Question about check-in with free disney dining plan

[Julieh22]

My family is checking in on Sept. 25th for 6 nts. at the Beach Club Resort (our first time staying here!). I noticed on my reservation sheet that Disney mailed to me that since we are all on the free dining; all members must be present at time of check-in (which I totally understand to keep non-existent members being added to the plan just to get more dining credits). My special situation is that our 16 year nephew will be flying to Orlando and meeting us on the day of check-in. Myself, husband, and 3 yr. old son will arrive early that morning and wish to check-in so we can use the pool and etc. while waiting on Derek to arrive. If I explain my special situation do you think Disney will go ahead and let us check in (maybe send my nephew to the desk to register in person upon his arrival to prove that he is a "real" person). On the reservation paper, it states that reservations will be modified if individuals are not present at time of check-in. ?!?!

 

[JimMIA]

I would call CRO or the resort directly and ask how they handle that. It's a common situation, and I think they'll tell you nobody can get the dining plan until everyone is present...especially since you are going under the free dining plan.

When we arrived in May, we had to physically produce all of our party (with photo ID, except for our 4 y/o) at checkin -- and we were paying for the plan and staying at our home DVC resort.

I think you'll find them pretty strict on that one.

 

[Lewisc]

Bring a copy of your nephew's E-Ticket and even his BP if you can get it. I understand the manager is allowed to make exceptions and having documentation might help.

 

[mercydisney]

But I called and explained.

We live an hr from WDW. Every Sept. we take a girls trip. DH meets us every once in a while. This yr because he doesn't have to pay to eat, he decided to join us. He has to work a full day, I don't. So he will be arriving later on in the day after we check in. I explained this to CM he stated this is not a problem as long as he arrives withen in 12hrs of check in.

We have done this before, I check in first, hrs later he joins me. I leave the key in checkin because he likes to relax after a hard day of work in the hotel rm. I want to play in the parks w/the girls.

I can't see myself eating all that food anyway. I want, I just can't

 

[PoohHappens]

Its funny how things change. Last year my mom and I checked in our 2 rooms while spouses and child were doing something else, and they let me check in my sisters entire room and none of them were there. Gave me their key cards with ticket and DP credits on it. It was great because DS called from ME and we met them at the bus and walked them straight to get something to eat (they were starving) and to their room. poof like magic. We were a grand gathering so I don't know if that effected it.

 

[aubriee]

Last Sept my D-I-L and I checked us in, while the guys were getting our carryons off the bus.

In May we were paying for the dining plan. I checked us in while my mom went to luggage services to get her scooter. The CM checking us in said he had to see my mom. It wasn't a problem because she was coming in the door about that time on her scooter and was looking around for me, waving when she saw me. I started to wave her over, but the CM said that was fine, as he just had to 'eyeball her'. We didn't have to produce ID for her or anything. When I mentioned that I hadn't had to produce all of my party last Sept to check-in, the CM made a comment about how unfortunately things had changed because a few people had tried to take advantage of the dining plan.

In Sept I plan to try to check us in while my mom goes to get her scooter, and my ex gets our carryons off the bus. I'll have our E-tickets and can have our DL ready if they ask. If that's not sufficient we'll just have to go back through the line again when they get back into the lobby.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

I hate it only because I'm worried about it. We have 2 rooms reserved starting Sunday, 8/13. DH, DS and I are driving down and arriving early in the day. My sister and DD are flying in and arriving later in the afternoon. After reading a bunch of posts about this I got really nervous and asked my TA (Dreams Unlimited) if I had anything to worry about. She assured me I did NOT.

I do have copies of their airline information and they are using ME. I really don't care if we can't get our free DDP on our cards before they arrive - I just want to be able to actually check-in and hit a park as soon as possible after we get there......certainly don't want to be sitting in the lobby of the CBR waiting for them!!!!!

I'm going on the assumption that it won't be a problem as long as our explanation makes sense (which is obviously does since it's the truth and we have paperwork to prove it!)

 

[newholidayx2]

DS & I are staying at the AKL savannah view 8/17-20. DH is joining us on the 19th.
I bought 10 day nonexp hop MYW for us all. (We wont start using them till at least next year). If Disney wants to wait till DH gets there on the 19th to give him his DP thats fine. Just let DS & I get started.
It cost us over $2400 for these 3 days. I cant see Disney not giving us our 3 days DP.
I have asked 2 different CMs and they said I would have no problem.

