Hello WDW experts! My family is planning our first trip to WDW in March. The group is going for 6 nights staying at The Grand Floridian and I believe on the deluxe dining plan. I will only be able to join them for 3 nights total in my parents room, and this seems to be an impossible option. They are saying I need to pay for the full stay of 6 nights and the full meal plan which is VERY much more than what I can afford. Will I be able to stay at the resort with them but for a shorter stay and get on their reservations for dining, bands, fast passes etc? Any advice or suggestions? I want to go spoil my nephews for a few days but if it means slowing everyone down b/c I'm not staying the full time I wont go.
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Guests with different arrival/departure dates than group
- Thread starter Stephanie Tiger Tail
- Start date
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
Not sure I can answer all these points for you, but what I do know is that all guests must order the same Dining Plan. So, if you're staying with your parents (in their room) then you have to have a 6 day plan too.
FrostyNaples
Well-Known Member
Make sure everyone, and i mean, everyone is linked together using MDE. That is a priority if you all want to be doing things together (even if not all the time). FP+s, ADRs, things that need advance booking, make sure all family and friends are linked together.
As far as the hotel stay. If you want to be on the dining plan, its Full Length of Stay or nothing at all.
If your just going to crash in a room without being 'On' the reservation, that is fine, you just won't have anyway to open the hotel door, you will need to pay your own meals out of pocket (cheaper in this case).
Park tickets for you will also need to be a separate purchase since you won't be on the main package (resort/parks).
You don't need to be on a dining plan, in order to be sitting and eating with others who are. Server just needs to be aware so credits can be used accordingly, and a check can be issued to you (or whoever wants to pay your tab).
Being off the main reservation, also means no free magic band for you. Yes you can still buy one when on-site and link up with everyone else on MDE, and your park tickets etc.
Being separate, is cost effective to you, you just need to be aware on how it works. Mainly the resort reservation portion.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
@FrostyNaples is correct in just about all points. If you want to be listed on the package reservation, you have to have the same package options as everyone else, and that includes the Dining Plan for all nights of the reservations.
But here's what you *can* do:
After your parents check in, they *can* add you on as a registered guest in their room for just the nights you'll be there. Presuming you're over the age of 18, this means that you'll only have to pay the extra-adult per-night fee for the nights you're there.
I'm unsure if you'd get a free un-customized (gray) Band when they add you onto the reservation or not.
You can buy your park ticket separately and link it to your MDE profile.
You'll have to pay for all of your meals out-of-pocket since you won't be on the dining plan.
The one drawback is that because you won't be on the reservation until you get there, you probably won't be entitled to take Magical Express from the airport. You'd have to pay for a taxi or Mears to transport you.
-Rob
But here's what you *can* do:
After your parents check in, they *can* add you on as a registered guest in their room for just the nights you'll be there. Presuming you're over the age of 18, this means that you'll only have to pay the extra-adult per-night fee for the nights you're there.
I'm unsure if you'd get a free un-customized (gray) Band when they add you onto the reservation or not.
You can buy your park ticket separately and link it to your MDE profile.
You'll have to pay for all of your meals out-of-pocket since you won't be on the dining plan.
The one drawback is that because you won't be on the reservation until you get there, you probably won't be entitled to take Magical Express from the airport. You'd have to pay for a taxi or Mears to transport you.
-Rob