Best night for Palo on 4-day?

[CRSNDSNY]

We'll be going on our 3rd Disney Cruise this December, the 4-day that includes Freeport. We've gone on the 7-day Eastern and a 4-day with a Day at Sea and have never tried Palo. What's the best night to go to Palo on the 4-day?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

bump

 

[disneyfan551]

We're doing the 4 night too, and wondering the same thing! We have a 22 month old dd, and I really don't want her to miss AP, even though that is the one that alot of people say to skip. I'm so confused...

 

[married@wdw]

We did the four-day on our honeymoon and since we knew ahead of time that we'd be back on the boat before 6 p.m. every night, we decided to plan around our dinner rotation. We waited until we got on-board and made the reservations for the night that wasn't part of the regular three restaurant rotation. When we did this though, the fourth night was a tropical night -- sort of like the tropicali menu listed on www.castawayclub.com. The Master Chef night sound much better, and would have made our choice more difficult.

But here's what I would do if I were you guys: If you've been on a Disney Cruise before and have done all three restaurants in the regular dinner rotation, then I'd pick my least favorite (for me that would be Animator's Palate -- cool effects but my least favorite food). If you haven't been on a DCL cruise before, I'd do the three restaurants in the regular dinner rotation, then do Palo on the fourth night. The food might be great on the Master Chef night, but you'll already have eaten in that restaurant once, and Palo is a fantastic experience!

 

[Wishing on a star]

The fourth night!

1.) You will experience all of the three rotation restaurants...

2.) Going the first night will also allow this, but I would want to go to my regular rotation on the first night to meet my servers and possible table mates. (Hopefully you would not feel compelled to go request a change of table.)

3.) If you are wanting to catch the colors at AP, with your young child, you have a good chance of getting AP for the first night as your dining rotation... They do not repeat the color thing on the last night...

4.) The ship is crossing the gulf stream that first night. Often there is some motion... Wouldn't want to be a little, shall we say, 'green' while enjoying Palo.

5.) The master chef menu might be good, but how can that even begin to compare to the food and atmosphere at Palo?

6.) What a fantastic way to top off your cruise!

So, how is that for a few reasons to suggest the last night.... I hear that on the 4-nights, that this is the most popular night. So, you might want to be in line for Palo reservations if this is what you would like to plan.

 

[kjcolv]

The 4th night is always the most popular. On our recent cruise we did Palo's the first night. We just about had the place to ourselves, it was a wonderful start to the cruise. The only thing we didn't realize was the kids clubs don't have dinner that first night, not a big deal we ordered room service or went up and got pizza. As far as meeting our servers we got plenty of attnetion from them the second night and since they had already met the other tables they had extra time for us. We were scheduled at Triton's the first night and the 6 children at our table didn't mind missing the "dressy" place. It worked well for us and I was glad to have the special night to start our vacation.

For my thoughts, Castaway Cay day is already a full day, especially when you have to pack and have your bags out by 11. I want to stay on CC as long as possible, enjoy some time on deck at the sailaway. Lingering at Palo's is divine and I would never want to be rushed. Trying to find time to get kids ready and delivered and get your stuff packed to put out and go to Palo's is a lot.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thank you all so much for your advice. Before I posted this I was thinking that the last night would be the best night to do this for a few reasons (some were actually mentioned by you all):

1 - You still get one night in all three restaurants: we're still fascinated by the AP 'show'; and we LOVE the menus currently in PC & Triton's.
2 - It's a great way to end the vacation.
3 - We'd love to be in Palo for sunset. Plus, this way we'd be able to make the 8:30 Disney Dreams. The perfect end to a perfect vacation.

We plan on getting to port very early with Happy Limo so we are one of the first onboard. We'll head straight to Palo Reservations upon boarding. Cross your fingers for us!

 

[professorandmom]

Remember there is no gulf stream crossing during the 4 day so there is no one night that potentially any rougher than any other.

Also, the last day on the four day is so filled with awesome things - castaway cay and Disney Dreams (not to mention packing) that it would be a lot to cram in Palos.

First and last nights are the only way to not miss a restaurant. Might I suggest that you make the decision based on your rotation. For example, if AP is your first restaurant, you might not want to miss the show since it is not repeated on the last night. I would plan on making the decision in the port when you get your key to the world card and see your rotation. And remember - the reservation person WILL try to steer you toward other evenings if you ask for the last night. Oh, and if you pick the last night, GO EARLIER than the time listed in the navigator - they were taking reservations at least 20 minutes earlier when we were on board a few weeks ago.
Barbara