Missed free dining by 1 day.

[drinkme]

Our trip last December I arrived on Thursday & my kids flew in on Friday. We didn't have the dining plan. However I got their room keys all set up for charging privileges.

Just make sure if you are using DME that you have that all set up with different dates. It will all be set on their magic bands.

 

[DebbieB]

Not that I've ever heard, though I haven't stayed on Disney property for years. But why would they? They specifically create areas for the kids to hang out while parents are checking in, so I can't imagine them having that requirement. And I've read plenty of posts here on the Dis about moms taking the kids straight to the parks while dad checks in, or parties arriving on separate flights, and other similar situations.

Anybody with firsthand knowledge able to chime in?

They did at one time because people added additional people to the room to get additional free dining credits. Just had to pay for tickets for the "phantom guests", which could be used at a later date. If you added teenagers, you didn't have additional adult charges.

I haven't heard recently that they still want to see everyone.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

I went in 2013 & 2014, and never once was asked to see anyone. I was able to get another magicband for my wife and they never asked where she was. It might depend on who booked the trip?

 

[McKelly]

Thanks for all of the replies about whether or not the whole party needs to be there to check-in for Free Dining. This is good news. Maybe we will be able to get there for Free Dining yet. I never get off of work as long as the rest of my family. I can send them ahead and meet them a few days later!

 

[Bete]

Be careful about not having your full party there at check-in.

Some people were overbooking the room with more people than were actually there. The reason was to get more dining credits. You book four to a room and you are a party of two. This would give you double the amount of dining credits.

Disney was very sticky for a while requiring everyone to be present at check-in during free dining. Maybe, they have eased up on this, but I wouldn't count on it.

I can see it not being a big deal when there is no free dining being offered, but when you can get extra dining credits I think Disney tightens their belt. I believe you would be taking a chance.

 

[mort1331]

Not since they have started to include tickets with hoppers to them have they worried about having all people there. Also when there is no free dining they insist all parties in the room have dining plan even if only one wants it. This comes into play for the opposite of what you are all thinking about with one checking in before. Its a great strategy.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Not since they have started to include tickets with hoppers to them have they worried about having all people there.

This. I check us in while the family visits the game room or food court and have NEVER been asked to "show" all members of my party.

 

[peimikes]

We got lucky today Delta Airlines changed or flight schedule. This meant I was able to get them to move or tickets a day earlier at no cost. Booked free dining 10 minutes later .

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We got lucky today Delta Airlines changed or flight schedule. This meant I was able to get them to move or tickets a day earlier at no cost. Booked free dining 10 minutes later .

That's great news! Enjoy.

 

[tzeitel]

We got lucky today Delta Airlines changed or flight schedule. This meant I was able to get them to move or tickets a day earlier at no cost. Booked free dining 10 minutes later .

It was meant to be!