drop- in guests at DVC?

[DanenRox]

I feel like I'm always trying to wheel and deal around the Disney rules but OH NO!, it's just my life is never as organized and definite as DVC needs it to be....so, here's today's question. If we all check into our DVC (4 people in a 2 BDR), can another person join us for a portion of the stay...going through front desk, getting a key, etc?
2nd scenerio....4 people check into a 2 BDR DVC with a meal plan. Another person joins us mid-stay. Can they get on the meal plan at that time, understanding they would have to buy the plan for the length of our stay. I guess my real question is does all of this have to be pre-arranged or can they join us "on a whim"?
For the record, I'm organized , it's the rest of my crazy family that makes me work for "the magic".

 

[CraftyMouse]

I feel like I'm always trying to wheel and deal around the Disney rules but OH NO!, it's just my life is never as organized and definite as DVC needs it to be....so, here's today's question. If we all check into our DVC (4 people in a 2 BDR), can another person join us for a portion of the stay...going through front desk, getting a key, etc?
Yes, this is possible. You can just add the person to your reservation for the length of your stay, since you won't exceed occupancy limits. Then you'll get a KTTW card for them when you check in and they can use it when they arrive.

2nd scenerio....4 people check into a 2 BDR DVC with a meal plan. Another person joins us mid-stay. Can they get on the meal plan at that time, understanding they would have to buy the plan for the length of our stay. I guess my real question is does all of this have to be pre-arranged or can they join us "on a whim"?
The meal plan must be pre-arranged. They must be on your reservation for the length of your stay and you must pay for the meal plan for them for the length of your stay. You must add the meal plan at least 3 days before you arrive and it must be paid for, in full, at check in.

For the record, I'm organized , it's the rest of my crazy family that makes me work for "the magic".

Hope that helps.

 

[DanenRox]

Just to clarify...if we're on the meal plan, there's no way they can just "drop n
in" because we haven't pre=arranged the meal plan. I'm guessing there's no way they can just stay in our room as a guest either, because all parties in the room have to be on the same plan, right?
Hey, I just had an idea. Actually, the info I omitted (because it didn't really matter to the scenerio) was we are actually are occupying 2 rooms, one studio with 2 people, and 1 2 BDR with 4 people. Suppose I called MS and I named all 6 of us in the 2 BDR WITH the meal plan. Two of us would also be named in the studio WITHOUT the meal plan. So, if we got a visitor, they could join us in the studio (no meal plan). Whatdoyathink?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Just to clarify...if we're on the meal plan, there's no way they can just "drop n
in" because we haven't pre=arranged the meal plan. I'm guessing there's no way they can just stay in our room as a guest either, because all parties in the room have to be on the same plan, right?
Hey, I just had an idea. Actually, the info I omitted (because it didn't really matter to the scenerio) was we are actually are occupying 2 rooms, one studio with 2 people, and 1 2 BDR with 4 people. Suppose I called MS and I named all 6 of us in the 2 BDR WITH the meal plan. Two of us would also be named in the studio WITHOUT the meal plan. So, if we got a visitor, they could join us in the studio (no meal plan). Whatdoyathink?

If you have the meal plan then no, they cannot just drop in. You will have to add them beforehand, adding the meal plan for them for the entire length of the reservation. There's no way for them to stay in your room as a guest as they won't be able to get a KTTW card (room key, EMH admissions, etc.) without being on the reservation.

As for your other idea, I don't think they'll allow you to list the same two people in more than one room for the same dates. At the very least, it will probably come up at check in and could cause issues (who's actually staying where?, who actually has the meal plan?, etc.).

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper for them to "pay as they go" if they're coming in half-way thru the trip anyway?

 

[DanenRox]

Oh brother! OK, last ditch plan. I put my husband alone in the studio. On paper, I join the (adult) children in the 2 Bedroom. I add the intended guest into the 2 BDR thereby affording us the meal plan for 6 people. If our guest joins us, on paper, she joins my husband in the suite (which he may like).

