Excursion booking tonight: question - The DIS Discussion Forums

ML_LovesDisney · 12-23-2012, 06:22 PM

Is it worth it to stay up? I know I have read some threads on it not being open at 12am EST. Anyone have good experiences/bad experiences? I can stay up until midnight but not much past that

Melissa S · 12-23-2012, 06:25 PM

I just prebooked recently and it was the best experience so far. I was able to book everything right at midnight. Back in bed at 12:05

In the past some things were booked at 12 and one other (I can't remember) opened up at 3am which was horrible since I didn't get any sleep those nights!

kcashner · 12-23-2012, 06:29 PM

It depends...what castaway level are you (or are you a first timer?) How big a deal is it to you if you don't get what you want?

Basically, if you stay up till midnight and don't get it, you know you did all you could. If you don't stay up and try tomorrow, you'll always wonder if you should have stayed up.

ML_LovesDisney · 12-23-2012, 06:34 PM

Melissa, great, that's my goal!

kcashner: I am a first timer. What are the things I would definitely want to book at midnight that could potentially be less of a chance if I wait? Spa, cabanas, kids club, excursions??

kcashner · 12-23-2012, 06:41 PM

Each kid has a guaranteed spot in their age appropriate group--you don't need to do this at all tonight. Come back and do that part in a day or so.

First timer--you won't get a cabana. Find something else to do with your $500. Check back from time to time as people do cancel, but it is really not likely. That said, I probably did 20 visits to Castaway Cay before the cabanas existed, and it is great. A cabana is nice, but not needed to enjoy your day.

Adult dining--1/2 of the reservations are held for on board booking. If you can get what you want, great. If not, you can try again on board.

Spa--unless you have you heart set on a specific service at a specific time, also not an issue--you can book on board if you don't get it on line. There are also specials for before noon on the second day, port days, etc. that you can't get on line.

Excursions--these sell out. Get what you want. They don't "hold back" any spots, so grab now.

ML_LovesDisney · 12-23-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcashner

Each kid has a guaranteed spot in their age appropriate group--you don't need to do this at all tonight. Come back and do that part in a day or so.

First timer--you won't get a cabana. Find something else to do with your $500. Check back from time to time as people do cancel, but it is really not likely. That said, I probably did 20 visits to Castaway Cay before the cabanas existed, and it is great. A cabana is nice, but not needed to enjoy your day.

Adult dining--1/2 of the reservations are held for on board booking. If you can get what you want, great. If not, you can try again on board.

Spa--unless you have you heart set on a specific service at a specific time, also not an issue--you can book on board if you don't get it on line. There are also specials for before noon on the second day, port days, etc. that you can't get on line.

Excursions--these sell out. Get what you want. They don't "hold back" any spots, so grab now.

Great info, thanks. I will be staying up tonight, better drink some coffee

StitchIsOurHero · 12-23-2012, 06:47 PM

We aren't booking excursions, but I do want to book my PAT. That's at 3am, right? OP, good luck getting yours booked!!

kcashner · 12-23-2012, 06:48 PM

Also, the obvious. NOW is the time to read the descriptions of services, excursions, etc. if you haven't already done it. You want to be ready to log on and start clicking when the time comes. Know your first, second, and third choices and be ready to grab them

Do not log on early--the clock sets to the time you log on, so it can be 12:10 and you are trying to figure out what the problem is. Log on at 12:00 or 12:01.

And all said...the vast majority of guests on most cruises are not dis-ers. Many do not pay attention to things like on line check in and reservations.....

PrincessShmoo · 12-23-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StitchIsOurHero

We aren't booking excursions, but I do want to book my PAT. That's at 3am, right? OP, good luck getting yours booked!!

There have been several reports here that both the excursion window and the online checkin window have been available at midnight now.

StitchIsOurHero · 12-23-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessShmoo

There have been several reports here that both the excursion window and the online checkin window have been available at midnight now.

That would be terrific! Thanks for letting me know! I'll definitely check at midnight!!

calidoc2006 · 12-23-2012, 06:56 PM

I did it last night (I am lucky to be on the west coast so got to do it at 9pm PST), but I was able to do both my reservations for Palo/Remy/BBB and PAT at that time. Seems like you don't need to wait until 3am EST/12am PST to do it anymore.

KaryCam · 12-23-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ML_LovesDisney

Is it worth it to stay up? I know I have read some threads on it not being open at 12am EST. Anyone have good experiences/bad experiences? I can stay up until midnight but not much past that

Are you on the Fantasy March 9 cruise? If so, check out our meet thread. I posted what Palo dining is still available as of a couple days ago. Also, I will check out if any excursions that you want are still available if you tell me what they are.

My 2 cents are stay up and book your dining and excursions. Don't worry about on-line check in unless it is available at midnight too. Most of the time it's not until 3am. Do it when you get up in the morning. Not sure how you are getting to the port so that will dictate arrival time.

ML_LovesDisney · 12-23-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaryCam

Are you on the Fantasy March 9 cruise? If so, check out our meet thread. I posted what Palo dining is still available as of a couple days ago. Also, I will check out if any excursions that you want are still available if you tell me what they are.

