Make ressies in both names!

[Mrs.Milo]

My Sister-in-law checked into BWV last Friday, and almost didn't get into her room. Her DH originally made the ressie, so it was in his name, but he just started a new job and couldn't come for the whole week. My SIL had her ID and credit card with her, but was given a hard time by the desk clerk. The desk clerk blamed it on "heightened security". The desk clerk called and verified my SIL's name was on the DVC contract, so she let her check in, but said that next time both names should be on the ressie.

The ironic part is that my SIL had called at least twice in the last month to modify the ressie, and had even said the room occupants would be 2 ladies and a baby! That should have given them a clue.

 

[SueEllen]

That is odd--

They require all names of the occupants in the room on the reservation so I'm surprised she had any trouble. She should have been listed as an occupant in the room (even not being the lead person on the reservation.) So she should not have had any trouble checking in at all.

Sue Ellen

 

[DebbieB]

My experience has been that they don't always ask for the other names, just the number of adults and children. I made an OKW reservation a couple of weeks ago, I don't think they asked for names.

 

[DBBN]

We've made reservations dozens of times and have NEVER been asked the names of the occupants of the room. For that matter we sometimes don't know who will be travelling with us. However, I have always been asked for the number of adults and children and the children's ages (teen, junior, infant etc). When we don't know how many guests will be traveling with us we state the maximum occupancy for the villa size reserved.

The ironic part is that my SIL had called at least twice in the last month to modify the ressie, and had even said the room occupants would be 2 ladies and a baby! That should have given them a clue.

MS handles dozens of calls like this each and every day from members. I understand your frustration but, I doubt if any of them would have made the connection between the name on the confirmation and the fact that the SIL noted who the occupants would be. I wouldn't be too harsh on MS on this matter.

The front desk is very firm in their policy that no one is allowed to check in unless their name appears on the confirmation. Even if they own the membership such as was the case you describe in the OP. As far as I know it's been this way since we became members in 1995. On ocassion I find myself less than pleased with the front desk but, in this case it seems they handeled the situation as they should have.

As it would happen this exact situation almost happened to my wife earlier this month at OKW. I made a reservation for her at OKW and out of habit I put my name on the confirmation. Normally this would have gone unnoticed as she seldom travels without me. Except in this case I stayed home and she travelled with members of my family. It was by luck that just a few days before she checked in it occurred to me to add her name to the confirmation. If I had not put her name on the confirmation the front desk would have had to confirm her name on the contract like you describe.

Hopefully by posting your experience other members who are not familiar with this policy will be more aware and less likely to be negatively affected by it.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by DBBN
[...] The front desk is very firm in their policy that no one is allowed to check in unless their name appears on the confirmation. [...]

Would you please clarify this - it is a fuzzy issue to me. For example, suppose I make a reservation for a 2BR and put DW's name on it as well, with the intent of bringing some friends, but (at 11 months out) not knowing exactly who it would be. So if DW and I arrive at the front desk with another couple on check in day, will they not give keys to our friends as they're not listed on the reservation? Or do you mean "check in" in the official sense, as in credit cards, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[TwirlerGirl]

I have a very simular situation and called MS yesterday.
I have 2-2BR reserved for a family reunion for 12 in May. One room I placed in my name, the other in my son's name. DH and I changed our plans a little and decided to arrive 2 days earlier. I called yesterday to ask if I could check my son into his room since his family won't be arriving until late in the afternoon. MS had to add my name some how to the reservation but not as an occupant so I could check them in early. They did not ask the names of the other gests until I registered for Magical Gatherings. I made my orginal reservations at the 11 th month window not knowing who exactly would be attending. If I hadn't called about the MG and asked, I couldn't have check them in according to MS even with me making the reservations and owning the points.

