I submitted this over the weekend to the Disney help website just trying to get guidance and got the response below:
Hello,
I recently found out that the Disney wholesale department will no longer add guests to 3rd party reservations. I was told by the cast member I spoke to on the phone that this has always been the policy, but is now being enforced.
The 3rd party affiliates, Priceline, Hotwire, etc. all have in their terms of service that the hotel must add guest names to reservations.
Taken from the Priceline website:
"How can I add a Name to my Reservation?
Please contact your confirmed hotel to make note of the additional name on the reservation."
https://www.priceline.com/help-page/submenu/81/91/can-i-cancel-or-change-my-hotel-reservation
My question is:
What remedy does the guest have to add additional people to the reservation, if it is within the occupancy of the room?
Has Disney provided guidance to 3rd party affiliates of this change?
Does the person who's name the reservation is in just show up to the resort and add the additional people there?
How would the additional people take advantage of Disneys Magical express, dining plans, fastpasses, and all other things that are linked to My Disney Experience?
I do not have a pending reservation, but there are a lot of confused people that do.
Thanks for any insight.
Dear Josh,
Thank you for contacting the
Walt Disney World® Resort!
In order to add names to an existing reservation that has been booked through a third party, you will need to call that company directly to have the reservation updated to include the names of any additional guests you want to add to that reservation. Third party companies are aware of this policy. Once the names have been added to the reservation, that third party company will then resend the updated reservation details to our wholesale team who will update the reservation on our side.
The only way for a guest to take advantage of different package components (Disney's Magical express, dining plans, fastpasses, etc) is for their names to be booked on a reservation that is booked with Walt Disney World®, whether booked through Disney directly or booked through a third party.
If you have any other questions or challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling us at 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or by chatting with us in the Help Center of the
Walt Disney World® website (only available on the US site). Cast Members will be happy to assist you further.
Sincerely,
eCommerce Sales and Service Team
PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to your visit.