MS said "You may not be able to check in"

[FreeTime]

I made a reservation at exactly 11 months out for 2 adults 2 preteens and 1 infant in a 1 bedroom. Well guess what? We ended up having another baby in between the time the reservation was made and the time to go. I called to get a 2 bedroom and they are out. MS told me that I am not allowed to have 4+2 infants in a 1 bedroom. But for me to keep the room. I can't take my vacation at any other time. They also said you can come on down but we may not let you check in! I tried to do the right thing by getting a proper size unit. What should I do?! The airfare is now purchased! They are going to deny me because of a newborn! (

 

[Bumpy]

FreeTime,
First off congratulations on the new bundle!!! Your delima is easy- Just dont tell them about the new baby when checking in! You did try to fix the situation and to no avail so dont let it ruin your vacation. Go have fun!

 

[CarolAnnC]

You do not mention the time frames that you are talking about here. If you have months before this trip, then perhaps the wait list may work for you for a 2 BR.

Did you try all the DVC Resorts? Usually if you are flexible you are able to get a 2br in one of them....

The occupancy limits are 4 people plus one baby under age 3. As another alternative, you may try for connecting rooms at some of the non DVC resorts such as Port Orleans, that will accommodate a family of 6. Good luck!

 

[Lisa F]

I would personally get myself on a wait list for a 2br and if it doesn't come through, I wouldn't worry about it. I think that getting 2 connecting rooms at a moderate and spending 2 times the points for it as a 1br unit would not be an acceptable solution for me.

To me, your situation sounds like an extenuating circumstance if there ever was one. IF you could change your dates and IF you hadn't already purchased plane tickets (at least the newborn doesn't need one of those!) or IF you could get a 2 bedroom unit, you would gladly do any and all of the above... but, you can't change your dates, your tickets are purchased, and right now the best you can do is hope for a 2 bedroom to come through on a waitlist. There is only so much that one person can do and it's not like you set out to try to cheat the system. You had a perfectly planned vacation 11 months out, you followed the rules, and something unexpected happened.

If it makes you feel any better, perhaps you could call your resort directly and ask to speak to the manager there and explain your situation. Be sure to get a name, be sure to make it clear that you are not trying to cheat the system and hopefully the manager will understand and give the OK in this one situation. If not, go another level up. I just can't believe that disney would turn you away in this circumstance.

Lisa

 

[PamOKW]

You don't say how much time you've got before the trip, which resort you are trying for or how long your trip is.

I agree that getting on the wait list for the 2 bedroom is the way to go. You might also consider taking a 2 bedroom (if available) at a different DVC resort and then waiting for your first choice to come through. Someone recently posted that they felt tight with 4 women in a BWV one-bedroom. Two cribs plus four others might be awful tight. Worst case, split up the family into seperate one bedrooms and studios....a parent in each room.

It's interesting to hear they are drawing a line in the sand at 6. While I feel for your situation, I am glad to hear that DVC/MS plan to enforce the room limits at some point. They've already made an exception for one child under 3 that has been expanded by many people to include 5 at all times.

 

[teri]

I would get on the waitlist for the 2-bedroom and just go, trust that they will work things out to your advantage. You didn't say which resort.. if it is BWV, then you will be quite squeezed. Not sure about you, but I wouldn't be comfortable with things that tight. If you can't get a DVC 2-BR, and they won't let you in the 1-BR, you might inquire about the Junior Suites at Coronado Springs, which sleep 6 and have a wet bar but not a complete kitchen. There is a nice large living area there, plenty of room, not to mention 2 bathrooms -- which will be good if you have infants and 2 adults AND 2 preteens.

 

[Beth]

Regardless of whether we feel Disney "should" or "should not" allow FreeTime to stay in the 1BR with her "new addition," I think it's truly rediculous to make the statement, "Well -- come on down to Florida (i.e., get off work, take the kids out of school, and spend the money on airfare), but we can't give you a definitive answer on the phone as to whether we "will" or "won't" let you actually check in.

That's just plain silly!

 

[sgtdisney]

If you cannot get on a waitlist or make arrangements at another DVC resort, I would just go with the 2 infants and stay in your 1 bedroom. Just don't take the whole family in at the same time to check in and it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Beachangel]

Wait list for 2 BR...if nothing comes up...go anyway and don't worry about it.

 

[teri]

Beth, my experience has been that, when you show up at the front desk, they make every effort to do the right thing for you. Things do open up on the day of arrival - people leave sooner than expected, there are cancellations, all kinds of factors. I have arrived a day early on a weekend that was completely sold out, and they found us a very nice room onsite. I wouldn't be too, too worried.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I wouldn't draw any attention to yourself and just go with the one bedroom. Waitlist for a two bedroom can't hurt if you have the points. I can't imagine they would turn you away when you get there, but if you tell them your situation when you arrive and ask for a two beroom and there isn't one who knows what trouble they would give you. On the other hand, what they don't know won't hurt you.

