Questions about bringing 'virtual guests' into Kilimanjaro Concierge lounge.

[Chrisizzle]

I am hosting a family trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have 3 couples and 4 children. I plan to split people into a 2-bedroom unit, and a studio.

The two bedroom will host two couples and two children. The last couple and their two kids will stay in the studio. My plan was always to use the 2-bedroom as a central hub allowing the studio couple to use the full kitchen for cooking too.

I now have the idea of booking the 2-bedroom with Kilimanjaro Concierge access.

Despite my intention of sleeping 6 people in the 2-bedroom, I have the option to add 3 more named guests (plus an infant). That would give everyone room keys and legitimate access to the Kilimanjaro lounge (except for one child at 4-years old).

Questions for the group:

• This seems fair and reasonable to me since the two bedroom unit supports 9 guests (for concierge purposes or otherwise). I am arguably ‘paying’ extra with the studio. Does anyone disagree from an ethical perspective?
• I’ve never stayed in a multi-bedroom unit, but I don’t recall extra guests needing to confirm their identity at check in. So, there shouldn’t be an issue with the studio couple’s names appearing on two rooms.
• The only potentially sneaky thing would be to bring the 4-year old child to the lounge. That would be a 10th person and not supported by the 2-bedroom. Should that happen, may I assume cast members won’t question a child’s presence when their parents have keys/access?

I'll stand by for any comments or advice. Thanks.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

First, you need to understand that 2BR ALK Club Level rooms are probably among the top 3 toughest rooms to book, even at 11 months. It's a tough get because there are so few of them, and if someone books a studio or 1BR, it takes away a 2BR. But you are correct - you can have up to 9 on the reservation for Club access, if you get the room. But I'm not clear where the 7/8/9th people are staying - would they be on a DVC reservation in a studio? If so, and if I understand it right, you will have a problem having the same people on 2 reservations at the same time. The Disney system really balks at that - those folks could have issues getting access to Club Level, or getting into their own rooms. So be careful with that. As for bringing a toddler into the Club as a 10th person, only you can answer what you feel comfortable doing.

 

[Chrisizzle]

But I'm not clear where the 7/8/9th people are staying - would they be on a DVC reservation in a studio? If so, and if I understand it right, you will have a problem having the same people on 2 reservations at the same time. The Disney system really balks at that.

Thanks for answering my questions.

I have read that before... that you can't have the same name on two reservations. I am curious where that comes into play.

I make all initial bookings under my name. So, I often have simultaneous reservations with my exact name and address. I keep it that way for as long as possible so I can modify or make changes. I will transfer the booking to the specific room guest maybe 30-days before arrival. So, the same name on bookings is not an issue.

As for the same name while on site, I can't see that leading to big problems. There are a lot of John Smith's out there and some of them must be staying at Disney at the same time.

For my specific example, I would be the primary guest on the 2-bedroom. My guests, let's call them Bob and Jane, would be the named guests in a studio. However, I could add Bob and Jane as the 7th and 8th guests in the 2 bedroom. It shouldn't matter if other guests at the resort are also named Bob and Jane.

Unless, you are saying they check the IDs of every guest registered in the 2-bedroom. I've never had that happen in Studios. For example, I check-in but they never ask my girlfriend to confirm her identity.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

The problem comes with the MDE accounts, which are where a person's room reservation gets tied to their Magic Band/phone. If Bob and Jane have their own studio, they get into their room through the MDE connection (the Magic Band opens the room door). If Bob and Jane are also on your reservation, the system sometimes has problems. You need scanned access in the AKL elevator to get to the Club Level floor and to the rooms on that floor. Just saying you could have an issue if they have 2 DVC reservations in their MDE at the same time - we've experienced those problems in the past. It really has little to do with checking IDs. The system just doesn't handle the same person having 2 reservations tied to their MDE.

 

[JodyK]

So, the same name on bookings is not an issue.

