SOn checking in before us-what to do about paying for DDP?

[iwannbindisnee]

Hi all! I have a bit of dilemma. We are staying at BWV 1/17-1/23 & recently added the DDP. We don't get in until late that evening, but my DS21 will be there around 1pm. I want him to go ahead & "check in" if a room is available, but just remembered that at check in we are supposed to pay for our DDP. Does anyone know if they'll let him check in w/o paying for DDP? Should I send him with a check already made out? (He doesn't have enough credit on his credit card to pay for it) Anyone ever encountered this before? Thanks, Debbie

 

[mom2alix]

I know I had to pay for it in order to check in. If you're planning to give him a check, you might want to consider getting traveller's checks for him to use to pay for it. They might not let him use your check to pay if you're not there.

 

[Chuck S]

Maybe a gift card or prepaid credit card of some kind would work, too.

 

[CarolAnnC]

There's always Disney Dollars too!

 

[Debby7]

I could be wrong, but I thought that everyone on the dining plan had to be present at check in ?

 

[iwannbindisnee]

How do I get Disney dollars up here in MD? A disney store? Also I didn't even think about all of us having to be there for check in....I hope thats not true--that means my DS21 would have to figure out what to do for 6 hours--he's not a huge "Disney on my own" kind of guy. I guess I'd better call MS tommorow to see about options. Debbie

 

[Sandy321]

I believe everyone had to be there for check in was during the free dining and when credits (child and adults) were pooled together - I could be wrong, just last Sept there were 3 of us, and I checked in while dh and dd ran to the bathroom - the cm didnt ask to see them (dd was a Disney Adult - which btw she got a kick out of !)

 

[mom2alix]

I could be wrong, but I thought that everyone on the dining plan had to be present at check in ?

No, not for DVC.

I think that might have been for folks on the free dining plan? I believe that was something for the free plan because they had folks booking "phantom" guests to get more free dining credits. That could also have been an DIS-rumor, but I read that too so I know what you're talking about.

At any rate, we've been on DDP the last couple of trips and had no problem checking in and paying for DDP before our guests arrived. We did have to pay for everyone in order to check in.

 

[lizanne]

How do I get Disney dollars up here in MD? A disney store? Also I didn't even think about all of us having to be there for check in....I hope thats not true--that means my DS21 would have to figure out what to do for 6 hours--he's not a huge "Disney on my own" kind of guy. I guess I'd better call MS tommorow to see about options. Debbie

I don't know if you all have to be there at check in, but yes, you can get Disney Dollars at a Disney Store if that's what you decide to do.

But your DS21 is probably going to have some time on his hands anyway. You can check-in early, but rooms aren't usually ready until after 4:00. Our last trip we checked in at 7:00AM and couldn't get into our room until 6:30 PM.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

I don't know if you all have to be there at check in, but yes, you can get Disney Dollars at a Disney Store if that's what you decide to do.

But your DS21 is probably going to have some time on his hands anyway. You can check-in early, but rooms aren't usually ready until after 4:00. Our last trip we checked in at 7:00AM and couldn't get into our room until 6:30 PM.

That's fine, I just didnt want him to have to wait until we got there at 10pm.
Also, an update: I called MS & they said to call a few days ahead & pay over the phone for the plan with my credit card, explaining what is happening. So that looks to be the plan! Thanks for the info & input everyone! Debbie

 

[gcbsdad]

For the past 4 years we have had a trip to WDW with DMIL as a treat for our kids. She usually paid for the hotel and meals but now that we have DVC we decided to cover the room and she said she would pay for the DDP. So this past October we arrived first at SSR and was able to check in and the CM just told us to come back when DMIL arrived and they would take care of the DDP.
We had not problems doing this so I am not sure your son would have any issues.

 

[Anjelica]

Not to tail on to this discussion but we are vacationing with friends (they on our points in a 2-bedroom villa) and we added the dining plan. Do we have to wait for them so that all are present for check-in or can my family check in first and they just check in later in the day? Can I pay for my portion of the dining (i.e. for my family) and they would just pay for their dining at the time of their check-in?

 

[wdw1972]

You don't have to wait for them to be present, but I'm pretty sure you'll have to pay for all the DDP. That's between Disney and YOU - the member. You can then collect the money from your friends - in fact, I'd let them know now and get it before the trip.