and dosen't take up a lot of room or use much water", "Disney dosen't need the money", "she's already paying for a ticket", "it's her first trip". I think you are looking for people to validate your decision. Either lie or don't . You don't need to make excuses or get our approval to do it.

 

[4crusinransiers]

To : tycase
Thank you Thank you Thank you! You took the words out of my mouth! If we are all suppossed to setting examples for our children and others what in the world are we creating for thier future by lying!


To: tinagirl
Be honest! If you cannot swing the cost .You should downgrade to a moderate. You will have fun no matter where you stay.
You will have more fun if you do it with a clear conscience.
I always tell my boys" what goes around comes around"
Karma is real....trust me.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[DisDee]

We stayed at AKL back in Jan. We had 2 rooms , one for myself and dh, and one for my 22 & 20 year old children. While we were there, one of my daughter's best friends finished working in the college program at the MK, and we had invited her to stay with our kids and fly home with us. The first night, I did not tell the front desk that we now had an additional adult in one room.Then I got the guilts, and went down and explained the situation to them. Well guess what? They just brushed it off, said that was fine, and we were not charged for the additional adult. It pays to be honest.

 

[ophyllia]

I would have to say if the thought of this is causing you this much stress you should re-evaluate your plans. If you lie to them up front you are probably going to feel guilty and wonder if they are going to figure it out through your whole trip. Everytime you walk into the loby or see a CM you are going to think to yourself..."They know I lied...." Is that worth it?

As far as making the cut off 18....they have to do it somewhere. If not 18 than 22 or 23. It all comes down to what is a logical cut-off point.

Save yourself the stress and stay in the Moderate and visit AKL. With you having so much to show them you probably won't be at the resort too much anyways.

 

[DawnCt]

There seems to be concern that the "front desk" is somehow going to "figure it out" that one of the kids appears 30 days older than 17 years 360 days. The fact is, they only care IF you bring it to their attention and even then, they probably don't care at all. CRO cares because their job is to get you to pay the highest rate in the highest end room with no discounts. It is an extra $25 that they can net. I booked a pre paid $109 room at the San Diego Marriott Resort and Marina. I was told over the phone that the only bed that would be available under this rate was a king and there could be no changes to the reservation. A king isn't what I wanted but for $109 I could live with it and the promo was offered because of the lack of double bed rooms. Upon arrival we were assigned our room. I asked about the bedding and requested two double beds. They were more than happy to accommodate us. The retrictions of the reservations department meant very little to the front desk, just as a birthdate ultimately means very little to the front desk. As far as "setting an example" for the kids. I have never mentioned additional "adult fee" to any of my kids so why even bring it up for discussion with them, then you don't have to worry about setting a bad example.

 

[4crusinransiers]

I dissagree about it not setting a bad example. One little lie leads to another, and another to another.
I have run the same high volume resturant for over 10 years now. Most people no not understand that most places with childrens menus make little or no profit from the childrens menus.
I have seen more times than I wish to people say" little johnny will have the kids burger" than little Johnny (obviously older than 10) blurts out " Mom! I am 13!
Like I said one little lie leads to another..
I respect MYSELF more than that and what I teach my children even MORE!

 

[snyderla]

I just called 2 weeks ago to make my reservations for our trip in July to CR/POFQ. The CM asked me the ages of those in my party...NOW, not in July when we will be going...NOW. Won't you be making the ressies before December when she turns 18???
Doesn't sound like a problem to me. I have been to WDW 6 times and stayed on property. They have never asked ages at check in , only when I made the ressies. So what exactly IS the problem here?

 

[Cindybell]

I would call and explain your situation. I don't think they will charge you any extra since you are making the ressie when she is still 17. If they do then you can stay somewhere else but if they don't then that is great. Either way you won't have to feel guilty which may spoil your trip.