Having the same name on bookings is the issue because the Disney system is built to link back to a profile with a whole bunch of information about you (hotel, park tickets, etc) and that profile can only be linked to one room. Yes there may be multiple John Smith's but those John Smith's have a whole bunch of other things tagged to who they are that isn't just their name (address, email, etc).

So I've never stayed club level but just with basic knowledge of how the Disney system works for what you are saying to work you (Disney) would have to have two separate Bob and Jane profiles. It isn't just simply having 2 names on a a room list. One profile would link to their hotel room (studio), park tickets, dining reservations etc, and then Bob and Jane for club access. You'd have to be really particular in keeping those profiles separate and evade Disney's system wanting to match profiles they see as the same people. Then these guests would have one set of magic bands/key card for accessing their non-club level room and have a separate key card for accessing club level. This creates a whole set of logistical challenges because at least the lead guest on the studio would have to use two different email addresses and have 2 different MDE profiles keep everything linked to the right ones and know which keycards / magic bands to use for which things, which is not simple.

 

[Chrisizzle]

I appreciate the detailed replies @JodyK and @thanxfornoticin.

I didn't consider MDE and I understand the complication now.

Bob and Jane's MDE would be tied to their Studio reservation along with any accounts, tickets, reservations, and magic bands.

However, does every guest in the 2-bedroom Kilimanjaro villa need an MDE account?
Could someone just stay in the villa by me entering their name online and asking for 9 basic room keys at check-in?

If so, the room key should provide access to the lounge and the guests could provide ID to match names legitimately entered on the 2-bedroom Kilimanjaro booking.

 

[JodyK]

However, does every guest in the 2-bedroom Kilimanjaro villa need an MDE account?
Could someone just stay in the villa by me entering their name online and asking for 9 basic room keys at check-in?

Need to, no, but Disney does everything they can to force you to have them have one. For instance, if you want to link the reservation to MDE you have to link every guest to a profile (I'm 99% sure). You could potentially create profiles you manage for them in your MDE separate from their current profiles and just link those.

Another option would be adding the names after check-in at the front desk, I don't know what info they ask for to do that.

 

[Sandisw]

If you have the room to add the names, go ahead and do it. Just add them using middle names and not Have it attached for them via MDE.

Then you should be able to get them KTTW cards. They would then use their actual MBs attached to their MDE profile for tickets, etc. and for access to their own room.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Where there's a will, there's probably a way! And with all the complications around the multiple rooms/reservations, I still think the toughest part of your plan will be getting the 2BR AKL Club Level room reservation. But I wish you good luck and hope you find what you need! We love the AKL CL - it's worth the effort to get there!

 

[Chrisizzle]

If you have the room to add the names, go ahead and do it. Just add them using middle names and not Have it attached for them via MDE.

Then you should be able to get them KTTW cards. They would then use their actual MBs attached to their MDE profile for tickets, etc. and for access to their own room.

That is my thinking. I am not looking to break rules or trick Disney.

A 2-bedroom villa allows 9 guests to enjoy the privileges and amenities of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

A different but similar example would be if I had two guests who lived in Orlando and decided to sleep at home (perhaps because the pull-out couch is uncomfortable).

Those two guests would be properly registered in the room under their legal names. It shouldn't matter if they don't lay their head to sleep within the room itself.

It just comes down to getting a basic room key with no associated account.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

That is my thinking. I am not looking to break rules or trick Disney.

A 2-bedroom villa allows 9 guests to enjoy the privileges and amenities of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

A different but similar example would be if I had two guests who lived in Orlando and decided to sleep at home (perhaps because the pull-out couch is uncomfortable).

Those two guests would be properly registered in the room under their legal names. It shouldn't matter if they don't lay their head to sleep within the room itself.

It just comes down to getting a basic room key with no associated account.

That's definitely a different example, as those folks would not be on 2 Disney reservations - just one. That example is much simpler.

