Book for a person who may not come?

[disneydreaming1234]

Hi There

I just booked with Disney Visa for free dining. I was told that at check in, every member of the party in the room must be present in order to be checked in. Is this new? I usually check in for my family while they are in the shop/food court/wandering around as a small child doesn't have tolerance for waiting in line.

The reason I ask is my sister wants to come with us, and I booked her to come and stay in our room. We (my husband, daughter and I) are 100% for sure going, but my sister is going to make a last minute decision based on work, etc. What happens if she decides not to come? At that point (literally just a day or two before) I won't be able to cancel and rebook with free dining. Can I remove someone off the res without affecting the others in the party? What happens if we check in, and she's not there? She doesn't want to book for her own room, as she definitely won't know 45 days before if she's coming, and then she stands to lose out. If she's in our room and doesn't come, she's only out the cost of her pass (since we're paying for the room anyway since we're in it, and dining plan is free) and since it will never be used, she can use it next time (since it expires 14 days from first use, and it won't be used)

Help? Any ideas? What I don't want to happen is to show up and be told we have a problem, lose free dining or something because we don't have everyone in our party.........

 

[twinspluscade]

Hi There

I just booked with Disney Visa for free dining. I was told that at check in, every member of the party in the room must be present in order to be checked in. Is this new? I usually check in for my family while they are in the shop/food court/wandering around as a small child doesn't have tolerance for waiting in line.

The reason I ask is my sister wants to come with us, and I booked her to come and stay in our room. We (my husband, daughter and I) are 100% for sure going, but my sister is going to make a last minute decision based on work, etc. What happens if she decides not to come? At that point (literally just a day or two before) I won't be able to cancel and rebook with free dining. Can I remove someone off the res without affecting the others in the party? What happens if we check in, and she's not there? She doesn't want to book for her own room, as she definitely won't know 45 days before if she's coming, and then she stands to lose out. If she's in our room and doesn't come, she's only out the cost of her pass (since we're paying for the room anyway since we're in it, and dining plan is free) and since it will never be used, she can use it next time (since it expires 14 days from first use, and it won't be used)

Help? Any ideas? What I don't want to happen is to show up and be told we have a problem, lose free dining or something because we don't have everyone in our party.........

I've heard that JUST for free dining they require everyone from your party to be there for check in. I think the reason being that people can't add "pretend" guests just to get the free extra dining credits. For instance, if your sister doesn't come, theoritically you guys could buy a one-day ticket for her and then still use all her dining credits (which I believe would be well over the cost of a one-day basic ticket).

I'm not sure what you'd do in your situation! If she doesn't come, chances are they'd MIGHT let it slide when you check in...but they might not. It's not a chance I'd take when on vacation. Maybe you could call Disney (when the phone lines all die down, of course ) and see what they suggest you do? Maybe if she does cancel, they can just take her name and dining credits off your reservation and the rest of you can keep free dining.

Kelly

 

[aubriee]

The first year free dining was offered (Aug-Sept '05) there were stories of people making up fake guests (especially children, since at that time their credits could be used for adult meals and it wouldn't cost anything to add them to the room except a child's one day park pass). Consequently, last year during free dining Disney said everyone had to be there at check in. There were some posts where some CMs enforced it and others where they did not. In our case the CM at POP did ask to see everyone in our party. My ex was still out at the DME bus getting our carry ons and my mom was at bag services getting her rented ECV. I had to wait until they both showed up in the lobby to get checked in.

For a pkg if you make changes after I believe 45 days that result in the price going down you are charged a rather large fee. If you cancel your sister then your pkg price will go down, due not being charged for her park ticket and the extra adult in the room fee being subtracted. You might call and talk to GS to see what you can do.

 

[LakeAriel]

I think she will need to know before the 45 day window expires..You do all have to be present to get your keys at check-in. This is because people were making up guests to get more food and say the person was 8 when they were really 80! Cheaper ticket, plus no fee for the extra adult in the room etc..

 

[formernyer]

I think the "checks" all boil down to individual hotel policy and/or the particular clerk you end up with at the desk.

I stayed at POP last year during the free dining. The three people who shared my room were all in the gift shop during check-in. I was never questioned about it.

Just like last year, I only have three people in my family, but once again I'll be booking for four. It's crazy to NOT find a 4th person to join you when the only upcharge is the cost of that person's park passes. Last year I took my 11-year old niece as last-minute 4th guest. This year I'm going to try to get my dad to join us (since he would LOVE it and my mom will never go with him). If he can't do it, I'll take my other niece this time around.

 

[bicker]

The enforcement last year was pretty skewed towards trying to find phantom young children, presumably because of all the abuse with folks violating the "child meal entitlements cannot be used for adult meals) rule. That's going to be much less of an issue this year, because of the new enforcement, at both TS restaurants (where the credits are separated) and CS eateries (where CMs enforce the limitation printed on the room keys).

 

[singitalto]

I have a simular situation. I booked 2 rooms with free dining this morning because my 2 kids want to take a friend each. That makes 6 of us(Maybe) I asked about the cancellation policy incase the friends can't come, then I would only need 1 room. I need to know by 45 days out or else It is a $50 fee.
My mom had a situation last year. She was booked with my dad and sister free dining last Sept. 2 days before they were to go, Dad didn't feel up to going. Mom and sis went. Told them at check in and after a few mistakes(cancelling the reservation outright by mistake and then getting the free dining reservation back- it took over an hour) THey were able to cancel Dad off the reservation. In hindsite- the CM had told them to just keep the credits(they wanted to be honest) It would have been easier to keep the credits.
So it really does depend who you get at check in!

