Question about checking in at CR CL...

[emilypaul]

Dh and I are taking our DS3 to the CR in September. We used a pretty decent code months ago and are so excited to be staying CL.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. My mother's bday was approaching and what I really wanted to do for her was to take her along with us. I just know she will absolutely love it. So we booked her a separate room (hopefully connecting) - just because we are all pretty private people and I think five night in the same room with his mil will send my dh running for a divorce lawyer, lol!

Unfortunately, we are paying an ungodly sum to make it happen. It isn't a problem for us, we are able and glad to do it. However, my mother is painfully frugal. I am really sure she would be miserable all week if she knew how much we are paying.

So here is my question. When we check in, what are the odds of the amount paid coming up with the CM who checks us is? Should I try to distract her and have my dh handle checkin? Would it help to check in online?

 

[OKW Lover]

The odds of this coming up during check-in are pretty low. There is no reason she needs to be at the desk with you when you do check-in though. Why not task one of the other members of your party to show her around the hotel lobby while you take care of the paperwork?

 

[Marthasor]

Dh and I are taking our DS3 to the CR in September. We used a pretty decent code months ago and are so excited to be staying CL.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. My mother's bday was approaching and what I really wanted to do for her was to take her along with us. I just know she will absolutely love it. So we booked her a separate room (hopefully connecting) - just because we are all pretty private people and I think five night in the same room with his mil will send my dh running for a divorce lawyer, lol!

Unfortunately, we are paying an ungodly sum to make it happen. It isn't a problem for us, we are able and glad to do it. However, my mother is painfully frugal. I am really sure she would be miserable all week if she knew how much we are paying.

So here is my question. When we check in, what are the odds of the amount paid coming up with the CM who checks us is? Should I try to distract her and have my dh handle checkin? Would it help to check in online?

Honestly, my hotel rate has never been mentioned at check-in. I HAVE checked-in online the last 4 times I've been there, and that may have helped. Did you book a package that is already paid in full? If that is the case, chances of the cost coming up are slim to none. With a room-only, since you have to pay the balance at check-in, the amount owed may come up, but if I recall from our last visit, they simply ask if you would like to pay the remaining charges with the card on file. If you are at all worried, I would have your mom with you to show her ID at check-in and then distract her away from the front desk so your husband can deal with any payment issues just to be on the safe side.

 

[Simba's Girl]

Just wondering what you're gonna do about the fact that the "rack rate" is posted inside her room?

Have you considered how she would feel when she sees it?

 

[emilypaul]

Just wondering what you're gonna do about the fact that the "rack rate" is posted inside her room?

Have you considered how she would feel when she sees it?

LOL! I actually already told her we got an "amazing" price via a discount code and she just had to come with us! So that is adding to my dilemma - I will feel really awful if she thinks I lied to her.

And we are all on packages, paid in full.

The only other CL we have stayed in was AKL five years or so ago. My memory of that is sitting in the CL at a desk with a CM going over everything. It was very empty at the time, so I can't imagine there would have been anywhere far enough away to keep anyone from overhearing.

 

[summerw]

If she hears the package price, you can distract her with it including whatever extras you can throw in there. And if she does find out, tell her you wanted the extra room for you really, to store luggage and you were hoping she'd take ds one night so you can be alone. Make it about how it was an expense for you. And if that still doesn't help, go on about how ds really needed her there. Who can resist too much love from the grandkids? And if you're really still worried, slip the check in cm a note.

 

[DSDisney]

Here's a thought. How about emailing the CL Concierge now, letting them know that the room for Mom is a gift to her and if she found out how much it really cost it would ruin her vacation. Then ask the Concierge if they could put a note on your account alerting the check-in CM's of the need for discretion. This probably comes up all the time and I'm sure they will do whatever they can to help.

 

[Missytara]

Here's a thought. How about emailing the CL Concierge now, letting them know that the room for Mom is a gift to her and if she found out how much it really cost it would ruin her vacation. Then ask the Concierge if they could put a note on your account alerting the check-in CM's of the need for discretion. This probably comes up all the time and I'm sure they will do whatever they can to help.

You cannot contact the resorts directly; can you imagine how difficult it would be to deal with customers for 33,000 plus rooms if everyone had access to the resorts.

All calls and e-mails go through a central center and they decide whether it is in their best interest to forward. THE OP will have to determine how to best handle the situation.

 

[vicki_c]

You cannot contact the resorts directly; can you imagine how difficult it would be to deal with customers for 33,000 plus rooms if everyone had access to the resorts.

All calls and e-mails go through a central center and they decide whether it is in their best interest to forward. THE OP will have to determine how to best handle the situation.

Not true for CL stays. You can e-mail the IPO office and even though it's not the same people as those actually working the CL desk, they can make a notation on your paperwork.

You also fill out a questionnaire for the IPO prior to your trip and you can note it there in addition to separately e-mailing.

 

[emilypaul]

Thanks for all the great advice. I may note the situation on the questionnaire we got from IPO just to try and stack the decks in my favor.

At the end of the day, if she finds out I will just have to put on my big girl pants and tell her we really, really wanted her there and not to worry about the cost - it isn't going to put us in the poor house.

I swear, my brother and I created a monster years ago with treating my mom to special presents and "fudging" the numbers on how much they cost. We jokingly call it "pulling a Jerry" as in Seinfeld - if anyone is familiar with the episode when he buys his dad a digital organizer and tells him he bought it on the street, really cheap. His dad is tickled to death with the deal, even though he has no idea how to use the thing!

My mother has just spent way too many years of her life struggling with money worries. It would be really hard for her to contemplate spending $600 a night on a hotel when a $40 Motel 6 will also get the job done.

 

[DSDisney]

Not true for CL stays. You can e-mail the IPO office and even though it's not the same people as those actually working the CL desk, they can make a notation on your paperwork.

You also fill out a questionnaire for the IPO prior to your trip and you can note it there in addition to separately e-mailing.

Thank you Vicki_c.

 

[Simba's Girl]

LOL! I actually already told her we got an "amazing" price via a discount code and she just had to come with us! So that is adding to my dilemma - I will feel really awful if she thinks I lied to her.

I guess one never stops stretching the truth with their mom!!!!

Hope you all have a great time!

 

[WsPrincess]

I think it is wonderful you are doing this. We did almost the same thing with my mom when we took her last year (also to CR CL). In 3 check in times at Disney in the last year, we have never had anything mentioned about the cost of the rooms. As soon mentioned, especially if you do online check in, it is really just resort stuff they go over. Since you have already paid before you get there, it is not done at check in. You are going to LOVE CR CL, the staff was amazing to DD3 and DS2