Dining reservation experts needed, my friend going to my reservation instead of me.

[Sheilby]

I made a reservation for a friend for CRT. Breakfast with the princesses became available during her trip and I knew it would disappear in a flash if I didn't grab it so there was no time to call her and get her log in info so it is under my account. I friended her on MDE and added her to my reservation, but obviously I am the lead on it and I paid for it under my credit card. That part is no big deal, she will just give me the money. I am just worried that she may have trouble using the reservation without me there. I don't want to cancel the reservation and try to rebook under her name because we might lose it and her daughter is so excited.

As long as she has the confirmation code is that going to be enough? Should I send her down with my credit card that I booked it under too? She goes almost 2 weeks before I head down there.

 

[Roxy13]

This could be a problem. Is the reservation under your name or hers? If under yours than there could well be a problem. Disney does not allow reservations to be given away.

 

[Sheilby]

I'm the main contact, but she is listed as a guest. What happens if a group makes a reservation and the head of the group (that all the reservations are made under) gets sick and stays at the resort? Do they turn away the rest of the group?

 

[Roxy13]

The reason this board has been set up with cancelled reservations by month is because they can't be transferred. A person will post they are going to cancel a res and then person wanting one can try to time the cancellation to their booking, doesn't always work of course but always worth a try. Had you put her name as the reservation name and guaranteed with your credit card that would be different. I guess she could give it a try, but be prepared for a problem. It would be awesome if you could let someone else have your reservation in case you couldn't make it.

 

[jmmess]

I don't see why this is an issue. They don't ask for photo ID, you've already paid, and it's not as if they call you by name, so why can't she show up as you? They won't know any different. I think it's different than on the boards where people don't know each other and I wouldn't give a reservation in my name to someone I didn't know.

 

[Autumnslight]

They don't ask for photo ID, you've already paid, and it's not as if they call you by name, so why can't she show up as you?

Do you know that for sure about CRT? I agree that for regular ADRs, they don't require any sort of ID, but I'm not so certain about prepaid reservations. When we went to Mickey's Backyard BBQ (which was prepaid), I actually did have to show my ID to get in. I assume that's so someone can't "steal" a reservation that someone else has already paid for. I've never been to CRT though, so I don't know if it's the same.

I don't think there's any way you can change the primary guest, and I agree that I wouldn't want to chance cancelling and trying to re-book. I also wouldn't really want to chance her being turned away though. What you could do, is have either you or her call a few days before the ADR, explain that the reservation is in your name, but plans have changed and you won't be able to make it, but the rest of the party still wants to go. Ask them if there's any problem if the rest of the party shows up without you, and if there's anything that can or should be done to make sure everyone else can still go. Maybe even go so far as to give her a photocopy of your ID and credit card, along with a note signed by you, explaining that you couldn't make it, but you still want the rest of your party to be able to go, and to please call you if there is any problem.

I would never recommend doing this for a random stranger, but I think it's a little different since it's actually your friend. Disney should be able to work something out. If it wasn't a prepaid ADR, she could just go up, give the reservation name, and that would be it. Since it's prepaid though, I don't know if it'll be that simple.

Good luck! You're a good friend for thinking of her and getting that ADR for her.

 

[Sheilby]

Thanks guys. I linked to my friend and her family on MDE so that I could add her and her children to the reservation and then I called Disney and said I would not be able to go to see what they would say. The lady on the phone said it shouldn't be a problem that she could just go and give my name and confirmation number. I had asked if I should give my friend the credit card that I booked in under and she said no it shouldn't be necessary, but then she started to wonder if it might be a good idea. My fear was that they would want to swipe the MB to confirm they had the right party and that it wouldn't match up. I was hoping that by having her officially listed on the reservation it would accept it.

Anyway, I sent her down there with my credit card and I got a text from her telling me the breakfast was AMAZING and that her daughter even got to sit in the front window and wave to guests (it was her birthday) so I guess it all worked out. She now thinks I'm magical. No idea if they needed the credit card though, I didn't want to pester her with a lot of questions on her trip so hopefully I'll find out the details this weekend when she gets back. Now, if only I could get a reservation there - I've never been in the castle.

 

[TDC Nala]

If she's a guest on the reservation it should not be a problem. However, if she doesn't show up and doesn't cancel in time, you'll be paying for that too. I think that by making you the lead, you may be paying for your portion of it even though you will not be there, but she may be willing to pay for that too.

 

[jmmess]

Do you know that for sure about CRT? I agree that for regular ADRs, they don't require any sort of ID, but I'm not so certain about prepaid reservations. When we went to Mickey's Backyard BBQ (which was prepaid), I actually did have to show my ID to get in. I assume that's so someone can't "steal" a reservation that someone else has already paid for. I've never been to CRT though, so I don't know if it's the same./QUOTE]

We did Hoop Dee Doo Revue, which is prepaid, and I don't recall having to show ID (not sure I would have had it on me if they did ask!), but glad the OP's friend was able to get in!

 

[DvF Diva]

Really glad it worked out for your friend. Sounds like they had a fabulous time. What a way to celebrate a little princess' birthday. Magical!

When we did dinner at CRT, they did not ask for ID, so I wanted to post that here for reference.

 

[Sheilby]

If she's a guest on the reservation it should not be a problem. However, if she doesn't show up and doesn't cancel in time, you'll be paying for that too. I think that by making you the lead, you may be paying for your portion of it even though you will not be there, but she may be willing to pay for that too.

Her husband took my place so the number of people didn't change. She actually gave me the check to cover the whole amount before she even went down there. She and I are always fronting money for each other so we don't usually worry about it. But you are right, if one less had showed up we still probably would have been charged for everyone, that is something to keep in mind if I ever do something like that again.

We did Hoop Dee Doo Revue, which is prepaid, and I don't recall having to show ID (not sure I would have had it on me if they did ask!), but glad the OP's friend was able to get in!

Really glad it worked out for your friend. Sounds like they had a fabulous time. What a way to celebrate a little princess' birthday. Magical!

When we did dinner at CRT, they did not ask for ID, so I wanted to post that here for reference.

I'm thrilled she got in too, no idea if she had to show my credit card, or if they swiped her band to verify that she was indeed on the reservation. You would think they would want some kind of proof considering it was pre-paid. I'm going to ask all those questions when she comes back. For now I'm just handling being her official fastpass changer. She texts me when she needs a change and I go on the computer and do it. So much easier than her wasting time in the parks.

One day I will manage to get to have a meal with the princesses.