Free Dining Check in at Resort question...

[gigi1313]

there was much speculation in the last month or two re: resort check-in procedure for the Free Dining program...

now that the FD has started, can anyone who's been there (w/Free Dining) tell me if it was mandatory to show all of your guests at the desk when checking in? we have a situation where some guests will be arriving later than others yet we're all on one ressie and would love to get started on our vacation and not have to wait for my nieces to arrive (very late the same night)...

anybody?

 

[bertalander]

I haven't been yet this year, but was told (by a CM) that when you check in you can get YOUR credits but other party members checking in later will have to be checked in to before their tickets/credits may be used.

I can tell you last year during free dining I checked in sans dh or the three kids and it was NO problem at all.

 

[debbie655]

Husband checked us in while my daughter and myself sat outside, no problem at all. Oh, this was at the CSR.

 

[gigi1313]

thanks for the responses... last year i checked us in sans dh/kids but this year 'cause my nieces won't be "right outside" i'm a nervous wreck! giving us just our 4 people's worth of credits at check in is fine, but will i have to bring the girls to the desk at midnight or can i wait 'til the next morning? (when we have a 7am fishing excursion!)

 

[JimMIA]

I've heard just about every possible variation, and it would be interesting to hear from someone who's been there in the last few days. This is obviously a common question with families coming in on different flights.

- I have heard CM's will let you check in with DDP only for those in your party who are present, with late arrivals having to check in for themselves. This seems to be the most rational and sensible approach.

- I've heard they will only issue the DDP when the full party is present.

- I've heard that they will check in those who are present and cancel everyone else's DDP.

There is so much inconsistency normally that it's hard to guess what answer you will get.

Our personal experience on the DDP (not free) in May 2006 was that I had to have my DW and DD physically present, and the CM also checked DW's driver's license to verify the name. Seems like they would be more cautious with free dining than with guests who are paying for DDP, so I'd be surprised if they let you sign someone else in.

 

[gigi1313]

thanks jim... i heard speculation on all that you listed as well, which is why i am hoping for an IRL experience or two (or twenty! LOL!)

 

[debbie655]

I was at the CSR Aug12-17. Dining plan started on the 13th. I was not at the front desk at check in and neither was my daughter. They gave my husband our room keys and that was that, no problem.

 

[gigi1313]

ooh, so far so good... did you take DME? (i read a rumor on another board that they were comparing DME records for check-in purposes... of course, we're not taking DME 'cause we have to rent a car)

 

[KTSMOM]

I checked in on 8/12-19th at POR and they did not ask to see my DH or my DD. I even asked on the 12th if I would need to bring them with me on the 13th when I checked back in to get on the DP and was told no. I had no problem at all.

 

[gigi1313]

great news! keep the reports coming

 

[disney1990]

I checked all 4 of us in on Saturday, August 12th at about 12:00 noon -- only my husband and I had arrived at Disney. My DD and her friend arrived about 3:30 pm that same day -- but like I said, I had already checked them in. On Sunday, August 13th, I walked over and rechecked us in for the reservation that included our free dining. Again, I was the only person to go to checkin. I just can't see "everybody" having to show their face to prove that they are there. While I was standing in line on Sunday rechecking us in, there were lots of other "single" guests during the very same thing.

 

[gigi1313]

again, great news... what resort were you staying at disney1990?

 

[rantnnravin]

8/13/06~ DH checked us in at POFQ while DD and I went to CRT for breakfast
KTTW cards w/DDP were issued for all three of us and given to DH that morning.

 

[Brygida]

there was much speculation in the last month or two re: resort check-in procedure for the Free Dining program...

now that the FD has started, can anyone who's been there (w/Free Dining) tell me if it was mandatory to show all of your guests at the desk when checking in? we have a situation where some guests will be arriving later than others yet we're all on one ressie and would love to get started on our vacation and not have to wait for my nieces to arrive (very late the same night)...

anybody?

I was there August 13th-19th. When I check in to our room and my sister into her room, the CMs did NOT ask to see all the people staying in the room. They happened to be all there, but they were waiting among a throng of people, and there was no way for the CM to know who they were. We were prepared to show them "bodies", but they never asked.

Frankly, they were so swamped (all check-in stations opened, line out the door!) that they realistically had no time to think.

 

[naz022292]

We were in the long line at pop on 8/13 (1st day of free dining). WHile waiting in the line I saw 2 occassions where person checking in was pointing to small children in the lobby - one other mom had to run over to the other little sitting room to bring small boy and show them. They didn't ask me to show my husband and son - but we were all adults (son 14 - but adult in Disney). It looked to me like some of the CMs were checking on small children only - I don't think that they figured people would find the extra credits worth the cost of making up an adult. Are your nieces 10 or over? If so, I don't think that they would even care.

 

[Chris17uk]

Do you have to book the DDP or do you just get the free DDP when you check in if you have also purchased the ultimate tickets?

 

[disney1990]

again, great news... what resort were you staying at disney1990?

We were at Pop Century.

 

[gigi1313]

i'm liking the answers i'm seeing

we'll be at ASMusic... my nieces are 15 and 17...

you had to have booked the Free Dining promotional package by June 25th of this year in order to be eligible...

 

[lunchmomd]

I checked in for all three of us at All Star Sports 8/13. Don't know if it made a difference, but we were three adults.

 

[gigi1313]

thanks for more responses