Any advantage to arriving early to the port?

[DIScruisers4]

My family is taking its third Disney cruise this January (western). The first two, we arrived at the port early and we were close to the front of the line, but we had to wait about 90 minutes or so before boarding. It was not that bad, and we enjoyed the excitement. We also made Palo and spa reservations shortly after boarding. However, this January we are sailing with two other families, which means 8 total children! Therefore, waiting in line in the terminal does not sound as fun. From what I have read on this board, if we check in at about 12:30, then we can board very quickly and avoid waiting on long lines. Some people have stated that you can be closed out of prime Palo or spa times if you do not arrive early, but I recall that you could not book either of these immediately upon boarding the ship. Rather, you had to wait until about 1:00 or so. Therefore, if we get to the ship at 12:30 and are able to board right away, it seems that we will be in the same position for getting prime reservations as if we had arrived earlier and waited in line.

Am I correct? Does anyone elso have a different take on this? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MarkRG]

That has changed. You can make spa and palo reservations as soon as you board in the clubs now. Front of the line is an advantage to getting you first choices. As an example, we tried for High Tea this May and we were about twice the run of the zig-zags back in line(not too far). There were no high tea reservations left by the time we boarded. We waitlisted with no luck.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello DIScruisers4- Which date in Jan. is your western cruise? Our 1/17/04 cruise has about 21 families from the Dis boards on that cruise. Are you sailing then too?

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

What times are considered 'prime' times for Palo? I do not think I want to do dinner in Palo on an at-sea day. Does this mean it would be easier or harder to get the time I want?

 

[DIScruisers4]

Hi mark & sandra: Yes, we are on the January 17th western!

I can't decide what time to arrive at the port. It still seems to me that if you can get there at 12:30 and basically walk on the ship at that time because the line will have already started moving, then you will be only minutes behind those who waited for almost two hours at the front of the line. If we then go straight to reservations for Palo and the spa, we should be in good shape. Anyway, it will be a great week regardless of what time we arrive at the port!

Hi ReadyforDisney2003. It seems that sea days are the most popular or "prime" days for Palo, so if you prefer port days, you will likely have more choices.

 

[Verandah Man]

As Mark stated above, we boarded the ship at noon in August, and the ressies for Palo and the Spa were ready for the booking as soon as we stepped on the ship.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hey DIScruisers4- There are 2 sites that you should go to. One is the unofficial cruise list http://www.casshew.com/cruisebydate.htm The other is http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=337218 Join in the fun with others from our cruise. How old are the children? Ours are an 11 yr old daughter and a 9 year old son.

 

[jrabbit]

Therefore, if we get to the ship at 12:30 and are able to board right away, it seems that we will be in the same position for getting prime reservations as if we had arrived earlier and waited in line.

Yep you can walk right on, but ALL (ok not all, but most) of those people who waited in line off of the ship are already waiting in another line to make those same ressies and you'll still be behind all of them.

 

[goodfaerie]

When we went, we boarded at 12:15 or so, but there was a rule about signing up before 1:00. My other half was in charge of the Palo reservations and made it a point to get in line right away. I LOVED the Tea--but then, I'm a freak for those little tiny sandwiches. I rec. signing up for it if you can. The service at Palo was phenomenal--and the little sandwiches were fantastic. It's an elegant and fun experience.

Did I mention I liked the sandwiches?

Goodfaerie

 

[jlawall]

Yes! Definitely get there early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!