 

[Lewisc]

So this year those same guests book a junior, 11-18 so they get extra adult dining credits without having to pay the extra adult charge for the hotel. The unused one day base ticket can be used on a future trip or might wind up being sold on ebay.

I'd expect the hotels might ask to see everyone. At least on a random basis.

I'm not sure there is a penalty if you just drop an extra adult from the package. You can certainly do it 45 days out without any penalty.

The enforcement last year was pretty skewed towards trying to find phantom young children, presumably because of all the abuse with folks violating the "child meal entitlements cannot be used for adult meals) rule. That's going to be much less of an issue this year, because of the new enforcement, at both TS restaurants (where the credits are separated) and CS eateries (where CMs enforce the limitation printed on the room keys).

 

[clkelley]

I would say cancel her off the reservation even if it is less than 45 days. The $50 charge will be much less than the cost of her ticket and the extra adult fee.

 

[molly213]

I have a somewhat similar situation. I made reservations during free dining for 14 days but my oldest son can't join us until the second week. I did call before free dining was official and they said we would have to buy the same tickets for him and his dining credits would be there or we could let them know he will only be there for a part of the trip but then he couldn't get the dining plan. He is also 19 so we will be paying the additional $ for him to stay in the room. He really wants the free dining so we are planning on paying the extra $ for the full trip and he will be eating well while he is there. I just hope we don't have a problem checking in.

 

[bicker]

So this year those same guests book a junior, 11-18 so they get extra adult dining credits without having to pay the extra adult charge for the hotel. ... I'd expect the hotels might ask to see everyone. At least on a random basis.

Gosh, you're absolutely right.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Posts advocating how to cheat the system will be deleted. The OP asked an honest question and recieved a response. Additional posts on how to get around the system have been deleted.

Thanks for sticking to the topic folks, it is appreciated!

 

[kdzgon]

I have a simular situation. I booked 2 rooms with free dining this morning because my 2 kids want to take a friend each. That makes 6 of us(Maybe) I asked about the cancellation policy incase the friends can't come, then I would only need 1 room. I need to know by 45 days out or else It is a $50 fee.
My mom had a situation last year. She was booked with my dad and sister free dining last Sept. 2 days before they were to go, Dad didn't feel up to going. Mom and sis went. Told them at check in and after a few mistakes(cancelling the reservation outright by mistake and then getting the free dining reservation back- it took over an hour) THey were able to cancel Dad off the reservation. In hindsite- the CM had told them to just keep the credits(they wanted to be honest) It would have been easier to keep the credits.
So it really does depend who you get at check in!

Or, next time if the CS says "keep the credits" take them, but don't use the ones for the extra person not there. Easier check-in, and no actual "abuse" as the extra credits will just expire unused.

 

[eeyoregon]

I say leave her on the ressie and only purchase a 1 day Magic Your Way pass. If she comes, great. If not, you are only out about $30 for that 1 day pass. And maybe, just maybe they won't ask at check-in?

We are doing exactly this for my son's best friend who may or may not come. Doesn't cost any extra for him to be in the room...only pay for his 1 day pass so if he comes great, if not, no big loss. Maybe we could pay a kid in the lobby to pretend to be him at check-in!

 

[Tinker74]

What on earth would anyone do with MORE dining credits.
There already too much food...Why did people make up phantom children..that is sooo greedy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can’t purchase a one-day base pass for the Guest who might come, while purchasing a different length/type/options for the rest of your party. Everyone on the package reservation has to have the same MYW pass. The only way to do this is to change the package to include one day base passes for everyone, then upgrade them while checking in.
In addition, you wouldn’t be out $30 if that person didn’t come, you’d be out about $70.

Pumbaa/other Moderators, if this post violates anything, PLEASE feel free to delete it. I think I’m just explaining rules, but I’ve been wrong before 

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I've got something of a similar situation, so I just called WDW reservations and learned the following:

Once you've got your reservation for free dining, you can INCREASE the number of people on your reservation (up to the capacity of your room) at any time upto 72 hours before your arrival date without any penalties.

 

[Lewisc]

I've got something of a similar situation, so I just called WDW reservations and learned the following:

Once you've got your reservation for free dining, you can INCREASE the number of people on your reservation (up to the capacity of your room) at any time upto 72 hours before your arrival date without any penalties.

You can generally INCREASE a package; add guests, dining or improve tickets without a penalty. Did you ask if you could DROP a guest without paying a penalty. This could be an issue with free dining, if the resort required all guests be present, but would be a bigger issue with paid dining.

 

[brooke1]

I've got something of a similar situation, so I just called WDW reservations and learned the following:

Once you've got your reservation for free dining, you can INCREASE the number of people on your reservation (up to the capacity of your room) at any time upto 72 hours before your arrival date without any penalties.

so glad i read your post, that is the situation i am in, my DS wants to bring a friend along but not sure if he can go yet..

Brooke

 

[GOODoldPAL]

I just called WDW reservations and learned the following:
you can INCREASE the number of people on your reservation (up to the capacity of your room) at any time upto 72 hours before your arrival date without any penalties.

VERY good to know ~ THANK YOU!

DD is hoping to invite a friend as it would be so cheap having an extra teen for Free Dining. Her friend has to come up with $$$ for park tickets tho (we are paying for flight) hence our hesitation to pay far in advance.