Need help with checkin/free dining ?

[Karebear]

Hello

My best friend and her family are going to WDW on June 2nd (last day to check in to get free dining). They are leaving Sacramento at approx 10 in the morning on Southwest because it is the cheapest fare that day. They arrive into Orlando at 10:01 PM. They will need to get their luggage because they arrive after 10 PM and then they have booked magical express to take them to their resort (CSR)

Her question is, they might not get to the resort until after midnight (if the plane is delayed, if there is a long wait for luggage, etc.). She wants to know if they arrive at the resort say at 12:30 am will they say to her "sorry you don't get the free dining because you arrived after midnight" or will she be ok? They will have her flight info and all because she is on magical express. They could leave Sacramento earlier in the day, but it would be $90 more per person for the tickets and there are 4 people.

Thanks so much for any input!

 

[cassie]

Tough question. If I was in that position, I would have someone get the luggage while the other one heads to the ME. There is a kiosk for ME and I'm pretty sure once they check in with them they're golden.

Hopefully someone that's been in that position will give better advice.

 

[plutolovr]

She'll be fine. She'll still be considered checked-in for that night, otherwise she wouldn't pay for the night or they wouldn't give her a room.

I suggest that she call Disney and have them not a late arrival on her reservation.

 

[wdwlibrarian]

I think the pp is right. As long as she pays for the night, I don't think they care about the specific times. She could also do online check-in up to ten days in advance if she's really worried about it. Then all her paperwork and keys will be ready whenever they arrive, which means less time at check-in in the middle of the night. But she could also call and have them put a note on her reservation, so they know not to expect her until after midnight, instead of having to worry she's a no-show.