Help! Mixed arrival dates and free dining

[TheLittleRoo]

Just this morning, I have begun to try to plan a trip during December for my family. It gets complicated by the fact that my kids and I would arrive before my husband, who will fly in from out of the country on either 12/20 or 12/21.

I booked a room at POR using the Disney VISA free dining promo, to arrive on 12/17 for 4 out of 5 of us. The CM told me a mixed arrival date would not be a problem, but I remember from discussions on this board that it IS a problem at check in.

Here's what I would like to do, maybe some of you mavens can figure out the best way to accomplish it.

12/17 Arrival day for me, DS13, DD6, and DS3. Will need park tickets at a minimum, free dining start would be ideal
12/21 Arrival day for DH (since I can't be sure, going with 12/21 over 12/20) Would need to have dining included since he's an adult, OOP would be ridiculous.

What I don't want to have happen is book a single POR room w/ free dining for 2A/3C from 12/17-26 and not be able to check in since DH won't be there. If I have to make two room ressies, I would have to switch to a value.

ARGGH!! In my mind, I know there's a solution but there are too many moving pieces for me to visualize it right now!!

Thanks!

 

[disneyfan55]

Just this morning, I have begun to try to plan a trip during December for my family. It gets complicated by the fact that my kids and I would arrive before my husband, who will fly in from out of the country on either 12/20 or 12/21.

I booked a room at POR using the Disney VISA free dining promo, to arrive on 12/17 for 4 out of 5 of us. The CM told me a mixed arrival date would not be a problem, but I remember from discussions on this board that it IS a problem at check in.

Here's what I would like to do, maybe some of you mavens can figure out the best way to accomplish it.

12/17 Arrival day for me, DS13, DD6, and DS3. Will need park tickets at a minimum, free dining start would be ideal
12/21 Arrival day for DH (since I can't be sure, going with 12/21 over 12/20) Would need to have dining included since he's an adult, OOP would be ridiculous.

What I don't want to have happen is book a single POR room w/ free dining for 2A/3C from 12/17-26 and not be able to check in since DH won't be there. If I have to make two room ressies, I would have to switch to a value.

ARGGH!! In my mind, I know there's a solution but there are too many moving pieces for me to visualize it right now!!

Thanks!

We had a similar, but different, problem when we went in Sept. My daughter wasn't going to be there for checkin since she was flying and arriving at around 10pm. I told this to the CM when we were making the reservation. I didn't see this noted anyplace but I guess it could have been on WDW records. We checked in with no problem and they gave us our daughter's key card. We never had a question or mention of her not being there with us to checkin. I really had no worry since it was the same day and if worse came to worse, she could checkin. My guess is that most likely you will have no problem and just get the key card upon checkin. I would just get 1 day passes and upgrade as necessary for each person so you don't pay for extra days. You will have the meals for all the days for all of you though,

 

[cepmom]

I would just book it as 2A/3 C. I never have my DH or kids with me when I check in and I have never had any problems getting everyone's KTTW cards etc. I second the recommendation to just get 1 day tickets now, then upgrade as needed once you get there so you don't get your DH any unneccesary days he won't be able to use.