Getting conflicting info from Disney

[coinkc]

I keep getting differnet answers from Disney so I am hoping some of you can help. Here's the situation:
Friends of ours are renting a 2 bedroom villa at OKW (non-DVC members) for 7 nights. They are on a package with dining and plus tickets. We would like to join them for 5 nights and purchase our tickets seperately. The first time I called Disney they said it would be fine that our friends would just have to add us to the room at the time of check-in. I just called back as I was having bad visions of arriving and being told we couldn't stay there and was told that even if we were added at check-in we would still have to pay for the entire 7 night package with tickets. So now I really don't know what to do! Has anybody ever added someone to a room reservation without having to be on the package?

 

[safetymom]

If you are on a package everyone must have the same thing.

 

[Gymbomom]

Depends on if you hit the max in the room.
No, I think you don't have to tell them. I would buy my tickets seperately, tell your friends to get some extra keys for you, and extra car security tag, etc. If you are still under the capacity for the room, which is 8, then it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[The4OfUs]

By 'renting' do you mean renting points from a DVC member to stay, or 'renting' the room from CRO? I don't know if that might make a difference??

 

[coinkc]

They are getting the room from CRO. We would still be under the room max of 8 as there are 5 of them and 2 of us. I didn't really want to do it "under the table" as I want to be able to use extra magic hours and such. If we can't do it legally then I think we will get a room at a value resort. WE were just hoping to save some money since they have the room.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I could be mistaken, but I don't think Disney will print out extra room keys and parking passes. If you want those items, you have to be on the reservation.

I think what the second cast member told you is more accurate than what the first cast member told you for the very reason safteymom said.

 

[Lewisc]

With the old LOS passes you could only drop the first or last day from your passes if you did it when you checked in. The front desk had the flexibility to help guests. I'd think the front desk would have the same type of flexibility if you wanted to add someone to your room the last 5 days of your trip. I don't see how they could have the person pay for passes and meals for days in which they weren't there. The meal plan looks like a good deal, I'd look to add it.

When you call you'll be quoted the rules. I can't see them preventing you from adding guests. Just be prepared to buy the same passes.

 

[SnackyStacky]

With the old LOS passes you could only drop the first or last day from your passes if you did it when you checked in. The front desk had the flexibility to help guests. I'd think the front desk would have the same type of flexibility if you wanted to add someone to your room the last 5 days of your trip. I don't see how they could have the person pay for passes and meals for days in which they weren't there. The meal plan looks like a good deal, I'd look to add it.

When you call you'll be quoted the rules. I can't see them preventing you from adding guests. Just be prepared to buy the same passes.

Disney had flexibility in terms of the Ultimate Park Hopper, but they still had to adhere to the package rules. If the changes were made to a pass from a package, it was made to ALL of the passes, and that's the same situation here.

You can't do a partial with a package. Everybody's on the package from check in until check out.

You can try and test the front desk's flexibility, but it's an awful lot of money to pay to find out that they are inflexible.

 

[jel0511]

With the new MYW packages, everyone who listed in the room gets their OWN room key with their OWN name on it. With the old packages, only the lead person on the reservation was on the keys and it was easy to get extra copies. With the new rules, you would need to be on the reservation in order to get room keys, since they'll need your names. To get on the reservation, you'll need to purchase the same package as the room is booked under. Which means you'll have to get the same passes and dining package as your friends.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney had flexibility in terms of the Ultimate Park Hopper, but they still had to adhere to the package rules. If the changes were made to a pass from a package, it was made to ALL of the passes, and that's the same situation here.

You can't do a partial with a package. Everybody's on the package from check in until check out.

You can try and test the front desk's flexibility, but it's an awful lot of money to pay to find out that they are inflexible.

Dan--Let's assume the guest is willing to have the same passes and meal plan but just for the days they're going to be staying. It wouldn't be reasonable to require a pass for days before the extra guests checked in.

I'd only test the front desk if I was prepared to either just stay without a resort card and key or book another room on the spot. The question is if the front desk has the physical ability to just issue a resort only ID card without tying it to a package.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Dan--Let's assume the guest is willing to have the same passes and meal plan but just for the days they're going to be staying. It wouldn't be reasonable to require a pass for days before the extra guests checked in.

What you're proposing would probably work with a room-only reservation. But because this is all tied to a package, it makes things very black and white.

You're on the reservation from check in until check out, or you're not on the reservation at all.

I'd only test the front desk if I was prepared to either just stay without a resort card and key or book another room on the spot. The question is if the front desk has the physical ability to just issue a resort only ID card without tying it to a package.

