DDP and guests that don't stay the whole time

[kittylady1972]

Ok, so I'm trying to plan an upcoming trip during Thanksgiving week, but the dynamics of the group will be changing depending on the day, so I'm not sure how this will work.

We arrive the Thursday before Thanksgiving, and are staying at a 2BR at OKW for 4 nights. There will be 7 of us at the time. No problem.

Monday we will check-out of there and check-in at a Grand Villa at Saratoga Springs for four more nights. There will be 7 of us initially, and on Tuesday we will be joined by 2 more adults who will stay for the last 3 nights.

I've determined with all of the dining reservations I have, that we just may have to give the DDP a shot this time. Now the rules are that the entire party has to buy it for the length of the stay, correct?

So, at our first 4 nights, all 7 of us would have to buy the DDP for 4 nights.

At the next stay, we'd have to buy it AGAIN for 4 more nights, however since the two additional people won't join us until Monday, are they also required to buy the DDP? In all honesty, I know they won't use it as they probably won't spend nearly as much time in the parks as we will, and will most likely do some golfing in the area and other stuff.

I actually haven't added their names to our guest list yet for the Grand Villa, because I wasn't sure they'd be joining us, but now it's looking pretty likely. I would like them to at least have a key to get in and out of the villa without us though.

Any suggestions on how to arrange this?

 

[janets]

Your first reservation is correct. All 7 in the 2br have to purchase and since you'll all be together from beginning to end, you'll be fine.

Your second reservation is trickier. Since your additional 2 guests are not joining you until the end, it makes buying the DP more of an issue. But yes, if they are on the reservation as being in the villa then everyone must purchase the plan. If you do not put them on the reservation, it's not just that they won't have a room key. They will not be able to participate in extra magic hours, since proof of on site accomodations is needed for that. So there are a number of factors to consider. You can purchase for them and then until they arrive, you use their credits to dine at a signature restaurant costing 2 credits. Or you save their credits and let them use them at a signature restaurant.

 

[JimMIA]

I think Janets' explanation is correct, provided that you have two separate reservations.

If your trip is all one reservation, or two linked reservations, you may be in a situation where you have to purchase DDP for all NINE people for the full eight days. You have to purchase DDP for everyone on the reservation for all nights of that reservation -- and that includes switching locations in the middle of a trip.

I'd call MS and ask them to take a close look at your particular ressie and see if you can just get DDP for nine people for the last four days only. If you can't, it is possible you can split the ressie into two separate ressies.

But Janets' comment about having to buy DDP for everyone in the GV for the whole length of that stay is absolutely correct regardless. As she noted, one day's worth of extra TS credits is a good problem to have.

 

[JimMIA]

... are they also required to buy the DDP? In all honesty, I know they won't use it as they probably won't spend nearly as much time in the parks as we will, and will most likely do some golfing in the area and other stuff.

I actually haven't added their names to our guest list yet for the Grand Villa, because I wasn't sure they'd be joining us, but now it's looking pretty likely. I would like them to at least have a key to get in and out of the villa without us though.

Any suggestions on how to arrange this?

In a situation like this, there is always the temptation to "just leave them off the ressie." Don't do that, because that is a strategy fraught with potential problems.

Especially if you find that you have to get nine DDPs for the whole trip, I would look at the option of switching to a 2BR for four days and a studio for them for three. Then, they could do whatever they want about DDP without putting the entire rest of your party in the trick bag.

Availability would be tough during Thanksgiving week, but if you can swing it, that might be a better option. If I did my guesstimate of your dates correctly, it would be a LOT less points.

 

[Lady V]

It sounds like the difference is just one day. just pay for it and have some extra snacks or something.

 

[JimMIA]

It sounds like the difference is just one day.

Not necessarily. It might be a difference of two people for five days when they won't be there. That's almost $400.

OP needs to recheck with MS and find out exactly how their ressie is structured. It might make a huge difference in their situation.