Free DDP / Possible Cancel Resv Qs

[LeeAnn]

The key to Disney is to PLAN, PLAN and PLAN!

In the coarse of planning, life happens and puts a dent in your plans. Had been waiting to take adavntage of Free Dining since the begining and I was hoping to take of adavantage of it this time around (even thought it not really free).

Trying to avoid canceling or trip. Here are my Qs...

1.)
It's me (36), DH38, DD5, DS4 & DD2. I heard all need to be present at check-in. What will happen if my DH does not arrive w/ us? Will they remove credit per day till he arrives? Or wil they remove him completely from the Resv?

2.)
Do all need to be there at check-out? Or can we do express checkout, if DH needs to leave early?

3.)
If DH cannot come at all, can I bring my mom? Can I make a change in the names on Resv w/o any penalty? Any time contraints?

Don't want to ask the CMs since they give different info and in the past have made mistakes on my Resv. So I'm asking the experts.

Still hoping we can go this time around. It still will be cheaper to go (except airfare). DD2 is under 3 so free to get in. Also able to stay in Value since DD2 is under and in a crib (future trips must to Port Orleans $$). And Free dining.

Waiting to see is only making airfare prices go up. Any advice on that?

Thanks for you help.

 

[disneyfan55]

The key to Disney is to PLAN, PLAN and PLAN!

In the coarse of planning, life happens and puts a dent in your plans. Had been waiting to take adavntage of Free Dining since the begining and I was hoping to take of adavantage of it this time around (even thought it not really free).

Trying to avoid canceling or trip. Here are my Qs...

1.)
It's me (36), DH38, DD5, DS4 & DD2. I heard all need to be present at check-in. What will happen if my DH does not arrive w/ us? Will they remove credit per day till he arrives? Or wil they remove him completely from the Resv?

They say that everyone must be present at check in. I don't know for sure how strictly they enforce the rules.

2.)
Do all need to be there at check-out? Or can we do express checkout, if DH needs to leave early?


As long as you have a credit card attached to your room key, they will do the express check out, even if you don't both shouldn't have to be there to check out. We both were not there for our check out this past May, we chose not to have a CC attached.

3.)
If DH cannot come at all, can I bring my mom? Can I make a change in the names on Resv w/o any penalty? Any time contraints?

You can make changes up until the final pmt is due, which is 45 days prior to the first date of stay. I think you still may be able to make changes afterwards for a fee, $50, I think.

Don't want to ask the CMs since they give different info and in the past have made mistakes on my Resv. So I'm asking the experts.

Still hoping we can go this time around. It still will be cheaper to go (except airfare). DD2 is under 3 so free to get in. Also able to stay in Value since DD2 is under and in a crib (future trips must to Port Orleans $$). And Free dining.

Waiting to see is only making airfare prices go up. Any advice on that?

No Advice, we drive!

Thanks for you help.

Hope this helps!

 

[Wendy5055]

Whenever I have checked in, we always send our daughter to the kids waiting area. Our last trip there we were a GG of 7 adults & 5 kids...can you imagine THAT group standing all together at the check-in!!! I can't see that having goofy boys making goofier sounds at the check-in desk as required...

Last time my DH set up our check-out...I never even asked!!!

You can make changes to your ressie up to 45 day prior to your vacation without penalty.

Depends where you are flying from. You can check your favorite airport and perhaps some of the surrounding airports. Look for specials...Southwest is having a summer sale! Check out the airline websites, sometimes they have resort packages w/airfare at pretty decent prices...always worth a look.

Check out more than one airlines pricing...Air Tran has some pretty good pricing sometimes.

You can do it!!!

 

[LeeAnn]

Most of the time, one of us goes to check-in. But I heard that it is different during Free Dining. Guess they don't want to people lie and try to get extra points.

Don't mind losing a day or two of credits if he not there. But don't want to lose all the credits for the whole week for when he does show up.

 

[jsmla]

Has anyone been able to check-in w/o their entire party during Free Dining? My (adult) kids are flying and won't arrive until after midnight. I'd love for them to be able to head straight to bed! Do you think it would help if I brought along copies of their flight confirmations/itineraries? We don't need the credits that night, just the room.

Jennifer

 

[jrasmom]

This is several years old but in 2006 we had free dining. Hubby took the 3 kids to wait in the kid area while I stood in line and checked in. The cm never asked where the rest of the party was or anything. Not sure if that's changed since then or not?

 

[aubriee]

1. This will be our fourth year to go during free dining. I am usually the one to check us all in and the only time I had to produce everybody was on the second trip. My mom had went to get her rented ECV from luggage services and my husband was getting our carry ons out from under the DME bus. The CM said I couldn't check us in until she had eyeballed everyone, due to too many people the year before making up fake kids in order to get extra dining credits. Last year, they didn't ask, but my husband just happened to be standing next to me, so I don't know if they would have.

2. We always do express check out and never go anywhere near the front desk on check out day.

3. You can make changes up to 45 days before your trip without paying a penalty. After 45 days there is a penalty if you make any changes to your ressie (unless the change results in the price of your pkg going up, in which case they will usually waive the change fee).

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I called CRO with the same questions and was told: No, everyone does not need to be there at check in. I think they only did this during the adult/child credit controversy. No charge for a name change at any time as long as it is not the person who holds the reservation. I'm not sure if my friend or SIL will be going with me and was told it didn't matter as far as change fees are concerned.

 

[Wendy5055]

Ummmmm...I'm not sure HOW anyone could claim "fake" children since everyone in the party must be on the same package (room, ddp, tickets).

I'm not sure I EVER want to claim more than what I already have!!!!!!!!!!

 

[faindrops27]

Ummmmm...I'm not sure HOW anyone could claim "fake" children since everyone in the party must be on the same package (room, ddp, tickets).

I'm not sure I EVER want to claim more than what I already have!!!!!!!!!!

I would not put it pass people though. Buying one day tickets to gain a weeks full of dining credits. Some, people are just plain bad.

OP, the only thing I am unsure of is. If he has to be there from check in until checkout. When, I was trying to add my husband to the end of my vacation. The resounding answer given was no. He cannot come in on the tail end of the vacation. He would have to be present from check in to check out?? I got the same answer from 4 different cm's so I do not know. I gave up, and we all will stay for 14 days.

I guess it all comes down to your decision. If your hubby cannot make it. You can always just take your mom. Since she is willing to go.

As for the airfare. I would try to book it now.. With gas price fluctuating. It would be the safest bet. To get in on a good price while you can.

Hope this helps!