Do we have a consensus on which is better?

[JohnGalt]

At embarkation, is there a general consensus as to which lunch venue is better? Do most prefer Parrot Cay?

Thanks in advance,

JohnGalt

 

[CAMICKEY]

Welcome aboard. My vote would be PC. - Mike

 

[Zandy595]

I think it's about 50/50 from what I've read. On our first cruise we did Beach Blanket Buffet, but I think we'll probably do Parrot Cay on our next. There are pros and cons to both. Things I didn't like about BB were: it was hard to find an empty table; birds were trying to steal our food; it was windy; and you have to pay for pop. On the other hand, I really liked being outside as it was a beautiful sunny day and the view was nice.

 

[hopelea]

We ate at Topsidder's on our last cruise. I guess I didn't realize there was another buffet in Parrot Cay. Is the food the same?
I guess on our next we will try PC!!

 

[plutojudy]

The food is the same.
We like Topsiders because we love to eat outdoors. After a long Chicago winter, we try to be outdoors as much as possible.

 

[bassoongirl]

We chose to eat at Parrot Cay because of the free soft drinks and because the waitstaff seats you at a table so you don't have to walk around looking for one yourself with a tray full of food. I tend to be klutzy!

Gayl

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by bassoongirl
We chose to eat at Parrot Cay because of the free soft drinks and because the waitstaff seats you at a table so you don't have to walk around looking for one yourself with a tray full of food. I tend to be klutzy!

Gayl

That's one of the biggest reasons I prefer Parrot Cay.

 

[hopelea]

Never thought about the drinks.....and being seated. That is why I LOVE these boards!!

Something new to try on our next trip!!!

 

[Dreamer04]

I would go for Parrot Cay!

 

[AnnMorin]

Since we cruise in the winter to us it is heaven to sit out on deck in the SUN and warmth, I would never dine inside, the food is the same but up on deck has such a tropical atmosphere and excitement

 

[crisi]

Parrot Cay....buffets are a pain when your kids are too little to handle their own plates. Parrot Cay is an easier buffet to handle - in part because they seat you, in part because they will serve your beverages, in part because the buffet is more open and less "queue based." I also though the food at PC was consistantly better than that at BBB - warmer, fresher. But we may have just timed our PC meals better.

But here is another option. Let the kids wear their swimsuits to board. Sit by the pool and grab a hamburger or pizza or a wrap while the kids swim (and exit the pool for long enough to eat). There will be plenty of good food during your trip (though you may want to dart into T/BBB for long enough to grab a plate of shrimp.)

 

[JohnGalt]

Great Responses, Thanks!

Now that I see the pros & cons of both, I think I'll put the question to my DW and 2 DDs and let them decide.

Thanks again,

JohnGalt

 

[PizzieDuster]

Originally posted by bassoongirl
We chose to eat at Parrot Cay because of the free soft drinks and because the waitstaff seats you at a table so you don't have to walk around looking for one yourself with a tray full of food. I tend to be klutzy!

Gayl

I never thought about that.... it is hard - a rushed feeling, to grap your food and find a seat..... we did Topsider last year.

I'd love to try Parrot Cay and also love the idea of grabing food and taking it to the Mickey Pool.

We are not big food eaters...... we have to remind ourselves to EAT.... when we are excited and having too much fun.

I like the idea of sitting down, getting up and going to the buffet. I think we will try that this time, May 8th! WOO HOO

 

[tkd lisa]

As far as kids handling trays, the DCL staff will help you with your trays if you ask. It can be tough finding a table at BBB or Topsiders, and it is pretty chaotic since people are milling around. As long as the weather is nice, we'll eat on deck 9. If it's icky, we'll eat at PC.

 

[mbw12]

Originally posted by crisi

But here is another option. Let the kids wear their swimsuits to board.

If you swim on embarkation day, what time do they allow you to chek in to your room? Is it right away? And are your bags there right away?

 

[kcashner]

At embarkation, they ask that you not go to the cabins till 1:30 as the crew is still cleaning them. On ouf Feb. cruise, they had ropes up to keep us out till they were finished.

We prefer Parrot for all of the reasons mentioned. However...it is a wonderful time to swim as the pools are nearly empty. Kids can wear suits under their clothes or put suits in carry on and change in the bathroom.

 

[crisi]

Our bags arrived fairly quickly - by 2 or 2:30. We were unpacked before the drill. But they say they will be there before 4:00.

Definately, if the kids swim, you'll want to have their swimsuit either on them, or in your carryon. Your bags should be to your room in time to change them for dinner, although Disney recommends a change to dinner clothes in your carryon - probably best if you wore swimsuits to board. By the time your bags arrive, there won't be much swim time before the drill, the sail away party and dinner.

Our day went:

Boarded the boat about 12:00.

Immediately got seated in Parrot Cay for lunch (that is where they were directing folks)

Registered the kids for clubs (I'd do this later next time, the line was quite long - or send one adult while the other went to the pool)

We could then get into our room (sans luggage). We had swimsuits in the carry ons, so we changed.

Swam in the Mickey Pool (well, the kids did, we sat by the pool and drank whatever rum drink of the day was being served).

I went down and unpacked when our luggage arrived while DH continued to watch children.

Safety drill

Sail away party

Dinner

Kids went to the kids clubs for the welcome aboard party (Stitch taught them to Hula), we saw Hercules.

(I've didn't really see anyone to ask to help with trays whenever we went to BBB - there were people tending the food and beverage areas, and people VERY busy busing tables. But no CMs who looked able to drop what they were doing. Perhaps the only understaffed area on the ship!)

 

[3 things]

You've read the thread... You lived the experience... Now answer the poll...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=555549

 

[mbw12]

Originally posted by crisi

Registered the kids for clubs (I'd do this later next time, the line was quite long - or send one adult while the other went to the pool)

I know that you can sign up for excursions before the cruise, can you register the kids for the clubs beforehand also....or can you only do that once on board? do you jusrt register them for the entire week.....regardless of how often or when they will be going to the clubs?

Bobbi

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by mbw12
I know that you can sign up for excursions before the cruise, can you register the kids for the clubs beforehand also....or can you only do that once on board? do you jusrt register them for the entire week.....regardless of how often or when they will be going to the clubs?

Bobbi

Hi Bobbi,

We signed our DD 13 into the teen program after we boarded, she only did a few things with the teen group, she spent a great deal of her time with my us and her older cousin that went with us.