questions about adding mother-in-law to trip

[Heidi K]

My husband has thrown me for a loop by suggesting that we invite his mother on our carefully planned vacation, which begins in a month. I'm open to the idea, but I'm turning to you all with some questions.

We have a room-only reservation for a family suite at All Star Music. Right now it's me, DH, DS 8, DS 5, and DD 2, so we have room in the suite for MIL. She would probably share the double fold-out bed in the living room with DD 2. Would this work?

We are staying 11 nights; she would probably stay a week. Can we add her to our reservation for just that week? Is there a charge for an extra adult? What are the logistics of booking her Magical Express (she'll fly separately) and getting her Magic Band?

She probably wouldn't go to the parks with us very much, but would relax by the pool, go to Downtown Disney, etc. However, do you think we'd be able to add a person to some of our dining reservations at 30 days out?

We're also trying to figure out who would pay for what. She's recently unemployed & my FIL is on a fixed retirement income, but we also can't afford to completely pay for everything.

Any other advice is welcome. I'm a little nervous about adding a person to what I've viewed as a trip for just our little family, so please share your experiences! I do know it would be very helpful to have her stay with sleeping children so we can return to parks at night or stay at parks in the afternoon with the older one while little ones nap. She would definitely be willing to do that.

Thanks!

 

[Heidi K]

Any thoughts?

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Well, for what you want to do (it is doable) it will take a little work. When you get to the resort you would add her to your reservation at the front desk- this just adds her to the room occupancy and avoids you having to add her to the entire reservation which would require you to purchase any tickets or dining included in your package. If it is JUST room-only and you don't have other things bought through Disney you can add her ahead of time. You will have to book her flight separately and also buy her tickets separately (you can wait to do this once you get there if you don't know how many days she will want to go to a park) I wouldn't worry about advance tickets since it doesn't sound like you need to match her FP+s or anything, she would just be grandma along to hang with grand-kids (or babysit )

Dining could be trickier. See if you can call and modify your ADRs to include one more person. If all else fails you could try to show up with one more person but be forewarned that they may turn you away (and charge you the no show fee). It would probably be best to know if she was going to go so you can modify your dining reservations as soon as possible.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Oh, I forgot to add. Once you book her flight just call DME directly and give them her flight info so she can then use the bus transport 866-599-0951

 

[Heidi K]

Well, for what you want to do (it is doable) it will take a little work. When you get to the resort you would add her to your reservation at the front desk- this just adds her to the room occupancy and avoids you having to add her to the entire reservation which would require you to purchase any tickets or dining included in your package. If it is JUST room-only and you don't have other things bought through Disney you can add her ahead of time. You will have to book her flight separately and also buy her tickets separately (you can wait to do this once you get there if you don't know how many days she will want to go to a park) I wouldn't worry about advance tickets since it doesn't sound like you need to match her FP+s or anything, she would just be grandma along to hang with grand-kids (or babysit )

Dining could be trickier. See if you can call and modify your ADRs to include one more person. If all else fails you could try to show up with one more person but be forewarned that they may turn you away (and charge you the no show fee). It would probably be best to know if she was going to go so you can modify your dining reservations as soon as possible.

Does it cost extra money to add an adult to our family suite? Thanks for the info.

 

[jimandami]

Does it cost extra money to add an adult to our family suite? Thanks for the info.

It does not cost extra to an adult to a family suite.

 

[Heidi K]

Thanks! That's helpful to know.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Thanks! That's helpful to know.

 

[Sugardimples]

If she is flying in with you she needs to be added to the reservation ahead of your arrival to be added to ME. If she is flying in a day or two after you you can add her to the room when you check in and can then call and arrange for her to ride on ME.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

In theory, adding her to your room sounds like an easy fix and shouldn't alter the price of the room but I would call WDW and inquire before making that assumption. If you are traveling during free dining, I believe all people in the room are required to have some type of park passes purchased as well. By adding mom to the room through the front desk, I would think they would want to charge her the same PP fee you & your family are paying or at least the minimal requirements of the free dining promotion. If you are traveling outside of that promotion or aren't using that promo, yes I would think there would be no increase to your room only cost.

Adding her to some of the dining ADR's depends on how that restaurant seats people. You are a party of 5 w/o mom so changing to a party of 6 might/might not cause an issue depending on how many people sit at the existing table reservation.... for example if you were party of 3, many times you would already be at a table that can seat 4 so adding 1 to that reservation shouldn't cause trouble. It sounds like you still have some time so if you add mom, try to adjust the reservation. If you can't, leave the reservation as is and try to adjust in the time you have left - keep checking to see ify ou can make a new ADR for 6 people and replace when you can.

Have fun! Bringing additional family members can be a good/bad thing. Maybe you & DH can get a little time away from the kids?