DDP without Physically Checking In?

[Marionnette]

We have a 1-night stay at BLT prior to checking in for a *free* dining stay. The plan was to go directly to the MK from BLT the next day (our first day of the package). We have lunch reservations at CRT. Do we need to physically check in at our 2nd resort in order to gain access to our dining credits? And if that's not possible, can we get the credits retroactively applied to the meal - once we do check in - and get a refund to my credit card since I had to pre-pay for it?

If it matters, the BLT reservation is under my sister's MDE while the *free* dining is under mine. The accounts are not linked. So, it should be possible for me to drive to our 2nd resort first thing in the morning to check in and it shouldn't affect the MBs for BLT. I just don't want to have to make the drive if I don't have to.

 

[whitney250]

I'm not 100% positive if it works every time, but we did online check in and were able to use our dining plan as soon as we got to our resort last summer. We got our room ready text at about 8 that morning, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with being able to access our credits or not.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Maybe this thread will help

http://www.disboards.com/threads/am...-dining-plan-credits-before-check-in.3531550/

 

[Marionnette]

Maybe this thread will help

http://www.disboards.com/threads/am...-dining-plan-credits-before-check-in.3531550/

Thank you! Yes, it was very helpful. I wasn't finding any posts that seemed to have current info. Good to see that as long as I'm checked in online that I'll be good to go.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I would double check what the PP on the other thread said. I say that because on our recent split stay, we hd a 1 nighter prior to our DDP stay. The CM told us we would have to check in at the second resort for the DDP to be active. I don't know if that is exclusive to a split stay though. If so, you wouldn't have that problem because of how you split the ressies between you and your sister.

If what the PP report is true, if it interests you, you could pick up your mugs at BLT the morning of your free dining stay.

 

[disprincess2213]

If you did online check in, what time does the plan become active? Does your room have to be ready or something? Has anyone actually tried this and it just worked with the magic band associated with that stay?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Just swing by guest services at MK when you get there to make sure everything is good to go. They can activate the dining portion of your plan if it isn't active when you get there. We've run into this situation before with split stays.

 

[disprincess2213]

Just swing by guest services at MK when you get there to make sure everything is good to go. They can activate the dining portion of your plan if it isn't active when you get there. We've run into this situation before with split stays.

thank you for this reply! I have never heard of this option before but it would be perfect for us! So you actually did this and it worked no problem? Guest services was able to activate it on your band even thought you never went to the hotel that morning?!

 

[DisBuckMan]

Guest services was able to activate it on your band even thought you never went to the hotel that morning?!

Yes. Just make sure you do online check-in for your package stay.

 

[christianweecare]

Just swing by guest services at MK when you get there to make sure everything is good to go. They can activate the dining portion of your plan if it isn't active when you get there. We've run into this situation before with split stays.

I'm happy to see this works, as well. DH & I move from the Vero Beach Resort to stay one night at WDW and take in the Flower & Garden in May each year. It would be so much easier to bypass the resort & head straight to the park.