Check-in/Logistics Need Help

[mello]

Got a Question - hopefully somebody knows - Can I check in for my folks (for whom I made a BCV ressie on my DVC acct)?

Here's the scenario: We're arriving May 10, my folks are flying into MCO on May 11 at 5:45pm. We're doing a Grand Gatherings Fireworks Cruise at the Contemporary on May 11. They would have had plenty of time to get there, had the fireworks been at 10pm as usual, but for some reason this night, the schedule shows Wishes at 9pm. The GG CM said the GG cruise starts at 7:30, but I was thinking she meant snacks, etc. started then (with Wishes at 10). But now with Wishes at 9, I'm not seeing any wiggle room for my folks to get through the airport, on DME to BCV, check in, then get to Contemporary in time. Just don't see it happening. They're already paid for the cruise, and we really really wanted them to go on it, being that it's mother's day and all.

So I'm wondering if we could check in for them earlier in the evening (again, the membership is ours, but i put the room in their name), then they could send their luggage via DME to BCV, but take DME themselves straight to the Contemporary - or a taxi straight to the contemporary? Anybody know if this is possible?

As this grand gathering gets closer I'm probably going to have tons more logistics questions, so get ready with answers you experts!

 

[GAN]

I'm pretty sure you can -given that the membership is in your name. I believe I have done this in the past.

 

[disneynutz]

Add your name to their reservation.

 

[paults]

as disneynutz said, if your name is not on the ressie then call and add your name and then you can check them in.

 

[Chuck S]

as disneynutz said, if your name is not on the ressie then call and add your name and then you can check them in.

Will you be on the Disney dining plan? If so, by adding your name to the reservation, you'll be paying for an additional DDP for yourself.

I was not allowed to check-in for guests who were using my points that were on a later flight. If the room is in their name, you can not check-in.

Is there any way your parents can change to an earlier flight?

In general, it really isn't a good idea to do tight scheduling, even allowing an extra hour or so, on a day that people are flying in. There are just too many possible flight delays that can throw a monkey wrench into the works.

 

[castleri]

If you want them to use DME they could go to BCV and immediately get a cab to the contemporary and check in after the cruise. Not the best solution but it might work. Or maybe they would let them take DME to the contemporary directly if they explain the situation and then they can check in later when the cruise is over. Maybe it is a grad night weekend where they close the MK early and reopen for the grad parties which is why the fireworks would be early, As others have said if you are not doing the DDP just put your name on the ressie-not as the first person though if you are first on the other one- and then you can check them in. I wasn't allowed to have two reservations with my name first for the same days when we had several rooms for a GG last year. You could make one with your first name, middle initial and last name and one without the middle initial also. Trying for an earlier flight does sound like a really good idea.

 

[paults]

I always check in 3 or 4 rooms in OCT when my family get in at diff times and never had a problem. Maybe things have changed.

 

[mello]

Will you be on the Disney dining plan? If so, by adding your name to the reservation, you'll be paying for an additional DDP for yourself.

I was not allowed to check-in for guests who were using my points that were on a later flight. If the room is in their name, you can not check-in.

Is there any way your parents can change to an earlier flight?

In general, it really isn't a good idea to do tight scheduling, even allowing an extra hour or so, on a day that people are flying in. There are just too many possible flight delays that can throw a monkey wrench into the works.

Darn, yes we are doing the DDP, so I guess that won't work either.

I hear what you're saying about tight scheduling... last time we flew in we actually arrived early and then sat in the plane on the tarmac for an hour due to an electrical storm! We were so glad we didn't have anything scheduled that night. I had told my folks to plan on arriving the 10th, or early in the day on the 11th, so I don't know what they were thinking with their flight... it's SO hard to get other people to understand just HOW BIG WDW is! They seem to think they're going to Disneyland, and everything's a hop, skip and jump away...

 

[mello]

I always check in 3 or 4 rooms in OCT when my family get in at diff times and never had a problem. Maybe things have changed.

Hmm... were you on the dining plan? I'm guessing that's going to be the issue for us. I guess it wouldn't hurt to call & ask...

 

[Chuck S]

I always check in 3 or 4 rooms in OCT when my family get in at diff times and never had a problem. Maybe things have changed.

I was not allowed to check-in for guests (and neither of our rooms were on the DDP) in June, even though both reservations were using my points AND there were requests on both reservations to be near the other.

Magical Express wasn't a consideration in this case, as we had driven to FL, and we were picking them up at MCO.

 

[jarestel]

On the other hand, I have always been able to check into all rooms booked under my reservation (but in other's names) when I arrived. This sounds like another classic example of CMs doing what they feel like doing doing rather than following explicit guidelines. The best advice I could give would be to call MS and see if they could make a note on the reservation that you will be checking in for your parents.

Good luck!

 

[GAN]

Earlier I mentioned that I had "checked in" for others guests who were traveling with us. I should clarify that I actually was allowed to get their room assignment, because we wanted 2 studios next to each other, not "physically" checked in. That may be the difference, where CM will allow the room to be assigned but not actually checked in -I would just call MS to confirm as others have mentioned.