 

[DanenRox]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper for them to "pay as they go" if they're coming in half-way thru the trip anyway?

Oh yes, they will pay as they go! I just thought we could provide them with a place to sleep (we only have 4 people in the 2 BDR). The problem really lies in the "drop in" status. If we're on the meal plan, the "drop in" needs to commit at least 3 days before - I'll just have to push for a commitment.

 

[Dean]

I feel like I'm always trying to wheel and deal around the Disney rules but OH NO!, it's just my life is never as organized and definite as DVC needs it to be....so, here's today's question. If we all check into our DVC (4 people in a 2 BDR), can another person join us for a portion of the stay...going through front desk, getting a key, etc?
2nd scenerio....4 people check into a 2 BDR DVC with a meal plan. Another person joins us mid-stay. Can they get on the meal plan at that time, understanding they would have to buy the plan for the length of our stay. I guess my real question is does all of this have to be pre-arranged or can they join us "on a whim"?
For the record, I'm organized , it's the rest of my crazy family that makes me work for "the magic".

As with so many things in life, it really comes down to intent. While the DDP must be arranged in advance, DVC can't keep someone from joining you if you're within the occupancy. IMO it comes down to the intent on your part, basically whether you don't know if they're going to make the trip or if you were trying to circumvent the rules. In this case it's obvious that you truly don't know and therefore I'd put it back on Disney/DVC/the resort. Rather than giving your husband a present he'd never forget, I'd suggest you just wait and see. Then IF they arrive go to the desk and add them getting a key. If you can't go, let the front desk know the day they're arriving so they can check in and get a key without you. Let the resort decide whether they want to worry about the DDP and if they do, how they want to handle it. As long as you know it's possible they may ask them to participate in the DDP and pay for the entire LOS and are prepared to accept that restriction if it is force, I see no problem. Of course you could just add them for the entire time and use the extra credits as you see fit but I wouldn't given what you've told us unless you could easily use the credits.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

What I meant was when you go for meals, just let them pay for theirs and you guys stay on the dining plan. Should be cheaper and cleaner. Why not?

 

[Chuck S]

What I meant was when you go for meals, just let them pay for theirs and you guys stay on the dining plan. Should be cheaper and cleaner. Why not?

According to the rules, everyone in the room has to be on the meal plan for the entire length of the reservation. While drop in guests are allowed, it is the rules of the meal plan that is the fly in the ointment.

To the OP:

Is the meal plan something you truly want/need? Personally, we prefer pay as we go for several reasons. We rarely eat dessert, but prefer an appetizer...the meal plan does not allow for that. If someone in the party is becomes ill, there are no refunds, their meals are simply unused, or have to be used by someone else in your party. Rarely are add-on all inclusive plans saving any $, they are really for convenience.

 

[DanenRox]

Rather than giving your husband a present he'd never forget

.....he would think I was a very cool wife

Chuck: Funny you should ask. No, we're not committed to the meal plan. In fact, I was just crunching numbers. Because we'll have a car, some off-site meals combined with some Disney meals may be the best option for us. Just weighing all of my options.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Huh?

You mean to tell me that if I run across friends in the park and they're not on the meal plan that they can't eat with me? That dog wouldn't hunt.

Secondarily, if he comes in after the initial reservation even if he is staying in the room, he is after the window of opportunity to get on the meal plan. Same as above applies.

I don't think the purpose of the so-called rule on the DDP is to tick off Disney's guests. It is the spirit of the rule that should be observed. The guest drops in half-way through the trip and is invited to stay. They can still eat together. That's the bottom line.

 

[Dean]

Huh?

You mean to tell me that if I run across friends in the park and they're not on the meal plan that they can't eat with me? That dog wouldn't hunt.

Secondarily, if he comes in after the initial reservation even if he is staying in the room, he is after the window of opportunity to get on the meal plan. Same as above applies.

