Can we leave people off the reservation?

[BLTSam]

My wife, DD and I will be heading down for a trip in July. My wife's brother and GF may join us for a few of the days, staying in our room (we are staying at VWL). Here's the problem. We are getting the dining plan, which doesn't make sense for them since they won't be there the entire trip, but we would be charged for it.

Here's my question... if we want them to be able to use Magical Express, they would need to be on the reservation, and if they are on the reservation they need to get the dining plan. Would we be better off just not listing them on the reservation, and having them take a shuttle to the hotel? This way, they wouldn't have to pay for the dining plan. Is this "okay" for them to stay in our room without being registered guests?

 

[CarolAnnC]

All occupants of the room must be listed on the reservation.

You may want to consider either dropping the dining plan completely, or go ahead and pay for everyone, that way you will have extra credits (when they are not there) to use towards the signature meals that required more table credits.

 

[BLTSam]

All occupants of the room must be listed on the reservation.

You may want to consider either dropping the dining plan completely, or go ahead and pay for everyone, that way you will have extra credits (when they are not there) to use towards the signature meals that required more table credits.

Definitely what I was thinking. Especially if we want to split up during the day, then they won't have keys to the room.

 

[tammydel]

I would advise to have them put on the reservation. There are many reasons, magical express, keys, and safety to name a few. You obviously know the Dining plan policy and they do tend to be strict with it. However, TRY, calling member services and explain your situation. Pixie dust does sometimes happen...it did for me once. If still no luck, I would put them on the plan and live it up with the extra credits!

 

[dclfun]

I would put them on the res for the reasons mentioned, and also for Extra Magic Hours. The credits can be used by anyone, so indeed use their credits to upgrade to the signature TS restaurants or a dinner show. If you figure it out cost-wise, you'll probably come out ahead.---Kathy

 

[Dean]

My wife, DD and I will be heading down for a trip in July. My wife's brother and GF may join us for a few of the days, staying in our room (we are staying at VWL). Here's the problem. We are getting the dining plan, which doesn't make sense for them since they won't be there the entire trip, but we would be charged for it.

Here's my question... if we want them to be able to use Magical Express, they would need to be on the reservation, and if they are on the reservation they need to get the dining plan. Would we be better off just not listing them on the reservation, and having them take a shuttle to the hotel? This way, they wouldn't have to pay for the dining plan. Is this "okay" for them to stay in our room without being registered guests?

Unfortunately this is one of the ares where DVC doesn't match up very well compared to the hotels. It seems to be far more common for such uncertainties and those that join you for part of a trip compared to non DVC trips. Hopefully they'll address the issue at some point as it pertains to the DDP to remove this dilemma. Otherwise your choices are not getting the DDP, getting for all for the entire trip or getting them a separate room for the time they will be there allowing you to get the DDP for your room alone.

 

[bams50]

make two or three reservations for the time you are there, then they will only have to add the ddp for the days they are there. you can have the front desk link your res so you wont have to move rooms

 

[Dean]

make two or three reservations for the time you are there, then they will only have to add the ddp for the days they are there. you can have the front desk link your res so you wont have to move rooms

Actually you can't have it both ways. If it's linked it's counted as one stay for DDP purposes. You won't have to move but you must get the DDP for the entire time. There have been recent rumors this may change coming up but we'll see. OTOH, if you have separate reservations for different days, you MAY or may not have to move but you will have to check in again for each segment. This too has been rumored to be changing, we'll see.