Free Dining Question

[Gillyrose779]

I was talking with DH last night about FD when this just popped into my mind:

Say we rent a room for 6 people but 2 end up backing out last minute would we still have Free Dining for those 2 people on the account even though there are only 4 of us?

Honest question as I have family that loves to never fully commit to anything and backs out at the last second often.

If we have tickets linked to their names in MDE can I relink them for future use to someone else as long as they are unused?

 

[LSUfan4444]

They would back out and not cancel their reservation?

 

[madatmama]

I've read variations on this over the last few years. What most people run into is that if you have more than 2 adults in the room you are generally charged an extra fee per adult per day. So you end up negating or cutting into the "free dining" value by claiming there are adults in the room that aren't really there in order to get extra meal credits. You can claim there are extra kids but then you end up with child's tickets you have to upgrade later and child's meal credits. This would vary on the resort too, some of the suites may allow more than 2 adults without a fee.

ETA I realize you weren't asking to scam the system, that is just the context I usually see people discussing this.

 

[Hannathy]

They would still have to pay for their room, pay for their tickets AND check in.
If you pay for the tickets and they are never used the tickets should be able to be transferred but the dining credits wouldn't be unless they check in. If they cancel their room reservation they wouldn't be getting the dining credits anyway.

At least it used to be that way! Any recent changes to this?

 

[Gillyrose779]

Thanks- honestly not trying to scam. I just have very noncommittal parents. It's to the point that we just have to surprise our kids if they come b/c we don't want to disappoint them.

We would rent a 2-bedroom if they came so they wouldn't need to cancel anything. I guess it wouldn't matter anyways as our reservations would be set well before they would back out so the meals would just go to waste- thanks.

 

[TDC Nala]

Are you thinking they will pull out when it is too late to remove them from the reservation?

After 45 days before arrival it's a $50 change fee to remove them, because the cost of your package will go down, but it's still less than paying for their park tickets that they won't be using. Paying for those tickets won't offset the value of the extra dining credits you get. Unless you're thinking of having them use those tickets later. Or you knock everyone's tickets down to the 2 night minimum you need for free dining, and then upgrade the tickets of whoever does show up.

And if you leave them on the reservation and all of you were in the same room, yes, you can use their dining.

 

[LSUfan4444]

So, would they not go and not cancel...just lose their money?

Do you know how much that would cost? If they don't care about the money, have them cancel the reservation then just give you the cash...you would come out much better.

 

[Hannathy]

Thanks- honestly not trying to scam. I just have very noncommittal parents. It's to the point that we just have to surprise our kids if they come b/c we don't want to disappoint them.

If this was the case I would book 2 rooms and have them on their own reservation. Then that gives them until the cancellation date to decide and wouldn't mess up yours trying to alter it.

You can always put in the request to be in connecting or adjoining rooms at the resort.

I understand I have a SIL who is the exact same way, and I learned after having very disappointed kids to not say anything until it happened.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I think your focus should be more on what you would or wouldn't lose if they don't come, rather than what you might gain.

What type of room do you have? etc. As was previously mentioned, mimimze your losses and protect yourself.

 

[Gillyrose779]

If this was the case I would book 2 rooms and have them on their own reservation. Then that gives them until the cancellation date to decide and wouldn't mess up yours trying to alter it.

You can always put in the request to be in connecting or adjoining rooms at the resort.

I understand I have a SIL who is the exact same way, and I learned after having very disappointed kids to not say anything until it happened.

Thanks- two rooms does make more sense- def. if we can make them connecting if they come.

 

[TDC Nala]

No guarantee for connecting. but they will try to make it happen if you request it.