Changes since 2017 (especially for Platinum)

[oklamomof4boys]

We haven’t cruised since 2017 and I just started reading up on changes (not sure I’m happy with any of them). We are cruising in October and I want to be prepared for any changes I’m not aware of. Also since it’s been a while I can’t remember how some things are done.
1. Looks like Platinum doesn’t get priority boarding right now (honestly I almost cried reading this). Do we think there is any chance this will change back by October?
2. Everyone does online check in at 30 days out? We have 4 rooms that are linked. I can’t remember, do all rooms have to have done online check in before we can reserve Palo for the 8 of us? We are on the Wish (having second thoughts on that since reading reviews) and I have read since concierge gets first priority and wish has double the concierge, it can be hard for even platinum to get Palo reservations. If we do our check in right at midnight do you think we have a decent chance of getting Palo for brunch and/or dinner.
3 Speaking of Palo, I noticed that dinner is different (either a la carte or Prix Fixe) but what about brunch? I’ve read different things. Is it still order some entrees and then the buffet?
4. I read that Platinum can still book some things at 120 days. Does this include cabanas? I’m also worried about getting a cabana since we are on the Wish. We’ve always gotten one on the family beach. If we get one one serenity bay (we are all adults) would 8 of us be allowed to use it if we aren’t in it at the same time? Serenity Bay cabanas don’t have a private beach so I wasn’t sure if it would be a problem.
5. Any other changes I need to know about? I know we need a photo and copy of our passport to do online check in.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We haven’t cruised since 2017 and I just started reading up on changes (not sure I’m happy with any of them). We are cruising in October and I want to be prepared for any changes I’m not aware of. Also since it’s been a while I can’t remember how some things are done.
1. Looks like Platinum doesn’t get priority boarding right now (honestly I almost cried reading this). Do we think there is any chance this will change back by October?
2. Everyone does online check in at 30 days out? We have 4 rooms that are linked. I can’t remember, do all rooms have to have done online check in before we can reserve Palo for the 8 of us? We are on the Wish (having second thoughts on that since reading reviews) and I have read since concierge gets first priority and wish has double the concierge, it can be hard for even platinum to get Palo reservations. If we do our check in right at midnight do you think we have a decent chance of getting Palo for brunch and/or dinner.
3 Speaking of Palo, I noticed that dinner is different (either a la carte or Prix Fixe) but what about brunch? I’ve read different things. Is it still order some entrees and then the buffet?
4. I read that Platinum can still book some things at 120 days. Does this include cabanas? I’m also worried about getting a cabana since we are on the Wish. We’ve always gotten one on the family beach. If we get one one serenity bay (we are all adults) would 8 of us be allowed to use it if we aren’t in it at the same time? Serenity Bay cabanas don’t have a private beach so I wasn’t sure if it would be a problem.
5. Any other changes I need to know about? I know we need a photo and copy of our passport to do online check in.

1. Since everyone checks in the same day, there's no Platinum priority on boarding numbers. As to whether it's going to return - there's been no reports that it will.

2. You don't have to be checked in to book activities/dining. Those reservation can still be made at the original dates based on CC level. For Platinum that's 120 days out.

3. I believe Palo brunch is now sit-down/menu service only. It changed during COVID. Hopefully that's something else that may come back.

4. Cabanas Price includes up to 6 guests on the Family Beach and up to 4 guests on Serenity Bay, additional $50 per person (plus VAT) up to a Maximum of 10 guests.

 

[allears]

We haven't sailed since 2017 either and are booked for February 2024, so this is an interesting thread.

I have emailed DCL about the platinum priority boarding, of course got the generic response back, but I would suggest as many of us as possible communicate with them and perhaps they will restore this and not take it away until we reach pearl. A couple of articles I've read say Disney is starting to listen to the guests who have been voicing unhappiness with the changes in the last couple of years. I do understand some were made in deference to the pandemic, but we are getting past that and hope we see everything that was altered return.

 

[RedHead0186]

3. I believe Palo brunch is now sit-down/menu service only. It changed during COVID. Hopefully that's something else that may come back.

Correct, at least on the Fantasy in September it was. It's a flat $45 and all you can eat. No buffet, but they will bring you anything that's on the menu.

