Priceline Express Deals

[ClapYourHands]

Followed up with an additional e-mail. The response states that you can use DME without the guest being on the reservation. Might be a little bit of a PITA, but worth it for sure.
EDIT: I'm not sure how you'd call the resort, but it would be worth looking into ahead of time.

Trinsey,
Thank you for the response, but both Priceline and Hotwire have informed me that this simply is not the case. They are refusing to add additional guests.
Disney wholesale is telling people to contact the 3rd party, and the 3rd party is telling them to contact Disney.


Those with pending reservations are unable to use the Magical Express, dining plans, etc.

What are we to do if Disney says contact Priceline, and Priceline says contact Disney?

Thanks

Dear Josh,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort. We do apologize for all of the confusion.

When a Guest books a room through a third party, we don't have access to those reservations to modify them and add additional Guests until check in.

The additional Guest can use Disney's Magical Express® as long as the lead Guest calls the Walt Disney World® Resort upon landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and adds the Guests at that time. The new Guest will have the same components the other Guests already booked. I.e. Disney Dining Plan, Theme Park Tickets, etc.

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

You know, that's not a bad work around...assuming it works. I also can't imagine showing up at MDE with a minor child and having the CMs refuse to let a kid board with his/her parents. I suppose it could happen, but it seems unnecessarily petty. If you can just get the kids added via phone, that makes it much easier.

The 60-day FP issue can be worked around by making sure that you're all linked on MDE and go on the same rides. The extra guests wouldn't be able to preorder new MBs for the trip, but if you have old ones, those should work or you can get new plain ones on check in.

Aside from just plain wanting to have all our ducks in a row, this change probably won't really have a big impact unless Disney starts changing policies regarding FP booking for "offsite" friends and family lists. Plus, many of the really good opaque deals are within the 30 day window, rather than 60 days anyway.

 

[JJTNY]

When a Guest books a room through a third party, we don't have access to those reservations to modify them and add additional Guests until check in.

Nice work, thanks for posting! I'm noting they are still side-stepping your request for for what to do if 3rd party won't add guests.

Regarding that one line I quoted above: You can do online check-in 60 days prior to arrival date. Wondering if doing that technically allows the Disney CMs to then add additional guests? Hmm.

 

[madge]

Followed up with an additional e-mail. The response states that you can use DME without the guest being on the reservation. Might be a little bit of a PITA, but worth it for sure.
EDIT: I'm not sure how you'd call the resort, but it would be worth looking into ahead of time.

Trinsey,
Thank you for the response, but both Priceline and Hotwire have informed me that this simply is not the case. They are refusing to add additional guests.
Disney wholesale is telling people to contact the 3rd party, and the 3rd party is telling them to contact Disney.


Those with pending reservations are unable to use the Magical Express, dining plans, etc.

What are we to do if Disney says contact Priceline, and Priceline says contact Disney?

Thanks

Dear Josh,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort. We do apologize for all of the confusion.

When a Guest books a room through a third party, we don't have access to those reservations to modify them and add additional Guests until check in.

The additional Guest can use Disney's Magical Express® as long as the lead Guest calls the Walt Disney World® Resort upon landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and adds the Guests at that time. The new Guest will have the same components the other Guests already booked. I.e. Disney Dining Plan, Theme Park Tickets, etc.

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

I think the call would be made to DME (which is run by Mears) and not WDW. Why that call has to be made from the airport or at all, I’m not sure.

 

[Rcdisnewbie]

Really hoping to book tonight. Can anyone help me confirm that I’m seeing Dolphin on Hotwire? Hotwire hot deals seem harder to confirm, but I’m hoping that some of the veterans on here can do it. We’re looking at 3/16-3/20 and it shows as $141 with double beds guaranteed.

 

[Rcdisnewbie]

First time using Hotwire or Priceline and would really hate to let the family down when we already have a good rate on CSR, but they would love being in walking distance to Epcot and DHS. Thanks again!

 

[masupo]

Those with pending reservations are unable to use the Magical Express, dining plans, etc.

What are we to do if Disney says contact Priceline, and Priceline says contact Disney

Just wanted to check if there's a way to add a dining plan to a third party reservation. I have a feeling the answer is no.

 

[Leigh L]

Just wanted to check if there's a way to add a dining plan to a third party reservation. I have a feeling the answer is no.

I am pretty sure that's not an option

 

[masupo]

I am pretty sure that's not an option

The mention of it in the previous post made me think about it. I'd love to add it to my POFQ nights I got at a great rate through hotwire but it's a tradeoff I'm willing to accept LOL

 

[Leigh L]

The mention of it in the previous post made me think about it. I'd love to add it to my POFQ nights I got at a great rate through hotwire but it's a tradeoff I'm willing to accept LOL

Ah ok. Maybe someone else will chime in who has more experience. I've only done the DP once before and that was a 2-day with a CSR booking direct with Disney. I did add a one night CSR PLE deal (and it was a sweet deal at $131 including tax) about 3-4 weeks before our trip, However, I didn't see any way to extend our dining plan. (Also, think I read somewhere you have to book direct?)

