Concierge & Advance Booking

[emmybee]

Hello! 1st time cruiser, and I'd appreciate some insight on the process. My booking window opens towards the end of the month thanks to the concierge designation. We are interested in Palo brunch, and it seems to "sell out" pretty regularly if I'm to believe the youtubers. Is it so popular that if I don't disrupt my sleep on a work night to book I will be out of luck? Or can I do it in the morning like a civilized person, lol? If it matters, we are going to sail on the Magic, which I understand is one of the smaller ships. Additionally, it seems to me that a booking link on my DCL page will be revealed when the time comes...is that right? Thanks for your time!

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Hello! 1st time cruiser, and I'd appreciate some insight on the process. My booking window opens towards the end of the month thanks to the concierge designation. We are interested in Palo brunch, and it seems to "sell out" pretty regularly if I'm to believe the youtubers. Is it so popular that if I don't disrupt my sleep on a work night to book I will be out of luck? Or can I do it in the morning like a civilized person, lol? If it matters, we are going to sail on the Magic, which I understand is one of the smaller ships. Additionally, it seems to me that a booking link on my DCL page will be revealed when the time comes...is that right? Thanks for your time!

You don’t have to do the booking yourself. Shoreside concierge should reach out to you before your booking window opens. If you email them your requests, they can book them for you. Touring Plans has a good summary of some of your benefits : https://touringplans.com/blog/10-benefits-of-concierge-staterooms-on-disney-cruise-line/

 

[emmybee]

You don’t have to do the booking yourself. Shoreside concierge should reach out to you before your booking window opens. If you email them your requests, they can book them for you. Touring Plans has a good summary of some of your benefits : https://touringplans.com/blog/10-benefits-of-concierge-staterooms-on-disney-cruise-line/

Thank you for the link!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Be sure to check your spam filter. You should get an email about 125 days out. They will ask you to email at midnight or call at day 120 in the morning.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Thank you for the link!

DCL recently changed the dates regarding concierge requests. You should be contacted by them by email at 135 days out. You can then send them your requests at 130 days provided you are paid in full. https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...ed-for-disney-wish-and-disney-dream-sailings/
If you are looking to book a cabana, it is very important to send your email request the minute your 130 day window opens as they process them in the order that they are received. https://www.disboards.com/threads/concierge-email-at-135-days.3885410/

 

[disnygirl55]

If it helps, you can compose your draft email with your requests and you may be able to schedule it to send at midnight. That way, you wouldn't be staying up late on a work night. I would recommend to reply to the email that you will receive at around 135 days out, since it includes all the pertinent information like your reservation number. Do a test email to yourself to make sure it will work as you want it to before scheduling the "real email" at 130 days. If you are interested in a cabana or a specific time for Palo brunch (I always request the earliest seating time) - you have a really good chance. My booking date on the Magic is also coming up toward the end of the month and is a cruise out of New Orleans with no Castaway Cay, so no cabana to request - but I'll definitely be booking Palo brunch. I'm thinking you might be on the same type of itinerary. Hope this helps.

 

[emmybee]

If it helps, you can compose your draft email with your requests and you may be able to schedule it to send at midnight. That way, you wouldn't be staying up late on a work night. I would recommend to reply to the email that you will receive at around 135 days out, since it includes all the pertinent information like your reservation number. Do a test email to yourself to make sure it will work as you want it to before scheduling the "real email" at 130 days. If you are interested in a cabana or a specific time for Palo brunch (I always request the earliest seating time) - you have a really good chance. My booking date on the Magic is also coming up toward the end of the month and is a cruise out of New Orleans with no Castaway Cay, so no cabana to request - but I'll definitely be booking Palo brunch. I'm thinking you might be on the same type of itinerary. Hope this helps.

Thank you for this. I like to have my ducks in a row, and while I know what to do for Disneyland, the cruise is an entirely new experience!

 

[emmybee]

Tagging another question on the thread since I think it's related. Scanning the boards, there are references to things like whiskey tastings, etc., while on the ship. When might I expect to see what will be offered since that also seems to be something that is quickly snapped up by passengers?

 

[nancipants]

Tagging another question on the thread since I think it's related. Scanning the boards, there are references to things like whiskey tastings, etc., while on the ship. When might I expect to see what will be offered since that also seems to be something that is quickly snapped up by passengers?

The tastings show up at the same time you book activities like Port Excursions and Adult Dining. I think it's under Onboard Experiences or something similar sounding. Unfortunately, you don't know in advance what tastings will be available and what days/times, so you just have to look.

 

[Ariel 2021]

The tastings show up at the same time you book activities like Port Excursions and Adult Dining. I think it's under Onboard Experiences or something similar sounding. Unfortunately, you don't know in advance what tastings will be available and what days/times, so you just have to look.

You can call the Concierge hotline before the 130 day mark comes and they can tell you which tastings are available which days and they’ll email it to you as well so that you know what to ask for when emailing them your preferences at 130 days out.

 

[Tasmen]

Keep in mind that midnight = midnight EST. So if you are on the west coast (like me), you can send your request in right at 9pm the day before. Example: 10/11 is your email date. West coast can send their requests in at 9pm on 10/10.

They process the requests in the order received. I usually have my email ready to go so that I can hit send as soon as the atomic clock tells me it is 9pm. I do it this way for the great cabana reservation race. It hasn't failed me yet.

 

[emmybee]

Keep in mind that midnight = midnight EST. So if you are on the west coast (like me), you can send your request in right at 9pm the day before. Example: 10/11 is your email date. West coast can send their requests in at 9pm on 10/10.

They process the requests in the order received. I usually have my email ready to go so that I can hit send as soon as the atomic clock tells me it is 9pm. I do it this way for the great cabana reservation race. It hasn't failed me yet.

You know, I was just reading about the west coast timing this morning on FB. I need to retime my notification to take advantage!

 

[Tasmen]

You know, I was just reading about the west coast timing this morning on FB. I need to retime my notification to take advantage!

Absolutely. One of the few times living on the west coast is nice when it comes to making Disney reservations. *looks at that 3am ADR reservation window when booking restaurants at WDW*

 

[Gherdlitcka]

So if you book at the 130 day mark. when will it show up in my plans?

 

[Cheburashka]

I usually have my email ready to go so that I can hit send as soon as the atomic clock tells me it is 9pm. I do it this way for the great cabana reservation race. It hasn't failed me yet.

I read about how some people send the email at 12:01 to avoid DCL's clock being off and not processing their email, even though it was sent at 12:00. Is this not necessary if you use the atomic clock? Is the link below a good atomic clock source?

https://www.time.gov/

 

[WiscMomof2]

So if you book at the 130 day mark. when will it show up in my plans?

120 days out

I read about how some people send the email at 12:01 to avoid DCL's clock being off and not processing their email, even though it was sent at 12:00. Is this not necessary if you use the atomic clock? Is the link below a good atomic clock source?

https://www.time.gov/

Sent my email requests in at exactly 11:00 at 130 days out (I’m in central time zone) Just hit our 120 days and everything is showing on my cruise plans in the app. We got first choice of cabana and Palo brunch and dinner on the days/times we wanted.