First Time Disney Cruisers

[writergirlpam]

Just curious- we are planning a cruise for next summer. It will be our first Disney cruise, and I know that means we will have to wait to book many events until after others who have cruised before have already booked. Are those events likely to be unavailable by the time we are able to book? Specifically, I'm thinking of character and princess activities. I know that some tickets you get on the ship, but am assuming we will also get a late booking time because others will have priority on that as well. These are going to be the major draws for my daughter, so just want to go in with realistic expectations.

 

[TestingH2O]

Most character meets are open to all and there is no reservation system. You just look at the navigator and go to the appropriate place at the appropriate time.

Princess Gatherings and Elsa & Anna meetings are ticketed. You get those tickets by getting in line on the first day of your cruise. Again, anyone can line up.

If your cruise has 3 sea days, they will have a character breakfast. Those are designed so everyone has access.

The only activity that is booked ahead is the tea that is offered on some cruises. That one sells out fast.

The reality is that, no matter what you pay or what your CC status is, you can have as much or as little character interaction as you want.

 

[Trera]

Good summary ^^^^

 

[writergirlpam]

Thanks. I thought I had read that if you had a later boarding time it could be hard to get the princess gathering tickets. It would ruin anything, but as my daughter thinks she is a princess, it would be nice to do.

 

[TestingH2O]

Thanks. I thought I had read that if you had a later boarding time it could be hard to get the princess gathering tickets. It would ruin anything, but as my daughter thinks she is a princess, it would be nice to do.

It has been reported once or twice, but not often at all. Make sure the tickets are your first stop, and you should be ok. The first day Navigator should tell you where to go.

 

[Weedy]

If you log out onto your reservation at 75 days out you should be able to get an earlier PAT. Even if you get one after 12:30 you can arrive then and be ok. They usually start boarding about 11:15-11:30 and go to an open boarding about 12:30 ( no boarding # needed) Many people arrive by Disney bus and don't arrive until after this.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If your cruise has 3 sea days, they will have a character breakfast

Actually, that's changed. Time was that only 7 night and longer cruises on the Magic & Wonder with at least 3 days had the Character breakfast. This was due to the fact that everyone was assigned to a specific seating, based on their dinner seating.

Now, the only given is that it's still on those cruises of 7 nights and longer, but no longer required to have 3 sea days as no one is "assigned" to a specific seating. For those cruises with a Character breakfast, you have to pick up tickets after boarding the ship (much like for the Princess and Anna & Elsa meet and greet). There may only be one or two character breakfasts, depending on how many people pick up tickets.

The other change is that the characters are no longer the Fab 5 (as they are called), but it's the Disney Jr. characters plus Mickey.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We had Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip and Dale, not Disney JR.




http://www.disboards.com/threads/to...rs-dcl-7-22-navigators-photos.3421099/page-19

 

[writergirlpam]

Thanks for all the info! It's possible we are going to be on one of those Disney buses, since we are probably doing the parks before our trip. Anyone have any recommendations on a better way to get to the port? I'm definitely hoping to get a ticket to a character breakfast. We are huge Disneyland fans, since we live within driving distance, so she has gotten to see characters at various meals, but fun to do it on the ship.