check in with free dining plan

[Torylovesdisney]

Greetings,

I'm new here, and I have to say I'm very impressed, lots of great topics and very knowledgeable friendly folks. When I recieved my confirmation letter for my upcoming trip in September it stated something odd. There are 4 adults in our group and it stated that everyone MUST be present upon checking in or we would be subject to not getting the free dining for everyone.

I'm confused by this. We are staying at the Poly and have park hopper tickets for 9 days. My hubby and I are driving down, but my parents are flying. We will arrive about 6 hours before they do and it would be alot easier for us to check in, unpack the truck and have everything ready for when they arrive. But according to the message I have to wait to get the room until they arrive? Is this new or am I missing something? Is there anything I can do?

thanks -- Tory

 

[Ladybugsy]

It does state this, but it really isn't the case when you check in. If it is, I'm sure there must be a way for the CM to give you your cards and then give your parents theirs when they arrive. Shouldn't be a big deal. I checked in for 7 people last year at POP and they never asked for everyone in the party to be present. I think they are just trying to prevent people from trying to sneak in a non existant extra person or something. Don't worry. If they want them to be there, they will have a way for you to check in without them, I'm sure.

Oh, and

Rory...(our names rhyme...lol)

 

[twinspluscade]

Greetings,

I'm new here, and I have to say I'm very impressed, lots of great topics and very knowledgeable friendly folks. When I recieved my confirmation letter for my upcoming trip in September it stated something odd. There are 4 adults in our group and it stated that everyone MUST be present upon checking in or we would be subject to not getting the free dining for everyone.

I'm confused by this. We are staying at the Poly and have park hopper tickets for 9 days. My hubby and I are driving down, but my parents are flying. We will arrive about 6 hours before they do and it would be alot easier for us to check in, unpack the truck and have everything ready for when they arrive. But according to the message I have to wait to get the room until they arrive? Is this new or am I missing something? Is there anything I can do?

thanks -- Tory

From what I've heard, this is something they do JUST for free dining (it also stated it on my confirmation letter, which I got yesterday). I think it's so people can't have "imaginary" extra guests on their room reservations (to get extra free dining credits). Apparently the first year of free dining some people did do this, thus the need for proof of everyone in the party.

I'm sure though they'd still let you check in and get your keys so you can hit the parks, when you explain your parents will be arriving later. . They just might not give you your parents keys (they'd have to get them themselves when they arrive).

 

[pezpam]

twins has it right.

When I went for free dining last year, I was traveling with a friend who was arriving on a much later flight. The desk let me check in when I explained, then she got her KTTK when she arrived. Not sure what they would have said if I'd asked for her card without her showing up at all at the desk - that would be the scenario if someone had booked phantom roommates, after all. I'd bet a dollar that there will be people who can post about every possible answer, though......

 

[gigi1313]

we had the exact same situation last year... my nieces were meeting us later in the day... i simply told the cm at check-in that the girls would be there later and that i had a copy of their airline itinerary if he'd like to see it and he said it wasn't necessary and gave me everyone's KTTK cards and dining credits...

it's my understanding that it is enforced sporadically... more at the value resorts than the deluxes ('cause who'd pay $300/night to get $80 worth of dining credits?!)