Hi there, Donna! Welcome to planDisney! I'm so happy that you've stopped by with your vacation planning question. I just love chatting Disney with my pals, pal!
As a fellow planner for the family, I know that you must be getting SO excited that before you know it, your practically perfect plans will be set in motion as soon as you arrive at
The Most Magical Place on Earth for your magical adventure. You've planned to stay at the perfect
Disney Resorts Collection hotel, have made your
Theme Park Pass reservations, and have booked your family's must-do
dining reservations. Now, let's chat about tying up your loose planning ends so that you can sit back, relax and start your countdown to the magic!
In my experience being the sole Disney vacation planner for larger travel parties, my friends and family have been able to check into dining reservations without me. In fact, on one of our vacations with our best friends last year, I made a couple of surprise date-night dining reservations for the two of them on
My Disney Experience account, and they were easily able to check in at the restaurants without me being present. I would just suggest that you have the Guests that will be attending listed on the dining reservation, and just be sure that someone in the dining group has the Dining Confirmation Number, the last name on the reservation, and the number of people on the dining reservation. In my experience with checking in at the restaurant podium in this type of situation, kindly stating, "I would like to check in for a reservation for [Name], party of [number]," was all that they needed, but I would have the Confirmation Number handy, just to be on the safe side!
Just be aware that since the dining reservation is made under your account with your credit card as a placeholder, if the group no-shows for the reservation, you will be charged a per-person no-show fee. So, just make sure that your group arrives on time for the reservation or cancels the day before the reservation. Also, since you are the Reservation Primary Contact, just keep an eye on your smartphone for any push notifications from the My Disney Experience app or any text message notifications from the restaurant and communicate them with your family, if necessary.
Donna, I hope this was helpful, my planning friend, and I hope you have a magical and unforgettable time on your upcoming family vacation! Please stop by any time with any vacation planning questions you may have. You've got a friend in me!
I hope to see ya real soon,
Mandy