free dining, can we do this?

[gris gris]

We are hoping to check in on 9/29, the last day of free dining. There are 4 of us but my husband might not be able to check in until 9/30. Would we get free dining for all 4 of us if me and the kids check in on 9/29 or do we all need to be there?

 

[mickeynut1]

You shouldn't have any trouble. Some people have reported needing everyone on the reservation present at check in, but the few times we did free dining, I checked us in without everyone present. Have a great trip .

 

[kehlyrsmom]

We have gone down during free dining every year since 2006 with my DH, DD, DS, myself as well as my parents. My mom and I are the only ones who have ever gone in and checked us all into our 2 rooms. So no you should not have a problem.

 

[gris gris]

great thanks! I don't think DH can get the 29th off of work but we really want free dining so I don't mind flying without him

 

[Melissa Lubbe]

I dont think you will be able to receive the free dining if you start your package on the 29th. I believe you need to have at least a 5night/6day with tickets during the window.

We are on both sides of free dining and pay dining at the beginning Aug 19 - 28th and the CM I spoke to said we could not get free dining, not even for the three days we were staying while the promotion was running.

 

[tevisco4]

We are checking in 9/29 and leaving 10/6. We qualified for Free Dining our whole stay! It should work for you too

 

[gris gris]

I dont think you will be able to receive the free dining if you start your package on the 29th. I believe you need to have at least a 5night/6day with tickets during the window.

We are on both sides of free dining and pay dining at the beginning Aug 19 - 28th and the CM I spoke to said we could not get free dining, not even for the three days we were staying while the promotion was running.

That's too bad about your package. I've always checked in during free dining and received it for our entire stay. have a great trip.

We are staying for longer than 6 days and booking the whole package so I think we'll be fine. We always stay during free dining but haven't split up our travel before.

 

[Reese]

I dont think you will be able to receive the free dining if you start your package on the 29th. I believe you need to have at least a 5night/6day with tickets during the window.

We are on both sides of free dining and pay dining at the beginning Aug 19 - 28th and the CM I spoke to said we could not get free dining, not even for the three days we were staying while the promotion was running.

As long as you are checking in before the end of the free dining promotion you are eligible for it during your stay. If it starts before your stay than you would have to make a seperate reservation starting on the first day of the promotion to quailify. At which point you would have to buy new tickets thus voiding any savings you would be getting from free dining more than likely.

To the OP I have had to provide photo ID for every adult in our group when I check in so I could see that being a problem.

 

[Disney-Chick]

My DH always checks us in w/o any issues. I don't see why it would matter if you explained to them (if they ask) why your DH is not with you at the time. It's only one day. Only mention if they ask, but over all you should be fine.

 

[TheRatPack]

We've been asked at check in to have everyone come up to the desk.....once the cast member acted like he just wanted to meet everyone (we have 5 children) but other times they just want to make sure we have a person present for each one listed.....I guess some people book more kids or something just to get the dining credits during free dining?

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I've checked in without everyone present. And my last trip my sister checked in before me because we live in 2 different states.

 

[purple figment]

I dont think you will be able to receive the free dining if you start your package on the 29th. I believe you need to have at least a 5night/6day with tickets during the window. As long as your check in day is during the free dining period you will have FD for the length of your stay so even though the 29th is the last day of FD, the OP will qualify. Also, the minimum stay for FD is 3 nights with 2 day tickets for everyone in the room 3 years old and up, not 5 nights/6 days.

We are on both sides of free dining and pay dining at the beginning Aug 19 - 28th and the CM I spoke to said we could not get free dining, not even for the three days we were staying while the promotion was running Unfortunately you're checking in before FD starts. You could get FD for the last 3 nights of your trip, but you would have to book another package starting on Aug 25 - Aug 28, but it wouldn't be cost effective for you because of the ticket requirement.

My answers in red.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I have done this 3 times in the last 2 years of free dining:

1. I always arrive with the kids at least 2-4 days ahead of my DH. He can only get a limited time off work so we go for 10 days and he joins us for 6-7.

2. The last 3 times we have arrived the last day of the freee dining window and all 3 times we have gotten it for lenght of stay. We just did it Dec. 16-25, 2011. We arrived on 12-16 (last day for FD) and got it for the entire trip.

3. Never once in a donze trip have they ever asked me for ID for my DH (which is good because he is never there). I check in, get all the passes and we are good.

4. The only down side is we often have unused days on my DH park tickets because everyone in the room has to be onthe same packege. However, the cost savings for FD far outways teh cost of the extra park tickets.

Have a great trip.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

If you stay for 8 nights on a free dining package but only want 5 days worth of tickets, do you get 8i days of free dining or only 5?

 

[nicki.momof3]

You get FD for every night you are booked so in your case you would get 8 days of FD.

 

[HolliePoppins]

I have done this 3 times in the last 2 years of free dining:

1. I always arrive with the kids at least 2-4 days ahead of my DH. He can only get a limited time off work so we go for 10 days and he joins us for 6-7.

2. The last 3 times we have arrived the last day of the freee dining window and all 3 times we have gotten it for lenght of stay. We just did it Dec. 16-25, 2011. We arrived on 12-16 (last day for FD) and got it for the entire trip.

3. Never once in a donze trip have they ever asked me for ID for my DH (which is good because he is never there). I check in, get all the passes and we are good.

4. The only down side is we often have unused days on my DH park tickets because everyone in the room has to be onthe same packege. However, the cost savings for FD far outways teh cost of the extra park tickets.

Have a great trip.

You could just buy the minimum(sp?) tickets when you book the package and then upgrade yours and your kids tickets once you get there. That way you wont waste any days on DH's ticket.

OP we have done free dining about 4 times now and I always check in by myself.

 

[gris gris]

OP here, thanks for all the responses! I heard from my DU reservation agent today that we can indeed arrive separately and still receive free dining.

Yee haw we're staying at Riverside! Can't wait.