DME question -- is this possible?

[jcemom]

DD 12 is going to Disney with a friend's family. They are staying Monday through Saturday. She has a function on Saturday here at home that she really doesn't want to miss. My SIL will be there the same week (different resort), but is coming home on Friday. Is there any way to configure things so that DD comes home with SIL on Friday rather than her friend on Saturday?

The flights are easy enough to figure out, of course. I don't know if that would work with DME though, because they're staying at different resorts. We can get her to SIL's resort via taxi or whatever, but her DME resort info would be wrong. Would they even allow me to select a different departure date for her, being a minor? I can't just add her to SIL's reservation because then it would mess up the DDP and tickets. (Both families are booking packages with dining.)

Is it impossible?

 

[tjmw2727]

The only way to do this is to add her to your SIL reservation and make a DME reservation for her from that resort on that day.

You can take DME early but only from your resort and I think you have to be 17 to ride DME alone.

After your SIL checks in, even with the DDP they can make changes to the reservation. If they aren't going to exceed the maximum room capacity have your SIL add your daughter for the last night of the reservation and then make the DME arrangements. The resort front desk can do both, I would do it the day after check in - or a at least a day before check out to be sure to get the DME reservation. Your DD doesn't actually have to stay in the room but her name has to be on the reservation to get the DME voucher.

I have done this twice - my dd's and I had the DDP, checked in and then added my sister who arrived the next day or so and didn't need park passes or dining.

If adding your DD puts her over the room maximum then I would consider going in with your sister on the cost of a town/car to take everyone back to the airport together. Probably run around 60/70 one way plus tip and then a bit extra to stop and pick up your dd after they pick up your sisters family.

 

[goofy4tink]

What are the resorts that are involved? It is possible that they could be on the same route. Yes, I realize that the routes are not set in stone, but they do tend to be similar as time goes by.
You could call DME directly, once there, and explain the situation. They may very well allow your dd to ride the bus with your SIL, even though they aren't at the same resort.
Worst case scenario....your SIL adds dd to the resort reservation for that last day, once she arrives at the resort. That way your dd can just be on the reservation without messing up the DDP.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you! It sounds like we do have some options then! I hadn't considered the town car, and didn't realize we could add her just for the last day. DD and her friend's family are staying at POR. My SIL had decided on WL but now isn't sure. She wants a deluxe or a villa though, so it won't be POR. I did throw out the idea of two POR rooms to her but I don't think she is going for it lol.

 

[seashoreCM]

I think this is something that can be worked out at the welcoming area or at a resort when you just get there. You would explain the situation, perhaps with a diagram showing where people are and where they need to go and when. I think it would be more difficult to work this out over the phone before you get there.

There is a good chance Magical Express will allow a nondescript escort for DD from her existing resort back to the airport. Your SIL could be that person. But let DME make the first suggestion for a free solution.

In all situations, even normal ones, you need to verify that the DME confirmations are correct on the morning of the day before the day you all will leave. Esoteric situations such as this increase the chance there might be legwork including having to go back to a resort as soon as corrected paperwork is printed up, which could be mid-afternoon.

Although you need reservations for DME back to the airport, these reservations only need 48 hours notice.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it!

 

[SteveMouse]

DD is not old enough to take ME by herself, so she needs to be on SIL's ressie or have an adult on a ressie from her resort (POR) escort her.

if SIL is on a dining plan, she should add DD within the last couple of days before travel OR after arriving at the resort (latter option is probably better) to legally bypass the "everyone in the same room must be on the same plan" rule (you can't add dining within a couple of days of travel).

steve