I don't think the purpose of the so-called rule on the DDP is to tick off Disney's guests. It is the spirit of the rule that should be observed. The guest drops in half-way through the trip and is invited to stay. They can still eat together. That's the bottom line.

The meal plan was not designed with DVC in mind but regular hotels guests who are far more likely to have the same guests from start to finish. IMO the system will have to formally deal with this issue at some point. The rule simply doesn't take into account the fact that you often don't know who will be going and who won't and that there may be some that arrive later and you weren't sure. Which is different, IMO, that purposefully leaving them off in an effort to game the DDP.

As for having guests eat with you, no problem. The issue becomes that you can't use the DDP to buy their meals, at least under the rules. For drop ins Disney could require they buy the plan for the entire time if they stay in the room, thus far I do not know of that happening but it might have.

 

[DanenRox]

Bob...I think I completely confused you and you're sure as heck confusing me. It's not about eating with people, it's about all people staying in the same room have to be on the same plan. We're either all on the meal plan or none of us are on the meal plan. The original question was can someone join us in our room mid-stay...and if we were on a meal plan, how then are they added?

 

[Chuck S]

Huh?

You mean to tell me that if I run across friends in the park and they're not on the meal plan that they can't eat with me? That dog wouldn't hunt.

Secondarily, if he comes in after the initial reservation even if he is staying in the room, he is after the window of opportunity to get on the meal plan. Same as above applies.

I don't think the purpose of the so-called rule on the DDP is to tick off Disney's guests. It is the spirit of the rule that should be observed. The guest drops in half-way through the trip and is invited to stay. They can still eat together. That's the bottom line.

Certainly you can eat with friends, but you can not use your credits to pay for them. Separate tickets are in order. Dining with friends is different than inviting them to sleep in your room.

DVC did not set the rules for the DDPs, they are contractually obligated to Disney Travel. If a person is added to the room after check-in, and receives a room key, your dining credits will be on it. Thus the rule that all people in the room must be on the same plan, and all people in the room must pay for the plan for the entire length of the reservation. Since the credits for a room are pooled, there is no way to "make adjustments" on individual room keys.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Bob...I think I completely confused you and you're sure as heck confusing me. It's not about eating with people, it's about all people staying in the same room have to be on the same plan. We're either all on the meal plan or none of us are on the meal plan. The original question was can someone join us in our room mid-stay...and if we were on a meal plan, how then are they added?

I was trying to keep you from having to add them for the length of stay to your DDP. Never mind.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I was trying to keep you from having to add them for the length of stay to your DDP. Never mind.

The problem is that if the OP has the DDP and doesn't add them the reservation then the guest won't be able to get a KTTW card. This will keep them from having access to the room on their own and/or accessing any EMH events they may do.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The problem is that if the OP has the DDP and doesn't add them the reservation then the guest won't be able to get a KTTW card. This will keep them from having access to the room on their own and/or accessing any EMH events they may do.

Yea. Chuck's post finally said it slow enough so I could understand. Sometimes you have to beat it in me.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As with so many things in life, it really comes down to intent. While the DDP must be arranged in advance, DVC can't keep someone from joining you if you're within the occupancy. IMO it comes down to the intent on your part, basically whether you don't know if they're going to make the trip or if you were trying to circumvent the rules. In this case it's obvious that you truly don't know and therefore I'd put it back on Disney/DVC/the resort. Rather than giving your husband a present he'd never forget, I'd suggest you just wait and see. Then IF they arrive go to the desk and add them getting a key. If you can't go, let the front desk know the day they're arriving so they can check in and get a key without you. Let the resort decide whether they want to worry about the DDP and if they do, how they want to handle it. As long as you know it's possible they may ask them to participate in the DDP and pay for the entire LOS and are prepared to accept that restriction if it is force, I see no problem. Of course you could just add them for the entire time and use the extra credits as you see fit but I wouldn't given what you've told us unless you could easily use the credits.

That is the best plan for this scenario that I have seen! Good post, Dean! But then, most of yours are good posts!

 

[Cee]

My head hurts!