Disney Magic - Dec 10, 2011 - Western Caribbean Cruise - Sun, Fun and Beaches!

[GraciesMommy]

We think Palo is VERY worth it. The restaurant/views are beautiful. We have done dinner, brunch and high tea. Our favorite is the brunch. Last night we booked brunch and high tea for this cruise. We thought Palo dinner was just okay. I think everyone needs to experience Palo at least once

Sinderelly, since you've had dinner, brunch and high tea at Palo, which did you prefer between high tea and brunch?

I was up late last night and got everything I wanted except one excursion. There were Palo reservations, but I wanted a later dinner time, and was only able to get that on the first night. There were only earlier reservations when I booked.

Overall, I'm super excited with my bookings and can't wait for the next 90 days to go by!

 

[KikiMouse]

Sinderelly, since you've had dinner, brunch and high tea at Palo, which did you prefer between high tea and brunch?

Hi GraciesMommy, Its KikiMouse! I've also been to Palo Brunch , dinner and High Tea. All delicious. If I had to choose between Brunch and High tea, I would go with the Brunch. I love Brunch! High Tea is really nice too.
Either one is wonderful! i love Palo!

 

[Sinderelly]

Sinderelly, since you've had dinner, brunch and high tea at Palo, which did you prefer between high tea and brunch?

I was up late last night and got everything I wanted except one excursion. There were Palo reservations, but I wanted a later dinner time, and was only able to get that on the first night. There were only earlier reservations when I booked.

Overall, I'm super excited with my bookings and can't wait for the next 90 days to go by!

What Kiki said BRUNCH lol. The service/food was unbelievable. There was so much food our server took us on a "tour" before we began. Brunch also includes a mimosa or glass of champagne. If the food on the buffet isn't enough, you can also order from the menu. A picture is worth a 1000 words:

 

[KikiMouse]

!!! Thanks for the pics, Kathy, I forgot how wonderful this was! Yum Yum
Kiki

 

[GraciesMommy]

Yum! Thank you both for your feedback! (and the pictures too!)

 

[mareeld86]

OK so you have now made me want to do all the palo dining experiences.

And just think Because your all a day behind I have to wait until the 27th of Sept to book anything.

Im so Excited its only 53 days until I leave now and its kinda getting too much.

 

[CitaPita]

mareeld, I can't even imagine the stress of planning a 9-week vacation. But it will be sooo worth it! I'm ridiculously jealous.

I'm waiting on a call back from my TA now...DCL site has us down for second seating, although TA told me she had secured first seating.

Second seating with a 2 and 3 year old is not an option. Hoping there is an easy fix!

 

[Sinderelly]

OK so you have now made me want to do all the palo dining experiences.

And just think Because your all a day behind I have to wait until the 27th of Sept to book anything.

Im so Excited its only 53 days until I leave now and its kinda getting too much.

The good news is as of now Palo dining is pretty much all open.

 

[Sinderelly]

mareeld, I can't even imagine the stress of planning a 9-week vacation. But it will be sooo worth it! I'm ridiculously jealous.

I'm waiting on a call back from my TA now...DCL site has us down for second seating, although TA told me she had secured first seating.

Second seating with a 2 and 3 year old is not an option. Hoping there is an easy fix!

I hope your TA is able to get it straightened out for you.

 

[CitaPita]

I hope your TA is able to get it straightened out for you.

Thanks, Sinderelly! I just got off the phone with her and it sounds like we've been waitlisted for early dining instead of actually getting early dining.

In other words, I better prepare the girls to be night owls!

She talked to me about dine and play, but it sounds like that's not an option for Flounders.

Oh well...there's always room service!

 

[sesame_123]

Citapita

We also have second seating and my daugther is 4 and son will turn 2 in november. Second was all that was available to us. I've actually grown to like (at least in theory) second. With second we get to watch the early show, we don't have to rush back on port days, there is the dine and play (for daughter), we generally eat dinner between 6 and 7 and on the east coast that would be 7 and 8. I think the kids will enjoy the show more during the early seating.

All that said I did book the nursery for two nights during dinner. 7-11 So at least 2 nights should be stress free, plus with DD in the kids club I should get some adult time!! As you said there is always room service! I am figuring that we will screw up the normal schedule but that is what vacation is for, family time! I also planned the shore excursions we are doing for 10 or later, so we can sleep in.