 

[bicker]

The notation is there because they're trying to catch folks using the phantom child dodge. So what they really want to see are the children, under the age of 18, since they're the ones that parties don't have to pay extra for, in the hotel room.

 

[bethbuchall]

Where does it state this on the documentation? I've read my confirmation over pretty carefully, and I don't see it. I will have everyone there thanks to the heads up from this board.

 

[JimMIA]

The notation is there because they're trying to catch folks using the phantom child dodge. So what they really want to see are the children, under the age of 18, since they're the ones that parties don't have to pay extra for, in the hotel room.

Well, I suspect that with FREE DDP, they're trying to eliminate ALL ghosts!

I heard this morning that POP has 2,000 free DDP checkins on Sunday, so it should be an interesting day! That number seems high to me, but that's what I was told.

 

[dodukes]

Well, I suspect that with FREE DDP, they're trying to eliminate ALL ghosts!

I heard this morning that POP has 2,000 free DDP checkins on Sunday, so it should be an interesting day! That number seems high to me, but that's what I was told.

Thats really scary, we are getting there late the Thrusday before the pin evetn and would hate to be stuck in LONG lines after driving for fours hours after work.,... this is for Sept. 8 I hope less people check in at night but unfortunetaly they dont, ive seen long lines even at 1 am...

 

[JimMIA]

Thats really scary, we are getting there late the Thrusday before the pin evetn and would hate to be stuck in LONG lines after driving for fours hours after work.,... this is for Sept. 8 I hope less people check in at night but unfortunetaly they dont, ive seen long lines even at 1 am...

Bear in mind that the date I'm talking about is Sunday, 8/13, which is the first checkin date of free dining.

Also, my info came from the F&B side of the house. I've never stayed at Pop and don't have a clue about the size of the resort, so I'm wondering a little about that number. Could it be 2,000 rooms? Or maybe 500 rooms with 2,000 guests on DDP? Either way, my contact considered it a noteworthy number.

 

[minnie61650]

Bear in mind that the date I'm talking about is Sunday, 8/13, which is the first checkin date of free dining.

Also, my info came from the F&B side of the house. I've never stayed at Pop and don't have a clue about the size of the resort, so I'm wondering a little about that number. Could it be 2,000 rooms? Or maybe 500 rooms with 2,000 guests on DDP? Either way, my contact considered it a noteworthy number.

FYI
Pop has 2,880 rooms in the Classic years section.
That is the section that is currenty open.

The Lengendary section is still uncompleted.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks Linda. I guess maybe 2,000 room checkins doesn't sound too far-fetched then.

 

[ntsammy5]

Thanks Linda. I guess maybe 2,000 room checkins doesn't sound too far-fetched then.

We're checking in 9/22. By that time all the CMs will be so sick of checking on people they'll probably have stopped doing it. DS is joining us and lives in Polk City, but she won't be there at check-in. She usually bringe her RV, but decided to stay with us. We're all adults though, so it probably won't make a difference. Maybe I should have her send me a copy of her drivers license. I bet it won't be as much of a hassle as most people are expecting (I hope). We're all way too anal!

 

[kcashner]

The policy is there to prevent people from listing non-existant family members to get more free dining credits. The hotel manager has the ability to waive the requirement. Take along a copy of your "missing member's" ticket or flight confirmation if applicable. They don't intend to hassle legit people, and a copy of an airline ticket to Orlando more than meet their requirements.

We have never been required to have everyone in line--"kids over there" watching movie was always enough. However, due to a few abusers, Disney is giving advanced warning about the requirements.

 

[JimMIA]

As with most things Disney, you'll find implementation of these procedures very uneven. Both of these experiences below happened at OKW.

In Dec '05, I had DW, DDthen3, Grandma in an ECV, and Great Aunt helping Grandma. We were not on the dining plan, because at that time, DVC members couldn't get it. DW and Girlie were with me, but the CM did not ask for ID from DW. Grandma and Great Aunt waved from across the lobby, and all was well. (The CM did want to actually see all members of our party, however.)

May '06, just the three of us, on the dining plan. Girlie and Mommy were initially in the restroom. Fortunately they came out in time for DW to show her drivers license and we didn't lose any time, but the very cordial CM had already told me he couldn't finish the checkin without them present.

I'm sure if we go 100 more times, it will be different each time.

 

[newholidayx2]

so if the rest of your party doesnt show up for another two days what are they going to do? have you spend 2 nights sleeping in the lobby? I mean they do already have the $2400!

 

[bicker]

They'll remove the extra members of the party from the Dining Plan -- you'll have that many fewer credits to use.