I agree, I'd take the tradeoff too with the right deal

 

[SarahC97]

When a Guest books a room through a third party, we don't have access to those reservations to modify them and add additional Guests until check in.

I feel like that's not true. Why were they able to add guests a week ago but cannot now?

 

[SarahC97]

Ah ok. Maybe someone else will chime in who has more experience. I've only done the DP once before and that was a 2-day with a CSR booking direct with Disney. I did add a one night CSR PLE deal (and it was a sweet deal at $131 including tax) about 3-4 weeks before our trip, However, I didn't see any way to extend our dining plan. (Also, think I read somewhere you have to book direct?)

I agree, I'd take the tradeoff too with the right deal

You cannot add the dining plan to third party reservations. It's only something you can do when you book through Disney. Well, with the exception of renting DVC points, the owner can add the dining plan when you do that through David's.

 

[masupo]

You cannot add the dining plan to third party reservations. It's only something you can do when you book through Disney. Well, with the exception of renting DVC points, the owner can add the dining plan when you do that through David's.

Thanks for the confirmation. I thought that was the case but just wanted to check.

 

[madge]

Just wanted to check if there's a way to add a dining plan to a third party reservation. I have a feeling the answer is no.

You cannot.

 

[madge]

I feel like that's not true. Why were they able to add guests a week ago but cannot now?

When I spoke to WDW wholesale last week, they could pull up (and see) my reservation. They had the details of where/when we’re booked and who is on the reservation.

I never got the impression that they couldn’t modify the guests, just that they wouldn’t.

 

[JayMass]

Is $157 a good rate for the Dolphin, or should I hold out for a better deal. Currently booked at Pop.

Yes, that is a good deal. But remember that with the Dolphin you get 60 Day FP+ and EMH but you DO NOT get DME, Meal Plan, or a magic band (of course you can buy one or reuse an old one but you can't charge to it or use it as your room key).
So, if that stuff is important to you then you need to factor that into the cost. Also, Dolphin charges a $25 (??) resort fee. With that said, I am staying at the Dolphin next month using a combo of Marriott gift cards and points which makes it basically a free hotel--and nothing is cheaper than free!

 

[JayMass]

A point of clarification--

People want to add other guests to their hotel reservations made through HW and PL for the following reasons:

1. They want to take MDE from MCO
2. They need to be on the reservation to add a DDP
3. They want to all members of the family to book FP+ and ADRs

My understanding is that the ONLY valid reason above is #1--MDE.

For #2--You can add a DDP (at the same rate) once you get to the resort so no need to add them before hand.
For #3--You can book FP+ for the whole family with only one linked family member on MDX. So for example, Mom books AoA via Hotwire. She then adds it to her MDX. In her MDX she has linked Dad, Kid 1, and Kid 2. On 60 Day FP+ morning, Mom, Dad, Kid 1, and Kid 2 can book all of their FP+. Same is true for ADRs at the 180 day mark.

So...

The only reason for adding additional guests (i.e.-the rest of your family) to a HW or PL reservation is for MDE. (This is of course takes into account that when Mom booked she made sure there were enough beds for the whole fam).

Am I correct or am I missing an important piece of information?

 

[ClapYourHands]

A point of clarification--

People want to add other guests to their hotel reservations made through HW and PL for the following reasons:

1. They want to take MDE from MCO
2. They need to be on the reservation to add a DDP
3. They want to all members of the family to book FP+ and ADRs

My understanding is that the ONLY valid reason above is #1--MDE.

For #2--You can add a DDP (at the same rate) once you get to the resort so no need to add them before hand.
For #3--You can book FP+ for the whole family with only one linked family member on MDX. So for example, Mom books AoA via Hotwire. She then adds it to her MDX. In her MDX she has linked Dad, Kid 1, and Kid 2. On 60 Day FP+ morning, Mom, Dad, Kid 1, and Kid 2 can book all of their FP+. Same is true for ADRs at the 180 day mark.

So...

The only reason for adding additional guests (i.e.-the rest of your family) to a HW or PL reservation is for MDE. (This is of course takes into account that when Mom booked she made sure there were enough beds for the whole fam).

Am I correct or am I missing an important piece of information?

Mostly correct

1) Yes, need to be on the reservation for MDE. At this point we don't know if they'll make an exception for kids.
2) Completely moot point, as no rooms booked via PL/HW or any other 3rd party site are eligible for DDP.
3) Correct, but the kid's FP must be on the same attraction as one of the guests on the reservation. So no booking Space Mountain for adventurous teen to ride alone while parents and younger sibling go on Buzz.
Also:
4) Cannot order the upcharge premium magic bands, and will have to take what's available at the resort when checking in (or bring own MB)

 

[JayMass]

OK, this certainly clarifies things. I didn't realize that there is no DDP for 3rd party bookings or about the FP+ being linked to the name on the reservation. My wife and I have twins so our family of four always books FPs together.

Sounds to me like Disney is not happy with HW and PL bookings--but aren't they the ones that release them to those sites?

 

[PrincessNelly]

Anyone know of any other coupons besides 5% off? Found AKL for our dates... $280 a night!

 

[Anne Ritchey]

Book by 03/06/2020 23:59:59 EST, travel any time. Coupon valid for one-time use only.