Question about taking someone with you

[tchrrx]

My DSis wants to come on our trip, but she'll only be able to stay 5 days instead of the 10 that we'll be there. How will that affect us? I'm unsure as to whether or not that will mess up our dining plan (I was thinking everyone in the room had to be on for the length of stay or something like that.) . Other than booking her a separate flight/ME pick-up, what other differences do I need to be aware of? Thanks!


ETA: Sis will be on 5 day ticket, the rest of us are Annual Passes.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You are correct that everyone on the reservation must have the dining plan for the same number of nights. If having your sister breaks that deal, then you either dis-invite her OR no one gets the dining plan OR you break up your stay into separate reservations - with no guarantee that you will be able to stay in the same villa the entire time (and you will have to check out and check back in).

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would recommend you book two seperate reservations. That way you can have the dining plan without paying extra nights. As long as you stay in the same resort, moving is no big deal.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I've been away from the boards for a while, if DSIS has her own ticket, and she is just staying in your room, and you have room, why put her listed on the room? Treat her as someone that came to see you? And at dinners, etc, ask for a seperate check for her?

I know (and I think I'm gathering that this isn't allowed), when my in-laws come and stay with us during our trips, we are there for 7 days, and they come for an overnight or two. We always have room, but never list them, we give them our car pass, and all is well. When we have done the DDP, they just got a seperate check?

 

[Chuck S]

All people should be listed on the reservation. It is a matter of safety in case of evacuation. Also, unless they are listed, they will not get a room key and will be unable to use EMH.

 

[CarolAnnC]

All people should be listed on the reservation. It is a matter of safety in case of evacuation. Also, unless they are listed, they will not get a room key and will be unable to use EMH.

Not to mention the pool issues. If you are at BCV she will not be allowed entry into the pool area Stormalong Bay without a room key. The other resorts will check during busy times for KTTW cards at the pool or sometimes just spot check at slow times. I have been checked a few times at BWV for example and had to show our KTTW cards.

 

[castleri]

We had this happen in September with my DS and used the extra meal credits for a TS breakfast one day and a TS lunch the last day for my DH and myself. The extra CS credits worked out for breakfast one day lunch the first day also. The question would be who pays for the extra 5 days and if it is worth it to do that as it would be about $160-$200. If you had plans for signature dining you could use the credits for that also. Depending on when you are arriving and departing the extra credits could come in handy since the plan is based on the number of nights you are staying not the number of days. Doing the two separate reservations is the cheapest but if you have to change rooms it could be more trouble than it is worth and if the days she is coming are in the middle of the trip it would mean the need for three reservations. You have several options and only you and your family can decide which will work best for you. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

what a great idea about using the extra credits!!! I never thought of that. I forgot that they didnt have to be used by the person they were "assigned" to, also the extra snacks come in handy also!


Isnt the DDP just assigned to the room, so it doesnt matter who uses what? If DS (8) wants a steak, and DD (15) wants a kids pizza, there is no reason that can't be done right?

 

[castleri]

what a great idea about using the extra credits!!! I never thought of that. I forgot that they didnt have to be used by the person they were "assigned" to, also the extra snacks come in handy also!


Isnt the DDP just assigned to the room, so it doesnt matter who uses what? If DS (8) wants a steak, and DD (15) wants a kids pizza, there is no reason that can't be done right?

As long as you use the correct number and classification (adult and child) of credits per meal I don't think anyone will come around and say "no you can't have that steak" to the child as long a someone else is eating the kids meal. They do separate out the adult and child credits now and you get a receipt for each at TS locations. Once the food is on the table I don't think they care who eats it.

 

[disneynutz]

As long as you use the correct number of credits per meal I don't think anyone will come around and say "no you can't have that steak" as long a someone else is eating the kids meal. They do separate out the adult and child credits now and you get a receipt for each at TS locations. Once the food is on the table I don't think they care who eats it.

The number of people and ages staying on the reservation is coded on your room key. That's why they ask to see your room key before you order.

 

[chainkid]

I would not list the people on your room if they are only going to stay for a night or so. My husband and I are usually together so we would give our guests one of our keys to use so they could get back in the room. If they are there alot more than that then i would have them purchase the plan and the rest of us would use the points for better dining.

 

[tchrrx]

Here's the deal.... She'll be there 5 out of 10 nights. We considered just paying for her to do 10 nights of DDP, but then that messes up her getting to use ME b/c it would show that she wasn't ready to leave. I don't mind paying the extra money b/c DH & I will just do some signature dinners that way. I just don't want to be out the cost of an extra 5 days of DDP plus a taxi cab (how much are they?) if I don't have to. I'm also not real thrilled about checking out & then back in. What's the chances that they'd leave me in the same room & only change it on the computer?

I really don't want to un-invite her b/c she's so excited about going. But, I also want to have everything in place. (ADRs won't be made for another month, but I want everything nailed down by then!)

On a side note, we're thinking of having DSis fly out of OKC (she's closer to this than Tulsa), while we fly out of Tulsa. Then, we'd meet in Atlanta (only a few min. apart if all goes well.) It will be a total surprise to DD8 to get off of the plane in Georgia, only to see her aunt that lives a couple hours away from us in OK!

Thanks for all your replies so far! I'm still trying to nail down the exact answer that makes this situation possible & not too stressful. Thanks again & keep the ideas coming!

 

[Chuck S]

The DDP has nothing to do with Magical Express, they are separate reservations and do not crosstalk.

 

[tchrrx]

The DDP has nothing to do with Magical Express, they are separate reservations and do not crosstalk.

So, I can leave her on our reservation for 10 days, but ME will still pick her up at the 5 day mark (as long as I call & schedule it)? Then, those of us staying 10 days can just use her credits for meals? If so, then you just made my day!

 

[Chuck S]

So, I can leave her on our reservation for 10 days, but ME will still pick her up at the 5 day mark (as long as I call & schedule it)? Then, those of us staying 10 days can just use her credits for meals? If so, then you just made my day!

Yes, you can do that.

 

[castleri]

We have done this twice now once with and once without the DDP and just had to provide the ME person with the dates and flights for each person. They never questioned that some were arriving late and some leaving early.

 

[tchrrx]

Thank you all so much! I am so excited that this is going to work out. Now, I'm trying to decide whether we really need to do the DDP and use her extra credits or whether it's cheaper to just do DDE. So, I'm making a guess-timate of what we'll be eating & prices. I think it will turn out fairly comparable, just b/c we are wanting to do several signatures.

Thanks again!!!!!