Heads Up! on free DP and resort check-in; read FYI

[Bete]

Just got off the phone with Disney travel and the official word is you must ALL be present at check-in to get the free dining offer credits. This includes the kiddies. If you are on a paid dining plan, it's not a requirement.

Also, each Disney resort manager can waive this check-in policy of everyone being present, but it's at their discretion, not yours. This is the only concession I got from my telephone conversation.

I'm bummed; because, I'm taking a trip with a friend and we have a 10 hour gap between us for our air flights. I thought I could check-in and get all this accomplished before my friend arrived. Now, I'll be taking a chance, if Disney will let me check-in or not without my other party. I asked, if I could do check-in without signing up for the dining plan until later on my room card when we would both be present and that answer was NO!

The Disney reservationist went on to say, that there have been cheats trying to get more dining credits on the free dining plan by making up extra guests and this has caused us all to suffer, here.

I hope we can hear from some of the early arrivals on the free dining plan how much they are upholding this policy or not. Good luck to all.

 

[jessica52877]

It is sad what others do and then make honest people suffer. Usually my son and husband go and watch the movie while I check in, so it won't be as convenient with my little one, but not the end of the world. Definately sad in your situation though.

 

[Lewisc]

It's a shame that a few dishonest people combined with the internet spreading the word necessitates such action.

I wouldn't worry too much. For the people who have kids watching TV, just having them wave will probably be enough, otherwise just get them when you get to the check in desk.

You were already told the manager can make an exception. Bring whatever you have to "prove" you're legit such as a copy of your friend's flight information (possibly even a copy of the BP but at least a copy of the offical airline confirmation) and a copy of the DME voucher. If your friend has a cell phone you might even offer to let the manager talk. If all else fails just delay checking in. Posting the exact steps you use to get an exception is going to lead to abuse and may result in no exceptions.

Disney is giving you free dining. Unfortunately the actions of some greedy guests may cause you to be inconvenienced when you check in.

 

[nowellsl]

I drove down early last year on the day we checked in and DD came down later in the day after class. I checked in at POP and got both our cards. I just told them she was coming later on and they gave me an extra parking pass for her car. Not an issue for me.

 

[mickey mommy]

The Disney reservationist went on to say, that there have been cheats trying to get more dining credits on the free dining plan by making up extra guests and this has caused us all to suffer, here.

What a shame. I can't believe people would do this. I thought it was pushing it a little when adults were using child credits, now, making up people! Insane! Not the type of people I like to be associated with at all. They ruin it for everyone.

 

[MickeyMamma]

Well you can't blame them for this requirement. What would stop somebody from claiming that their room is filled with people to get extra meals?

Perhaps you can check-in and have your meals credited to your card and when your friend checks in then hers will be added to the room too.

There are too many people that try to take advantage so there are some inconveniences to try to keep people honest.

I would think that they may credit your meals and add hers when she arrives though.

 

[Princess4Eeyore]

Okay, after reading a few different posts, I was really worried about this new check-in policy. Firstly, we are going during free dining. Secondly, 1 adult in our party does not arrive until the following day. I have been honest and Disney reservations know that the 1 adult will only be staying for part of that trip (She has to leave 3 days early as well & is using ME). Anyway, they confirmed when I made the reservation this was okay, BUT after reading this thread I just HAD to call and speak to a disney reservation specialist - I needed to be sure.

Anyway, I spoke to two staff members. I will quote what was said to my best ability: "disney is magic, we do not expect families to all check-in"; "we do not do head counts" < - they found that funny, "the magic is in trusting people and we want everyone to enjoy their vacation". I went on to explain what was being said on this board (please dont flame me, I love the info and feedback on these boards). I told them exactly what was said and about people using the free dining. They said they do know what goes on (people who use child credits and an "extra guest to get more credits". No policy has been changed as of yet about check-in and they dont see it changing in the near future. Also, they have thousands of people checking into the resorts everyday and it can not be expected for all guests to be present.

So, I dont know if we are receiving conflicting info? But, I made sure and spoke to two staff members. Also, I will call a week before our trip to double check the policy.

Have a magical day

 

[keishashadow]

I believe they are reserving their "right" to request that all be present @ check-in (in case they would have doubts - think sudden additons of children to res. during free dining period).

Typically, don't see why it would be a problem anyway. One person could check in & additonal member of party could stop by desk later to get resort ID, tix, etc.? IMO, not that big of a deal to stroll thru the lobby whenever you arrive.

