Help me understand if this would work...

[MistressMerryweather]

We are checking into AOA, Little Mermaid standard room with free dining in September for 14 nights. We are a family of 6, so we have 2 rooms.
Currently we have dh in the room with 2 kids and me in the room with 2 kids.

My parents are arriving 4 days after we arrive and are staying for 5 nights.
Will Disney allow me to add them to my room for just those 5 nights, getting free dining and 2 day park tickets? Or would I have to book them into our rooms for the whole 14 days, even though they will only be there for 5 nights?

If I have to book them the full 14 days, can they still take the magical express when they arrive for just those 5 nights?

If I have to book them the full 14 days, that means we will have 9 days of extra dining left over from the days they won't be there, which we could use, yes?

Right now, they have their own room, but we would save some moolah if we all shared the two rooms instead.
My family of 6 moved from POR over to AOA and two rooms, upgraded our dining to plus, and our price actually went up by almost $1200.

So anyway, is this even allowed?

 

[LilyWDW]

If you add them ahead of time, it would have to be for the same package that you already have booked. If you add them at the front desk when they arrive, they do not have to have the package, but you may be charged the extra adult fee for them.

However, if you do NOT add them before hand, they will not be able to use Magical Express. You must be on a resort reservation to use ME.

 

[plutolovr]

I'll try to explain this without it being too confusing.

Yes, you can add your parents when they arrive, however they will not be able to get the Dining Plan and you would have to purchase their tickets separately.
They can use Magical Express, but you have to arrange for that after you arrive and they won't get luggage tags. They will have to pick up their own luggage and take it on the bus, or give their baggage claims to the ME desk for them to retrieve.

The only way for them to get the Dining Plan is for you to add them to your reservation before you arrive, they would have dining for all 14 nights and you would be able to use the extra credits for signature dining, etc., but you can purchase the minimum days of tickets that you all need and just upgrade your family's when you arrive.

Clear as mud...

 

[WsPrincess]

If you add them you can use their credits for the additional 9 days since all the credits are pooled together. It might be a lot of credits but it might be worth it to save money.