Last minute guest policy?

[jcchicago]

My mom, DS and I will be at POFQ in December and there's a chance that my DH might be able to join us mid-trip depending on his work/travel schedule. He won't know until literally a couple days before though. Other than notifying the desk to his presence (and his buying park tickets once he arrives) I'm unclear on what the policy is regarding his arrival. Also my mom, DS and I will be on the DDP. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

 

[anewvance]

I don't know about the ddp plan but Disney has no problem with late arrival guests. My husband has joined me a couple of times half way through my trip. We just go to guest services at the hotel and add on their names to the ressie so they can get their keys and all. And if you have another car, they'll print up another parking pass for you.

 

[bicker]

I haven't read about any official statements about how the Dining Plan would handle last-minute additions, so experiences may vary based on who is working, since there is a requirement that arrangements for the Dining Plan be made in advance.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

The DDP has to be arranged in advance, so if you want him to be on it, you will need to add him prior to your arrival.

If you do not want him to be on the plan it is not a problem. When he arrives ask the front desk to make a key for him. The DDP package will only disperse to the people that are on the reservation when it is first checked in. If you add someone a couple days later, it will create an empty entitlement. Meaning that he will have a card linked to the res, so he has charging and a room key, but there are no tickets or dining, that portion of the card is empty. You may have a CM that is unfamiliar with this, if they say that they can't, polietly ask them if they can double check with their support team. There is also a way for the desk to make "just a key" there is no writing on the card at all, it is just a key to the room, if you have problem, you can ask if they can do that for you. In most cases, a manager is the only one with a code to be able to do that, so you may need to ask if they can do that for you.

Additional people added on after check in happens all the time, I am not trying to make it sound complicated, it really is not, I just want you to know there are a couple ways this can be handled so if they tell you no, you know what to ask for

 

[bicker]

You may have a CM that is unfamiliar with this, if they say that they can't, polietly ask them if they can double check with their support team.

Great advice!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Additional people added on after check in happens all the time, I am not trying to make it sound complicated, it really is not, I just want you to know there are a couple ways this can be handled so if they tell you no, you know what to ask for . . .

1) The easiest way to handle this is go to the Concierge Desk.
2) You question is not that strange, new or unusual.
3) They generally have more experience with not-so-common occurrences.
4) Many Front Desk CM's just don't get exposure to different things.
5) I would print his key at check-in, after all else has been done.
6) This way, the key can be kept at the Front Desk for him.
7) When he comes, he asks for the key and he is off and running.
8) If you are not there, it doesn't matter.

PS - Although a "blank" key can be printed, it is not advised. Just go ahead and have his name printed. If your husband wants charging privileges, the name must be on the key. Additionally, if he has tickets on the room key, the name must be printed on the key.

 

[jcchicago]

Wow. Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

You may get charged for an "extra adult" for the nights he is there.

 

[bicker]

Yes, that's correct. With OP, mother and husband, there will be a $15 per night fee for the third adult.

 

[FantasmicDreams]

A bunch of years ago I joined my cousin and her little girl halfway through their trip at POFQ (back when it was just PO) and I recall it being really easy. They alerted them at the front desk once it was determined I was going to join them and the whole process was really smooth. Not much different from regular check in.

 

[Carol Ann]

I have a similar situation where my husband may (now looking more like probably)be able to join us midway through the trip....

My first thought was to reserve through Mears (forgetting they did magical express now) but they wouldn't let me book due to the existence of magical express...will they let my DH use magical express 3 days into the reservation?

S

 

[jcchicago]

Oh, I'd like to know that as well.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . will they let my DH use magical express 3 days into the reservation? . . .

Yes, they will.

 

[jcchicago]

How will that work? Will he need to bring a copy of my room reservation so they'll let him on the bus? Otherwise he could just say that he's arriving at the last minute, but that sounds a little unreliable.