Why address the entire party with the last name on the reservation?

[Sarahslay]

When I travel with my mom they always address us as "*my last name* party" , they don't ever call us "*my last name* family" even though we are because in my friends and family list she has a different last name. Every time I've ever traveled with anyone who shared a different last name we are always address by the last name of the lead on the reservation (usually me, but a few times it's been a friend), and then it says "party" not "family". I've also never been addressed as either at a restaurant or at the resorts, they call us by the last name of who ever is the lead on the reservation. We we check in they call me by my first name after I scan my band and they ask if that's who I am, I've never found it to be a problem. If your boyfriend has a big issue with it then maybe it's time he be the one who makes the reservation and puts everything in his name, but at the end of the day it's not really that big of a deal.

 

[Farro]

We aren't married and the reservation is under my name, so it always says the "..... family".

I don't think Micky cares that's it not under his name, but to be honest I've never asked him because I wouldn't care if he did care.

I don't care if they change it, but I've never thought about it until this thread.

 

[Wood Nymph]

For our upcoming trip I changed my last name on the app so our new resort and dinning reservations are under “Susan Smith” but I’m wondering how this will affect check in... will it make things more difficult or can he simply show his ID at check in... since his name is on the reservation? Or will mine need to be shown since I’m the one who made it? The credit card linked to my account is under his name, not mine, if that helps.

Our experience has been that they only need one ID at check in. It just needs to be an ID of someone on the reservation. Anyone can pay for the room. They don't care where the money comes from, as long as they are paid. It would probably work best in this situation if he uses his ID at check in. That way you don't have to worry about the fact that Susan Smith would not be the name on your ID.

My husband and I each have our own MDE and most often I make the reservations using my account. But he is the one who most often uses his ID for check in. It is also his credit card in the room even though it is my name on the reservation. We have never had a problem.

 

[nkereina]

I would be hesitant to use a name that’s not on my ID when checking in. Even though they don’t check ID when you do online check-in, I have had confusion come up when they see my old Disney profile in my maiden name. The simplest thing to do would be to just make your boyfriend the lead guest on the reservation to avoid issues.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My husband and I have two different last names because I hyphenated my name. I just can't get upset over it. I couldn't tell you how many times people refer to me as my husband's last name. It is what it is. It annoys me slightly but not to the point of being upset over it.

At Disney though I don't remember, aside from paperwork, that we were ever called ____ Family. Honestly? I don't really care if we did nor would my husband. That would be like us getting upset everytime we're at a restaurant in general and the hostess says "____ Party your table is ready" when it's my husband, myself, my in-laws, my sister-in-law and her boyfriend, my other sister-in-law and her husband. That's 5 (corrected number) different last names with all of us include. I'm not sure Party vs Family would solve this particular feeling. It's still calling a group of people under one name when not everyone shares that name and that seemed to be the issue the OP felt (plus the addition that it's a name kept after a divorce).

That said I do understand how you feel OP. There was a post last year or the year before maybe where someone was talking about how Disney addresses people. TBH it's never going to appease everyone. Someone will have issues with it somewhere. I do think the easiest to address the issue on your end is to make your boyfriend the lead guest because it would appear that's how you prefer it to be known. I would not personally speaking change my name on my account because of all the communication and paperwork that comes with Disney (PIN codes, planning materials and so many other things). But that's just me. And there's not a huge reason to do so when you can just make your boyfriend the lead guest and then you can still have you on the account (just like I have my husband on my MDE account).

 

[mcall12]

Because I’m the planner in our family I usually make the reservations and other than a surprise trip he planned for me, I almost always make our reservations using my account and credit card. Prior to us being married that meant everything was under my maiden name, and they always welcomed us as the “Maiden Name” family. I think I noticed it more than he did. We also have taken several family trips with my extended family. My father is one of 6 siblings and we used the family name even though he has 4 sisters and the majority of the family does not carry the family name as their surname. In fact because there were only 2 boys and 4 girls among my dads siblings, there is only one grandchild of 25 that has the family name at this point. The point being though, we ordered t-shirts and hats with “family name vacation” on them and no one seemed to mind. Everyone has different feelings on this stuff but it’s not something I would personally contact Disney over. I would just adjust the way I book reservations and dining if it was an issue.

 

[VandVsmama]

You know how people say that good friends are just like family? You could always go into it with that in mind and then what they call you might not matter quite so much.

 

[FCDub]

How do people make it through 24 hours of life a day, 7 days a week, if this is the sort of absolutely minor inconvenience (I shudder to even call it an inconvenience) that registers as anything but a passing thought? My word.

 

[VandVsmama]

When I make a resort reservation using the app, or the phone, it is under my name, let’s say “Susan Jones.” I always have the other names listed, my boyfriend “John Smith” and his grandkids “Sally Smith” and “Bobby Smith.” Same with restaurant reservations. However they always address us everywhere as “The Jones Family.” I totally “get” this is a nice touch but it’s uncomfortable as my boyfriend is the one bankrolling the trips and he’s been called “Mr Jones” several times
For our upcoming trip I changed my last name on the app so our new resort and dinning reservations are under “Susan Smith” but I’m wondering how this will affect check in... will it make things more difficult or can he simply show his ID at check in... since his name is on the reservation? Or will mine need to be shown since I’m the one who made it? The credit card linked to my account is under his name, not mine, if that helps.
Thank you!