 

[Bete]

Anyway, I spoke to two staff members. I will quote what was said to my best ability: "disney is magic, we do not expect families to all check-in"; "we do not do head counts" < - they found that funny, "the magic is in trusting people and we want everyone to enjoy their vacation". I went on to explain what was being said on this board (please dont flame me, I love the info and feedback on these boards). I told them exactly what was said and about people using the free dining. They said they do know what goes on (people who use child credits and an "extra guest to get more credits". No policy has been changed as of yet about check-in and they dont see it changing in the near future. Also, they have thousands of people checking into the resorts everyday and it can not be expected for all guests to be present.

Have a magical day

I'm the original poster and you are giving me good news. The number I called when receiving the info that I have is 1-800-828-0228 for WDW Travel. The CM put me on hold and asked a supervisor about it. This is why I posted, here.

Now, you mentioned you talked to DIS Staff and I'm not sure what that means or who that is---please elaborate.

I think we will know more as people check-in at the start of the free dining program. I get the feeling we will get stories to colloborate both sides of this issue.

In my case, I will bring as much proof as I can to check-in without my friend including my friend's copy of air tics, ME, etc. of a later flight. I still feel I'll be taking a chance, but I'm going to try it anyway. I'm hoping Disney will not want to create bad scenes at check-in for people like myself. I can be pretty loud and annoying, if my buttons get pushed too hard.

 

[Princess4Eeyore]

Hi Again

Bete: I called 1-407- WDISNEY. The first disney staff member was very nice and really calmed any fears I had about our check-in situation. She said that she will let me talk to someone else, also a disney specialist dealing with reservations and resorts. Wow, the disney staff was really awesome and said that its almost impossible to have the entire party check-in at the same time ... imagine larger families, etc. They said they have never been strict with the check-in, mostly one person checks in.
Well, I guess we will have to wait and see what happens in Sept.

Hope you have a wonderful trip

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think you have to be loud or annoying, just convince the manager you're honest. If that fails delay checking in. The only way you'll have a problem is if Disney finds out previous guests who seemed honest were lying and they have to stop making exceptions.

In my case, I will bring as much proof as I can to check-in without my friend including my friend's copy of air tics, ME, etc. of a later flight. I still feel I'll be taking a chance, but I'm going to try it anyway. I'm hoping Disney will not want to create bad scenes at check-in for people like myself. I can be pretty loud and annoying, if my buttons get pushed too hard.

 

[melomouse]

I posted on this last week:.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12423041#post12423041


The e-mail JUST had come down to Reservations to tell guests that the reservation could be modified if all on the ressie were not present at check in.The reservation paper confirmation also reflects this in the wording of the fine print. The CM suggested that we could "wait around the resort" for our friends if they were on a later flight.

What this policy prevents is "phantom guests" on the FDP - but it also prevents friends from joining me and DD mid-week, when their work schedules don't interfere.

I understand the hassle this can create. It impacts me.

However, until I heard this and the reason for it, I did not completely understand how the abuse of the disney rules and system could come down and smack us ALL in the face!!!! I did not "GET" the idea so personally that the "stealing","working the system" or whatever manipulation you want to label the behavior - hurts all WDW guests sooner or later.

There are always a few DIS'er's fondly (or not) considered to be the "moral police", "high and mighty","holier than thou" or "perfect" by other DIS'er's. We've all seen and heard it in several thousand posts. And though the name-calling goes both ways,and we cannot support unkindness, there are some individuals with in-depth WDW knowledge who have witnessed over a long period of time what I have personally just experienced:

Manipulating the Disney rules will eventually cost us all, and already does in many ways we may not even be aware of!!!

So I will now pick up my Officer Melomouse badge as some are bound to call me - and support the rule-conscious a bit better in my posts in the future!!!! Thank you for past and future efforts so that the mostly honest do not have to pay for the poor choices of a few!!!


Thanks for hearing me out. OP - I think it will all work out - it IS discretionary for the CM.....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12423041#post12423041

 

[Pedler]

There are always a few DIS'er's fondly (or not) considered to be the "moral police", "high and mighty","holier than thou" or "perfect" by other DIS'er's. We've all seen and heard it in several thousand posts. And though the name-calling goes both ways,and we cannot support unkindness, there are some individuals with in-depth WDW knowledge who have witnessed over a long period of time what I have personally just experienced:

Manipulating the Disney rules will eventually cost us all, and already does in many ways we may not even be aware of!!!

So I will now pick up my Officer Melomouse badge as some are bound to call me - and support the rule-conscious a bit better in my posts in the future!!!! Thank you for past and future efforts so that the mostly honest do not have to pay for the poor choices of a few!!!