Sandy

 

[DBBN]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
Would you please clarify this - it is a fuzzy issue to me. For example, suppose I make a reservation for a 2BR and put DW's name on it as well, with the intent of bringing some friends, but (at 11 months out) not knowing exactly who it would be. So if DW and I arrive at the front desk with another couple on check in day, will they not give keys to our friends as they're not listed on the reservation? Or do you mean "check in" in the official sense, as in credit cards, etc.?

Thanks!

I mean "check-in" in the official sense.

In order to complete the "check-in" process to "gain access to the villa" your name must be on the confirmation. In your example there would be NO issue as you would be at the front desk doing the "check-in". With you there they'll give you the number of keys you need for yourself and ALL your guests even if you brought more guests than you originally listed on the confirmation. However, if the other couple arrives at the resort before you do they would NOT be allowed to "check-in" to "gain access to the villa" unless one of the couple's name appears on the confirmation.

The issue for the front desk is they won't provide keys, room numbers, etc., to anyone not listed on the confirmation. YOU can...so they give you the keys and room number and YOU provide them to your guests. I hope that helps.

 

[DrTomorrow]

That did the trick - thanks again!

 

[Terry S]

Really in a case like this all you have to do is have the person who made the reservation or a person on the contract call the day before and add the name of the person checking in to the reservation. I have done this several times when I relized my Mom would be arriving in the morning and I wouldn't be arriving unitl the evening. I call and have her name added to my reservation so that she can check into my room, this saves me time when I get there.

I also have never been asked for the occupants names. Just the ages of the occupants.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by SueEllen
That is odd--

They require all names of the occupants in the room on the reservation so I'm surprised she had any trouble. She should have been listed as an occupant in the room (even not being the lead person on the reservation.) So she should not have had any trouble checking in at all.

Sue Ellen

See this is odd because I have modified my May ressie and not once did they ask for the occupants names just how many. Like one is under my name only for me dh and my son as 2 adults 1 child and my inlaws says 2 adults.

 

[eva]

I remember a post of Rich's a couple of years ago where he had the reservation in his name. His wife was not traveling with him and would be joining him later during the stay. He and friends went out to the parks on the day she was to arrive. Rich's wife arrived late in the morning and they wouldn't give her a key or tell her which room they had been assigned. If I remember right, she hung out around the pool and in the lobby until dinner time. When Rich returned to the room and found a message from his wife, he was livid.

Ever since we have always made sure everyone staying in the room is on the reservation.

 

[Lesley]

I find this interesting...as I was surprised to receive a confirmation in the mail this week that had dh's name on it. I make all our reservations...always have. But they put his name on this confirmation. As far as I can recall, its always been my name on our reservations.

Oh, geez, they have the wrong number of guests too....but as we have a 2br and we'll be checking in before my parents arrive it shouldn't be any big deal.

Maybe it was because it was a confirmation for a waitlisted stay....but still...if he wasn't coming with us it might be a problem! Then again, dh would have a fit if we'd go to WDW without him!

 

[Patty3]

Thanks for the post, I did not know that if my name was on the reservation that DH could not check us in or vice versa. You learn something new everyday.

 

[ralphd]

Disney's policy is the same as any major hotel.

ralphd

 

[DMDSTPRGIL]

Also never been asked for the names of persons staying in the room,just how many adults and children......

 

[kathleena]

MS has never asked for all the names.

CRO does.

And if I had my DVC ID with me, my confirmation and ID, they better let me check in even if it was only DHs name.

But I have three ressies in the drawer I just check and both DH and I are on all three. I didn't ask for it, they are just both there.

 

[eva]

You're right. MS usually doesn't usually ask for the names of everyone staying in the room. We just make sure that the reservation is under everyone's name. The reason we put everyone on the room, even if we are checking-in together, is because we have often wondered what would happen if we separated and someone loses a room key. Quite often our daughters will stay back and swim while DH and myself go to the parks. I would hate it if they lost a key or left it in the room and the front desk wouldn't give them another one to get back in the room.

 

[jaysue]

I have never been asked for the names of all the room occupants - I always put both my name and DW on the ressie though

thanks
jaysue