 

[Chrisizzle]

Where there's a will, there's probably a way! And with all the complications around the multiple rooms/reservations, I still think the toughest part of your plan will be getting the 2BR AKL Club Level room reservation. But I wish you good luck and hope you find what you need! We love the AKL CL - it's worth the effort to get there!

Ha!
I will find out Friday at 8am if I can get the Club Level.
I've gotten lucky with three standard view rooms at BLT so far.

 

[Sandisw]

That is my thinking. I am not looking to break rules or trick Disney.

A 2-bedroom villa allows 9 guests to enjoy the privileges and amenities of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

A different but similar example would be if I had two guests who lived in Orlando and decided to sleep at home (perhaps because the pull-out couch is uncomfortable).

Those two guests would be properly registered in the room under their legal names. It shouldn't matter if they don't lay their head to sleep within the room itself.

It just comes down to getting a basic room key with no associated account.

As long as you have spots, it doesn’t matter! and we have done it with other rooms. Plenty will do it when they have spots when staying at BCV.

I have done it for some of my DDS friends who work and live near Disney so they can come and hang at the pool.

Good luck!

 

[sndral]

Ha!
I will find out Friday at 8am if I can get the Club Level.
I've gotten lucky with three standard view rooms at BLT so far.

Good luck, I’ve toyed w/ using my AKV points to book a club 1 br. villa there, which theoretically should be easier than one of the studios or lock off 2 br.s, but could never even find an opening to start a walk to get one. I console myself w/ the thought that the views from the club villas aren’t as nice as the savanna view villas .

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Good luck, I’ve toyed w/ using my AKV points to book a club 1 br. villa there, which theoretically should be easier than one of the studios or lock off 2 br.s, but could never even find an opening to start a walk to get one. I console myself w/ the thought that the views from the club villas aren’t as nice as the savanna view villas .

Agree - we've seen that many times. And you're right - not the greatest animal views from up there - but it's hard to beat the view of the lobby from the lounge while snacking and having a glass of wine! That's why we monitor and give it a try some trips. We don't always get a CL room, but it's worth the effort. What we have found happens at times is people 'walking' the studios tend to take them all. People 'walking' the 1BR sometimes walk 'over' the dates I want and allow me to backfill with a few nights. But it's unpredictable!

 

[Sandisw]

Agree - we've seen that many times. And you're right - not the greatest animal views from up there - but it's hard to beat the view of the lobby from the lounge while snacking and having a glass of wine! That's why we monitor and give it a try some trips. We don't always get a CL room, but it's worth the effort. What we have found happens at times is people 'walking' the studios tend to take them all. People 'walking' the 1BR sometimes walk 'over' the dates I want and allow me to backfill with a few nights. But it's unpredictable!

And then you get lucky like I did two weeks ago when our first night in March showed up in a studio as I was trying to redo our trip to new dates and was refreshing every 10 minutes.

Not a fan at all of AKV, but one night with CL services, I can manae…just to say I tried!

 

[Chrisizzle]

Where there's a will, there's probably a way! And with all the complications around the multiple rooms/reservations, I still think the toughest part of your plan will be getting the 2BR AKL Club Level room reservation. But I wish you good luck and hope you find what you need! We love the AKL CL - it's worth the effort to get there!

I see what you mean now.

I saw the 2-bedroom units taken off the board as people secured studios in the days leading up to my booking window (this morning).

I grabbed a 1-bedroom Kilimanjaro to give me options. I'll try to convert that to a 2-bedroom booking that is theoretically available tomorrow. If that fails, I may keep the one bedroom or fall back to a 2-bedroom Savannah View. In either case, it is a blessed life.

Thanks for the wisdom and advice.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yea, a 2-BR savannah view isn't a terrible consolation prize!! But the AKL Club studios are so popular (lower points, higher perks!) - and that popularity eats directly into the 2BR availability. Hope something pops for you - keep looking the next couple days!

Can I share with my wife that you used the word 'wisdom' in your post when referencing me?!!! Good luck, and have a great trip!