If you request two cribs that could be a problem. We are going to WDW in Oct and Nov and our DS will be 4 and 5 mos on those trips. We are bringing a portable Fisher Price Swing n Comfort Cradlette for him to sleep in. When we have requested cribs at regular WDW hotels they provide a pack and play - not the most comfortable thing for an infant to sleep in.

Congrats on the new arrival and good luck.

 

[Bill K]

Sounds like you have to much "free time" on your hands!!

Congratulations

 

[Debby7]

I understand you are in a tight situation here. You did not plan to overload the accomodation. I doubt if very many people have been in a similiar situation, but it might have helped to try to change your accomodation as soon as you realized that a)the baby would be here at the time of your planned vacation and b)you were still planning on going on the vacation. I would wait list. I don't know when you plan on going, but I would think that your best bet is OKW. And while I feel for you, I too am glad that MS is speaking up about exceeding the stated occupancy rate

 

[Mouse Ears]

I believe your quote from MS can be translated, "I can't officially tell you it's OK, but I'll overlook it for now by leaving your reservation and if you show up and 'sneak in' an extra infant, there's nothing we can do."

So, try to get the extra room if possible, but I wouldn't stress over it since you didn't set out to beat the system. Remember, it is MS's job to convey the rules and laws as they are so they are not likely to give any kind of official approval for 6.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[PamOKW]

I agree with MouseEars interpretation. In this day of the Internet, they don't want you to be able to tell folks 6 is okay in a 1 bedroom or to decide it's okay for your family every trip. If you are up against the wall with no alternative available, they may be able to help you in this particular trip.

 

[Dean]

I can see both sides of the issue. However, it is not the responsibility of DVC to change the rules because you have an extra person to bring. It is not their fault in any way and not their responsibility. Others have had 6 in a room and been allowed even when it was known but I think DVC is moving toward a more uniform enforcement of the rules. Remember that the official occupancy is 4 and the 5 with one under three, is already a stretch. While it doesn't change the DCV rules, I'm curious if you or your wife knew about the pregnancy at the time the reservations were made. I believe DVC did exactly what they should have done, remind you of the rules and warn you of the possible consequences. While I too think it's unlikely you'll get turned away, I find it appauling that adults would tell you to lie and sneak around.

 

[Bumpy]

I reiterate- Go have fun and don't worry about it! If some people are appalled by an extra infant in the room and not releasing that info to DVC (under your circumstances) well thats their right. Who cares your not committing a felony. Welcome to the newest Mousekateer! Sometimes life has some suprises and you just have to roll with it! I don't think anyone insiuated that Disney is at fault for Freetimes dilema! (unless maybe it happened from all that magic on your last trip to Disney) There might be a case there.

 

[Dean]

Bumpy, it's a question of honesty. I'm not appalled at the extra infant, just at those that would suggest one lie to Disney. Doesn't matter if it's a felony or not. I just think it's wrong to tell someone to lie to Disney just because it's convenient. And while no one said directly that DVC was at fault, it was insinuated that DVC should have allowed 6 in a four person unit because it was extreme circumstances. While it's unfortunate that it happened this way, I disagree about this being extreme circumstances. I think it happens all the time where someone will be added to the trip unexpectedly, or doesn't go when counted on. The fact it's a bouncing bundle of joy who will enrich their lives forever is irrelevant as far as DVC and the trip is concerned. They've actually done their part, tell them there will be 6 for a 4 person unit. Now they must decide whether to go and take their chances. There's certainly no need to go and wear a sign around the neck that says there's 6 of us in a 1 BR. If it were I, I'd go and hope for the best but I would not lie about it. I am glad that DVC stood their ground and made the rules clear. Now hopefully they will start enforcing them soon also.

 

[Richyams]

I think that a lie to save some points and/or money and justifieing it with "they will never know" is exactly the same thing as sticking cans of corn in your pocket at the supermarket when you are sure "they will never know"

Its stealing, plain and simple, stealing. As MS becomes more concistant, either people will have to get the proper sized accomodations or lie even more.

Congratulations to those that feel comfortable advising stealing.

 

[CarolAnnC]

The Webmasters of this site have previously indicated their ruling that occupancy limits will not be debated on the DVC Board. I encourage anyone further interested in debating the issue to visit our Debate Board here on the DIS where you may feel free to visit the topic. Thanks to all for your cooperation!