Not sure where to post this... but did anyone know?

[megnsamsgracie]

Well my dad was on and off about coming with us. So we went ahead and booked without him for 2 rooms at ASMo. But I feel bad leaving my dad out. Sure, I can do a AAA room only for like $72 a night for standard room but then I feel bad about the cost of dining (we are doing some $ restaurants!). So I called Disney to see if I added him to one of our rooms, what if I had to cancel. She said we would be charged a "downgrade" fee of $50. Okay... not too bad. Then she said that instead, what she would do is since we already have 2 rooms, thats enough for 7 of us, add my dad by 5 days before we go. I asked about a fee. She said there is none! That I am "upgrading" my room (just because of the 1 day base ticket required!). He would get the same package we are on (free dining)

So, I wasnt sure this was correct so I called 3 more times and got 3 different CM's and all said the same thing... you can add an additional guest up to 5 days before arrival with no fees (except the ticket cost!). I learned something new!

 

[mylightshines]

You only get charged a fee to downgrade. Which means if you are going to pay Disney LESS money, you have to pay a fee. Yes, you can add a person up to five days ahead and time and there is no fee. Now, if you add him now and then take him off, then there would be a fee.

My DD usually takes a friend with us. We usually wait until about a week before to add her friend. A couple of years ago, though, our package had 7-day hoppers. We decided we only needed 6-day hoppers. So I call to change them. Anyway, they wanted to charge me a $50 fee, which was way more than I was going to save so I left the tickets to 7-days.

It's always better to add later than deduct later.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Okay, so I was the only clueless one then! I figured a change was a change... and I couldnt see how they could let you add someone and get the free dining too... but I wont complain! I am going to leave well enough alone and then add my dad if need be! I will also upgrade to CSR if he goes.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I'd be careful about that, simply because free dining is booked on a code and that code has an expiration date. Earlier this year, I booked a trip on a code and then decided I wanted to add the dining plan (not free dining, I was going to pay for the DDP). By the time I'd made up my mind and called to make the change, the code I had used to book my package had expired. In order to add the DDP, they would have had to cancel my package and rebook it with the DDP at the current rate, since my code had expired. It would have cost me an extra $600+ just to add the DDP for 5 days (a value of about $200)!!

What I'm trying to say is, since free dining is a special offer and the free dining code expires in (I think) June, it MAY end up costing you more to add your dad than what they're telling you, since they probably won't be able to use the free dining code after the expiration date. Just something to keep in mind. I'd suggest calling back again, and if they tell you the same thing they already told you, great! Be sure to get the CM's name and possibly have them send you something in writing that says you'd be able to add him WITH the free dining after the code expires, just in case. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck!!

 

[megnsamsgracie]

I was worried about it too. Thats why I talked to 4 CM's. They keep telling me that since there is room in one of the rooms for him, I would just be "upgrading" the room. I am worried about losing the free dining! I guess I will cross the road when the time comes. If I call 5 days before and I am going to lose my free dining, then my dad will have to switch to an AAA room only.

 

[CAJUNBLAZE]

You will not lose free ddp by upgrading to include your dad, up to the five days of your trip, but from what I understand you may lose it, if you upgrade your ressies to CSR and there are no free ddp rooms available. Just a side note, I did read on another thread that free ddp is sold out up to Sept 2nd.
Would you have to upgrade your room by the june deadline?

 

[fla4fun]

Okay, so I was the only clueless one then! I figured a change was a change... and I couldnt see how they could let you add someone and get the free dining too... but I wont complain! I am going to leave well enough alone and then add my dad if need be! I will also upgrade to CSR if he goes.

You can only change to another resort if they have availability under the code. It's possible that after the code expires, you won't be able to make the change from one resort to another. It's also possible that CSR is already sold out, or could be sold out when you decide to make the change. Remember, just because there is availability at the resort, doesn't mean there's availability under the free dining promotion. If you really want CSR, you should get that taken care of before the free dining promotion expires this month (I think it's the 24th?). You should still be able to add your dad to the package, so long as you aren't exceeding room occupancy, at a later date.

 

[mma800]

Congrats! I hope your dad has a great time!
Thanks for the tip...I will be calling today to add my BFF to my room for 6/13

 

[Wingedheart]

I'm a little concerned about them telling you to call 5 days before...

We are going in July (no free dining ). All together there are 6 of us (me, DH, 3 kids and my mom). We're staying at POP. I was told by two different CM to book the 2 rooms for just the 5 of us and to add my mom later. This way, since the number of kids outnumbers the parents, they would guarantee rooms.

When to add my mom though, is what I'm worried about?!?! I was first told 3 days prior to arrival, then another CM said at least 2 days. The second CM said that I have to add mom at least 48 hours before arrival for mom to get the dining plan package which we have.

But, now you're saying 5 days I had to call back anyway to add a fridge, I think I will ask about when to add mom again to see what answer I get this time!

GL!!

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Cajun: Sorry, should have explained that yes, I will only upgrade if there are still rooms available, they told me a move up to a higher level resort wont result in a $50 change fee as long as there is still rooms available that include the free DDP. So if come the time my dad says he wants to come, I will check first if CSR has free DDP rooms left.

Winged: I am going during the free dining promo so maybe rules are different. All 4 CM's I talked to said 5 days.

MMA: Thanks! I just hope my dad does go. He had a rough year health wise and he can use a break! I keep begging and begging but he is just coming down off of 4 months on prednisone for his kidney disease so right now he is M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. But I am hoping come September he will be okay and decide to come! He hasnt been since I think 74? Or whatever the year was they opened! He said he paid $39 a night for the contemporary!

FLA4: I know... right now CSR still has rooms on our dates, I keep checking. The reason I am not just booking CSR is the fact that I cant know for sure if I can spring for $3600. If my dad comes, he will pay $1000 (the cost of the one room at ASMo with the base ticket). My husband was laid off in February and just rehired by that company but we arent sure how long it will last. So my income instead of going to Disney, will have to be for bills. I have the cash to pay for 2 rooms at ASMO (thats only $2200). But the upgrade I wont know if I have the money until AFTER the pay off date or if my dad commits 100%. So I just check availability with the free dining at CSR every day to make sure. I would be okay at any mod (want the fridge!) but CSR would be my choice. And if it doesnt work out and all the mods are booked, then so be it. We will be happy at ASMo. I just wanted nice grounds for an adult to explore since my dad wont go to the parks much