My DH is driving me crazy with the free dining package. I need help.

[punkin]

I finally convinced my DH that we should do Disney this summer b/c the free dining makes it such a good deal. Now he tells me he can't take that much time off work and would I mind if he just joined us for half the week. So here's my question. He has to be on the room ressie and I have to pay for all 7 nights, but if I pay, does it matter if he is not there for check in? I can use his unused park days on a later trip and I am sure we can use up all the dining credits during the time he actually is there. It would make sense financially, but I don't want any problems when we get there. YKWIM?

 

[thunderbird1]

I can't imagine it would be a problem, if the unused ticket days and extra meal credits aren't a problem for you. We made two trips to DL where my dh and dd weren't even on the room ressie (because they had annual passes, but the room was cheaper as a package with one park hopper for me) and they couldn't have cared less. Heck, I remember people last year who had already booked offsite or DVC rooms, but booked a room at one of the Value resorts just to get the free dining. In those cases, they weren't even planning on sleeping in the room at all.

The only thing I can think of that might be a problem is if they need him to sign anything to have charging privileges on the room. Don't think they require this, but if so, he would just need to stop at the check-in desk when he arrives.

Have a great time!

 

[javaj]

My confirmation for our free dining trip in August states that all members of the party must be present at check-in or the reservation would be modified. This is new to me.

Can he come for the beginning half of your trip?

 

[punkin]

My confirmation for our free dining trip in August states that all members of the party must be present at check-in or the reservation would be modified. This is new to me.

Can he come for the beginning half of your trip?

Well, I am driving down with the girls and want him to fly down so he can be there for the drive back. I always find it more difficult to drive back for some reason.

I guess, I can go without him altogether (I think he might prefer that, actually)

I guess, no one will know for sure if they require this until check-ins start on 8/13 (which will be too late for me to book)

 

[thunderbird1]

My confirmation for our free dining trip in August states that all members of the party must be present at check-in or the reservation would be modified. This is new to me.

Haven't heard this one before--I wonder, do they check? I mean, I always check in and leave dh & kids in the car or over by the tv's, but we've never had the DP before. Anyone remember from using the DP on previous trips? Maybe someone over on the dining/DP board would know.

 

[dandave]

My confirmation says nothing about everyone being present at check-in. I would imagine that the check-in line would be out of control with entire families in line.

My only thought is that perhaps Disney is attempting to uncover some of those imaginary children people were taking on vacation for their free dining credits?

 

[thunderbird1]

My only thought is that perhaps Disney is attempting to uncover some of those imaginary children people were taking on vacation for their free dining credits?

Oh, man, I hadn't even thought of THAT particular scam idea. Just when I feel like I'm working all the angles, I discover people who are even more devious than I. Kinda makes sharing the refillable mugs (no, I don't do that, either) look like child's play, doesn't it?

And this is really going OT now, but say you have your package all booked and paid for, and you declined the travel insurance, and a few days before your trip one (or all) of your kids get sick and has to be left home with the grandparents. They're paid for anyway; would it be wrong to use their dining credits? Hmmm. . . .

 

[wdwnut61]

My only thought is that perhaps Disney is attempting to uncover some of those imaginary children people were taking on vacation for their free dining credits?

Do people actually do this

 

[punkin]

I don't get it. Wouldn't you have to pay for tickets for these phantom children? A park day costs a lot more than dining credits. No?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I don't get it. Wouldn't you have to pay for tickets for these phantom children? A park day costs a lot more than dining credits. No?

It would depend on what kind of tickets you purchased. If everyone in your group is getting 1-day base tickets (you don't have to purchase any more days than that), a child's pass would cost you $55.38. But that's child's meals over the length of your vacation could add up to $$$!

ETA: I actually bought 1-day Base tickets as part of our package (even though we didn't need passes) just so that we could get the free dining by booking a package instead of just a room. The cost of 4 adult tickets ran just under $270 but we will certain eat more than that over a 4-night stay.

 

[jns]

could you make two bookings instead one for when you and the kids are there and another when DH comes
you could even change resorts too

 

[disneyjunkie]

Maybe you call CRO and have the information about your husband noted on your reservation.

 

[kaw1218]

I think they are really checking extra kids on the reservations. Like if you only have 1 day passes and small kids(3-9) range. because if you put a 3 year old on your room and only have 1 day passes, you can get 7 days of meal credits for like 50 bucks.
Half of our party is arriving much later(possibly after midnight-we are driving), and they said it will be no problem

 

[lynr]

We arrive on Thursday but my son's friend is arriving on Friday. He is 21 so we are paying and adult price. I called Disney and told them the situation and they told me he had to be on the original reservation wheter he was there Thursday or not. So it won't be a problem if he is not there with you at check-in.

I do agree however; that they would question where a child was if the adults were there?

 

[punkin]

All this may be academic anyway. I decided that if hubby is not going for the full week, then neither will we. We need a FAMILY vacation, and I plan to tell him that when he comes home tonight. Wish me luck.

 

[shondad]

All this may be academic anyway. I decided that if hubby is not going for the full week, then neither will we. We need a FAMILY vacation, and I plan to tell him that when he comes home tonight. Wish me luck.

Well there you go, problem solved, and probably the best idea. Not really worth it if he can't be there in body and spirit, can't really enjoy it worrying about work and such...

 

[dandave]

I hope your DH can go for the whole trip, punkin!

I had said previously that my confirmation didn't mention anything about everyone being present- and it didn't. It had been postmarked 4/5/06.
I added a couple of days to our ressie and got a new confirmation in the mail this evening. This says:

"Please Note: Your reservation includes Disney Dining Plan components. In order to claim these components, all members of your party must be present at check-in or your reservation will be modified."


There was a thread about the imaginary vacationing children on this board a while back. It was right between the time I got my first confirmation and the time I got this one. I wonder if Disney reads these boards...

 

[dizagain]

We haven't been to WDW since May '05, but my DD's (9 &11) had to "check in". He had me go and get them from the shop at POFQ. Maybe since it was not busy he was just making it seem special for them, but I didn't think so at the time. So how in the heck can you have "fake" kids on a ressie? I'll have to look into that old post...interesting!

 

[punkin]

Well, I finally booked. We are now going down with another family and DH is staying for the begining of the trip (so no check in issues). We got 3 rooms at POP (lots of availability) for 7 people (3 adults, 3 jrs, 1 child). I only got one day tickets because I am not sure what we will be doing yet.

If he has to fly home before the end, I have another adult to share the drive (DD's friend's father).

I can't wait.

 

[mlwear]

I hope your DH can go for the whole trip, punkin!

I had said previously that my confirmation didn't mention anything about everyone being present- and it didn't. It had been postmarked 4/5/06.
I added a couple of days to our ressie and got a new confirmation in the mail this evening. This says:

"Please Note: Your reservation includes Disney Dining Plan components. In order to claim these components, all members of your party must be present at check-in or your reservation will be modified."


There was a thread about the imaginary vacationing children on this board a while back. It was right between the time I got my first confirmation and the time I got this one. I wonder if Disney reads these boards...

Yes, this is what I was going to post. I made a reservation with free dining early on and got my confirmation that said nothing about everyone being present. I modified and my new confirmation had the "all must be present at check-in..." clause. We are checking in on the first day of free dining. My MIL is meeting us there and is guaranteed to be late. I'll be sure to post if it was strictly enforced in our case.

To the OP: I'm glad you were able to get arrangements worked out. Have a great trip.