Throwaway room (read post #2041 or #2710 before posting)

[mom2mickeyfan]

So has it been confirmed whether or not you need to check in to get the free parking?

We did online check in and never went to the campgrounds. Didn't have any problems getting free parking for our check-in and check-out day. We paid for parking for our other days. We did this in early June.

So I apologize that I am a little late to this thread...but we are considering booking a throw away campsite for 1 night for our sept trip bc for our party of 7 it is cheaper than buying magic bands outright at $12 each (plus they can personalized)...thing is, we do have six nights booked at the dolphin (where you don't get magic bands) and I would book this campsite for the Sat night before we actually arrive on Sun and that might help me get A&E for our last MK day Friday - since we technically would have a split stay. Currently we have two rooms at the dolphin booked, and six days tickets purchased, all linked to my MDE acct and our associated party of 7.

Here is my question: What happens if we never check in to Wilderness and will it in anyway impact our FP's? Or does anyone know

The last thing I want to do is do this to save a few bucks & maybe get an A&E FP+ only to lose all our FP's for the week when we don't check in, which we won't bc we won't be there yet.

We did online check-in, never went to the campground and didn't lose our FP+s. We did this in early June.

 

[ILMomTo3]

We did online check-in, never went to the campground and didn't lose our FP+s. We did this in early June.

Thanks - than this is probably worth it for us. Can you do online checkin from the MDE or do you have to go through the full website - could make it work either way, one just might require a stop on our drive down to get out the laptop.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Thanks - than this is probably worth it for us. Can you do online checkin from the MDE or do you have to go through the full website - could make it work either way, one just might require a stop on our drive down to get out the laptop.

We did it on the website before we left home. It doesn't have to be done the day of check-in. It can be done at least a week or more beforehand. I can't remember the exact time it opens up but it was well before we left home.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Thanks - than this is probably worth it for us. Can you do online checkin from the MDE or do you have to go through the full website - could make it work either way, one just might require a stop on our drive down to get out the laptop.

Something else you may not have thought about, if it interest you, you will be able to get a FP+ for BOG in MK. Those are only open to onsite guest.

 

[Alesia]

Thanks - than this is probably worth it for us. Can you do online checkin from the MDE or do you have to go through the full website - could make it work either way, one just might require a stop on our drive down to get out the laptop.

You won't need to stop on the way to do it - you can do online check-in as far out as 60 days.

 

[momtosam]

You won't need to stop on the way to do it - you can do online check-in as far out as 60 days.

We did it in May. Never stepped foot at FW. Just did online check in. It was totally worth it to us. Four magic bands, 60 day FP scheduling and two days of parking for $70.

 

[itchin2go]

We did it in May. Never stepped foot at FW. Just did online check in. It was totally worth it to us. Four magic bands, 60 day FP scheduling and two days of parking for $70.

How did you get the parking pass? Or did you just use your MBs to prove you were onsite so you could get free parking?

 

[momtosam]

How did you get the parking pass? Or did you just use your MBs to prove you were onsite so you could get free parking?

It's attached to your magic bands.

 

[doconeill]

It's attached to your magic bands.

This is a feature they are still rolling out. I haven't heard if it is per resort or by random reservation at this point, so there isn't a guarantee, but at some point soon, I think they will all have it.

Which is why I think Disney should capitalize on the "throwaway" reservation, and just make it an option to purchase, and not tie up a campsite that others could actually use...

 

[itchin2go]

So, someone scans your magic bands as you go through the parking gate? Do they still give out paper parking passes?

 

[dbramer]

Not to be a spoilsport, but...okay..maybe I do want to be a spoilsport, but I hope Disney finds a legitimate way to close this loophole. There is a reason people spend the extra money to stay on-site versus off-site. The things you are talking about are perks of staying on-site and cheating the system is still cheating, especially when you benefit monetarily (i.e. spending less for a campsite or room that you will never step foot in to get merchandise that is valued at a greater amount).

It also is a perk of on-site guests to book FP's at 60 days and ADR's at 180+10.

Just makes me angry when people "game" the system for their own reward without considering the impact on others who play by the rules. As an on-site guest for the length of my stay, I may get locked out of an FP or ADR because someone who is booked at HOJO's got a campsite for $70 and never even has to show up to get the benefits that I paid a premium for. This is the same kind of thing that led to CC guarantees on ADR's.

Again, I hope Disney figures out a way to close this loophole.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Not to be a spoilsport, but...okay..maybe I do want to be a spoilsport, but I hope Disney finds a legitimate way to close this loophole. There is a reason people spend the extra money to stay on-site versus off-site. The things you are talking about are perks of staying on-site and cheating the system is still cheating, especially when you benefit monetarily (i.e. spending less for a campsite or room that you will never step foot in to get merchandise that is valued at a greater amount). It also is a perk of on-site guests to book FP's at 60 days and ADR's at 180+10. Just makes me angry when people "game" the system for their own reward without considering the impact on others who play by the rules. As an on-site guest for the length of my stay, I may get locked out of an FP or ADR because someone who is booked at HOJO's got a campsite for $70 and never even has to show up to get the benefits that I paid a premium for. This is the same kind of thing that led to CC guarantees on ADR's. Again, I hope Disney figures out a way to close this loophole.

I think they could close the loophole if they wanted to. I think they are quite happy collecting more money for these perks. I hear your point though, but I think the blame is on Disney, not individuals.

 

[ralphie]

Dbramer - my feeling exactly, thank you!