Sorry this rambled a bit but I have been thinking about dealing with second seating since we booked, so I feel your frustration. I was also offered to waitlist and I declined. We will try this once and if it works then no more worries and if it doesn't then will know for next time to get that first seating or waitlist!!!

Tracy

 

[Goaliemom30]

We were 2nd seating when we booked too, so I know how you feel. My kids are older than yours, but we are a family of early to bed folks. I envisioned my kids asleep at dinner. I asked to be wait listed and magically a week before our final payment we were put on Main dining.

Sending Pixie Dust your way.

 

[peg2001]

I better prepare the girls to be night owls!

Don't give up hope yet! There may be some openings in main dining around the time final payment is due as people cancel or re-schedule their cruise. If you still have 2nd dining when you board, be sure to try again.

Also, keep Topsiders in mind for dinner if you do end up with 2nd dining. It's a sit down restaurant at dinner time and you can go anytime they are open. They will offer a few selections from the main dining rooms as well as a few other dishes. DH is looking forward to trying the famed Porterhouse steak. From most reports, the food is even better than the main dining rooms because it is made to order. Rumor is the ship officer's eat here as well.

It's all good!
Peg

 

[CitaPita]

You guys are awesome! I now have hope that I might get bumped to first seating, but if we don't, we've got great options for alternative dining.

I'm thinking about excursions now, what did everyone pick for Cozumel? I'm back and forth about this port...

 

[Goaliemom30]

We are headed for Tuluum. I know it is a long day with the potential for bad sea sickness, but seeing the ruins was the only reason we chose the Western Carib. Itinerary.

 

[Grumpy333]

Hi everyone! I am an early to bed person too, but second seating is growing on me! I am glad sesame got all her flounder time and we can have some adult time at dinner. I was wondering how dressy is a 7 night cruise on Disney? I've only been on the three day Dream and I am not a dressy person.

 

[Sinderelly]

Hi everyone! I am an early to bed person too, but second seating is growing on me! I am glad sesame got all her flounder time and we can have some adult time at dinner. I was wondering how dressy is a 7 night cruise on Disney? I've only been on the three day Dream and I am not a dressy person.

There will be a formal and a semi-fornal night on the 7 day. Dressing up is optional so wear whatever makes you and your family happy. There are people on the DIS boards that will stronly disagree. But I'm not really sure why it bothers some so much as to what others are wearing. The only place a dress code will be enforced is Palo. The DCL site had guidelines. We dress up because we enjoy it. I would feel perfectly comfortable sitting across from you at dinner on formal night in my formal gown and you in jeans

 

[Sinderelly]

Don't give up hope yet! There may be some openings in main dining around the time final payment is due as people cancel or re-schedule their cruise. If you still have 2nd dining when you board, be sure to try again.

Also, keep Topsiders in mind for dinner if you do end up with 2nd dining. It's a sit down restaurant at dinner time and you can go anytime they are open. They will offer a few selections from the main dining rooms as well as a few other dishes. DH is looking forward to trying the famed Porterhouse steak. From most reports, the food is even better than the main dining rooms because it is made to order. Rumor is the ship officer's eat here as well.

It's all good!
Peg

What Peg said don't give up. You can even try to get your dining changed once you board the ship. You can also tell your servers to bring dinner as quickly as they can so that might help with the lateness.

 

[sesame_123]

We are headed for Tuluum. I know it is a long day with the potential for bad sea sickness, but seeing the ruins was the only reason we chose the Western Carib. Itinerary.

I would love love love to see the ruins but I just don't think that is going to be possible for us. My DS will only be 2 and DD is 4. With my children this young and my DH not coming (two adult sisters though) It would be too much stress for my vacation!

I am looking at some shorter excursions and the one we are really thinking about is the Ocean view explorer. Its a semi-sub and would give the kids the view of snorkeling without the snorkel. It's only 2 hours, so it leaves us time to explore on our own aka shop.

Anyone other ideas for families with young children?? both Cozumel and at Grand Cayman??

Thanks

 

[GraciesMommy]

I agree with others about dinner seating. We had second seating on our last cruise. As soon as we boarded we went straight to request first seating. We received a call when rooms opened that we were able to be moved. We had to go from a private table to a shared one, but it turned out we really liked the family we had to eat with.

As far as excursions, we decided on the salsa and salsa excursion. My daughter loves to cook, so I think it will be fun. It has great reviews online too.