After having re-read your OP, I don't think that you should put a fake last name for yourself on this reservation. You could end up needing to show your ID at check in. Is the primary name on the reservation "John Smith," "Susan Smith," or "Susan Jones"?

This seems an awfully complicated way to avoid John Smith being referred to as part of the Jones Family on the TV in the room or when they call your name for a TS reservation.

 

[ellbell]

I'm actually surprised this thread hasn't been locked. The OP was asking a question on if she would have an issue with reservations if she used a different last name than her own on the reservations and it spiralled into everyone bashing her for having feelings.

 

[FCDub]

I'm actually surprised this thread hasn't been locked. The OP was asking a question on if she would have an issue with reservations if she used a different last name than her own on the reservations and it spiralled into everyone bashing her for having feelings.

The title of the thread is much different than the actual post.

 

[ellbell]

The title of the thread is much different than the actual post.

That doesn't mean that the OP needs to be attacked because of how she feels.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm actually surprised this thread hasn't been locked. The OP was asking a question on if she would have an issue with reservations if she used a different last name than her own on the reservations and it spiralled into everyone bashing her for having feelings.

It would have been more accurate if that was the case to say "Will this cause an issue if I change my name to ___ which is not my real name". Rather the thread contained both a question as well as comments regarding how Disney opts to address people. It's going to get comments, positive, negative, or neutral.

That doesn't mean that the OP needs to be attacked because of how she feels.

Attacking can be quite subjective. I haven't seen overt attacking. Maybe you feel the OP is attacked, maybe the OP themselves feels attacked. I pretty much just see people asking why it's such an issue, giving real life information where this may be the case elsewhere (as in other restaurants), giving advice on how to compromise on their end (meaning do something within their power because we can't change how Disney does something), advising it probably wouldn't be the best thing to change the name to a non-legal one, etc.

 

[ellbell]

It would have been more accurate if that was the case to say "Will this cause an issue if I change my name to ___ which is not my real name". Rather the thread contained both a question as well as comments regarding how Disney opts to address people. It's going to get comments, positive, negative, or neutral.

Attacking can be quite subjective. I haven't seen overt attacking. Maybe you feel the OP is attacked, maybe the OP themselves feels attacked. I pretty much just see people asking why it's such an issue, giving real life information where this may be the case elsewhere (as in other restaurants), giving advice on how to compromise on their end (meaning do something within their power because we can't change how Disney does something), advising it probably wouldn't be the best thing to change the name to a non-legal one, etc.

I have seen some great answers as well but passive aggressive responses such as how does anyone manage to live 7 days a week 24 hours a day because of feelings (only one example) is a bit of an attack.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I have seen some great answers as well but passive aggressive responses such as how does anyone manage to live 7 days a week 24 hours a day because of feelings (only one example) is a bit of an attack.

I think some people just respond in a sense of "making a mountain out of a molehill" aspect. It probably would have been more cut and dry if it was more asked "will this be an issue?" or "I want to have my boyfriend be the main person how do I do that" or something similar.

In all honesty though the OP can ask for the thread to be closed, they can ignore the thread (unwatch it and ignore if someone quotes them), the thread will eventually die out too; of course discussing is this or is this not an attack-filled thread will keep it going and going so I'll drop out of that discussion unless something else comes up

 

[10CJ]

I don’t think the issue is with Disney. I would be more concerned about why my travel companion was upset about this.

I honestly do not recall how we have been addressed in the past. I could see being called family or party. We often travel with people who have different last names. I don’t think anyone gets offended when only one name is used.

You only need one name in MDE for most reservations so they may not even see any other names.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My point is, for resort and dining reservations I have to put all 4 names in so do they even see those names on the computer when you check in?

Probably not. They may well only see the lead name on the reservation.

I also think it’s more than being called my last name, but rather being called my ex husband’s last name.

That's an entirely different issue which you and Mr. Jones need to either work out of come to terms with.

forgetting how mean spirited some folks are when behind their computer screens.

which
IMO, you're reading the responses in the wrong time of voice.

not sure why the restaurant part of my question turned into the main focus.

Your post was more detailed regarding restaurant reservations.

because I hyphenated my name

No! You did?

I have seen some great answers as well but passive aggressive responses such as how does anyone manage to live 7 days a week 24 hours a day because of feelings (only one example) is a bit of an attack.

Opinion, not attack. Just as referring to some responses as "passive-aggressive is an opinion.

 

[Meglen]

Wanted to add to OP if your bf has an issue with your last name being your ex's than he needs to put a ring on it or you go back to your maiden name.

 

[kylenne]

When we booked one of the Oasis pool patios at the Poly last year, there was a little sign on the table with “The MyLastName” Family on it. It’s mine because we always book with my credit card. That’s the only time outside of Disney mail that I’ve seen the Family designation though. We don’t mind tbh, we joke that we’re practically married anyway.

But I do have a super Slavic last name which generally confuses the heck out of folks when they match my face to it. Partner is Scots/Irish Canadian and they always address her with my name. It’s always good for some awkward comedy gold when we explain.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No! You did?

I sure did..couldn't you tell

(I know you're just joking around lol )