Room keys at Disney resorts don't function like room keys at your everyday Holiday Inn. Each key is directly linked with somebody - especially now that each key has each guest's name on it - not the maker of the reservation; as jel pointed out.

So if you want a key, you'd have to be on the reservation. In a room-only reservation, you could easily be added partway through the stay, and at a DVC resort, incur a charge of $25/night for each adult after the first two.

But with a package, you have to be on the reservation from check in until check out. They won't let you on partway through the stay.

 

[dmonroe]

What if you were on the reservation for the entire time? With the new tickets, a 7 day wouldn't cost much more than a 5 day pass. As far as the dining plan, maybe you could use the 2 extra days to eat at some of the restaurants that "cost" 2 meals. If the extra cost (paying for days you won't be there) is still cheaper than getting a room a another resort, I think I would do! Heck! I'd probably just go the whole 7 days and save myself the headache!

 

[SnackyStacky]

What if you were on the reservation for the entire time? With the new tickets, a 7 day wouldn't cost much more than a 5 day pass. As far as the dining plan, maybe you could use the 2 extra days to eat at some of the restaurants that "cost" 2 meals. If the extra cost (paying for days you won't be there) is still cheaper than getting a room a another resort, I think I would do! Heck! I'd probably just go the whole 7 days and save myself the headache!

That is most definitely a possibility.

Adding your family to a package, you would have to pay:

a.) for 7 nights of dining for each of your family members
b.) $25 for EACH adult per night (Disney allows 2 adults per room in the room rate. For the 3rd adult and beyond, there is a charge of $25 per adult per night)
c.) for whatever type of admission your travel companions have. If they have 7 day premium non-expiring, that's what you have to have too for EACH member of your party.

IF you agree to those terms, they can list you on the reservation. And dmonroe is right. 2 more days on a ticket is $2 more, unless you have the non-expiration option added. And like dmonroe said, splurge! And have a meal that charges 2 sit downs instead of 1.

 

[coinkc]

Thanks for everyone's advice. The cost to get a room and tickets at a value resort is roughly the same as adding us to the package only the package includes our dining so that is what we are going to do. Then if we don't use all our meals our friends can or we can give them to someone at WDW (there is a wonderful story on another thread about a family who had their meal paid for by someone who left his extra "meal credits" with the waitress to give out).

Also, it's my understanding that there won't be an additional charge for a 3rd adult as it is a 2-bedroom villa and you can have up to 4 adults (which we would have a total of 3 adults, a 10 year old...adult?..2 9 year olds and a 6 year old). Anyone know if this is true or not?

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for everyone's advice. The cost to get a room and tickets at a value resort is roughly the same as adding us to the package only the package includes our dining so that is what we are going to do. Then if we don't use all our meals our friends can or we can give them to someone at WDW (there is a wonderful story on another thread about a family who had their meal paid for by someone who left his extra "meal credits" with the waitress to give out).

Also, it's my understanding that there won't be an additional charge for a 3rd adult as it is a 2-bedroom villa and you can have up to 4 adults (which we would have a total of 3 adults, a 10 year old...adult?..2 9 year olds and a 6 year old). Anyone know if this is true or not?

Even the villas, if you're booked through CRO, you pay for any person over the age of 18. Since you only have 3 people over the age of 18, you only have to pay an additional $25 per night.

 

[sue1013]

I've book villa through CRO and there is no extra charge for more than 2 adults.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I've book villa through CRO and there is no extra charge for more than 2 adults.

Maybe they did away with the charge!! That'd be wonderful because I think it was a RIDICULOUS charge to begin with. Maybe if you weren't paying so much for the room already, I could understand, but I really feel like it was just a rip off.

 

[Gymbomom]

ITA!!
Bottom line...I would have your friend call CRO. Have her explain that she has some friends coing in for a couple of days and what would she need to do to make them "legal".
If she gets a response that makes it workable, get CM's name, time of call etc. and go with it.

 

[SueEllen]

It looks like this was already covered--but I was going to say that adding the 2 of you to the reservation with the dining for the 7 day period would probably amount to about the same charge as another room and tickets at a value.

The reason is that the room portion is already "paid for" with the people in the room. Your portion of the stay (adding you) is in essence only adding the dining and tickets for you. The difference in cost of a 5 day ticket and a 7 day ticket is very minimal--and the extra dining for those 2 nights it's only $70 more and you can pool those nights together to use for a signature service sit down meal--or like you said--give to your friends if you can't use them.

I hope it all works out for the best for you. The 2 bedroom villas are great and I'm sure you will have a Magical trip!

Sue Ellen