Using DDP credits before room is ready?

[lemonpan]

Hi Folks! As I noted in another thread, I'm traveling to WDW 11/11-11/17 to celebrate my mom's retirement. We are staying at AoA LM and have the DDP with 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack per day.

On arrival day, our flight gets in early (9:00 am). I made lunch reservations at Saana for 2:00 pm. Last night before going to sleep (when these things float through my head!), I realized that our lunch reservation occurs before our room will be ready for the day.

So...how does this work? Are you able to get your room key and dining credits before the room is ready or should I switch our reservation to dinner and just plan to pay OOP for a meal at lunch?

Sorry if this is covered somewhere place. I looked and couldn't find it.

Thank you!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Room being ready and check in are 2 different things. All your tickets and dining becomes active when you check it, it doesn't matter if the physical room is ready or not. So in short, you're good once you check in.

 

[TDC Nala]

You must go by the resort to check in, but they will give you your room keys with active dining credits whether or not the room is actually ready for occupancy.

 

[Raksha]

Room being ready and check in are 2 different things. All your tickets and dining becomes active when you check it, it doesn't matter if the physical room is ready or not. So in short, you're good once you check in.

This is correct. Once you check in at your resort your KTTW will be activated with all your DDP credits and your park tickets.

Have fun!!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Thanks for asking that question, I needed the answer too!

 

[lemonpan]

Thank you all so much! I really, really appreciate the help!

I've been to Disney several times but stayed off-property each time. I didn't realize that staying on-site would be so different!

 

[POOHsie]

Thank you all so much! I really, really appreciate the help!

I've been to Disney several times but stayed off-property each time. I didn't realize that staying on-site would be so different!

Warning!
You may turn into a Disney Resort convert like so many of us! Staying on-site will be so different that you may think to yourself, "why didn't I do this before?" Write back on the Resorts Forum with impressions of your Disney resort stay.

--from a Disney Resort convert since 1992​

 

[lemonpan]

Warning!
You may turn into a Disney Resort convert like so many of us! Staying on-site will be so different that you may think to yourself, "why didn't I do this before?" Write back on the Resorts Forum with impressions of your Disney resort stay.

--from a Disney Resort convert since 1992​

I think that will be true! This is my fourth trip and my husband and I always stayed off-property at a lovely condo---I might have gotten the condo rec from this board!

One of the reasons we stayed off-site was because I have food allergies. (In the past, I didn't realize that Disney could handle food allergies.) When free dining came up, I calculated our costs. Staying at the off-site condo would have been more expensive for the two of us than staying on-site! Plus, my mom LOVES enjoying meals out. For her, that will be a big part of the trip!

I really feel like I'm going to see a side of Disney I haven't experience before! And at a new hotel to boot!