Is it really that bad (Palo ressie)?

[xnascar2x]

We boarded the ship and then went to the buffet after that we went and made our dinner reservation of Palo. We got the date and time that we wanted with no problems.

 

[Lynda Silk]

I had the same question as Lisa: where do you go to reserve for Palo's? I'm on the 7 day Eastern cruise on the Magic in October.

 

[kcashner]

On our last cruise, Palo ressies were in Rockin Bar D. They will be listed on the form that you get when you check in. Dining changes were in Sessions.

Each cabin is allowed one brunch, one dinner, and one tea reservation. There are people who cheat on this--if you are travelling with a group, each cabin can make a ressie for 4 (when there are only 2 adults in the cabin), and go on two nights. On the "day of", if you call, they will give you any open slot that might be left. People frequently cancel, so openings do occur at the last minute. THey also keep a wait list after ressies are filled...

As I said earlier, I've never had a problem getting ressies, but I'm at port by noon (the WDW busses arrive about 1 pm).

 

[invaderzim]

I'm curious about the comment that you go to dining changes first. Is this after you have gone to your room and gotten your dining rotation ticket? Otherwise, how would you know what to change?

I called DCL today and asked them for a particular rotation and they noted it on my reservation. I asked if they really honor that request and the rep said absolutely, the one request they pay attention to is the dining rotation request.

 

[ivanova]

you'll actually know your dining rotation once you check in at the terminal and get your KTTW card....

 

[Zandy595]

Silly question...

I read in an earlier post that there are two different lines for dinner and brunch. If I want to make reservations for both do I have to get in one line for dinner and then go to the end of the brunch line and wait again. Or can I make both reservations at the same time and only stand in one line?

 

[jgalecpa]

We had no problem getting our Palo ressie.

In fact, we ended up eating there FOUR times (two brunch, two dinner), and were invited back for a fifth time, but politely declined.

We found that there are apparently many who end up cancelling.

Ask the Maitre D' DURING the cruise.

He was Great (but I can't believe I forget his name)!

Jim

 

[mmouse37]

You would have to stand in two lines...but it goes very quickly. WE have also cruised 10 times and always have gotten what we wanted.

MJ

 

[ThreeCircles]

We noticed that they have made some changes to the Palo reservations lines the last time we were onboard (May 1st, 2004) compared to our August 2003 sailing.

In May they actually had three individual lines for Palo dinner. Each line was for specific days. For example: Line One was for reservations for Monday and Wednesday. Line Two for Sunday and Tuesday. And line three for Thursday and Friday. (These are just examples and are not representative of the actual day breakdown.) At any rate, you just got in line for the day that you wanted your dinner reservation to be scheduled for.

The line for Champagne Brunch and High Tea was one and the same and was in a different part of Rockin' Bar D.

So, in May, they had a total of four reservation lines: Three for Palo Dinner and one for Champagne Brunch and High Tea.


In August the reservation system was a bit different. Each dining option (dinner, High Tea, and Champagne Brunch) had its own line. Each one had only one line.

In my opinion, the new setup is much better and really seemed to speed things up a bit. In fact, we walked right up to the front of the dinner line and only waited behind one or two people for brunch and High Tea.

 

[Zandy595]

In that case, I may make DH come with me so we can each get in a line. Then I'll be able to get to the buffet quicker.

 

[my3kids]

No trouble at all. After reading here I expected a nightmare. There was nothing of the sort.

 

[DIScruisers4]

It seems that the availability of the spa and Palo vary on each cruise. We've been on three DCL cruises so far - going on our 4th in January. Cant' wait!!! The first two times, the ressie rush was not that bad, but we did have to get to the port early to insure that we were among the first to board. In January 2003, we were on the "According to Jim" cruise. We were about the 40th people on line and went straight to book Palo brunch and dinner and the spa (we split up to take care of each booking). Despite being among the first to book, there were slim pickings available for both the spa and Palo, but we were able to get something at each. Maybe the film crew got priority or there was some other unknown reason for the limited availabilty. Anyway, my suggestion is to make sure you are at the port early and are in the front of the line. If you go immediately to book Palo and the spa, you should be able to get something. One of the advantages of the REAS is that you don't have to worry about getting to the port early as all of your reservations are taken care of beforehand. You can arrive a bit later and walk immediately on the ship. No waiting, no worrying about available times. Good luck.

 

[PRaffen]

What time do they start taking PALO reservations?

 

[ivanova]

PRaffen, I think it's 1pm or 1:30pm.

 

[Zandy595]

I'm looking at the new Eastern Magic Navigator on Dave's site, right now.

Palo Reservations are: 12 noon - 3:30pm @ Rockin' Bar D and 5:00pm - 6:00pm @ Palo

 

[ivanova]

didn't think about checking the navigators - the 4 day nav on Dave's site says Palo ressies are from 1pm to 3:30pm in Wavebands, then after 5pm you can call Palo's directly.