Cabana: Give me tips to increase the odds,please!

[GBBTomorrow]

I know that the odds are very long to be able to book a cabana. I'm still in Gold level of Castaway Club for one more cruise, so I realize I probably won't be able to book a cabana at Serenity Bay, but I'd really like to try.

What are some things I should know that may maximize my chances? Do you log in to the website before midnight so you are ready to go, or would the system make you log out and back in again? Where do I click first? Any tips and tricks would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[minorthr]

Book concierge thats pretty much the only way at this point without getting super lucky. Get on the waiting list for one as soon as you get on the ship.

 

[lizzyb]

Check the website everyday. I got one on our second cruise that way.

 

[lorimay]

STALK STALK STALK!!!

Keep checking daily online, the closer you get the cruise, the better the chance someone might cancel.
If you don't get lucky before, as soon as you board go over to The Port Adventure Desk and ask to have your name put on the wait list. We have gotten lucky twice this way!!!!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[waggles02673]

Check daily. We have seen people that are Silver get one. As was mentioned sail in Concierge, and even then it isn't a guarantee. For our upcoming Sept cruise when Platinum booking opened at 12am all the Cabanas were gone meaning that Concierge guests got them and I bet some Concierge guests did not get their request for one.

 

[Dug720]

Stupid subway

 

[Dug720]

To answer the question about being on already NO. You have to sign in at midnight.

OP, if you are looking for Serenity Bay and are on a Classic you might actually be able to get one. I got one as a Silver on a sold-out Magic over Presidents' Week.

 

[LVaughn]

To answer the question about being on already NO. You have to sign in at midnight.

This is not correct. All I've ever needed to do is refresh the browser and the links were there for check-in, excursions, etc. The site requires you to logon again after a certain amount of idle time, but it's not related to whether it's midnight in Florida.

Having said that, I only use Firefox and Chrome for this. I don't use IE (or Edge) for anything if I can avoid it, so I can't comment on that particular browser requiring you to logon again.

I was lucky enough to get a cabana as a Gold CC member doing what other posters have said. Stalk the site and check several times a day until you see one open up. Good luck getting one. It's an unforgettable experience.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Sail on the Magic or Wonder, as that would seemingly cut the number in half of people trying to get one.

 

[Dug720]

This is not correct. All I've ever needed to do is refresh the browser and the links were there for check-in, excursions, etc. The site requires you to logon again after a certain amount of idle time, but it's not related to whether it's midnight in Florida.

Having said that, I only use Firefox and Chrome for this. I don't use IE (or Edge) for anything if I can avoid it, so I can't comment on that particular browser requiring you to logon again.

I was lucky enough to get a cabana as a Gold CC member doing what other posters have said. Stalk the site and check several times a day until you see one open up. Good luck getting one. It's an unforgettable experience.

It's not just me. There are multiple reports of having to log in at midnight in order to open things up.

 

[mevelandry]

I know that the odds are very long to be able to book a cabana. I'm still in Gold level of Castaway Club for one more cruise, so I realize I probably won't be able to book a cabana at Serenity Bay, but I'd really like to try.

What are some things I should know that may maximize my chances? Do you log in to the website before midnight so you are ready to go, or would the system make you log out and back in again? Where do I click first? Any tips and tricks would be welcome.

Thanks!

I am Silver and I have been able to book a cabana as soon as the window opened (midnight) but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we were sailing on the Wonder.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I got one as a Silver on a December sailing on the Magic.

I had buddied up with a Platinum in our Facebook group who logged on the evening my booking window opened, and she told me exactly what was still available. I had my choice of several, and in fact, the cabana next to us on SB was vacant!

Sailing in the off-season really helped make that happen!

 

[Trera]

Sail on the Magic or Wonder, as that would seemingly cut the number in half of people trying to get one.

I think since they just added the ten cat V rooms to these boats, it might be a bit tougher now.

 

[gilsan]

If you don't get one on your booking night, keep checking people do cancel them. Especially the last week before the cruise, You can cancel cabanas up to 3 days prior to the cruise with out penalty, some people hold them until then.

 

[steves100]

The whole process is such BS. Will be on a double dip at end of this month. Was not able to get a cabana for either day logging in EXACTLY at midnight for platinum members!

NO ONE can tell me its ok for Disney to hold back cabanas for concierge and platinum has ZERO chance of getting one. Although 1 was available at the adult section.

 

[Dug720]

The whole process is such BS. Will be on a double dip at end of this month. Was not able to get a cabana for either day logging in EXACTLY at midnight for platinum members!

NO ONE can tell me its ok for Disney to hold back cabanas for concierge and platinum has ZERO chance of getting one. Although 1 was available at the adult section.

I've said before that for double dips I think people should only allowed to book a cabana for one day on a double dip. And then they can check again on board for availability the second/other day.

They use that principle for Palo and Remy - you can only book one ahead (ok one dinner and one brunch but still) for each restaurant and then check on board.

 

[Trera]

I think you should have to pay for excursions when you book them. I think this would prevent families from booking up all the cabanas and good excursions on day 1 and then later they realize they have over committed and release what they dont want.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I've said before that for double dips I think people should only allowed to book a cabana for one day on a double dip. And then they can check again on board for availability the second/other day.

They use that principle for Palo and Remy - you can only book one ahead (ok one dinner and one brunch but still) for each restaurant and then check on board.

We are on our first double dip, as a gold, no chance of scoring a cabana and since it is a double dip, too expensive for us to sail concierge- it would be nice to do what Dug720 suggested-give more people a chance to get one. Ah... well... I check for cancellations and if I still feel like I want one when I get on the ship, I'll put our names on the wait list. Or just save my cash for a fancy excursion on our Alaska cruise next year!

 

[AndrewsMurphy]

STALK STALK STALK!!!

Keep checking daily online, the closer you get the cruise, the better the chance someone might cancel.
If you don't get lucky before, as soon as you board go over to The Port Adventure Desk and ask to have your name put on the wait list. We have gotten lucky twice this way!!!!

GOOD LUCK!

Do you know where Port Adv is on the Fantasy, and are they open immediately when boarding begins? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

 

[twodogs]

Hope you have better luck than we did. Checked daily multiple times daily for cancellations, right up until cruise. Nothing. Went straight to PA desk on boarding to get on waiting list. Nothing. This was on the Dream over spring break, so it was sold out. I'm hoping for pixie dust for you!!