Animal Kingdom; AA; Mother, father, sisters
  • On Nov 28, 2025
    Jillian from MA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Can a linked family/friend check into a dining or experience reservation without the primary reservation holder being present?

    Hey Jillian, and welcome to planDisney! I’m so glad you stopped by with such a great question, because this one comes up a lot when families are dividing and conquering their Disney days. 

    The short and happy answer is yes. As long as everyone is properly linked under Friends & Family in My Disney Experience and they’re listed on the dining reservation, a member of your group can absolutely check in for a dining reservation or experience without the primary person present. Disney knows that sometimes plans shift, someone needs a snack break, or one kiddo suddenly must ride Space Mountain right now… so flexibility is built in!

    Just make sure the person checking in is included on that reservation, and they’re good to go. They can use the Mobile Check-In feature or simply walk up to the podium and give the name on the reservation. Mickey’s honor, it works smoothly.

    I hope this helps reassure you as you gear up to enjoy some magic times and pixie-dusted meals! I hope your vacation is sprinkled with all the pixie-dusted flexibility your crew needs! If you have any more questions before your visit, I’m right here and happy to help, so please don’t hesitate to come back and see us! 

    Magical wishes, 

    Emille
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Meet the Panelist: Emille, Florida

¡Hola! I’m Emille, your go-to mamá for all things Disney magic, especially in Español! As a proud mom of two, I’ve spent nearly a decade living in Orlando, where Walt Disney World is practically my backyard. When I’m not soaking in the magic of Main Street, U.S.A., I’m here to help fellow Disney fans craft their own unforgettable adventures, because the best Disney stories are the ones we write together. Let’s make some magic!
Learn More About Emille

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