Does everyone need to be present during check-in? (activate dining)

[justme0729]

We are switching hotels from the Poly room only stay to the Wilderness Lodge with a package with dining. We are planning on going to guest relations the day before we check into Wilderness Lodge so that they can activate our tickets and we can go to MK early the next morning (first day of package stay WL). If some of our group wants to stay in MK, could just two out of the five people in our party go check-in at WL? Will they need all of our magic bands or anything or if some of our party members are in the park, will their dining plan not get activated?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can preregister at your new resort (WL) as early as 6 AM. Magic Kingdom won't open until at 8.

 

[illinidp]

Only the person who's name the reservation was made in needs to go.

 

[WDWFan06]

Only the person who's name the reservation was made in needs to go.

In January the reservation was made in my sisters name but I was the one to check in because she was on a later flight and it was not a problem. So I think as long as you are on the reservation you can be the one to check in.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

The kids and I took a later flight than DH and he checked in without us. When we arrived at 2:30 am (flight delay) my magic band worked to open the gates to the room at CSR and our resort room. Easy!

 

[nkereina]

No, only one person will need to be present and that person will need to be on the reservation. If you are booked under separate reservations, you'll need someone from each reservation.

 

[TheRatPack]

Our family has always seen the other side of these 'rules'. We have been asked, at least twice, if everyone was present and if they could all come up to the desk. Usually when we get there everyone heads to the bathroom or to one of the wall seats (Value resort lobby). Maybe it's because we have a larger family and they think someone is crazy enough to make up guest to get more overpriced dining credits? LOL

 

[kaytieeldr]

Guests are more likely to need to have everyone present when using the Dining Plan Free promotion.

Blame the "ghost guests“.

 

[WDWFan06]

Guests are more likely to need to have everyone present when using the Dining Plan Free promotion. Blame the "ghost guests“.

Never thought of that but it does make sense.

 

[TheRatPack]

LOL, If I were going to book ghost guest I would fill up all of our available occupancy LOL. I don't know why anyone would book a second room for free food. The food would be cheaper and we upgrade to TS and have all TS booked with 6 people. They should look at those details before making guest feel like con-artist.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

For what it is worth, my DH checked in for all 4 of us during a free dining promotion without a problem. This was at CSR. In fact, he has arrived earlier than us every year for the last 8 and always checks in/activates our free dining. We arrive 8 or more hours later.