Thanks for hearing me out. OP - I think it will all work out - it IS discretionary for the CM.....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12423041#post12423041

Melomouse,

Regarding this particular issue, the outright fraud of making up guests, I don't think there has been much debate regarding this abuse of the plan. For the most part there has been a almost uniform view that this is wrong and is theft so don't worry about anyone calling you the moral police on this.

I do wonder how much Disney is going to follow through on this. It is possible that just the threat and occasional spot check would stop people from creating fictional families.

 

[Bird-Mom]

This affects me too because my cousin will be joining us halfway through our trip. I saw it on a new confirmation and I called to ask what was up because we did the same thing last year with no problems. The CM I spoke to told me that it shouldn't be a problem; just tell them at check in that we did it this way last year. In fact, it will probably be just me checking in b/c dh will take the girls on Magical Express while I rent the car and get there first. The CM did say that if they denied my cousin's room key and meals (ticket doesn't matter b/c she has an AP) that we could stop by the desk once she arrives and they will add it back on.

 

[bertalander]

Interesting...

My dd (age 9) will be staying in her grandparent's room and they will not be getting in until late that afternoon. I will already have credits for 2A and 2C so I don't think it will be a hassle, but I wonder how check-in will go for in-laws?

Oh NO!!!!!!!!!!

I just realized... dd's ticket into the parks is hooked to in-laws room too. We are seperate reservations. I figured this was the best money wise for our family... 2kids with us, 1 with in-laws. We just paid in-laws for dd's part...

Agh.

How the HECK do I fix that?

This is what I get for thinking, huh?

head... hurts...

 

[kokotg]

this is the wording on my reservation confirmation that came last week:

Please note: Your reservation includes Disney Dining Plan components. In order to claim these components, all members of your party must be present at check-in or your reservation will be modified.

 

[Bete]

this is the wording on my reservation confirmation that came last week:

Please note: Your reservation includes Disney Dining Plan components. In order to claim these components, all members of your party must be present at check-in or your reservation will be modified.

How will it be modified? Adjusted for who is there right now? What does this all mean?

I think the best plan of action will be to act stupid to a degree and say you had no problems with check-in last year, if you did the free dining plan last year. I did it last year and my hubby and his mom (88) waited while I did the checking in. I hope we hear the score from those going in August on the free plan.

 

[shellbelle]

I checked in for my family of 4 last year using the free dining plan. I was never asked where the rest of my party was.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Just got off the phone with Disney travel and the official word is you must ALL be present at check-in to get the free dining offer credits. This includes the kiddies. If you are on a paid dining plan, it's not a requirement.

Also, each Disney resort manager can waive this check-in policy of everyone being present, but it's at their discretion, not yours. This is the only concession I got from my telephone conversation.

I'm bummed; because, I'm taking a trip with a friend and we have a 10 hour gap between us for our air flights. I thought I could check-in and get all this accomplished before my friend arrived. Now, I'll be taking a chance, if Disney will let me check-in or not without my other party. I asked, if I could do check-in without signing up for the dining plan until later on my room card when we would both be present and that answer was NO!

The Disney reservationist went on to say, that there have been cheats trying to get more dining credits on the free dining plan by making up extra guests and this has caused us all to suffer, here.

I hope we can hear from some of the early arrivals on the free dining plan how much they are upholding this policy or not. Good luck to all.

They didn't require it at check in last year. I don't think my paperwork had that clause on it though. If they require it at check in, just explain the situation. Ask them at the desk if they can put your credits on your card when you get there, and put your friends credits on their card when they get there. Just tell them you understand people make up people in the room to get more free credits but that you're not trying to put one over on them and you need access to your credits now. I think they'll find a way to accomodate you.

 

[COmomof2]

Interesting that I found this thread. Our party of 11 is having the same problem as Bertalander.

We're staying at POR during free dining, our family of 4 (one under 3) and my cousin's family of 7 (one under 3). One of her kids is going to stay with us, so she doesn't have to get 2 rooms. Problem being that they'll be at the resort like 7-8 hours before we will. They want to go to MK as soon as they arrive, but her 11 yr old's ticket is tied to our reservation.

My TA called Disney and they told her that my cousin could actually check in for us, get our packet of info/tickets, etc, then we could go to the front desk later and change the credit card info. I'm going to have my TA call the hotel directly the week prior to our arrival, just to make sure we get the same info from the hotel directly. It never occurred to me that someone would actually add false names to a reservation to get more food credits!

I hope this isn't a problem for us, nor anyone else in a similar situation.