And yes, everyone does online check in 30 days out, and it opens at midnight Eastern. You'll need photos of your passport (you'll also have to enter it in), and photos of each member of your part (this is your 'ID' photo tied to your KTTW card). There's a great pinned post in this forum about what you have to have ready and tips, I found it extremely helpful when checking in for my cruise last fall: https://www.disboards.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-have-prepared-for-online-check-in.3885775/.

 

[dreamer17555]

I would not bet on getting a cabana on the wish unless you were concierge. There are simply too many Concierge guests on the Wish for there to be leftovers for platinum and lower.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We haven't sailed since 2017 either and are booked for February 2024, so this is an interesting thread.

I have emailed DCL about the platinum priority boarding, of course got the generic response back, but I would suggest as many of us as possible communicate with them and perhaps they will restore this and not take it away until we reach pearl. A couple of articles I've read say Disney is starting to listen to the guests who have been voicing unhappiness with the changes in the last couple of years. I do understand some were made in deference to the pandemic, but we are getting past that and hope we see everything that was altered retur

1. Since everyone checks in the same day, there's no Platinum priority on boarding numbers. As to whether it's going to return - there's been no reports that it will.

2. You don't have to be checked in to book activities/dining. Those reservation can still be made at the original dates based on CC level. For Platinum that's 120 days out.

3. I believe Palo brunch is now sit-down/menu service only. It changed during COVID. Hopefully that's something else that may come back.

4. Cabanas Price includes up to 6 guests on the Family Beach and up to 4 guests on Serenity Bay, additional $50 per person (plus VAT) up to a Maximum of 10 guests.

1. Since everyone checks in the same day, there's no Platinum priority on boarding numbers. As to whether it's going to return - there's been no reports that it will.

2. You don't have to be checked in to book activities/dining. Those reservation can still be made at the original dates based on CC level. For Platinum that's 120 days out.

3. I believe Palo brunch is now sit-down/menu service only. It changed during COVID. Hopefully that's something else that may come back.

4. Cabanas Price includes up to 6 guests on the Family Beach and up to 4 guests on Serenity Bay, additional $50 per person (plus VAT) up to a Maximum of 10 guests.

I thought the Cabanas on Serenity Bay had a maximum of 6 people. I guess I'm remembering incorrectly.

 

[gotomu212]

You can circumvent the PAT if you stay at the Hyatt and take DCL transportation (for Orlando). Our boarding groups have been 3s each time and the one plus was the terminal wasn’t crowded at all.

Palo Brunch was my one big complaint. Yes, they bring you the sample plates but it’s nowhere near the options they had for the buffet. It also felt more server driven (as in you had to wait for them to bring you food instead of jumping up and grabbing more from the buffet) and I was really disappointed in the lack of dessert choices (there were three but I missed ALL the sample size ones on the buffet). I expressed my disappointment in the survey which is one of the few times I’ve actually complained.

Thr other thing thats changed (pre CoVid) is they don’t have the receptions for gold and platinum anymore with the exception of the specialty longer cruises.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought the Cabanas on Serenity Bay had a maximum of 6 people. I guess I'm remembering incorrectly.

I believe it used to be 6 max. But since about 2020 it's been reported that it is now 10.

 

[auntlynne]

3. Palo dinner - the Platinum benefit offers you a complimentary Prix Fixe meal or $45 to apply towards your a la carte choices.

4. Serenity Bay is practically a private beach.

You do still have a Platinum check-in line at the terminal. Of course, there are more Platinums as time goes by.

 

[anricat]

Thr other thing thats changed (pre CoVid) is they don’t have the receptions for gold and platinum anymore with the exception of the specialty longer cruises.

I actually feel like this changed just before Covid because in 2019 and 2020 we were on 7-nights and they didn't offer it.

 

[gotomu212]

I actually feel like this changed just before Covid because in 2019 and 2020 we were on 7-nights and they didn't offer it.

It did that’s why I said Pre-CoVid but since OP was asking about things that had changed since 2017 I included it.

 

[dcassetta]

I would not bet on getting a cabana on the wish unless you were concierge. There are simply too many Concierge guests on the Wish for there to be leftovers for platinum and lower.

Not only do I think the chances of getting a cabana when sailing the Wish are low, I think your chances of getting Palo brunch are also low. There are just too many concierge cabins for that to still be an achievable benefit for platinum cruisers.

 

[anricat]

It did that’s why I said Pre-CoVid but since OP was asking about things that had changed since 2017 I included it.

My bad! I completely missed that little note in the parenthesis.