My 2 cents are stay up and book your dining and excursions. Don't worry about on-line check in unless it is available at midnight too. Most of the time it's not until 3am. Do it when you get up in the morning. Not sure how you are getting to the port so that will dictate arrival time.

Yes we are on March 9 sailing!

We are looking at Coral World in St. Thomas and considering El Yunque tour and hike in San Juan but still unsure due to our youngest daughter being 4.5. Not sure if she can do it. I also want to do one of the couples spa treatments.

KaryCam · 12-23-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ML_LovesDisney

Yes we are on March 9 sailing!

We are looking at Coral World in St. Thomas and considering El Yunque tour and hike in San Juan but still unsure due to our youngest daughter being 4.5. Not sure if she can do it. I also want to do one of the couples spa treatments.

OK, this is what I saw:

Plenty of spa treatments

There were 3 different Coral World excursions, all were open, 2 have 2 times available left, the other only has 1.

El Yunque tour and hike is open but the only time available is 7am

Again, please feel free to join our meet thread. Get to know others taking our cruise.

12-23-2012, 06:22 PM	#1
ML_LovesDisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 870	Excursion booking tonight: question Is it worth it to stay up? I know I have read some threads on it not being open at 12am EST. Anyone have good experiences/bad experiences? I can stay up until midnight but not much past that __________________ me DH DD 7 DD 4 SSR Feb. 2010, BWV & BCV Aug. 2010, BCV/BLT Aug. 2011, AKV Feb 2012, Disney Fantasy & BLT March 2013

12-23-2012, 06:25 PM	#2
Melissa S Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York Posts: 419	I just prebooked recently and it was the best experience so far. I was able to book everything right at midnight. Back in bed at 12:05 In the past some things were booked at 12 and one other (I can't remember) opened up at 3am which was horrible since I didn't get any sleep those nights! __________________ Upcoming: Magic September 27, 2014 Magic October 20, 2013 (Double Dip!!) Wonder March 2, 2013 (5 night) Magic September 7, 2012 (5 night) Magic June 2, 2012 (8 night) Dream December 26, 2011 (3 night)

12-23-2012, 06:34 PM	#4
ML_LovesDisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 870	Melissa, great, that's my goal! kcashner: I am a first timer. What are the things I would definitely want to book at midnight that could potentially be less of a chance if I wait? Spa, cabanas, kids club, excursions?? __________________ me DH DD 7 DD 4 SSR Feb. 2010, BWV & BCV Aug. 2010, BCV/BLT Aug. 2011, AKV Feb 2012, Disney Fantasy & BLT March 2013

12-23-2012, 06:47 PM	#7
StitchIsOurHero I was smart enough to marry a DH who does the laundry! Dun-DUN! Has 8 Matthew McConaugheys at work! The Rock, in his little man-bikini, is quite pretty! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 8,162	We aren't booking excursions, but I do want to book my PAT. That's at 3am, right? OP, good luck getting yours booked!! __________________ NEW--"Pirate, Your Reputation Precedes You!" WDW & The Dream in March 13! Have a Stitchin' Good Time! A March 2013 WDW/DCL PTR! "Don't Forget to Say Thank You for the Beach!" HHI October 2012 Mickey & The Monduhrail! The Stitchs' World Tour!--May 31 - June 8 Trip Report! Celebrating Summer STITCH Style (May/June 2012 PTR):http://www.disboards.com/showthread....5#post44481585

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12-23-2012, 06:29 PM	#3
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	It depends...what castaway level are you (or are you a first timer?) How big a deal is it to you if you don't get what you want? Basically, if you stay up till midnight and don't get it, you know you did all you could. If you don't stay up and try tomorrow, you'll always wonder if you should have stayed up.

12-23-2012, 06:41 PM	#5
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	Each kid has a guaranteed spot in their age appropriate group--you don't need to do this at all tonight. Come back and do that part in a day or so. First timer--you won't get a cabana. Find something else to do with your $500. Check back from time to time as people do cancel, but it is really not likely. That said, I probably did 20 visits to Castaway Cay before the cabanas existed, and it is great. A cabana is nice, but not needed to enjoy your day. Adult dining--1/2 of the reservations are held for on board booking. If you can get what you want, great. If not, you can try again on board. Spa--unless you have you heart set on a specific service at a specific time, also not an issue--you can book on board if you don't get it on line. There are also specials for before noon on the second day, port days, etc. that you can't get on line. Excursions--these sell out. Get what you want. They don't "hold back" any spots, so grab now.

12-23-2012, 06:48 PM	#8
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	Also, the obvious. NOW is the time to read the descriptions of services, excursions, etc. if you haven't already done it. You want to be ready to log on and start clicking when the time comes. Know your first, second, and third choices and be ready to grab them Do not log on early--the clock sets to the time you log on, so it can be 12:10 and you are trying to figure out what the problem is. Log on at 12:00 or 12:01. And all said...the vast majority of guests on most cruises are not dis-ers. Many do not pay attention to things like on line check in and reservations.....

12-23-2012, 06:56 PM	#11
calidoc2006 Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 19	I did it last night (I am lucky to be on the west coast so got to do it at 9pm PST), but I was able to do both my reservations for Palo/Remy/BBB and PAT at that time. Seems like you don't need to wait until 3am EST/12am PST to do it anymore.