 

[itchin2go]

Not to be a spoilsport, but...okay..maybe I do want to be a spoilsport, but I hope Disney finds a legitimate way to close this loophole. There is a reason people spend the extra money to stay on-site versus off-site. The things you are talking about are perks of staying on-site and cheating the system is still cheating, especially when you benefit monetarily (i.e. spending less for a campsite or room that you will never step foot in to get merchandise that is valued at a greater amount).

It also is a perk of on-site guests to book FP's at 60 days and ADR's at 180+10.

Just makes me angry when people "game" the system for their own reward without considering the impact on others who play by the rules. As an on-site guest for the length of my stay, I may get locked out of an FP or ADR because someone who is booked at HOJO's got a campsite for $70 and never even has to show up to get the benefits that I paid a premium for. This is the same kind of thing that led to CC guarantees on ADR's.

Again, I hope Disney figures out a way to close this loophole.

Does it bother you that someone stays at Fort Wilderness for $70 bucks a night and gets the same "perks" as you?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Does it bother you that someone stays at Fort Wilderness for $70 bucks a night and gets the same "perks" as you?

It bothers prospective campers who are told the Fort is fully booked only to find vacant sites everywhere.

Utilizing an accommodation because one enjoys camping and can take advantage of perks at a lower rate is one thing. Doing the dummy site thing is another.

I would love to see their FP's and perks cancelled for a non-use of the site.

 

[itchin2go]

It bothers prospective campers who are told the Fort is fully booked only to find vacant sites everywhere.

Utilizing an accommodation because one enjoys camping and can take advantage of perks at a lower rate is one thing. Doing the dummy site thing is another.

I would love to see their FP's and perks cancelled for a non-use of the site.

This is not the argument the PP was making. It had to do with someone staying at HoJo's and spending $70 bucks a night for a campsite vs. what he was paying a premium for.

These are 2 separate arguments.

Someone who enjoys camping and wants to book a campsite can do so just like someone looking to buy a throwaway room. Neither enjoys a greater privilege. It's like any other room reservation, though. It's first come, first served.

Would it make anyone feel better if everyone booking a "throwaway room" spent some time there? I actually don't think so. But if so, how much time would one need to spend at a campsite to make it ok? What about people who are in the parks from dusk till dawn, and sleep a bare minimum in their rooms, only to return to the parks? Does it bother anyone that someone is "taking up" a room, but spending so little time in it?

I booked a "throwaway room" at a Universal resort for our upcoming trip. Why does it matter that I'm not staying in the room? I'm paying for the room, same as anyone else. Why is it so galling to people that families are not actually spending the night in these rooms?

Trust me - the hotels don't care whether you stay in the rooms as long as you're paying. Why should anyone else? If I pay for a hotel room, why does anyone get to tell me what I should or should not do with it, provided I'm lawful and not destructive?

I hope this doesn't come off argumentative. My tone is meant to be questioning - nothing else. I legitimately don't know why this strikes such a chord with some ... so I'm asking questions.

 

[NewRVLady]

There are LOTS of campers who cant get ressis due to fake Camp Wilderness ressies...its a big problem

I am amazed at the lengths people go thru to break the rules

 

[jco_direwolf]

There are LOTS of campers who cant get ressis due to fake Camp Wilderness ressies...its a big problem

I am amazed at the lengths people go thru to break the rules

How it is "Breaking the rules?"

It's just a good value proposition. $70 /night for up to 10 Magic Bands, 10 FP+ for at least 2 days, and parking at the parks included for 2 day (based on a 1 night stay.)

Would you rather Disney just move to a the Universal model? Where they just charge you up front for FP+?

 

[itchin2go]

I am amazed at the lengths people go thru to break the rules

What rule is being broken?

 

[dbramer]

This is not the argument the PP was making. It had to do with someone staying at HoJo's and spending $70 bucks a night for a campsite vs. what he was paying a premium for.

These are 2 separate arguments.

Someone who enjoys camping and wants to book a campsite can do so just like someone looking to buy a throwaway room. Neither enjoys a greater privilege. It's like any other room reservation, though. It's first come, first served.

Would it make anyone feel better if everyone booking a "throwaway room" spent some time there? I actually don't think so. But if so, how much time would one need to spend at a campsite to make it ok? What about people who are in the parks from dusk till dawn, and sleep a bare minimum in their rooms, only to return to the parks? Does it bother anyone that someone is "taking up" a room, but spending so little time in it?

I booked a "throwaway room" at a Universal resort for our upcoming trip. Why does it matter that I'm not staying in the room? I'm paying for the room, same as anyone else. Why is it so galling to people that families are not actually spending the night in these rooms?

Trust me - the hotels don't care whether you stay in the rooms as long as you're paying. Why should anyone else? If I pay for a hotel room, why does anyone get to tell me what I should or should not do with it, provided I'm lawful and not destructive?

I hope this doesn't come off argumentative. My tone is meant to be questioning - nothing else. I legitimately don't know why this strikes such a chord with some ... so I'm asking questions.

Because they are getting the perks for their ENTIRE stay for booking ONE night at a site they will never use. Therefore, they get the 60 day booking window for their ENTIRE stay and 180+10 for their ENTIRE stay for booking ONE NIGHT. People are crowing about how they planned their FP's for 10 days beyond their throwaway, their ADR's for their 10 days and getting 7 magic bands for nothing that normally cost $12 per for a site for ONE NIGHT that they will never use.

I pay extra to stay on-site to get these same perks. I may get locked out of an FP or ADR that I REALLY HAVE TO HAVE by someone who shouldn't be booking at that time in the FIRST PLACE.

Yes, I am upset by this.....