Confused and need help

[shelwoj]

I've tried looking up the answer to this but I just couldn't find anything so I apologize in advance if it has been asked a million times!

Let me start out by saying, I'm not trying to cheat the system I'll do whatever I'm supposed to.

We're planning a trip in April and for half of it one of our sons, 17, will be with his marching band. Can he join us for the other half without adding him to our reservation? I know that I'd be paying out of pocket for all other tickets and such. What about just staying with us in the camper?

If he has to be added to our reservation do we need to make two reservations to pull it off?

I did check the base price of just camping without tix or dining and it's the same with three or four of us. So Disney would not be losing money.



Thanks.

 

[5stljayhawks]

Basically you are asking if your son can come and stay with his parents without telling disney? I am 100% you are not the first do this. He just won't have a charge card/room key.

 

[jsmla]

I'm not an expert (By any means-it's been ten years since we've stayed at Ft. Wilderness!) on how things work with the campsites but we've added someone to our room after arrival with no problem.

In 2009 my daughter and I were at the Beach Club on a room/ticket/dining package for seven nights before moving over to Universal Orlando. Her boyfriend was supposed to join us on our first Universal night but ended up able to come two days early. I talked to the cast member at the BC desk and it was no problem to add him just to the room-didn't have to deal with adding him for dining and we bought the tickets separately. She didn't even charge us the $25/night extra adult fee, but I wouldn't count on that one. When we were in the planning stages I looked into adding the boyfriend for our last night at the BC and was told by CRO that it would be impossible-he'd have to be added for the whole seven days, including tickets and dining, or not at all. I'd suggest asking at the Ft. Wilderness check-in after you arrive.

Last May my hubby made a last minute decision to join us at the Grand Floridian for the last few days of our trip. Once again it was no problem to add him to the reservation. We were charged the extra adult fee which was fine with us, especially since we were Club Level that trip. We were room-only this time though.

Do the campsites still sleep 10? If so I wouldn't think it would be a problem just to add him once he's through with the band portion of the trip if you're not over the limit.

Hope this helped-I definitely owe something back to this board!

Jennifer

 

[clkelley]

Absolutely not a problem!! Just add him when he gets there.

 

[BradyBz12]

IF they charge you for him, it's a nominal fee (something like $5? per night?)

And to PP - yes, you're still allowed up to 10 on a campsite.

 

[shelwoj]

Thanks everyone.

I'm having a heck of a time trying to figure out logistics and budgeting for this trip!

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

If he is only 17 I think he should still be considered a "Child", so as long as you don't go over the 10 person campsite limit you should be able to add him at no charge and still get him a "Room key". If he wants to pitch a small tent on your campsite so he isn't in the camper with you they normally allow this too as long as it's on the site.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

The other problem is that if he does not have a resort ID, he won't be able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

If there is no charge for adding him, why not simply add him to the ressie for the entire stay? Even if he isn't with you the whole time, he can have a card with whatever charging and tickets you want available, and then he'd already have it when he joins you.

 

[jsmla]

If there is no charge for adding him, why not simply add him to the ressie for the entire stay? Even if he isn't with you the whole time, he can have a card with whatever charging and tickets you want available, and then he'd already have it when he joins you.

I had forgotten about this 'cause it was soooooo long ago but we had our daughter on two reservations at the same time back when she was dancing. During the competition part she'd stay at the All Stars with the team but was also on our Ft. Wilderness ressie for the whole trip. We pretty much did this yearly between 1995-2006.

Jennifer

 

[BradyBz12]

If there is no charge for adding him, why not simply add him to the ressie for the entire stay?

I believe this would only be problematic if you're booking a package with dining (or taking advantage of free dining).

IIRC everyone on your reservation has to have the same package (dining/tix).

 

[Robert6401]

I just did this back in July. My wife followed on about 4 days after the kids and I got there. I just added her to the ressie from the beginning and there was never any issue. This is what I reccomend doing, that way he will have the KTTW card he needs when he gets there and you don't have to worry about going to the front desk to add him when you should be enjoying your vacation.

 

[shelwoj]

DH and I are going to look at all our options tonight and decide on whether we're going to get the dining plan or not. That is where the problems may arise. I have a feeling we're going to just pay out of pocket for food and get park tickets through Undercover Tourist. With staying on property and having a fridge and stove we can just pop back and eat at "home" when we're hungry.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[clkelley]

If you do "room only" and purchase meals and tickets separately, then add him from the beginning, no worries, no problems.

If you do a package and don't want to include your son on the entire package, then add him as an extra room guest after you arrive. He will not be on the package and WILL have a room key. Will just have to get his tickets separately and pay for his meals.

 

[shelwoj]

See, that's why I asked here. I had no idea we could add him later as room only. Thanks.

 

[clkelley]

See, that's why I asked here. I had no idea we could add him later as room only. Thanks.

Yep, the front desk at the resorts can add guests to your room/campsite without putting them on the package, but this can only be done after arrival. The reservation center can not do this in advance.

 

[auntie]

Yep, the front desk at the resorts can add guests to your room/campsite without putting them on the package, but this can only be done after arrival. The reservation center can not do this in advance.

I never knew that. Go figure..thanks Carol. Good to know.